Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/289

 Coals in Surry, but am glad to understand there is any such thing; and do wonder that noe provision is made for Fuell in case the Newcastle trade were intercepted.

'I am not forward to Print my Political Arithmaticke, but doe wish that what goeth abroad were compared with the copy in Sr R. Southwell's hand, which I corrected in March.

'I have taken care that the Elephant which was so unfortunately burnt here, might be disected for so much as the fire left capable of it; which, such as it is, shall be sent to the Society. The poore man who owns it, hopes to make some advantage by shewing the skeleton, the trunk, and gutts, and consequently values them at a vast Rate; wheras I hoped to have purchased them for the repositary, but doe wonder that the English and Dutch surgeons liveing in India, have not made a perfect Anatomy of this Creature, especially of its Trunke, nor sent the principall Bones of the largest of them.

'You write of some other particulars which you had from Doctr Wood and Mr. Weeks. Pray pursue that matter, for I begine to be afraid of liveing in a Place where we have 10 exasperated enemies for one friend, and where I am forced to spend my whole time upon what I hate.

'Pray give my service to Mr. Colwell, Mr. Hill and Mr. Hooke, and as many more of our Society as you think fitt, for I name these three because I observe them to have been most constantly there.

'I am Sr

'Your affectionate humble servant,

'Wundefined. Petty. 'For Mr. John Aubrey at Mr. Hooks Lodgeing In Gresham College, London.'

'Dublin: 10 Sep. 1681. 'I shall returne little answer to yours of ye 30th of August, otherwise then that I am affected with what you say of jour ague, and am glad you understand the cure of it. Wee are here all in good health, and our affairs do rather mend than otherwise.