458 CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 



Mr. Dandridge, Mr. Bobart, and many more. Pardon 

 my scribbling, who am scarce able to manage a pen. 



I am, Sir, 

 Most highly obliged and obedient 



friend and servant, 



J. RAY. 



To his honoured friend, Dr. Hans Sloane, 

 at his house at the corner of Southampton street, 

 towards Bloomsbury square, London. 



Mr. RAY to Dr. HANS SLOANE. 



Black Notley, December 12, 1704. 



SIR, Monday last I received by carrier your noble 

 present of sugar, for which I return you a thousand 

 thanks, as do also my wife and daughters, who say you 

 are [a] brave man. 



I thank you for all your advices, I cannot but highly 

 approve of that of keeping up my legs. But my knees 

 being almost constantly kept bent by .my sitting, the nerves 

 and muscles are so contracted that I cannot stretch them 

 out without pain, much less keep them so. I will endea- 

 vour what I can. 



The other I shall also carefully observe so soon as I can 

 get the things, and do hope and believe they may be use- 

 ful and helpful to me. Your judgment I much value. 



I continue still full of pain, and my sores rather spread 

 than contract, which quite spoil my memory, and weakens 

 my other parts, and therefore I hope you will pardon the 

 many errors in this short letter, resting, 



Sir, 

 Your extremely obliged and most humble 



servant and orator, 



JOHN RAY. 



To Ms honoured friend, Dr. Hans Sloane, 



at his house at the corner of Southampton street, 

 towards Bloomsbury square, London. 



