John Ray to Hans Sloane – June 8, 1681
Item info
Date: June 8, 1681 Author: John Ray Recipient: Hans SloaneLibrary: British Library, London Manuscript: Sloane MS 4036 Folio: ff. 2-3
-
Language
English
-
Library
British Library, London
-
Categories
Collections, Social, Travel
-
Subjects
Botany, Drawings, Figures, Plants, Printing
-
Date (as written)
June 8, 1681
-
Standardised date
-
Origin (as written)
Black Notley
-
Others mentioned
Margaret Ray Mr Smith Leonard Plukenet
-
Patients mentioned
Original Page
Transcription
[fol. 2] Sr It is now about a fortnight since the Post brought me your very civill & obliging Letter, the receipt whereof I should sooner have acknowledg’d but that I awaited ye arrival of your acceptable present, wch Mr Smith sent me not will last week, deferring so long I suppose that he might send my Book & that together, wch by ye Printers fault was not sooner finished. I am too conscious of my own weaknesse to own what you write of me, yet look upon it as an effect of your kindness & good will: it being a common fault in friends to permit their affection too much to influence & biasse their judgement. I am sorry that I had not leaisure & opportunity when I was in London curiously to view your rare Collection of Plants. I know I should have received much information & satisfaction thereby. I hope you persist in your resolution of making your discoveries & Observations publick, for your own honour, & the advancem’t of Reall Philsophy, & that you move forwards vigorosuly in it. I am sensible that ye charge of Figures may deterre you, therefore I think it were adviseable to imitate Dr Plukenet, to draw y’em in piccolo using a small scale, & thrust many species into a Plate. I would not have ye ingenious deferred ye fruition of such a treasure, the sight of so gratefull objects nor you the credit of your inventions. I hope you have received the little Tract, wch I ordered Mr Smith to present you with a Copy of. If you some down into the Countrey this Summer, I hope you will doe use ye kindnesse to give use a visit at Black Notley: My wife (who tenders her humble service to you) as well as my self would be so very glad to see you heer. shes with due thanks for your many favours & great kindness is all at present from Sr, Your affectionate friend & humble Servant John Ray Black Notley June 8. 81.
Ray was a theologian and naturalist who collected and catalogued his botanical findings in the much lauded Historia plantarum (1686, 1688) (Scott Mandelbrote, Ray , John (16271705), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Oct 2005 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/23203, accessed 18 June 2013]).
Patient Details
-
Patient info
Name: N/A
Gender:
Age: -
Description
-
Diagnosis
-
Treatment
Previous Treatment:
Ongoing Treatment:
Response: -
More information
-
Medical problem reference