Page:Petty 1660 Reflections.djvu/123

 12ly, The business of setting out Lands was vast and intricate, insomuch as few attained to any competency of knowledg in it, Partly, by reason of the pains and multitude of Arithmetical Calculations, requisite thereunto, Partly, because my Fellow Commissioners thought themselves too much behind hand to overtake me, occasioned by their necessary absence on the one hand, and by my peculiar Preparatory acquaintance with the Surveys, on the other hand, And partly, because the causeless Odiums cast upon me discouraged them from labouring to fit themselves for so dangerous and thankless an Office: Wherefore it came to pass, that few were able to justifie me knowingly against the many obtrectations of those half-sighted Busie-bodies which made them.

Moreover my Excess of businesss kept me from publick Conversation, viz. visiting and being visited, and from the other means of amicable familiarities with persons of Honour, by reason whereof I stood naked, not having any (for the causes first alledged) that could, and but few (for these latter) that would vindicate me. Besides that kind of conspicuity as