Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/321

 'The Reputation and Recompense due to these performances by the King and Country, I hereby bequeath to you, hoping you will not do lesse nor worse in the stations wherein Providence shall place you. 'Yr careful Father W. P.'

[Here follows an account of a ship designed to be built in a particular manner.]

But his mind travelled back as well as forward, and in some letters to Southwell he enshrined a pithy account of his early struggles.

' June 12, 1686.—I have drawn out a paper shewing what money I had Xmas 1636, which was Is.; how it riss to 4s. 6d.; then to 24s. next to 4l., then to 70l., next how it fell to 26l., then riss to 480l. at my landing in Ireland; next to 13,060l. at finishing the Survey; and how after I got my land in Ireland and Estate in England &c, it was 3,200l. at the King's Restoration; and so all along to the present day. Perhaps the like hath not been seen. This and the like gave me the courage wherewith I have fought Zanchy. Whatever becomes of me, I can leave such arguments of arts and industry as will be a credit to my children and friends. And now I say, naked came I into the world and naked must I go out of it.'

' July 13, 1686.—Concerning myselfe, I say that I had £13,060 in cash, anno 1656; which at 10 per cent., above 12 being then justly taken, would, anno 1666, have been £26,120, and anno 1676, £52,240; and in the yeare 1686, £104,480. I further say that without meddling with forfeited lands, I could, anno 1656, have returned into England and been at the top of practice in Oliver's Court, when Dr. Willis was casting waters at Alington Market and the Cock louse was but an egg. And what the superlucration thereof, besides the £104,000, might have been in 30 years, I leave to your judgement. I say the profit of these two funds would have exceeded my present estate.'