Page:William Petty - Economic Writings (1899) vol 1.djvu/223

Rh microscopic notes. However that may be, Chamberlayne did not write a book on Ireland, and Petty did.

The British Museum possesses the best MS. of the Political Anatomy. It is written in a neat hand, upon paper carefully ruled in red ink, and bears, in the text, occasional corrections in a different and blacker ink, made by Petty himself. The history of this MS. can be traced with a completeness that places its authenticity beyond question. It was given by Petty to Southwell, of whose scrupulous care for Petty's MSS. there is abundant evidence, and remained in the possession of the Southwell family until the sale of Lord De Clifford's papers in 1834. At this sale it was purchased by Thomas Thorpe, and promptly appeared in one of his catalogues. It passed into the hands of Dr Neligan of Dublin, who probably bought it of Thorpe. At the dispersal of Neligan's library the MS. was acquired for the British Museum.

Inserted in this MS. is a letter from Sir Richard Cox, the historian of Ireland, to Southwell, endorsed "Bristol, 15 June, 1687. From Mr Cox On Sr Wm Petty's Anatomy of Ireland." The letter begins:

"Hond Sr.

My Curiosity was never feasted higher than with ye reading of the Political Anatomy of Ireland wherein the learned Author at once discovers both his great abilityes & his great zeale to serve his Country: Nor will it in ye least detract from ye glory of his formance, nor I believe disgust him that I communicate to you some difficultyes and remarques on that excellent discourse, wherein I humbly desire to be better informd." Cox then makes twentyfive detailed comments, referring to the MS. by folio, and concludes,