72 LETTERS ON SCIENTIFIC SUBJECTS. 



SIR CHARLES CAVENDISH TO JOHN PELL. 



[MS. Birch, Brit. Mus. 4278, fol. 143. Grig.] 



"Wellingor, January 8th, 1641. 



Worthie Sir, I have not much to write to you of, onelie 

 I have heard nothing of those bookes you writ to me of. I 

 have sent you hereinclosed what Mersennus latelie sent me. 

 I desire you will doe me the favoure to write it oute and send 

 it me, for I confess his hande is an Arabicke character to me ; 

 I praye you keepe his paper till it please God wee meete. I 

 doute heer hath bin ill weather for Mr. Reeves to worcke in. 

 And so wisshing you all hapiness, I rest 



Your assured freind to serve you, 



CHARLES CAVENDYSSHE. 



SIR CHARLES CAVENDISH TO JOHN PELL. 



[MS. Birch, Brit. Mus. 4278, fol. 146. Grig.] 



Wellingor, Feb. 5, 1641. 



Worthie Sir, I thanke you for your letter and the tran- 

 script of Mersennus problem ; if he hath read Mr. Brigs or 

 Mr. Oughtred I wonder he would send it, but it maye be he 

 hath found it the analyticall waye himself. I am glad Mr. 

 Reaves was in such forwardness when you writ; but I doute 

 the glass (which I hope is nowe finished) is not of the same 

 which you tried your refraction in, because Mr. Reaves hath 

 broken in his triall so much glass, that I doute there is none 

 left of that which you tried your refraction in ; but I hope 

 fine glass differs so little in refraction that it will not doe us 

 much harme. I hope you goe on with your owne analyticall 

 worcke as your occasions will permit you. I have no more 

 at this time to trouble you with, but remaine 



Your assured freind to serve you, 



CHARLES CAVENDYSSHE, 



can be little doubt but that it was written and composed by him. There is no 

 direction to this letter, but the allusion to Warner's pension shows to whom it 

 was addressed. It is scarcely necessary to observe that the initials W. and H. are 

 intended for Warner and Harriot. This letter will serve to show the reason why 

 Torporley afterwards attacked the work of Harriot : he doubtless failed in some 

 application to the Duke of Northumberland, and his well-known irascible temper 

 converted his previous respect for Harriot's memory into hatred. See my Life of 

 Sir Samuel Morland, p. 28. 



