Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/192

 writeing, promissing to name noe person, but upon assurance to thrive. Now I entreat thee most earnestly to have in writeing what was read to me of Eng(land) and Ir(eland) as to revenue. The bearer waites wholly for it, for this night I am to goe to him again. I was with him yesterday about my own business, and then fell into discourse about this. Ireland took as well as England. Now is the crisis; therefore pray fail not, and if anything be to be done for the retriveing my business about the Lord Ranalagh, lett me have two words; and what progress is made in our Irish affaires there. I will run, goe, or doe ten times more for thee at any time. Noe more, but once more beseech you not to fail for both our sakes. In great hast.

'Thy sinceer friend

'Wm. Penn.

'For my old and worthy friend Sir William Petty at his house in Pecedille. Speed and Care.'

Amongst others whose good opinion Sir William at this time gained was John Aubrey, the celebrated Wiltshire antiquarian.

'Sir,—My quondam neighbour and ever honoured friend, Sir James Long, hath importuned me to leave my all till October to wayte on Him. I pass my time away here merrily in ingeniose conversation, and with very great Beautys. But notwithstanding all these very great divertisements, I cannot, nor shall not while I live, ever forget the kindness, the great favour, friendship, and honour, in my case, of my ever honoured friend Sir William Petty, to so unlucky and unfortunate a person as your humble servant. Truly, Sir William, I have been so battered with the afflictions of this world, that I am almost weary of it, and could I with a wish advance my fortune, it should be more to endeavour by way of retaliation and gratitude (which if I can plead to any virtue 'tis that) to express my thankfulness to two or three friends, whereof Sir Wm Petty is the chiefe: "Nescio quod me tibi temperat