Letter 4428

Sir, Having made a journey to Oxford, since I saw you, to inspect some Mss in the Bodlegen Library, & have ^ing been much out of order since I came up this has prevented me from paying my respects to you in the manner I ought. The news-paper has, I hope, informed you that I am in readiness to publish; as soon as my subscriptions will anyways answer the great trouble & expence I have already been at in this undertaking be(cut off) affair in heavier than I expected,I have (cut off) of great apistance to support me in it I am a person yet unknown to the Leaned world ^& a reasonable difference may be taken at my ability & capacity to perform this work. The inclosed is a letter which I have drawn up in order to be read to the Royal Society, if you Sr. would do me the honour to communicate it. I have shown it to Mr. West of the Temple, who app (cut off) of it; & does not doubt but that it will have desired success, if you wou’d be pleased to recom-mend it you known humanity of candour will excuse this presumption from me; & your reading at all times to encourage the learned & ingenious, tempts me to believe I shall not ask in vain. However, I leave it solely to your own determination, & am with great respect, Good Sr. your most obliged & most faithfull humble servant F. Drake. Anchor York-Street Coveat-garden Feb 18 1734/5