Letter 2162

Posted on August 2, 2016 by -

William Derham to Hans Sloane – August 3, 1717


Item info

Date: August 3, 1717
Author: William Derham
Recipient: Hans Sloane

Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4045
Folio: ff. 27-28


Original Page


Transcription

[fol. 28] Dear & most hond Sr Upmr Aug. 3. 1717 Having an opportunity be a neighbr of yours at my House, I send you your Lr, & Mr Rays Answer about the Bituminous Earth at Hockston. I desire you to add the account you told me of, wch you said was something diverting, & what else you think fit. I have heard what the true cause of the infection of the ground was (I think an house where they made Ol. Ferebinth.) but I have forgotten. Be pleased to let me know. I desire the favour of you to acquaint the R.S. yt I have returned them their 126 foot Telescope; & desire Mr Thomas to can- cel the Note I gave for it. Mr Rays Lrs are in the Press; but the Printers proceed lazily. When they come to yours & Dr Robinsons, I will send you both word of it, yt you may see wt I have se- lected, & yt you may correct the errours of his & Your much obliged humble servt W. Derham When you have ordered the enclosed Lrs, I beg the favr of you to leave them for me at Mr Innyss, to be sent wth a Proof sheet to me.

Derham was a Church of England clergyman and a natural philosopher, interested in nature, mathematics, and philosophy. He frequently requested medical advice from Sloane, and likely served as a physician to his family and parishioners (Marja Smolenaars, Derham, William (16571735), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/7528, accessed 7 June 2011]).



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