The Hartlib Papers

Sir

I haue now at length according to your desire and my promisse sent you a copy of my letter to Monsieur Des-Cartes, and of his Answer to me. To which I haue wrote a Reply. And desire this favour of you that you would take the same care and make the <same> speed for the conveying of this to him, that you did for the other. Sir I am very much engaged to you for your care in that point, and can not but (and that deservedly) very highly esteem of that[altered from your] project, that my self reaps so pleasant fruit from, I meen the erection of the office of Addresse. But in the mean time I must not be so unthankfull, or rather grossly unjust, as not to defray, what charges this intercourse of letters putt you to, which therefore I desire you woud be pleasd to certify me of.

As for the copyes I send[altered from sent] you, I mean for your own satisfaction, but doubt much how convenient it will be for you to impart them to others. For there are some men so surlily ignorant and curious, that a mans <onely> ease and security is to ly quite out of their sight.

As for this second letter of mine to Monsieur Des-Cartes <wherein I propose new quæres to him also> I am more eagre for an answer to it, then to what I wrote before. I wish we have so good successe, &[altered from I] finde the gentleman, as patient, and courteous, and as much at leasure. The riddle I unfolded to you, I suppose by this time you have [had? altered] right. if there was any delay it was for the better advantage of the buisinesse, and making the present in some tolerablenesse sutable to so worthy a Receiver. If it prove ten, I wish it were in my power to have builded it up into a Cube[C altered from s], and am sorry that myne ability will reach little further then to be and to subscribe myself

          Your affectionate loving friend to serve you.

C.C.C. March. 5.               H. More.

Sir these Copyes are not copyed out so well as I coud wish, but I think you will finde them legible. I pray lett me heare of their safe arrival to your hands, as of the disptch of that to Monsieur Des-Cartes.

               For his much esteemed friend

                 Mr Samuel Hartlib

                  at the Dukes place

                   in the Great Open Court

                         these

                         [squiggle]

                    London