Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Richard Middleton Massey to Hans Sloane – January 9, 1725/26
Item info
Date: January 9, 1725/26
Author: Richard Middleton Massey
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4048
Folio: ff. 122-123
Original Page
Transcription
Massey’s neighbour requests Sloane’s medical advice.
Richard Middleton Massey (1678-1743) attended Brasenose College, Oxford but left before obtaining a degree. In 1706 he was admitted Extra-Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians and settled in Wisbech where he practiced medicine. Massey was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1712. He compiled the catalogue of the library of the Royal College of Physicians in 1727 (http://munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk/Biography/Details/2969).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
John Powell to Hans Sloane – February 8, 1725/26
Item info
Date: February 8, 1725/26
Author: John Powell
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4048
Folio: ff. 129-130
Original Page
Transcription
[fol. 129]
Honrd Sir Pembroke Feb. ye 8th 1725/6
I am desired by Mr Samuel Savage a particular Friend of mine, & an Eminent surgeon of this Town, who has for 25 years past been in ye sea service, & serv’d in several ships, ye best of wch was an eighty Gun ship, & He chief surgeon to beg ye favour of you, that you could be pleas’d to recommend his Case to one of ye Lords of ye Admiralty, that He may obtain a superannuation, He being absolutely incapable of rideing long Journeys to attend his Patients by reason of his being several years tormented with an irregular Gout, affecting his stomach & Bowels, that it has put him frequently in great danger of his Life.
Another favour I have to beg of you is, that you would be as kind as to write a Line or two to Dr Morton to satisfye him, that ye Certificate He will shew both your self, & ye Doctor, is my Hand, & not any forgd Paper.
Your Compliance herein will much add to all ye former Obligations conferr’d on
Honrd Sir
Yr much oblig’d humble servt
Jon Powell
John Powell was a physician in Glamorganshire. He was admitted an Extra-Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians in 1690 (http://munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk/Biography/Details/3622).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Henry Elking to Hans Sloane – August 6, 1726
Item info
Date: August 6, 1726
Author: Henry Elking
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4048
Folio: ff. 183-184
Original Page
Transcription
Elking sends ‘the head of a Wallross’ preserved in ‘Salt Pickle’. He describes the specimen and how he got it to Sloane. A ship from Greenland is supposed to deliver an ‘uncommon’ specimen soon.
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
George Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax to Hans Sloane – August 30, 1726
Item info
Date: August 30, 1726
Author: George Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4048
Folio: f. 190
Original Page
Transcription
George Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax (ca. 1683-1739) was a British politician. From 1705 to 1715 he was MP for Northampton and served, at various times, as Auditor of the Exchequer, Privy Councillor, and Lord Justice (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Montagu,_1st_Earl_of_Halifax).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
M. Reynaud to Hans Sloane – September 12, 1726
Item info
Date: September 12, 1726
Author: M. Reynaud
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4048
Folio: ff. 198-199
Original Page
Transcription
Reynaud praises Sloane and informs him that they have friends in common. He offers his service. Reynaud is staying at the Earl of Coventry’s residence.
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Johann Georg Steigertahl to Hans Sloane – September 30, 1726
Item info
Date: September 30, 1726
Author: Johann Georg Steigertahl
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4048
Folio: ff. 204-205
Original Page
Transcription
Johann Georg Steigertahl (1666-1740) was the personal physician to George I of England. He was a member of the Royal Society and secured the purchase of Engelbert Kaempfer’s collection of East Asian curiosities for Sir Hans Sloane in 1723 (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Georg_Steigerthal).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Henry Elking to Hans Sloane – November 16, 1726
Item info
Date: November 16, 1726
Author: Henry Elking
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4048
Folio: ff. 216-217
Original Page
Transcription
Elking was glad to hear that Sloane values the Greenland specimens he sent. Sloane sent Elking both volumes of the Natural History of Jamaica as thanks. Elking is glad to be of service to Sloane. For more information on the exchange, see: Sloane MS 4048, fols. 183-184.
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Thomas Onslow to Hans Sloane – December 4, 1726
Item info
Date: December 4, 1726
Author: Thomas Onslow
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4048
Folio: ff. 227-228
Original Page
Transcription
[fol. 227]
Sr
The report of a Woman’s breeding of Rabbits has almost alarm’d England and in a Manner persuaded severall people of sound Judgm:t of that truth; I have been at some pains to Discover the Affair, and think I have Conquerd My poynt; as you will se by the Depotition [sic] taken before Me, which shall be published in a Day or Two I am
Sr
Yr Hume Servant
Onslow
Clandon Decemr 4th 1726
Thomas Onslow, 2nd Baron Onslow (1679-1740) inherited his title from his father Richard Onslow in 1717. He commissioned Clandon Park in the 1730s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Onslow,_2nd_Baron_Onslow).
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Andrew Sloane to Hans Sloane – November 18, 1728
Item info
Date: November 18, 1728
Author: Andrew Sloane
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4050
Folio: ff. 4-5
Original Page
Transcription
[fol. 4] Honorble Sir I have the honour of Yours of the 5th instant which was the longer in comeing to my hand that it behoov’d to be returned to this place, haveing left Air upon some bussines here before it went that length; I own my obligation to You for the favour, Am heartily sorry to find Ye’ve been indisposed and hope Ye’re perfectly well recovered; But one thing I’m yet at a loss to know, and that is, Your motto: And therefore I begg Ye’ll add a further obligation and Lett me know what it is. I’m infinitely oblidged to your goodness in letting know a little of Your family; and I hope tho your modestie won’t as a younger-Brother and a seventh son, Yet Ye’ll allow me to Acknowledge you for Cheife, As a Gentleman of the brightest parts in the name. I humbly thank you for the assurance ye give me of showing me what civilitys are in Your power, than which nothing can be more Acceptable for no doubt it’s in your power to do great services to Your freinds: And therefore I shall lay hold of this opportunity and Begg liberty to lett you know what I am: My father of low parentadge But a verry honest man and well skilled in Country affairs, Was Factor to Collonell Charles Catheart, And thought fitt to Bind me Apprentice to a Writer which is the same with what ye call an Actorney in England And I Bless God for it I have no reason to repent his choice, for I hope by this time I have Attained as much of the Airt as shall gain my bread without being a burthen to my freinds: So that what I wou’d inferr from this, Is, that as frequently small vaccancies happen in this Kingdome To which my office as writer might inable me to succeed; If ye’d please use Your-intrest for me at Court, I cou’d soon fish out what wou’d be for me And Acquaint you therewith. Ye can’t miss but [fol. 5] but to think this An impertinent freedome, which I do Acknowledge But as Ye’ve been so good as assure me of your freindship And I don’t know by what happy Accident I’m led in to it, I hope Ye’ll pardon the presumption and Allow me to remaine Honorble Sir Your ever oblidged and most obedient humble servant Andrew Sloane Edinburgh 18th November 1728
Andrew Sloane recounts the details of his life and requests that Sir Hans use his influence at court to help him.
Posted on August 2, 2016 by -
Louis Bertrand Castel to Hans Sloane – December 5, 1728
Item info
Date: December 5, 1728
Author: Louis Bertrand Castel
Recipient: Hans Sloane
Library: British Library, London
Manuscript: Sloane MS 4050
Folio: f. 15
Original Page
Transcription
[fol. 15] Monsieur Le Rang que vous tenez et a Reputation dont vous jouissez dans la Republique des Lettres, me portent à vous offrir un ouvrage de Mathematique que je viens de mettre au jour. Mr de Woolhouse mon ami es votre zelé admirateur ma fait esperer que vous l’agreriéz comme un gage de mon estime. Hureux s’il peut meriter quelque part dans la votre. j’espere aussi que vous voudréz contribuer à le faire un peu connoitre à votre illsutre et vraiment Royale Societé. Vous verrez, et ils verront que je suis fort admirateur declaré des Geometres anglais. je dois meme à cette occasion vous dire et vous prier de leur apprendre que je travaille avec deuz autres à une traduction francoise de l’abregé de Lowthorp qui est le plus beau receuil que nous ayons en fait de Physique et de Geometrie. je recouvrai avec plaisir vos bons avis es les leurs aussi sur une traduction de cette conséquence. je suis avec beaucoup de Respect et toute l’estime que vous meritéz Monsieur Votres tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur L. Castel jes. A Paris ce 5me Decembre 1728
Castel writes that he is a friend of Mr Woolhouse and offers Sloane a book on mathematics. He is working on an abridged translation of Lowthorp’s medical treatise and would like Sloane’s opinion.
Louis Bertrand Castel (1688-1757) was a French mathematician. He entered the order of the Jesuits in 1703. Castel authored severals works on optics a critique of Sir Isaac Newton’s system in 1743 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Bertrand_Castel).