CORRESPONDENCE OF RAY. 405 



ance, and he is able to do as much as any man, by reason 

 of his interest in the Queen. But I look upon it as not 

 feasible in these difficult times, and therefore shall not 

 concern myself much in it. 



My wife tenders her humble service, and so do my 

 girls. Both they and I are sensible of our obligations to 

 you, and return you many thanks for your former kind- 

 nesses. So I humbly recommend to the Divine protection 

 and blessing, and remain, 



Sir, 

 Your very much obliged friend and humble servant, 



John Ray. 



Foi' his honoured friend, Dr. Hans Sloanc, 



at his house at the corner of Southampton street, 

 towards Bloomsbury square, London. • 



Mr. Ray to Dr. Hans Sloane. 



Sir, — I received your kind letter of Dec. 9, for which 

 I thank you. The method of insects was too small a 

 tribe to have been taken notice of by you. 



I should be very glad to see the collections both of 

 insects and plants sent you by the learned and very in- 

 dustrious Father Camel, were I in condition to overlook 

 them. His history of scandent plants are very well worth 

 the pubhshing. The learned world must not want them. 

 They must, I think, be printed by themselves : but, alas ! 

 I am in such sad pain and misery, and reduced to that 

 extremity, that I cannot rise alone, and look upon myself 

 as no man of this world. All I can do is to sit still, be- 

 moan myself, and pore upon my pain. Father Camel's 

 designs I intend to send you by next week's carrier. 



Mr. Dale communicated to me as from you Mr. Cun- 

 ningham's papers concerning the Catamba and Xylatoes, 

 which were much to my satisfaction. I return you many 

 thanks for all your assistances and contributions to my 



