1780 — 85 .]
THE ROYAL SOCIETY.
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he will emulate, at least, and perhaps attain, as great ashare of well-earned reputation, as his Father left be-hind, to dry the tears of us who survive him.
“ I am, &c.
Mrs. Cook’s reply is sufficiently interesting to beinserted:—
“ Sir, “Mile End, August 16, 1784.
“ I received your exceeding kind letter ofthe 12 Inst., and want words to express in any ade-quate degree my feelings on the very singular honourwhich you, Sir, and the honourable and learned So-ciety over which you so worthily preside, have beenpleased to confer on my late husband, and, through,him, on me and his children, who are left to lamentthe loss of him, and be the receivers of those mostnoble marks of approbation, which, if Providence hadbeen pleased to permit him to receive, would haverendered me happy indeed.
“ Be assured, Sir, that however unequal I may beto the task of expressing it, I feel as I ought the highhonour which the Royal Society has been pleased to dome. My greatest pleasure now remaining is in my sons,who I hope will ever strive to copy after so good anexample; and, animated by the honours bestowed ontheir Father’s memory, be ambitious of attaining bytheir own merit your notice and approbation. Let meentreat you to add to the many acts of friendship whichI have already received at your hands, that of express-ing my gratitude and thanks to that learned body insuch a manner as may be acceptable to them.
“ I am, &c.