[Torn] more [torn] carefully, find [torn] 16. on for ou. [Torn] Arrear with your [torn].

[Torn] several Favours of January [torn] begging Pardon for the Delay, I will now endeavour to answer [torn] solution of the Question, why the [torn] is warmer after some time [torn] only this, that the Water which remain’d [torn] in the Trunk of the Pump, was cooled by its Nearness to the Air, and must be pumped out before the warm Water of the Spring below could be brought up.

I do not attempt to explain why damp Cloaths cause Colds, because I now doubt the Fact, and apprehend they have no more that Effect than wet Clothes. I think Colds (the Disease so called) proceed from other Causes, and have no Relation to Wet or Cold. I purpose a Pamphlet on this Paradoxical Subject, as soon as I have a little Leisure. In the mean Time I must just mention one Thing to you, that suspecting [the common] Opinion not to be true that Cold closes the Pores [and obstructs Pers]piration, I prevailed with a young Physician, who [was making] Experiments with the Sanctorian Ballance, to try the different Quantities of Perspiration for an Hour sitting naked and another Hour warmly cloathed. He pursu’d the Experiment for eight successive days at all Hours, and constantly found the Perspiration near double in the Hours he was naked.

5. Black Walls were used by the late Lord Leicester, with good Success in this Particular, that the young Fruit was better secur’d by them from the Mischief of late Frosts. But when they are over, perhaps the ripening would best be forwarded by white Walls. Experience must decide this.

Our Pole or Perch is really 16½ feet, so that 4 of them make the Chain of 66 feet.

In M. Dalibard’s Apparatus at Marli, it is true there was no fix’d Communication between the Iron Rod and the Earth, yet Coiffier was safe in touching it with the Ring of the Wire fastned to the Glass Phial by way of Handle, especially if the other End of that Wire went into the Earth. And if not, yet I think he could receive no greater Stroke than the Shock of so much charged Glass as his Hand was apply’d to.

I hope I have answered in some preceding Letter what relates to the Memoir you mention of M. Missa; if not, I am very sorry and much ashamed; because I have lost or mislaid the Memoire, if I ever had it, and can remember nothing of it. Therefore if I have not answer’d it, pray let it be repeated. Multiplicity of Business can hardly in this Case excuse me.

I must have written to you since the Receipt of yours of Jan 13. because I find in that of Jan. 15. the Verses of your young Poet, [remainder missing.]