Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/31

 versed in those studies, and not of low esteeme here, I presented one. I have given 2 to Joncker Horghland, a Chymist and Physician, Des Cartes his most intimate freind and correspondent, who has promised at his next writing to send one to Des Cartes. And so having retayned only one to shew my freinds up and downe where I goe, I hope they are all disposed of to your mind. If you please to send 12 more, I can dispose them to some other professors, 3 or 4 I would send for England to Mr. Oughtred, Mr. Barlow, and others; if you doe not yourselfe. I judge by the leaves that these copies are part of some booke which you will shortly blesse ye world with, and hope that my Expectation shall not bee in vaine. Now, Sir, I must thanke you for ye honour you have done mee by using mee as an Instrument in this your business. Truly I doe so well like ye employment and so ressent this your favour, That I confesse my selfe obliged to bee

'Your most affectionate freind and humble servant

'.

'There are some in whom (as in him qui ex pede Herculem, &c.) this your Magnum Opusculum hath begotten such an opinion of your meritt, that they resolve to go and live at Amsterdam to receyve your instructions.

'Endorsed Monsieur Pell.

'Sr,—According to your desire, I have presented your refutations to Drs. Spanheim and Herbordus, as also Dr. Wybord, an Englishman and mathematician, with divers others, who doe all accept them very gratefully. As for sending Coppies into England, I shall bee able to doe it to no more than Mr. Oughtred and Mr. Barlow: I thought I could have sent to some others, by the helpe of some Gentlemen my friends, who, having now come from ye Leagher,