14 A BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 



men whereof I have transmitted to Mr. Hartlib, concern- 

 ing the ornaments of gardens, which I have requested 

 him to communicate to you." It was thus that Mr. 

 Hartlib rendered himself serviceable to persons in every 

 sphere, and was in the confidence of men of very different 

 views in their religious and political sentiments. 



In his letters to the Honourable Eobert Boyle, com- 

 mencing 13th of May, 1658, he alludes to his "very 

 great straits, to say nothing of the continual (almost 

 daily) disbursements for others." 



His correspondence, as we learn indeed from his own 

 narrative, was very extensive among the great and 

 learned men of all classes at home and abroad ; as well 

 as with others in a humble sphere of life, if distinguished 

 for more than ordinary talents. Much of this volu- 

 minous correspondence has been fortunately preserved, 

 while only too large a portion has suffered the common 

 fate incident to a disturbed state of society, combined 

 with the ordinary mutability and accidents of time. His 

 letters show that he lived respectively near Angel 

 Court, Charing Cross, some while at Duke's Place, and 

 later at Axe Yard. He does not appear to have had 

 any immediate business, or professional or public 

 engagements; but seems to have wholly devoted his 

 time to making himself acquainted with the literary, 

 scientific, theological, and political information of his 

 day ; by which means he became the centre, as it were, 

 of a large and mixed society, for whom he fulfilled 



