CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 55 



of a tertian ague, which, I thank God, I have been now 

 a good while rid of. Something I have since done, of 

 the success I will give you an account when the season of 

 bleeding is quite over. Some experiments I have made 

 this spring, which seem not well to agree with those I 

 made the last. My Catalogue I beheve is not yet begun, 

 the undertaker, Mr. Martin, staying for a new letter ; he 

 promiseth me to take special care both of the letter and 

 paper, and correcting, that it may in all respects be well 

 done. My Collection of Proverbs I have given to Mr. 

 Morden of Cambridge, who desired it of me, and promises 

 to get it well printed. We do now shortly expect the 

 Bishop of Chester here, for whom prhicipally 1 stay at 

 present, my private affairs calling me into Essex. When 

 I have had conference with him, and settled and stated 

 things concerning his universal character, I intend to set 

 afresh upon and despatch the translation, that so I may 

 be free to prosecute my own inclinations and studies. 

 Having but little time, I can add no more than my best 

 wishes and prayers for you, and for your lady's good 

 success, remaining as always. 



Mr. Wkay to Mr. Listeb. 



Dear Sir, — This next week we expect the Bishop of 

 Chester at Middleton, who desires our assistance in alter- 

 ing and amending his tables of natural history. To 

 make exact philosophical tables, you know, is a matter 

 very difficult, not to say impossible ; to make such as are 

 tolerable requires much diligence and experience, and is 

 work enouoh for one man's whole life, and therefore we 

 had need call in all the assistance we can from our friends, 

 especially being not free to follow nature, but forced to 

 bow and strain things to serve a design according to the 

 exigency of the character. To what purpose you will say 

 is all this ? To make excuse for this importunity in beg- 



