| Title: | Letter, Robert Wood To Hartlib |
|---|---|
| Dating: | 8 April 1657 |
| Ref: | 33/1/13A-14B |
[33/1/13A]
Corke House April 8th 57.
Honored Sir
I received yours of the 19th past, by which I understood you had put a greater esteeme upon that little paper of Decimal Coines then the Author thereof can thinke it deserved; yet since you had done so much, & <by> taking such care of that by-me-now neglected paper; had made <it> youre owne, I thought I ought at least for your sake so much to regard it, as to get a Copie thereof to have shewed to my Lord, but my Lady had bin so forward & punctuall in oberving your Desires, that she had transmitted it to her Brother my Lord Broghill, before I had an opportunity to request it from her; I write not this to desire of you the trouble of sending any other Copie, for though that excellent iudgement my Lady Ranulaugh was pleased to passe a sentence of approbation upon it, as to publick use, yet my thoughts were I confesse grown so coole towards it; that I can scarce yet conceive hopes enough to make me thinke it in any degree of likelihood to take effect. However this I shall still say of it, that as I can apprehend no hurt it can do, so that it may do some good, & might perhaps make way for the introduction of such a Decimation, as no Cavaleere or Leveller would have any occasion to complaine of, in Weights & Measures, now (as I heare) under publick consideration. I hope by the next about 3 weekes or a month hence, to send you some Answers to your Irish Traveller, partly my owne but indeed chiefly others of more experience, & (to say truth) leisure, then I enjoy at present in my Lords family viz from Major Symner &c tho he also be now very busy, as a Commissioner <2 superscript letters deleted> with Dr Petty for setting out Lands. but for the businesse of Claver Grasse I must deferre it till I see England (which perhaps I may do sometime this summer) where I have some short notes, that, if you will have it so, I may perhaps enlarge upon that subject I shewed the little paper of Mercators to Major Symner who liked well the designe of it, as I also do especially that concerning irregular fortifications; that <other> of spherical Triangles has bin already don by my old good friend Mr Oughtred & Dr Ward.
[33/1/13B]
I have advised an acquaintance of mine that has had some experience here, to set up an Office of Addresse in this City, which I conceive upon the new settlement & great change of affaires in this Iland, may turne not only much to the publick, but his private advantage also, if he manage it well & with discretion, I have given him the best <general> directions, my head, with out other helps of books, could furnish him with all. & Dr Petty has given him a Catalogue of such particulars, as more nearly concerne the present trade of Ireland. the business is but now in the
My Lord Henry & the Council have lately settled 100li per annum by way of salary upon an able scholmaster, Mr Hill, newly come over, & 58li per annum upon 2 Ushers; & by what I know of the Mr Hill I cannot but conclude here will be a very florishing Grammar School ere long, considering the populousness of this city, not inferior to any in England, except London, at present. The Council also upon my Lord Henry his recomendation, have ordered 500li per annum out of the public Revenue for the education of a Irish <boys> at the Gram Schoole, that so much of them as prove capable, may be prepared for the Universitie, in order to the propagating civilitie as well as Religion among the <Irish> country men hereafter, who tis hoped will harken to their owne country men with lesse prejudice then the English, against whom they have something of a national antipathy. the Council hath yet concluded nothing in particular of the way how this 500li per annum may be best employed. My Lord wished me to thinke of it, & give him my thoughts thereof, & I desire the same of you whose observations, judgement & informations have moved in a much larger sphere. I must againe thanke you for giving me the opportunity of wayting upon the excellent Lady Ranulaugh, which I do not neglect sometimes to do, without too much importuning her, & she is pleased to accept it from me. I was willing to gratifie her with sending you the newes of my Lord [Henry?] his good thoughts towards you, & this weeke she acquainted me with with what proposals you made in answer thereunto, which what effect they will have I yet know not, but when I do, you shall. she also shewed me a paper or two you sent her this weeke about the Advancement of Learning & Asses, which in earnest I like well & really am Your most humble servant
Robert Wood
[33/1/14A]
If you have occasion to send at any time to me, you may enclose it in a case directed to Dr Gorges Secretary to my Lord Henry Cromwell: for then if we should be abroad in progresse it will come speedily to me, & whilst we stay here I shall receive it as soon as it comes to town, & free of postage, tho never so big. I you are acquainted with any of the secretaries at WhiteHall, I shall also if you please direct those to you as you shall appoint me
[33/1/14B]
To my much honored
Friend Samuel Hartlib
Esq at his house
over against Angel
Court at Charing
Crosse these
present
London