174 LETTERS FROM THE REV. WM. DERHAM, D.D.
of his books from the notes made by his friend. The annuity
Willoughby left Ray was the chief source of the latter's means of
livelihood during the last years of his life.
It appears from this letter that it was owing to the Doctor's
persuasion that Dacre Barrett became a member of the Royal
Society, to which he was elected in the following February.
1704.
I have now gotten a Pneumatick Engine, & the maker will
be with me to morrow, who is best able to try varions Experiments.
He will be going on Saturday. I have advertised you of this,
yt you may have the pleasure of seeing the Expts as well as my
self ; and ye Honour of your good company will be a great favr to
Sr.
Your much obliged and most humble servt
W. Derham.
I desire my humble service to yr Lady, Son & Daughters.
Upmr. Sep : 22. 1704.
Sr.
According as I told you I expected, I have gotten a Pneumatick
Engine, wch the maker was so kind to leave with me for a week
or more longer than this present time. I have successfully tryed
some Expts in it, & want to try more, particularly some of Mr.
Boyles ; & therefore if you have Mr. Boyl's Book of the Pneumat.
Eng. or any other on yt Subject. I beg the favour of you to lend
them me for a little while. I remember there are divers of such
Expts in the Vol : of Transactions wch I last restored to you, or
yt before. If you can find them out, & think them worth trying
over again, I desire you will be pleased to send me yt Vol : again.
And if you will be pleased, before I return the Engine, to assist
in, & partake with me in the pleasure of some of these Curiosities
it will be a great favour to
Sr.
Your much obliged and most humble servt.
W. Derham.
I am sure you will be much pleased wch ye Experimts, & there-
fore to save you the trouble of a short journey hither, I would
send you the Engine, but it would be troublesome, & hazardous to
ye glasses.
I desire the favour of mine & my wifes humble service to your
Lady, Son & Daughters.
Boyle wrote so large a quantity of books on scientific sub-
jects that it is difficult to identify the one the Doctor wanted to
borrow. It may have been one indexed in the British Museum
Catalogue as New Experiments Physico-Mechanicall the touching
the spring of the air, etc., etc., made in a new Pneumatical Machine.
Published in 1660.