Letter 1675

[fol. 137] Leyden May 22d 1710 Much Honoured Sir I had the Honour of yours of the 7th March last, and was unwilling to be troublesom else shou’d have pay’d my respects to you since that time. I’m extremely troubled that you shou’d have had such trouble with the Black Boy, whom the I judged bad enough by what i had lately seen and of which I informed you, yet cou’d not have imagined he would have turn’d such a Rogue as I perceive by yours he is; therefore I beg of you that you’d be pleasd to dispose of him as you shall think best, in sending him to the West Indies or elswhere. And pray pardon my haveing given you the trouble of such a Rogue; who I thought might perhaps be of use to you, but am sorry to find that it’s quite other wayes. This Gentleman the Bearer Doctor Hestor has been of Late my Acquaintance, seems to be a very ingenious Man, has a great Character, and I beleive comes very well recommended to you: I have used the freedom to trouble him with this Letter, which I shou’d elsewhere have sent by the post. I have heard that Mr Ruysch, with whom this Gentleman is very intimat, has some thoughts of disposing of his Anatomical preparationm which are indeed wonderfully frine, and with good reason judged, by all who have seen them, farr beyond all that has been hitherto done of that kinde. I have seen several of them. I hear he values the whole, together with his secret Method of Inspection, all between one and two thousand pounds from which indeed seem to be invalueable. This I have heard whispered, but not by this Gentleman, who nevertheless can I beleive best inform you, what really there may be in this report: which I was willing to send to you, knowing your singular curiosity, in the most valueable parts of art and nature might probably incline you to make such a purchase. Pleas to turn over[.] Our Colledges here will be att ane end for this season by the beginning of July, when I design God willing to go to the army in Flanders, partly wait on Lord Genll Lauder who is my near Relations, partly to see the Army Hospital practice. It will be a great honour and advantage to me, if you make me the Bearer of a Letter to any of your freinds in the army or Hospitalls. I’m afraid this tedious Letter proves ane unreasonable interruption to you, who are always so fully imploy’d. I shall be glad of the honour of a Line from you when att Leisure, with your Commands if I can serve you in any thing here. I onely add my humble Respects to your honoured Lady and Family, and Am Much Honoured Sir Your most humble and obliged servt Alexr Stuart