Letter 2693

Sibbald has enclosed an account of the making of instruments, present by George Adams, who desires a profit to be made for the subsistence of his family: ‘he is very desirious a Gift may be promised for him in England that he and non but such as he may agree with, may have the Liberty of making & selling it for fourteen years.’ The Privy Council had previously granted him that, and Sibbald says he shall extend Sloane’s assistance, and Adams will come and show him the instruments in London. He updates Sloane on the condition of a boy who has passed ‘above a hundred… Gravell stones’ of ‘such odd shapes’, and has since passed a box full of ‘greyish sand, as he had done at the beginning of the disease’, but for months has been enjoying perfect health. Sibbald discusses preparing a catalogue of the Library of Sir James Balfour who, along with his brother Andrew, ‘were great promoters and Advancers of the Best and most Curious Learning in this Kingdom.’ He asks Sloane what he wants out of the collection. Finally, he recommends the bearer ‘who hath been at great paines in making a description of the Isle of Sky’ because John Adair, ‘instead of rewarding him as he promised hath treated him severely.’ Sibbald asks Sloane to employ his friends in finding him some encouragement and reward at court. He goes on to describe how Skye-born Martin was Governor to the Chiefs of the Clans of the Isle and much in favour: ‘they will doe for him what they will doe for no other.’ He has unparalleled knowledge of the history, language, customs and lifestyle of that island, and is therefore very capable of serving the Royal Society. Sibbald was a physician and a geographer. He was physician to James VII (Charles W. J. Withers, Sibbald, Sir Robert (16411722), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, May 2006 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/25496, accessed 19 June 2013]).