l68 LETTERS FROM THE REV. WM. DERHAM, D.D,
May 8, 1704.
Sr
I have here sent you your vol : of Transactions wch I last
borrowed, & Scilla's Epist : I return you many thanks for them,
& beg that you will be pleased to add to the favour the lent of the
next vol : of Trans : I have sent you the last Transaction : &
all the rest that I have shall be at your comand, or any other book
yt I have. And yt you may know what Books I have, I will show
you in a short time a catalogue of the small number I have of Books
Mathematical & of Natural Philosophy. I have also presumed
to trouble you wth a few Plants, to desire the favour of you to tell
me their names ; because some of them I doubt of, others I have
forgotten, & some I never knew. Be pleased to write their name
on the paper they ly in, & excuse this trouble given you by
Sr
Your much obliged & most humble servt
W. Derham.
I beg the favour of my humble service to your lady, son & the
young Ladies. If you have any of Dr. Wallis's Books, de Motu,
I desire to borrow them a little while.
The Doctor in asking for Scilla's Epist was probably referring
to a work of Augustine Scilla's published in 1697.
Note the use of the word "lent" where we should now say
"loan."
The Rev. Dr. John Wallis, 1616-1703, was one of the earliest
members of the Royal Society ; he was an eminent divine and
mathematician and a most prolific writer.
De Motu is the title of the first part of Sir Isaac Newton's
great work, the Principia.
May 11. 1704.
Sr.
As I was this day viewing the sun, I perceived a bright golden
spot on his Disk, which whether it ever appeared in Schemer's
time, is what I want to search after, & therefore desire the favour
of borrowing Schemer of you. I have sent you the Proposals for
Mr. Ray's Book, which is now finished, all or very little being to
be printed but the title-page. I spake to Mr. Smith about the
Subscriptions, who promised me yt either I, or any friend of mine,
should have the benefit of ye 7th book. But I believe any other
person might have the same benefit, although the Book I hear is
admirable. But he said y the Subscription-money must be paid
very shortly before the Book is published. I thought fit to advertise
you of this because you told me your intent of being a Subscriber.
I was yesterday at London, where I saw Wilson's Microscopes :
which are really very admirable, & I judge exceed all besides.
The Author will be with me, wth a set of them about a fortnight
or 3 weeks hence, & if I could hope for ye favour of your good
company, I would send you word yt you might have the pleasure
of seeing them, & what they represent as well as I. A slice of