102 LETTERS ON SCIENTIFIC SUBJECTS. 



ebbings and flowings it is probable to be true by the report 

 of many ; which say that the sea did soe all the morning, and 

 that it did soe likewise againe in the evening, but they say 

 that this was not so violent ; but this 4 houres time that I 

 gave you account off was as I have said, carefully observed 

 by so many and that of the chiefest mariners, merchants, and 

 other gentlemen, as well as other sorts of people, both men 

 and weomen, one friend calling and sending for another, that 

 to me it seemes an absurdity in the least to doubt the truth ; 

 the chiefe occation of observation being the extreame violence 

 of it, one wherof I heard being in house, being talking with 

 one, we had much pitty for a ketch there riding in the road, 

 we thinking of a very great and suddent storme of wind, but 

 looking out of doores found noe wind att alle, but saw the sea 

 at a distance full of ravelling waves with much noyes. If not 

 of worth to you, pray take the will for the deed. I aymed at 

 the best. The thing to all persons of this town was and still 

 is wonderfull, and I thought it worthy of publique note, to 

 which end I sent it to London preferring you before Mr. 

 Gadbury, who otherwise had had the account. However, 

 Sir, if you will not afford me no other account of it, you let 

 me begg you to give me a few lines that you have received 

 mine, that I may know that it came to your hand ; and if by 

 writing so presumptuously to you, strangers to each other, I 

 have offended you, pray pardon me ; it is but the second of- 

 fence ; I hope I then shall not committ the third : yet in the 

 meane while shall remaine, Sir, 



Your friend in what I may, 

 CHRISTOPHER SAWTELL. 



For Mr. William Lilly, Astrologer, at the 

 corner-house, over against Strand-bridge, 

 these, in London. Post paid, 3d. 



THOMAS BRANCKER TO JOHN PELL. 



[MS. Birch, Brit. Mus. 4278, fol. 41, Orig.] 



Tottenham, August 17th, 1666. 



Much honoured Sir, I conceived it unnecessary to trouble 

 you with any line from me since the reciept of your last sheet, 

 untill I could return it or part of it in print. This is now 

 done, and you may please to send to Badiley for a sheet which 

 I presume my bookseller will send on Munday. In it the 

 fractions are very much amended. Mr. Collins tells me that 



