i68 
LETTERS FROM THE REV. WM. DERHAM, D.D. 
May 8, 1704. 
S r 
I have here sent you your vol : of Transactions w ch I last 
borrowed, & Scilla’s Epist : I return you many thanks for them, 
& beg that you will be pleased to add to the favour the lent of the 
next vol : of Trans : I have sent you the last Transaction : & 
all the rest that I have shall be at your comand, or any other book 
y t I have. And y* you may know what Books I have, I will show 
you in a short time a catalogue of the small number I have of Books 
Mathematical & of Natural Philosophy. I have also presumed 
to trouble you w th a few Plants, to desire the favour of you to tell 
me their names ; because some of them I doubt of, others I have 
forgotten, & some I never knew. Be pleased to write their name 
on the paper they ly in, & excuse this trouble given you by 
S r 
Your much obliged & most humble servt 
W. Derham. 
I beg the favour of my humble service to your lady, son & the 
young Ladies. If you have any of Dr. Wallis’s Books, de Motu, 
I desire to borrow them a little while. 
The Doctor in asking for Scilla’s Epist was probably referring 
to a work of Augustine Scilla’s published in 1697. 
Note the use of the word “ lent ” where we should now say 
“ loan.” 
The Rev. Dr. John Wallis, 1616-1703, was one of the earliest 
members of the Royal Society ; he was an eminent divine and 
mathematician and a most prolific writer. 
De Motu is the title of the first part of Sir Isaac Newton’s 
great work, the Principia. 
May 11. 1704. 
S r . 
As I was this day viewing the sun, I perceived a bright golden 
spot on his Disk, which whether it ever appeared in Scheiner’s 
tin e, is what I want to search after, & therefore desire the favour 
of borrowing Scheiner of you. I have sent you the Proposals for 
Mr. Ray’s Book, which is now finished, all or very little being to 
be printed but the title-page. I spake to Mr. Smith about the 
Subscriptions, who promised me y* either I, or any friend of mine, 
should have the benefit of y e 7th book. Blit I believe any other 
person might have the same benefit, although the Book I hear is 
admirable. But he said y the Subscription-money must be paid 
very shortly before the Book is published. I thought fit to advertise 
you of this because you told me your intent of being a Subscriber. 
I was yesterday at London, where I saw Wilson’s Microscopes : 
which are really very admirable, & I judge exceed all besides. 
The Author will be with me, w tb a set of them about a fortnight 
or 3 weeks hence, & if I could hope for y e favour of your good 
company, I would send you word y 4 you might have the pleasure 
of seeing them, & what they represent as well as I. A slice of 
