Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
John Thomas Woolhouse to Hans Sloane – September 22, 1728
Item info
Date: September 22, 1728
Author: John Thomas Woolhouse
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4049
Folio: ff. 243-244
Original Page
Transcription
Woolhouse sends a book that contests Newton’s Chronology. He comments on the controversy. Woolhouse has been made aware of a wondrous cure. He notes that ‘The secret of the gold drops is in very great request’ in Paris. His son Beaumont was able to perform the operation and Woolhouse claims it cured ‘a great fluxion I had on my breast’. He hopes to have interpreted His Majesty’s visit with Sloane correctly.
John Thomas Woolhouse was an English oculist and physician. He practiced physic in London, served James II for a time, and in 1711 secured a position at Paris’s Hospice des Quinze-Vingts. He served as the King of France’s oculist, was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1721, and a member of both the Berlin Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Sciences of Bologna. Woolhouse was criticized for charlatanry by some contemporaries (Anita McConnell, Woolhouse, John Thomas (16661734), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/29954, accessed 17 July 2013]).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
William Derham to Hans Sloane – October 3, 1715
Item info
Date: October 3, 1715
Author: William Derham
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4044
Folio: ff. 100-101
Original Page
Transcription
[fol. 101]
My dear Friend Upm’r Oct. 3. 1715
I have just prepared yours
& Mr Rays Lrs for publica[ti]on. Amongst
wch meeting with one or more about ye
friendly service you did him wth the AB
of Cant. Put me in mind of your
Interest wch his present Grace, wch you
may make exceedingly for my profit
& therefore I beg another addition to yr
former favours, wch is to put him in
mind of me. When I last was with
him he told me, That he had a great
kindness for me, & intended to do some
thing wch should be for the good of my
self & family, &c. I doubt not but
he meant to give or procure me some
Dignity (for another Living I would
not take, so as to make me a Plu-
ralist, wch I have ever sampled) but
any other Preferment, except yt of a
Bishop I should be glad of, to enable me to
make a competent provision for my family, &c,
wch as matters stand with me, I am not likely, to
make. If you alone, or some other potent friend
wch you should have occasion to visit Lambeth, I
hope you will do me the favour to recommend me
wth some earnestness to his Grace, as I know you
have already done, wch makes me the bolder wth
you now, wch I hope you will excuse.
Since I saw you, I was all over your Farm at
Orset, & found every thing well about the House and
Lands, only a few Trees a li lower boughs of ye Trees
cut, wch no doubt was done by the Poor, wch is not
to be prevented. Wth great respect & affection I am
Dear Sr Your most obliged humble servt
Wm Derham
My Wife desires
your acceptance of
her service.
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]).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Daniel Pulteney to Hans Sloane – December 29, 1715
Item info
Date: December 29, 1715
Author: Daniel Pulteney
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4044
Folio: ff. 120-121
Original Page
Transcription
Pulteney encloses some observations for Sloane’s consideration.
Daniel Pulteney was commissioner of customs and an MP “for the Cornish borough of Tregony.” He was also “appointed a lord of the Admiralty” (M. J. Rowe W. H. McBryde, Pulteney, Daniel (bap. 1682, d. 1731), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2006 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/22886, accessed 27 June 2011]).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Patrick Blair to Hans Sloane – May 3, 1716
Item info
Date: May 3, 1716
Author: Patrick Blair
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4044
Folio: ff. 153-154
Original Page
Transcription
Blair is awaiting the court’s verdict regarding his complicity in the Jacobite Rising. He asks Sloane to speak with Dr Stordale to see what can be done to secure his release from prison.
Patrick Blair was a botanist and surgeon whose papers were published in the Transactions. In 1715 Blair joined the Jacobite rebellion as a battle surgeon but was captured and condemned to death. He was visited by Sloane in prison in the hopes the latter might secure a pardon. Sloane was successful and the pardon arrived shortly before Blair’s scheduled execution (Anita Guerrini, Blair, Patrick (c.16801728), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/2568, accessed 31 May 2011]).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Richard Richardson to Hans Sloane – November 2, 1726
Item info
Date: November 2, 1726
Author: Richard Richardson
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4048
Folio: ff. 210-211
Original Page
Transcription
[fol. 210]
North Bierley Nov: 2d 1726
Hon:d Sr
Yesterday I sent you a pott of Woodcocks which are the first we have had this season which I desire your acceptance of as a gratefull acknowledgement of al your favours & Civilitys to me & should be glad to hear that he Box came to you safe & in good order.
I have put up in the Box three Guineas being Three subscriptions for Kempfers History of Japan: which I will procure for Dr Scheuchzer to whome be pleased to give my service one of the subscriptions is for Sr John Kaye Baronett the second for John Stanhope of Eccleshill Esqr the third for my selfe upon notice when the Booke comes out he shall have the second payment sent him by
your most obliged servant
Ric: Richardson
The Box was sent by
Samuel Haggers who Inns
at the Bell in Woodstreet
Richardson was a physician and botanist who traveled widely in England, Wales, and Scotland in search of rare specimens. He corresponded and exchanged plants with many well-known botanists and naturalists (W. P. Courtney, Richardson, Richard (16631741), rev. Peter Davis, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2010 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/23576, accessed 31 May 2011]).
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
-
Language
English
-
Library
British Library, London
-
Categories
Material Culture, Royal Society, Scholarship, Scientific
-
Subjects
Geology, Publishing, Real Estate, Scientific Instruments, Soil, Telescopes
-
Date (as written)
August 3, 1717
-
Standardised date
-
Origin (as written)
Upm'r [Upminster]
-
Others mentioned
Mr Innys Mr Thomas Sir Tancred Robinson John Ray
-
Patients mentioned
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]).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Horatio Walpole, 1st Baron Walpole of Wolterton to Hans Sloane – August 3, 1726
Item info
Date: August 3, 1726
Author: Horatio Walpole, 1st Baron Walpole of Wolterton
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4048
Folio: f. 182
Original Page
Transcription
Walpole thanks Sloane for visiting his sick son. He assures Sloane that Mr Flamsteed’s observations will be delivered to Abbé Bignon. Walpole’s baggage has not arrived in Paris. He requests that Sloane asks where it is at the shipping company office. Walpole is in good health and drinks a ‘good quantity’ of Bristol waters regularly, which ’causes a plentifull urine that I make every morning, and my stools are regular & good’.
Horatio Walpole was a politician, diplomat, and younger brother of Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He worked closely with his brother and represented several constituencies throughout his career as an MP including Great Yarmouth and Norwich (Philip Woodfine, Walpole, Horatio , first Baron Walpole of Wolterton (16781757), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2011 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/28595, accessed 8 Aug 2013]).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
John Thomas Woolhouse to Hans Sloane – July 12, 1726
Item info
Date: July 12, 1726
Author: John Thomas Woolhouse
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4048
Folio: ff. 178-179
-
Language
French
-
Library
British Library, London
-
Categories
Collections, Royal Society, Scholarship, Social, Travel
-
Subjects
Academie des sciences, Dispute, Elections, Jamaica, Natural History, Parisian Journals, Saint-Domingue
-
Date (as written)
July 12, 1726
-
Standardised date
-
Origin (as written)
a Paris
-
Others mentioned
James Jurin Mr Vogues John Flamsteed Manfredi Mr Costes Abbe Jean Paul Bignon Sir Isaac Newton Herman Boerhaave Johann Jakob Scheuchzer
-
Patients mentioned
Original Page
Transcription
Woolhouse is happy to inform Sloane that his Natural History of Jamaica was announced ‘au Public’ in a Parisian journal. He sends a copy of the journal. Abbé Bignon received Sloane’s letter. Woolhouse hopes the publications of Mr Flamsteed and Mr Costes, author of ‘L’Histoire de la Mesure des harmonies’, do not encounter any more difficulties. There was a problem with a Parisian journal, involving a reprimanding letter to the editor that was forwarded to Mr Jurin. Mr Vogues, a translator, has left for Saint-Domingue to serve as a Medecine du Roi. There was an election at the Academie des sciences to replace one of its chairs, Mr Hartsoeker, but no-one has yet been chosen. Le Comte de Maurepas has been attending Academie meetings and recommends that Dr Scheuchzer of Zurich take up Hartsoeker’s place. The Italians want Mr Manfredi to take the chair, the physicians suggest Mr Boerhaave, the chemists want Mr Stalh of Prussia, and Abbé Bignon wants Mr Woodward. Woolhouse suggests that Sir Isaac Newton would make a good candidate, as would Abbé Conti. A Jesuit published a critique of ‘la Chronologie de Mr Newton’. If Newton wants to publish a reply in a Parisian journal Woolhouse can arrange it. He hopes his service to the Royal Society is satisfactory.
John Thomas Woolhouse was an English oculist and physician. He practiced physic in London, served James II for a time, and in 1711 secured a position at Paris’s Hospice des Quinze-Vingts. He served as the King of France’s oculist, was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1721, and a member of both the Berlin Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Sciences of Bologna. Woolhouse was criticized for charlatanry by some contemporaries (Anita McConnell, Woolhouse, John Thomas (16661734), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/29954, accessed 17 July 2013]).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Jean Théophile Desaguliers to Hans Sloane – June 13, 1726
Item info
Date: June 13, 1726
Author: Jean Théophile Desaguliers
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4048
Folio: ff. 164-165
Original Page
Transcription
Desaguliers sends the bill for Levinus Vincent’s book, which Sloane purchased. He informs Sloane of a Frenchman travelling with the ‘Compe des Indes’ to collect shells. Desaguliers could think of no one better than Sloane to give advice to the man. He suggests that Sloane might enlarge his personal collection of shells if he helps.
Desaguliers was the son of French Huguenots who quit France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685). He was a natural philosopher and engineer, became Sir Isaac Newton’s pupil, was a proponent of Newtonianism, and performed lectures and experiments at the Royal Society (Patricia Fara, Desaguliers, John Theophilus (16831744), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2009 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/7539, accessed 12 July 2013]).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
William Derham to Hans Sloane – August 10, 1713
Item info
Date: August 10, 1713
Author: William Derham
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4043
Folio: ff. 174-175
-
Language
English
-
Library
British Library, London
-
Categories
Collections, Material Culture, Philosophical Transactions, Scholarship, Scientific
-
Subjects
Entomology, Fleas, Insects, Microsopes, Scientific Instruments
-
Date (as written)
August 10, 1713
-
Standardised date
-
Origin (as written)
Upm'r [Upminster]
-
Others mentioned
Mr Chamberlayne Mr Waller Anna Derham
-
Patients mentioned
Original Page
Transcription
[fol. 175]
Sr Upm’r Aug 10 1713
I remember in some of the Transacti-
ons there is an account of the Generation of
Fleas, which it was never my fortune to see
but once before now. And imagining therefore
it may be a curiosity not unacceptable to
your self, or some of your curious friends, I
have sent you some of the Eggs & Maggots
of Fleas, wch you will easily discern with
the help of a Microscope; and very plainly, it
you put some of them into one of Wilsons Sli-
ders, & view them in his Microscopes, as I have
done. I presume the present will not be
the more acceptable by telling you they were
the Product of a favourite Cat of a pretty
young Lady, a good Fortune, bred among some
Muslin, & the blew paper, in wch they now ly, in
her Work-basket. There were (they tell
me) thousands, but finding them to be Fleas
they burnt most of them, forgetting me,
till only a few were to be gotten, which you
are a large Sharer in. I hope they will come
alive to your hands, being very lively and brisk at their
putting up. If they are a rarity. I desire Mr Waller may see
them, as also Mr Chamberlayne if you meet with him timely,
to whom be pleased to render my humble service accepta-
ble from
Sr Your much obliged humble servant
Wm Derham
My Wifes humble service
& thanks to you; who is I thank
God now in a good state of health.
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]).