CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 457 



I am in a sad infirm condition, and my sores run worse 

 than ever, and (which is worse) my toes are ulcerated and 

 run at a great rate, so that I have little heart to proceed 

 in this work, and have had thoughts to finish the work so 

 far as I can before I make proposals for contributions. 

 But then the graving of plates would be so tedious a work 

 that it deters any from contributing. 



I humbly thank you for your great kindness to me, and 

 the offer of the use of your insects, but am not yet ready 

 for them. This cold weather hath given me a great shock. 

 My wife and daughters present you with their humble 

 services by the hand of 



Sir, 



Your devoted servitor, 



J. RAY. 



To liis honoured friend, Dr. Hans Sloane, 

 at his house at the corner of Southampton street, 

 towards Bloomsbury square, London. 



Mr. RAY to Dr. HANS SLOANE. 



B. N., November 1, 170-4. 



SIR, I should have written to you in answer to your 

 last of Oct. 10, to give you thanks for your many favours, 

 but truly I have been ever since so afflicted with pain, 

 that I have no heart to do anything. I do very much 

 approve all your advices, but yet cannot take them. The 

 ' History of Insects' must rest, if I continue thus ill, and 

 I see no likelihood of amendment unless I should overlive 

 this winter, which I have little reason to hope or expect. 

 However, though I fail, there are many at present more 

 able and skillful in this part of the history of animals than 

 myself; as first of all yourself, next Mr. Stonestreet, then 

 Mr. Petiver, Mr. Derham, Mr. Morton, Mr. Antrobus, 



