clxii
Journal of Proceedings.
seems to have sent the letter in Phil. Trans. vol. xxv, p. 2282, " Giving
an account of what manuscripts were left by Mr John Kay, together
with some 'Anatomical Observations ' made at Padua by the said Mr.
Bay." Sloane seems to have suggested that Dale should complete the
' History of Insects'; but the latter seems to have measured well the
limitation of his own powers. " I heartily thank you," he replies, on
February 23rd, 1704, " for your good opinion of my ability to perfect
Mr. Ray's ' Historia Insectorum ' ; I must confess my inclination is good
to serve both the widow and the publick, but believe this undertaking
to be above my sphere. Were it only to finish the English part, I do
not doubt but that with your kind assistance to do it (being better
acquainted with Mr. Ray's insects than any other man) ; but the exotic
part I cannot fathom, it requiring more brains and time than I can
give, nor am I master of so good a language as anything joyned to Mr.
Ray's would deserve."
Dr. Lankester prints in his volume of Ray's Correspondence, five
letters from the widow of the naturalist to Sloane, from Sloane MSS.,
4056 ; but the following extracts from Sloane MSS., 406G, 11, 12 and
15, and 4088, pp. 149 and 152, which have never as yet been printed,
may be of interest in connection with them. The first three extracts
are from letters from Sir Thomas Willoughby to Sloane, all probably
belonging to 1705. The two last, belonging to 1727, are from Ray's
youngest daughter Jane, who had, it appears, married the Rev. Joshua
Blower, of Bradwell-juxta-Coggeshall.
"... I am very sorry Mr. Ray has left his family in so ill a con-
dition. Every body, I believe, had a great vallue for him, and knowing
my father had a particular one I have always paid him £12 a year more
than I was oblig'd to, and I shall be willing to doe what you ask of me
if there is reasonable occasion, in charity to the widow. . . .
"Thos. Willoughby."
"March 27th.
" Sir,—I shall be very glad to doe anything that I can for the service
of Mr. Ray's widdow or his family, for I must allways have a great
respect to his memory, tho' on some accounts I had not many obliga-
tions to him. I will order £20 to be paid into your hands to be apply'd
as you think fitt, but if there be want in the family I think there should
not be much laid out for a monument, he having left a sufficient one
behind him. . . .
"Thos. Willoughby.
" Wollaton, Sept. 14th.
"... I have enclosed a note for £20 on Mrs. Ray's account. When
you write to her I will beg the favour you will direct my father's manu-
script of Insects to be sent up to you, and that you will please to keep
[it unt]ill I see you.
" I am, Sir, your very
"Oct 2nd. "Humble Servant.
"Thos. Willoughby."
" Sir.—I don't remember I ever had the honour to see you, tho' many
times I have heartily wish'd I cou'd. Yet considering ye acquaintance
my father, Mr. Ray had with you I presume to give you the trouble of
these lines. And hope you will accept my thanks for the many favours
our- family have Rec'd from you: which I think I am in gratitude
bound to give you. My Mother is yet alive, & gives her most humble