DA 447 .A3 A8 1898 v.l Aubrey, John , 1626-1697 . "Brief lives" AUBREY'S 'BRIEF LIVES' ANDREW CLARK VOL. I. HENRY FROWDE, M.A. PUBLISHER TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD LONDON, EDINBURGH, AND NEW YORK Digitized by tine Internet Arcliive in 2014 Iittps://arcliive.org/details/brieflivescliiefl01aubr ^ Brief Lives chiefly of Con- temporaries^ set down by John Aubrey^ between the Years i66g & i6g6 EDITED FROM THE AUTHOR'S MSS. BY* ANDREW CLARK M.A., LINCOLN COLLEGE, OXFORD; MA. AND LL.D., ST. ANDREWS WITH FACSIMILES VOLUME I. (A - H) ©;efori AT THE CLARENDON PRESS 1898 O;cforb PRINTED AT THE CLARENDON PRESS BY HORACE HART, M.A. PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY PREFACE The rules laid down for this edition have been fully stated in the Introduction. It need only be said here that these have been scrupulously followed. I may take this opportunity of saying that the text gives Aubrey's quotations, English and Latin alike, in the form in which they are found in his MSS. They are plainly cited from memory, not from book : they frequently do not scan, and at times do not even construe. A few are incorrect cementings of odd half lines. The necessary excisions have not been numerous. They suggest two reflections. The turbulence attributed to Sir Walter Raleigh seems to have made his name in the next age the centre of aggregation of quite a number of coarse stories. In the same way, Aubrey is generally nasty when he mentions the noble house of Herbert, earl of Pembroke, and the allied family of Sydney. There may be personal pique in this, for Aubrey thinks he had a narrow vi Preface escape from assassination by a Herbert (i. 48) ; perhaps also there may be the after-glow of a Wiltshire 'feud' (i. 316). The Index gives all references to persons men- tioned in the text, except to a few found only in pedigrees, or otherwise quite insignificant ; also to all places of which anything distinctive is said. Andrew Clark. Janiiary 4, 1898. CONTENTS VOLUME I Frontispif.ce : John Aubrey, aetat. 40. PAGE Synopsis of the Lives ...... ix-xv Intkouuction . . . . . . . . 1-2.^ Lives: — Abbot to Hyde ..... 24-427 VOLUIME II Frontispiece : Aubrey's book-plate. Lives: — Ingelbert to York 1-3 16 Appendix I: — Aubrey's Notes of Antiquities . .317-332 Appendix II: — Aubrey's Comedy The Coimtrey Rcvell . 333-339 Index ......... 341-370 Facsimiles . . . . . . . .At eiuf. I. Castle Wound, Oxford. Riding at the Quintin. II. Verulam House. III. Horoscope and cottage of Thomas Hobbes. IV. Plans of Malmsbury and district. V. Horoscope and arms of Sir William Petty. W. Wolsey's Chapel at Christ Church. SYNOPSIS OF THE 'LIVES' In the text the Lives have been given in alphabetical order of the names. This was necessary, not only on account of their number — more than 400 — but because Aubrey, in compiling them, followed more than one principle of selection, writing, first, lives of authors, then, lives of mathematicians, but bringing in also lives of statesmen, soldiers, people of fashion, and personal friends. The following synopsis of the lives may serve to show (i) the heads under which they naturally fall, (ii) their chronological sequence. The mark f indicates the year or approximate year of death ; X denotes a life which Aubrey said he would write, but which has not been found ; § is attached to the few names of foreigners. BEFORE HENRY VIII. Writers. I'oeis. Geoffrey Chaucer (+1400). John Gower (+1408). Prose. Sir John Mandeville (+1372)- Writers. Sir Thomas More (fi 535). §Desiderius Erasmus (ti536). Mathematics. John Holywood (f 1256). Roger Bacon (■1-1294). John Ashindon (ti3 • • )• Alchemy. George Ripley (ti490 i. Mathematics. Richard Benese (•j-i546). Robert Record (ti558). Church and State. S. Dunstan (t988). S. Edmund Rich (+1240). Owen Glendower (ti4i5). William Canynges(ti474). John Morton (tisooj. 1558)- Church and State. John Colet (fiSig)- Thomas Wolsey (fisso). John Innocent (ti545). Sir Thomas Pope (ti559)- Edmund Bonner (ti669). Sir Erasmus Dryden (11632). HENRY VIII— MARY (f X Synopsis of the 'Lives' ELIZABETH (11603). Writers. Foets. Thomas Tusser (f 1580). Edmund Spenser (ti599)- Sir Edward Dyer (+1607). A\'illiam Shakespear (ti6i6). Prose. §t Petrus Ramus (ti572). John Twyne (+1581). Sir Philip Sydney (ti586). John Foxe (fisS?). Robert Glover (fisSS). Thomas Cooper (+1594). Thomas Stapleton (fispS). Thomas North (ti6oi). William Watson (ti6o3). John Stowe (ti6o5). Thomas Brightman (ti6o7). John David Rhese (ti6o9). Nicholas Hill (ti6io). Mathematics. James Peele (ti5 . . )• Leonard Digges (fisyi). Thomas Digges (ti595)- John Secnris (t • • • )• Evans Lloyd (■!"...). Cyprian Lucar (f . . . ). Thomas Hoode (t . . . )• X Thomas Blundeville (+16..). Henry Billingsley (f 1606). § Ludolph van Kenlen (+1610). John Blagrave (ti6ii). Edward Wright (f 1615). Thomas Hariot (ti62i). Sir Henry Savile (ti622). Chemistry. Adrian Gilbert (+...). Zoology. Thomas Mouffet (f 1604). Alchemy and Astro- logy. Thomas Chamocke (tisSi). John Dee (ti6o8). Arthur Dee (11651). State. William Herbert, ist earl of Pembroke (ti57o)- William Cecil, lord Burgh- ley (ti598). Robert Devereux, earl of Essex (•t-1601). Sir Charles Danvers (ti6oi). George Clifford, earl of Cumberland (fiCos). Thomas Sackville, earl of Dorset (ti6o8). ?Sir Thomas Penruddock ct . . . ). Law. Sir William Fleetwood (ti594)- William Aubrey (ti59S)- Sir John Popham (ti6o7). Commerce, etc. Sir Thomas Gresham (ti579)- John Davys, capt. (ti6o5). Richard Staper (ti6o8). Society. ? . . . Robartes (t . . • )■ Elizabeth Danvers (f . . . ). Sir John Danvers (ti594). Richard Herbert (ti596). Edward de Vere, 1 7th earl of Oxford (ti6o4). Sir Henry Lee (ti6ir). Silvanus Scory (ti6i7). Mary Herbert, countess of Pembroke (ti62i). Writers. Foets. Francis Beaumont (ti6i6). John Fletcher (ti625). Arthur Gorges (ti625). JAMES I (ti6a5). Mathematics. Edward Brerewood (ti6i3). John Norden (+1625). Edmund Gunter (ti626). Thomas Allen (f 1632). Church. Richard Bancroft (ti6io). John Overall (ti6i9). Lancelot Andrewes (t 1 62 6). George Abbot (ti633). John Davenant (ti64i). Synopsis of the ^Lives' xi JAMES I (ti625) continued. Writers. Poets. Fulk Greville, lord Brooke (ti628). Michael Drayton (ti63i). George Chapman ('t-i634). Ben Jonson (11637). George Feriby (ti6 . . ). tBenjamin Rudyerd (fi 6. .). Prose. Henry Lyte (+1607). Richard Knolles (+1610). JRichard White (ti6i2). Thomas Twyne (ti6i3). Thomas Coryat (ti6i7). Sir Walte r Raleigh ( 1 1 6 1 8) . John Barclay (+1621). William Camden (ti623). Nicholas Fuller (■)-i624). John Florio (ti625). Francis Bacon (•)-i626). John Speed (+1629). Thomas Archer (•|-i63o). John Rider (+1632). Isaac Wake (•f-i632). William Sutton (■t'i633). Philemon Holland (-)-i637). John Willis (ti6..). Mathematics. Robert Hues (+1632). John Speidell (+16..). JThomas Fale (ti6..). JThomas Lydiat (ti646). Astrology. Dr. Richard Napier (ti634^ State. Everard Digby (ti6o6). Thomas Overbury (+1613). t James I (ti625). William Herbert, 3rd earl of Pembroke (ti63o). Law. Sir Thomas Egerton, lord Ellesmere (ti6i7). Richard Martin (ti6i8). Medicine. . . . Jaquinto (ti6 . .). William Butler (ti6i8). Francis Anthony (f 1633). Commerce, etc. Thomas Sutton (ti6ii). John Guy (ti628). John Whitson (fifiap). Sir Hugh Middleton (+1631). William de Visscher (ti6..). Edward Davenant (t 16 . . ). Inventors. William Lee (ti6io). . . . Gregory (ti6 . . ). . . . Ingelbert (ti6 . .). . . . Robson (ti6 . . ). Seamen. Walter Raleigh (ti6i7). ^Thomas Sturape (ti6 . . ). Roger North (ti652). Schoolmasters. Alexander Gill (ti63';). Martin Billingsley (+16. . ). Miscellaneous. Charles Hoskyns (f 1609). Richard Sackville, 3rd earl of Dorset (■t-i624). Sir Henry Lee (ti63i). Simon Furbisher (_ti6 . . ) xii Synopsis of the 'Lives' Writers. Poets. Hugh Holland (tiG^s). George Herbert 1. + 1633). Richard Corbet (ti635). Thomas Randolph(ti63.5). John Sherburne (ti635). Sir Robert Alton (ti638). John Hoskyns (ti638). Philip Massinger (+1640). Charles Aleyn (f 1640). Sir John Suckling (ti64i). \^'illiam Cartwright (+1643). Henry Clifford, earl of Cumberland (ti643). George Sandys (+1644). Francis Quarles (ti644). William Browne (ti645). ThomasGoodw)'n(ti6 . . ). William Habington (-1-1654). John Taylor (ti654). Sir Robert Harley (•t-i656). Richard Lovelace (ti658). John Cleveland (ti658). Gideon de Laune (ti659\ James Shirley (ti666). Prose. Ger\'ase Markham (+1637). Robert Burton (ti64o). Sir Henry Spelman(t 1 64 1 ). W. Chillingworth (ti644J. Rob. Stafford (1644 . William Twisse (ti646). Degory Wheare (ti647). Edward, lord Herbert of Chirbury (ti648). §Joh. Ger. Vossius (ti649). Abraham Wheloc (ti6 . . ). Theoph. Wodenote, sen. (ti6..). §Rene des Cartes (1651). . . . Gerard (ti6 . . ). JSamuel Collins (-1-1651). §Jean L.de Balzac (ti655). John Hales (+1656). James Usher (ti656). Joseph Hall (ti656). William Harvey (ti657). Robert Sanderson (ti663). Sir Kenelm Digby (ti665). CHARLES I (ti649), Mathematics. j Henry Briggs (ti63i). William Bedwell (ti632). Nathaniel Torporley (ti632). Henry Gellibrand (ti637). Walter Warner (+1640). William Gascoigne (ti644). Charles Cavendish (f 1 65 2 ). Henry Isaacson (-1*1654). Edmund Wingate (•l-i656). William Oughtred (ti66o). Franciscus Linus (ti6 .). John Tap (-t-l6 . . ). John Wells (ti6..)- Church. Richard Neile (ti64o). George Webb (11641). State. George Villiers, duke of Buckingham (+1628). Sir Edward Coke (ti633). William Noy (■1-I634). Richard Boyle, 1st earl of Cork (ti643)- Lucius Cary, earl of Falk- land (ti643). Henry Danvers, earl of Danby (+1644). Robert Dalzell, earl of Carnwarth (ti654). Law. Sir Henry Martin (ti64i). David Jenkins Cti663). Medicine. Sir Matthew Lister (+1656). Art. Inigo Jones (ti652). Soldiers. CharlesCavendish (ti643). Sir James Long (f 1659). Sir Robert Harley (fi^/S)- Sir William Neale (fi^gi)- School and College. Alexander Gill (f 1642). Ralph Kettell (ti643). Hannibal Potter (+1664). Thomas Batchcroft(t 1670). Society. Elizabeth Broughton (ti6..). Venetia Digby (ti633). Miscellaneous. Elize Hele (ti633\ John Clavell (ti642). ? . . . Cradock (ti6.. ). Synopsis of the ^ Lives ' xiii Writers. Poets. Thomas May (+1650). Katherine Philips (ti664\ George Withers (ti667). John Milton (ti674). Andrew Marvell (ti678). Prose. Clement Walker (ti65i). John Said en (+1654). Walter Rnmsey (ti66o). Thomas Fuller (ti66i). William Prynne (-j-iCGp). Poets. Alexander Brome (ti666). Abraham Cowley (ti667). Sir William Davenant (ti668). Sir John Denham (i-i669). Samuel Butler (ti68o). John Wilmot, earl of Rochester (+1680). John Lacy (ti68i). Martin Lluelyn (ti682). Edmund Waller (fiSS?). Thomas Flatman (ti688). tSir George Etherege (ti6..). Henry Vaughan (fifigs). John Dryden (•t-i7oo). COMMONWEALTH. Mathematics. | Richard Billingsley (ti6..). Samuel Foster (11652). Lawrence Rooke (ti662). Science. John Wilkin s (+1672 . Astrology. Nicholas Fiske (ti6 • • )• Christopher Brookes (+1665). William Neile (+1670). Lancelot Morehouse (ti672). Richard Norwood (+1675). Isaac Barrow (ti677). John Newton (ti678). Francis Potter (+1678). Sir Jonas Moore (ti679). JRichard Alcorne (ti6 . .). JHenry Bond (ti6. .). Michael Dary (+1679). William, lord Brereton (ti68o) Edward Davenant (ti68o). Richard Stokes (ti68i). State. Sir John Dan vers (+1655% Thomas Chaloner (tl66l). Sir William Platers (+16.. )• James Harrington (ti677). Henry Martin (ti68o). Sir Henry Blount (ti682). Soldiers and Sailors. Robert Grevill, lord Brooke (ti643)- Robert Blake (ti657). George Monk (ti67i). Thomas, lord Fairfax (ti67i). Law. Henry Rolle (+1656). Medicine. Jonathan Goddard (t 1 675) . School. Thomas Triplett (ti67o). Herbert Thorndyke (ti672). William Outram (ti679). Peter Gunning (ti684). Thomas Pittis (ti<587). State. Sir Robert Moray (+1673). Sir Edmund Bury Godfrey (ti678). Sir Thomas Morgan (ti679). John Birkenhead (+1679). William Ilarcourt (ti679). Robert Pugh (ti679). §Jean Baptiste Colbert (ti683). CHARLES H (ti685) and JAMES H. LRS. Mathematics. Church. xiv Synopsis of the 'Lives' CHARLES II (ti685) and JAMES II {coniinued). Writers. Prose. Peter Heylyn (ti662). James Heath (ti664). Sir Robert Poyntz (ti665). Thomas Vaughan (ti667). George Bate (ti668). John Davenport (ti67o). Vavasor Powell (ti67o). Samuel Hartlib (ti67o). Edward Bagshawe (ti67i). Edward Hyde, earl of Clarendon (ti674). Sir William Saunderson (ti676) John Ogilby (ti676). John Tombes (ti676). Thomas Whyte (ti676). Silas Taylor (ti678). Thomas Stanley (+1678). John Cecil, 4th earl of Exeter (ti678). Thomas Hobbes (fiSjg). . . . Barrow (+l6S.)- . . . Monday (ti6 . . ). Joseph Glanville (ti68o). Thomas Jones (ti682). William Stafford(ti684). Edward Lane (fiSSp). Thomas Pigot (ti686). Richard Head (ti686?). Sir William Dugdale (ti686). Isaac Vossius (ti688). Robert Barclay (+1690). John Rushworth (ti69o). Fabian Philips (ti69o). Samuel Pordage (ti69i). Elias Ashmole [■\l(>g2). Anthony Wood (f 16951. Henry Birkhead (ti696). John Aubrey (ti697). William Holder (ti698). Richard Blackburne (ti7-.?)- Thomas Gale (ti702). Mathematics. Sir George Wharton (ti68i). Thomas Merry (ti682). John Collins (+1683). William, lord Brouncker (+1684). John Pell (ti685). Nicholas Mercator (ti687). Thomas Street (ti689). Seth Ward (ti689). John Kersey (fx 690). John Wallis (+1703). tjohn Flamsted (ti7i9). Jlsaac Newton (ti737). Edmund Halley +1742^. Science. John Willis (ti6..). John Graunt (ti674). Robert Boyle (ti69i). Sir Edward H arley (+ 1 7oo\ Robert Hooke (,ti7o3). Sir John Hoskyns (ti705 J. State. Anthony Cooper, earl of Shaftesbury (ti683). Sir Leoline Jenkins (+16S5). J James, duke of Monmouth (ti685). Sir William Petty (ti687)- Thomas Osborne, earl of Danby (ti7i2). Law. Sir Matthew Hale (ti676). George Johnson (f 1683). Medicine. Thomas Willis (ti675). Baldwin Hamey (ti676). Sir Richard Napier (ti676). Henry Stubbe (ti676). Thomas Shirley (ti678). Sir Edward Greaves (ti68o). Sir Robert Talbot (ti68l). William Croone (tl684). Daniel Whistler (+1684). Christopher Merret (ti695). Walter Charleton (ti707). Art. Samuel Cooper (+1672). Wenceslaus Hollar (ti677). Sir Christopher Wren (ti723)- School. . . . W>bb (+16 . . ). Thomas Stephens (ti6 . . ). Arthur Brett (ti677)- Ezerel Tonge (f 1680). Commerce, etc. Sir Edward Ford (ti67o). Thomas Bushell (ti674). William Marshall (ti6. .). Robert Murray (ti72.S). James Bovey (f . . . . ). Synopsis of the 'Lives' XV (ti685) AND JAMES II (contimied) CHARLES II Writers. Prose. JSir Edward Sherburne (tl702). John Evelyn (ti7o6). John Philips (+1706). John Hawles (ti7i6). William Penn (ti7i8). Astrology. John Heydon (ti66.). John Booker (ti667). William Lilly (+1681I. Henry Coley (ti695). Charles Snell (fiG . . ). John Gadbury (tl704). John Partridge (ti7i5). Society, etc. Lucy Walters (ti6 . . ). Sir Walter Raleigh (+ 1 663). Eleanor Ratcliffe, countess of Sussex (ti666). . . . Berkeley (ti6 . .). . . . Curtin (ti6 . . ). Dorothy Selby (ti6..). Anne, duchess of York (ti67i). Cecil Calvert, lord Balti- more (ti675). Sir Thomas Billingsley (ti67. ). Richard Sackville, 5th earl of Dorset (ti677)- Charles Pamphlin (ti678). Sir Francis Stuart (ti6 . . ). X. . . Aldsworth (ti6 ..). Sir Robert Henley (ti68o). Sir Thomas Badd (ti683). . . . Ralphson (ti684). Charles Howard (fi 7 . . ). Willonghby Bertie (ti 760). AUBREY'S PERSONAL FRIENDS. I. Of the Old School. Isaac Lyte (i677-ti66o). Thomas Tyndale (l588-ti67l). James Whitney (1593-1166.). William Beeston (. . . .-ti682). Deborah Aubrey (i6io-ti68f). Edmund Wyld (i6i6--t-i6 . . ). n. Contemporaries. Anthony Ettrick (i622-fi7o3). William Morgan (1622-f. . . . ). Ralph Sheldon (i623-ti684). William Radford (i623-ti673). Theophilus Wodenoth (1625-. . . . ), George Ent (. . . .-ti679). John Sloper (. . . .-f. . . . ). Richard Kitson (. . . .-f. . . . ). Sir John Dunstable (. . . .-f. . . . ). Thomas Gore (i632-ti684). Jane Smyth (i639-ti6 . . ). Thomas Deere (1639-f 16. •)• . . . Gwyn ( -t ). . . . Yarrington (. . . .-ti684). AUBREY'S 'BRIEF LIVES' INTRODUCTION I. Origin of the 'Lives.' Aubrey sought and obtained an introduction to Anthony- Wood in August 1667. He was keenly interested in antiquarian studies, and had the warmest love for Oxford ; he had been a contemporary in Trinity College with Wood's brother, Edward ; and so was drawn to Wood on hearing that he was busy with researches into the History of the University of Oxford. Aubrey was one of those eminently good-natured men, who are very slothful in their own affairs, but spare no pains to work for a friend. He offered his help to Wood ; and, when it was decided to include in Wood's book short notices of writers connected with Oxford, that help proved most valuable. Aubrey, through his family and family- connexions, and by reason of his restless goings-to-and- fro, had a wide circle of acquaintance among squires and parsons, lawyers and doctors, merchants and politicians, men of letters and persons of quality, both in town and country. He had been, until his estate was squandered, an extensive and curious buyer of books and MSS. And above all, being a good gossip, he had used to the utmost those opportunities of inquiry about men and things which had been afforded him by societies grave, I. B 2 Aubrey^s 'Brief Lives' like the Royal Society, and frivolous, as coffee-house gatherings and tavern clubs. The scanty excerpts, given in these volumes, from letters written by him between 1668 and 1673, supply a hint of how deeply Wood's Historia et Antiqtiitates Universitatis Oxoniensis, published in 1674, was indebted to the multifarious memory and unwearying inquiries of the enthusiastic Aubrey. Dean Fell's request that Wood should notice Oxford writers and bishops in his Historia had suggested to Wood the plan of, and set him to work upon, the larger and happier scheme of the Athenae Oxonienses, an 'exact history of all the writers and bishops that have had their education in . . . Oxford' since 1500. He engaged his friend Aubrey to help him in his undertaking, by com- mitting to writing in a more systematic way, for Wood's benefit, his multitudinous recollections of men and books. He was dexterous enough to supply the additional motive, that, after serving his friend's turn, Aubrey's collections might be gathered together, preserved for a while in some safe and secret place, and, when personal feelings were saved by lapse of time, be published and secure their writer a niche in the Temple of Fame. It was now by no means easy for Aubrey to undertake any extensive, and especially any connected work. Being by this time bankrupt, and a hanger-on at the tables of kindred and acquaintances, he had to fall in with his patrons' habits, at the houses where he visited ; to sit with them till they wearied of their carousings in the small hours of the morning ; and to do his writing next forenoon, before they had slept off their wine. Still, his interest in the subject, and his desire to help his friend prevailed ; and we soon find him thanking Wood for setting him to work. March 27, 1680*: — "Twill be a pretty thing, and I am glad you putt me on it. I doe it playingly. This morning being up by 10, I writt two (lives): one was Sir John Suckling'', of whom I wrote " Letter of Aubrey to Wood : MS. Ballard 14, fol. 131. ^ MS. Aubr. 6, fol. no, iio\ Condition of the Text 3 a leafe and \ in folio.' May 22, 1680 — 'My memoires of lives ' (is now) ' a booke of 2 quires, close written : and after I had began it, I had such an impulse on my spirit that I could not be at quiet till I had donne it.' Sept. 8, 1680'': — 'My booke of lives . . . they will be in all about six-score, and I beleeve never any in England were delivered so faithfully and with so good authority.' Aubrey, therefore, began these lives'' on the suggestion of, and with a desire to help Anthony Wood. Among the lives so written were several of mathema- ticians and men of science. And another friend of Aubrey's, Dr. Richard Blackburne, advised him to collect these by themselves, and add others to them, with a view to a biographical history of mathematical studies in England. To this suggestion Aubrey was predisposed through his pride at being ' Fellow of the Royal Society,' and for some time he busied himself in that direction In the same way, although the bulky life of Thomas Hobbes® was partly undertaken in fulfilment of a promise to Hobbes himself, an old personal friend, the motive which induced Aubrey to go on with it was a desire to supply Dr. Blackburne with material for a Latin biography, Vitae Hobbianae Aitctariuni, published in 1681. These matters will be found more fully explained in the notices which Aubrey has prefixed to the several MSS. of his biographical collections, as described below. II. Condition of the Text of the ■ Lives.' Few of the ' Lives ' are found in a fair copy ^ Again and again, in his letters to Anthony Wood, Aubrey makes confession of the deficiencies of his copy, but puts off the heavy task of reducing it to shape. • Aubrey to Wood, in MS. Wood ^ Writing MS. Aubr. 8 (part ii.). F. 39, fol. 340. • MS. Aubr. 9. Ibid. fol. 347. ' The lives of Isaac Barrow, and of <^ Composing MSS. Aubr. 6, 7, and (Serjeant-at-Law) John Hoskyns, may 8 (part i.). serve as specimens of a fair copy. B 2 4 Aubi'ey's 'Brief Lives' His method of composition was as follows. He had a folio MS. book, and wrote at the top of a page here and there the name of a poet, or statesman, or the like, whose life he thought of committing to paper. Then, selecting a page and a name, he wrote down hastily, without notes or books, his recollections of the man, his personal ap- pearance, his friendships, his actions or his books. If a date, a name, a title of a book, did not occur to him on the spur of the moment, he just left a blank, or put a mark of omission (generally, ... or ), and went on. If the matter which came to him was too much for the page, he made an effort to get it in somehow, in the margins (top, bottom, or sides), between the paragraphs, or on the opposite page. When he read over what he had written in the first glow of composition, he erased, wrote alternatives to words and phrases, marked words, sentences, and paragraphs for transposition, inserted queries : unsettled everything. If later on, from books or persons, he got further in- formation, he was reckless as to how he put in the new matter: sometimes he put it in the margin, sometimes at a wrong place in the text, or on a wrong leaf, or in the middle even of another life, and often, of course, in a different volume. And there, as has been said, the copy was left. Very seldom was a revised copy made. To the confusions unavoidable in composing after this fashion, must be added the unsteadiness consequent on writing in the midst of morning sickness after a night's debauch. One passage, in which he describes his difficulties in composing, explains, in a way nothing else could, the frequent erasures, repetitions, half-made or inconsistent corrections, and dropping of letters, syllables, and words, which abound in his MSS. March 19, i68f ^ ; ' if I had but either one to come to me in a morning with a good scourge, or did not sitt-up till one or two with Mr. (Edmund) Wyld, I could doe a great deal of businesse.' " Aubrey to Wood, MS. Ballard 14, fol. 129'. Aim of this Edition 5 III. Aim of this Edition. In presenting a text of Aubrey's ' Lives,' an editor, on more than one important point, has to decide between alternatives. 1. Shall all, or some only, of the lives be given? It is plain, from a glance over the MSS., that many of the lives are of little interest ; in some cases, because they contain more marks of omission than statements of fact; in other cases, because they give mainly excerpts from prefaces of books ; and so on. A much more interesting, as well as handier, book would be produced, if the editor were to reject all lives in which Aubrey has nothing of intrinsic value to show. 2. In the lives selected, shall the whole, or parts only, of what Aubrey has written be given ? Many sentences occur, which declare only Aubrey's ignorance of a date, or a place, or the title of a book. In other cases, dull and imperfect catalogues of writings are given. The omission of these would be a service to the whole, like the cutting of dead branches out of a shrub. 3. In constituting the text, how much, or how little, notice is to be taken of the imperfections of Aubrey's copy ? The simplest, and, from some points of view, the most effective, course would be to treat Aubrey's rough draft as if it were one's own, rejecting (without comment) one or other of two alternatives, supplying (without mark) a missing word or date, omitting a second version (though having some minor peculiarities) of a statement, and so on. In this way, with a minimum of trouble to the editor, a smooth text would be produced, which would spare the reader much irritation. 4. How far is the text to be annotated, the editor supplying Aubrey's abundant omissions, and correcting his many mistakes ? 6 Aitbrey^s 'Brief Lives' In respect of all these questions, the aim of the present edition, and the reasons for the decision taken in each case, can be stated v-ery briefly and decidedly. I, and 2. This edition seeks to give in full all that Aubrey has written in his four chief MSS. of biographies, MSS. Aubrey 6, 7, 8, and 9. The entire contents of these MSS. will thus be placed beyond that risk of perishing, to which they must have remained liable so long as they were found only in MS., and they will, for what they are worth, henceforth be accessible to all. Some things in Aubrey's writing offend not merely against our present canons of good taste, but against good morals. The conversation of the people among whom Aubrey moved, although they were gentry both in position and in education, was often vulgar, and occasionally foul, as judged by us. I have dealt with these lives as historical documents, leaving them, with a very few excisions, to bear, unchecked, their testimony as to the manners and morals of Restoration England. 3. This edition seeks to present faithfully Aubrey's text as he wrote it, neglecting only absolute minutiae. {a) A plain text is given of what Aubrey wrote, taking, as seemed most convenient, sometimes his first version of a sentence or a word, sometimes his alternative version. The rejected alternatives are given in the textual notes, as • duplicate with' ; and occasionally the erasures, as ' substi- tuted for.' Many of these notes are very trivial ; but their presence, which after all gives little trouble, provides a complete view of the MS. text. I believe also that in this way I have preserved for the collector of words some quaint forms and expressions for which he will thank me^ and provided the student of English style with some apt instances of the way in which terse native words have been replaced in our written language by feebler latinisms. (//) I have been careful to give, in every case, Aubrey's own spelling, with or without final or medial "e,' with single Ai'tn of this Edition 1 or double letters, 'ie' or other diphthong where we write 'ei,' and the like. The English of Aubrey's age is so like our own that it is not unimportant to mark even its minor differences. All merely artificial tricks of writing {w''^ for which, and the like) have been neglected. {c) Where a date, a word, or a name has been inserted, the insertion is enclosed in angular brackets ( ). Where it seemed requisite to mark that a word or phrase was added at a later date, or by another hand, square brackets have been used [ ]. The use of these symbols, borrowed from Vahlen's edition of Aristotle's Poetics, has been censured as pedantic, but I know of no clearer or shorter way of making plain in a printed text just what is, and what is not, in the MS. text. {d) Punctuation is generally absent in Aubrey's text, as might be expected, and where it is found, it is often mis- leading. The points and marks in this edition are therefore such as seemed to make the meaning clear to myself, and therefore, I hope, to others. [e) As regards the order of the paragraphs, Aubrey's text has been given, where convenient, sentence by sen- tence, and page by page. But I have taken full liberty to bring into their proper place marginalia, interlinear notes, addenda on opposite pages, &c. In some cases, indeed, to give in print the MS. text sentence by sentence is to do it injustice. In the MS., the difference of inks between earlier and later notes, the difference of pen-strokes (on one day with a firm pen, on another with a scratchy quill), and similar nuances, impress the eye with a sequence of para- graphs which in print can be shown only by redistribution. For example, I claim that the life of Milton, in this edition, is, from its bolder treatment, truer to the MS., than the servile version in the old edition. 4. As regards notes and explanations. Aubrey's lives supply an inviting field for comment, correction, and addition. But, even so treated, they will never be a 8 Atibrey^s 'Brief Lives' biographical dictionary. Their value lies not in statement of bibliographical or other facts, but in their remarkably vivid personal touches, in what Aubrey had seen himself and what his friends had told him. The notes therefore seek to supply no more than indications of outstanding features of the text, identifications of Aubrey's informants, or necessary parallels from his letters. IV. Description of the MSS. MS. Aubr. 6 : a volume chiefly of folio leaves ; written mostly in February i6|^ ; now marked as containing 12a leaves (some pages blank), but having also a few unfoliated slips. Aubrey's own short title to it was : — ' 'S.^ehiaaixara. Brief Lives, part i.,' and, in his pagination, it contained eighty-six leaves. A rough index of its contents, by him, is found as foil. 8-10 : and there he gives the names of several persons whose lives he intended to write, but has not included in this volume. Some of these are found elsewhere, especially in MS. Aubrey 8 ; but a few * are not discoverable in any MS. of his biographical collections — e.g., Richard Alcorne ; (Samuel) Collins, D.D. ; Richard Blackbourne, M.D.; (John) Flamsted''; Sir John Hoskins; James Rex; James, duke of Monmouth''; Peter Ramus ; Benjamin Ruddier; captain (Edward) Sherburne; captaine Thomas Stump ; Richard White. Possibly Aubrey never wrote the missing lives ; but it must be remembered (i) that he cut some leaves out of his MS. himself (see in a note to the life of Richard Boyle, earl of Cork) ; (2) that Anthony Wood cut out of MS. Aubr. 7 forty pages at least, containing matters 'to cut Aubrey's throat,' i.e. reflections on politics, where the lives of James R. and Monmouth may well have been. * In this edition, some notes about Flamsted. some of them have been brought in Aubrey adds the reference ' vide from Aubrey's letters, and his 'Col- libr. B.': see Macray's p. 366. lectio Genituramm.' ^ The adventures of Captain Thomas *" Aubrey notes ' Mr. (Edmund) Stump in Guiana are recorded in Halley ' as the person to ask about Aubrey's Natural History of Wilts. Description of the MSS. 9 One point about this MS. which deserves mention is that, in these lives, Aubrey, in his hope to supply data for crucial instances in astrology, is careful to give the exact nativity wherever he can. His rule is thus laid down by himself in MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 12^, in a note attached to the nativity of his friend Sir William Petty : — ' Italian proverb — " E astrologia, ma non e Astrologo," i.e. we have not that science yet perfect; 'tis one of the desidei-ata. The way to make it perfect is to gett a supellex of true genitures ; in order wherunto I have with much care collected these ensuing^ which the astrologers may rely on, for I have sett doune none on randome, or doubt- full, information, but from their ozvne moiithes : quod N. B.' Another point is, that Aubrey very frequently gives the coat of arms, in trick or colour. In some cases, no doubt, he did this from having seen the arms actually borne in some way by the person he is writing about ; but in other cases he merely looked up the name in a ' Dictionary of Arms,' and took the coat from thence, thus nullifying his testimony as to the actual pretensions to arms of those he writes about. All coats he mentions have, however, been given in the text or notes. Prefixed to the volume are two notes in which Aubrey explains its origin and destination. (A)— MS. Aubr. 6, fol. " 2 :— ' Tanqiiam tabulata naufragii. Sum Johannis Aubrii, R.S.S. Febr. 24, i6|^. My will and humble desire is that these minutes, " i. e. the schemes of nativity given at the beginning of many of the lives in MS. Aubr. 6. MS. Aubr. 23, ' Col- lectio genitnrarum,' drawn up by Aubrey in 1674 to be deposited in the Ashmolean Museum, is an earlier contribution to the 'supellex.' In fol. 11^ Aubrey's book-plate is pasted on. <= In the top left corner, ' \s. 4^. ' is written. Possibly the price of the original paper-book. lO Aubrey^ s 'Brief Lives' which I have hastily and scribhngly here sett downe, be delivered carefully to my deare and honoured friend Mr. Anthony a Wood, antiquary, of Oxford. — Ita obnixe obtestor, Jo. Aubrey. Ascenscione Domini, correptus lipothymia, circiter 3 P.M. i68o.' (B)— MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 12:— 'To my worthy friend Mr. ANTHONIE a WOOD, Antiquarie of Oxford. Sir! I have, according to your desire, putt in writing these minutes of lives tumultuarily, as they occurred to my thoughts or as occasionally I had information of them. They may easily be reduced into order at your leisure by numbring them with red figures, according to time and place, &c. 'Tis a taske that I never thought to have undertaken till you imposed it upon me, sayeing that I was fitt for it by reason of my generall acquaintance, having now not only lived above halfe a centurie of yeares in the world, but have also been much tumbled up and downe in it which hath made me much * knowne ; besides the moderne advantage of coffee-howses in this great citie, before which men knew not how to be acquainted, but with their owne relations, or societies. I might add that I come of a longaevous race, by which meanes I have imped some feathers of the wings of time, for severall generations ; which does reach high. When I first began, I did not thinke I could have drawne it out to so long a thread. I here lay-downe to you (out of the conjunct friend- " ' Much ' substituted for ' so well.' Description of the MSS. II ship" between us) the trueth, and, as neer as I can and that religiously as a poenitent to his confessor, nothing but the trueth: the naked and plaine trueth, which is here exposed so bare that the very pudenda are not covered and affords many passages that would raise a blush in a young virgin's cheeke. So that after your perusall, I must desire you to make a castration (as Raderus*^ to Martial) and to sowe-on some figge-leaves — i. e., to be my Index cxpiirgatoruis. What uncertainty doe we find in printed histories? they either treading too neer on the heeles of trueth that they dare not speake plaine, or els for want of in- telligence (things being antiquated) become too obscure and darke ! I doe not here repeat any thing already published (to the best of my remembrance) and I fancy my selfc all along discourseing with you ; alledgeing those of my relations and acquaintance (as either you knew or have heerd of) ad faciendani fidem : so that you make me to renew my acquaintance with my old and deceased friends, and to rejnvenescere (as it were) which is the pleasure of old men. 'Tis pitty that such minutes had not been taken loo yeares since or more : for want wherof many worthy men's names and notions'^ are swallowd-up in oblivion; as much of these also would [have*^ been], had it not been through your instigation : and perhaps this is one of the usefullest pieces ^ that I have scribbeld. I remember one sayeing of generall Lambert's, that " the * Aubrey cites in the margin : — ' Utrumque nostrum admirabili modo Consentit astrum. HORAT. lib. 2, ode 1 7 : Nescio quod certe est, quod me tibi temperct, astrum. Pers. Sat. V. V. 50 ' ; and adds the date in the margin Matth. Raderi 'novi commentt.' '1665'; but according to Wood, were published in 1602, and later 1667 was the date of their first editions. acquaintance (Clark's Wood's Life « Dupl. with ' inventions.' and Times, n. n6). '' Have been ' is scored out. Dupl. with ' hid.' g Subst. for ' things." Subst. for 'girle's.' 12 Aubrey^ s 'Brief Lives* best of men are but men at the best " : of this, you will meet with divers examples in this rude and hastie collec- tion. Now these arcana are not fitt to lett flie abroad, till about 30 yeares hence ; for the author and the persons (like medlars) ought to be first rotten. But in whose hands must they be deposited in the mean time? advise me, who am, Sir, Your very affectionate friend to serve you, John Aubrey. London, June 15, 1680.' MS. Aubr. 7 : a folio volume of twenty-one leaves (several pages blank), of which two'^ only belong to the original MS. The original title may be conjectured to have been : ' 2x€8tao-/xara. Brief Lives, part ii.,' and it possibly contained some letters, like those in the preceding volume, which made Wood think it was given to him. On fol. I, is a note describing the make-up of the volume : — ' Aubrey's Lives : fragments of part ii. — These scattered fragments collected and arranged by E. M. Sep. 1792.' A note (in Dr. Philip Bliss's hand?) says that E. M. is Edmund Malone. In this, as in the other Aubrey MSS., Dr. Bliss has made several slight notes, both in pencil and ink, with a view to his edition. The mutilation of the MS. was the crime of Anthony Wood, to whom it had been sent. Two conjectures may be hazarded — either that Wood did this in order to paste the cuttings into his rough copy of his projected Aikenae, and so save transcription ; or, more probably, that he was " Foil. 47, 48, in the original (foil. scraps: fol. 8 is a paper, bearing date 10, II, as now foliated). The rest are 'London, March 12, 1 68|.' Description of the MSS. 13 so thoroughly alarmed by the threat of Lord Clarendon's prosecution of himself (Clark's Wood's Life and Times, iv. 1-46), that he destroyed the papers containing Aubrey's sharp reflections on various prominent personages*. But whatever the pretext, Aubrey was, naturally, very grieved at his unjustifiable conduct. In a letter to Wood, dated Sept. 2, 1694 (MS. Ballard 14, fol. 155), he writes: — ' You have cutt out a matter of 40 pages out of one of my volumnes, as also the index. Was ever any body so unkind? — And I remember you told me comeing from Hedington that there were some things in it that " would cutt my throat." I thought you so deare a friend that I might have entrusted my life in your hands and now your unkindnes doth almost break my heart.' When Aubrey had the volume back in his own hands, he wrote in it the following censure : — ' Ingratitude ! This pm't the secotid Mr. Wood haz gelded from page 1 to page 44 and other pages" too are wanting wherein are contained trueths, but such as I entrusted nobody with the sight of but himselfe (whom I thought I might have entrusted with my life). There are severall papers that may cutt my throate. I find too late Memento diffidere was a saying worthy one of the sages. He hath also embezill'd the index of it — quod N. B. It was stitch't up when I sent it to him. Novemb. 29, 1692.' MS. Aubr. 8 : a folio volume, containing 105 leaves : it contains two distinct MSS., bound together. The first part of the MS. (foil. 1-68 in the present marking) might have been entitled : — ' 2xe8tao"/xa7a. Brief Lives, part iii.' " See, e. g. in the life of David Jenkins, from a letter of Aubrey's, the expressions which brought Wood into court and expelled him from the University. Fol. 2, in the present marking. I have little doubt that the sub- stance of all the missing pages is incorporated into the Athettae : cf., e.g. William Penn's life here by Aubrey, and the notice of Penn in Wood's Athenae. 14 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives* On fol. 1 and fol. 3, the short title actually written by- Aubrey is : — Pars ^ iii*'* 1681 i.e. the symbol for Saturn, the patron of antiquarian studies, and Aubrey's monogram. On fol. 4 Aubrey has a very elaborate title, showing the destination of the MS.:— 'Auctarium vitarum a A collectarum, anno Domini 1681. Tanqtiam tabiilata naufragii. John Aubrey, R.S.S. Le mal est que la vive voix meurt en naissant et ne laisse rien qui reste apres elle, ni formant point de corps qui subsiste en I'air. Les paroles ont des aisles; vous scavez I'epithete* qu'Honn^re leur donne, et un poete Syrien en a fait un espece parmy les oiseaux; de sorte que, si on n'arreste pas ces fugitives par I'ecriture, elles eschappent fort vistement k la memoire. Les Oeuvres diver ses du sieur de Balzac, page 43. Omari res ipsa nolit contenta doceri.— HORAT For Mr. Anthony Wood at Oxford.' A slip by Anthony Wood, pasted here, shows that Aubrey recalled the MS., probably to make additions to it :— ' Mr. Aubrey, I beseech you as you have been civill in giving this book to me at Oxon in Sept. 1681, so I hope when you have done with it you'l returne every part of it againe to your servant, As originally made up, this ' Auctarium ' contained " Aubrey quotes in the margin Description of the MSS. 15 four leaves at the beginning (for an index and leaves foliated 1-38 (of which I2 and 13 are now*^ missing). The second parf of the MS. extends over foil. 69-103 in the present marking. Aubrej', on fol. 69. writes the title : — ' An Apparatus for the lives of our English mathematical writers by Mr. John Aubrey, R.S.S. March 25, 1690.' As originally made up, this treatise consisted of one leaf (for an index'') and pages marked 1-46 (of which pp. 31-38 are now missing). The history of this treatise is fully set out by Aubrey in some notes in it and in the other MSS. : — 1. It was suggested by Richard Blackburne. MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 8^:— 'Dr. (Richard) Blackbourn would have me putt out in print the lives of our English mathematicians together.' 2. It had been partly anticipated by Selden and Sherburne. MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 70 : — ' My purpose is, if God give me life, to make an apparatus, for* the lives of our English Mathematicians ; which when I have ended, I would then desire Mr. Anthony Wood to find out one that is master "Dated 'July i"", 168 1 '—MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 5. In this index the names of some persons occur for notice, of whom no account is found here or elsewhere: — e.g. ' . . . Aids- worth ; Richard Blackboume, M.D. ; Sir George Etheridge; Isaac Newton.' There are now several inserted papers and slips. The two last leaves of the MS. as now made up (foil. 104, 105), belong to neither section of it, but have been brought in from else- where, possibly from loose Rawlinson papers. ' Anthony Wood has marked it as ' G. jo' of his Alhenae Collections (see Clark's Wood's Life and Times, iv. 232), thus showing that he looked on it as his own property. In this index or on blank pages in the treatise, some are mentioned for their lives to be written, of whom no account is found here or elsewhere in the biographical collections : — e. g. Mr. (Thomas) lilundeville ; (Henry) Bond; Mr. Robert Hues; Mr.(Thomas) Lidyate; Mr Phale (i.e. Thomas Fale); Edmund Wingate. " ' For ' subst. for ' in order to the writing.' i6 Aubrey* s 'Brief Lives* of a good Latin stile, and to adde what is ^ already in his printed booke'' to these following*^ minutes. 'I will not meddle with our own-writers'' in the mathe- maticks before the reigne of king Henry VIII, but prefix those excellent verses of Mr. John Selden (with a learned commentary to them) which are printed before a booke in- tituled (Arthur) Hopton's Concordance of year es^,sc\\\cet: — MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 69 : — ' Sir Edward Shirbourn, some- where in his translation and notes upon Manilius, has enumerated our English mathematicians, and hath given short touches of their lives — which see.' 3. The first step towards it would be to pick out the mathematicians from the lives already written by Aubrey. MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 51'': — 'I would have the lives of John Dee, Sir Henry Billingsley, the two Digges (father and Sonne), Mr. Thomas Hariot, Mr. (Walter) Warner, Mr. (Henry) Brigges, and Dr. (John) Pell's, to be putt together. — As to the account of Mr. Hariot, Mr. Warner, and Mr. Brigges, I recieved it from Dr. Pell.' MS. Aubr. 9 : a folio, containing fifty-five leaves, and in addition several printed papers. The title is found on fol. 28 (as now marked) of the MS. : — ' Supplementum vitae Thomae Hobbes, Malmesburiensis, HOBBI f jucunda senectus, Cujus erant mores qualis facundia, mite Ingenium. — Juvenal, Sai. iv. v. 81. Extinctus amabitur. — HORAT. Epist. I. lib. 2. I. A.' I. A. = Aubrey's initials. " ' Is ' subst. fcr ' Mr. Wood haz.' Hist, et Atitiq. Univ. Oxo7i., 1674. 'These following' subst. for 'my.' ^ Aubrey queries 'Is John Escnidus mentioned among them ? ' " Lond. 16 1 6. ' Written at first ' Venit et Hobbi.' Description of the MSS. 17 The reason for this title was that Aubrey intended his Collections to be a sort of commentary on Hobbes' short Latin autobiography, which was in the press in Febr. i6|^~, and was published in Nov. 1680 (Clark's Wood's Ltfe and Times, ii. 480, 500). But Anthony Wood (MS. Aubr. 9, fol. 28) objected :— 'What need you say Supplimentum ? ' sic 'pray say the life of Thomas Hobbs.' And Aubrey, in obedience to this, changed the short title on fol. 30 (see the beginning of the life) ; and on the parchment cover of the MS. (now fol. i) wrote : — ' The life of Mr. Thomas Hobbes, of Malmsbury, by Mr. John Aubrey, Fellow of the Royall Societie, 10 8 (T- Aubrey set about this Life of Hobbes immediately after Hobbes' death, partly as a tribute of respect to his friend's memory, but apparently also in fulfilment of a promise to the deceased. The preface * is as follows: — ' Lectori. 'Tis religion to performe the will of the dead ; which I here'' dischardge, with my promise (1667) to my old friend Mr. T(homas) H(obbes), in publishing^ his life and performing the last office to my old ^ friend Mr. Thomas Hobbes, whom I have had the honour to know (from) my child-hood®, being his countreyman and borne in Malmesbury hundred and taught my grammar by his schoolmaster ^. Since nobody knew so many particulars of his life as » MS. Aubr. 9, fol. 29. Aubrey Subst. for 'now.' notes in the margin : — ' The vKrj of the Subst. for ' setting forth.' preface to the life written by Mr. H. Subst. for 'honoured.' him selfe in (the) third person'; » Dupl. with 'pueritia mea.' intending I suppose to consult it in re- ' Dupl. with ' having both the same modelling his own draft preface. schoolmaster.' I. C i8 Aitbrey^s 'Brief Lives* myselfe, he was willing" that if I survived him, it should be handed to posterity by my hands, which I declare and avow to do ingenuously and impartially, to prevent mis- reports and undecieve those who are scandalized by . . . One sayes ^ that when a learned man dyes, a great deal of learning dyes with him. He was ' flumen ingenii,' never dry. The recrcvicnta " of so learned a person are t We read that valueablcf. Amougst innumerable observables ra"mp^^''a" ^^"^ which had deserved to be sett downe, fq^'aaerenoLen) ^hcse few (that have not scap't^ my memory) hath been sold J humbly offer ^ to the present age and 'Ada^'tl'lnd"' posterity, tanqumn iabulaiii naufragii %, and ^ificffaS'i plankes and lighter things swimme, and are BKackbume). pj-gserved, where the more weighty sinke and are lost. And^ as with the light after sun-sett — at which time, clear ^; by and by*, comes the crepitsailum \ then, totall darkenes — in like manner is it with matters of antiquitie. Men thinke, because every body remembers a memorable accident shortly after 'tis donne, 'twill never be forgotten, which for want of registring at last is drowned in oblivion. Which ^ reflection haz been a hint, that by my meanes many antiquities have been reskued and presen-ed (I myselfe now inclining ° to be ancient °) — or els utterly lost and forgotten. For that I am so minute, I declare I never intended it, but setting downe in my first p draught every particular i, (with purpose, upon review, to retrench what was super- ' Dupl. with ' desired.' •> .See in tlie life of Selden. In a marginal note Aubrey re- marks ' meliorate this word.' Another note is ' Quaere of the preface of this Supplement,' i. e., I suppose, ask some one's opinion whether it will do or not ^ Dupl. with 'will <be>.' ^ Dui l. with 'slipt.' ' Dupl. with ' (Itt' i. e. dedicate. 8 Subst. for ' But for that the recre- mmta of such a person are valueable. It is with matters of antiquity as with the sett . . .' h Subst. for 'good Light.' ' Dupl. with ' so many degrees, etc' * Dupl. with ' entring.' ' Subst. for 'This.' ™ 'From oblivion' followed ; scored out. ° Dupl. with ' growing.' ° Dupl. with ' senescens.^ P Dupl. with 'rude.' 1 Dupl. with ' thing.' Dupl. with 'cutt off.' Description of the MSS. 19 fluous and triviall), I shewed it to some friends of mine (who also were of Mr. Hobbes's acquaintance) whose judgments I much vakie, who gave their opinion : and 'twas clearly their judgement % to let all stand ; for though to soome at present it might appeare too triviall ; yet hereafter 'twould not be scorned but passe for antiquity. And besides I have precedents of reverend writers to t Dean Fell plcad, who have in some lives f recited things hfs moTh'er'^s'^ triviall nay, the sayings and actions of Ifctir^^ good woemen. rema^qu'es of ^ ^1^1 also to bcg pardon of the reader for i?'ifii"iife,'"°"'' two long digressions, viz. Malmesbury and written by him. Gorambcry ; but this also was advised, as the only way to preserve them, and which I have donne for the sake of the lovers of antiquity. I hope its novelty and pleasantness will make compensation for its length. Yours % I. A.' In MS. Aubr. 9, fol. aS'' are two letters by Aubrey, asking advice in connexion with this life. i. Aubrey to Anthony Wood. ' To his honoured friend Mr. Anthony a Wood, Master of Arts, at Merton College in Oxon. Deare friend ! I have hastily writt this third draught, which I hope is legible : I have not time to read it over. Pray peruse it as soon as you can, for time dravves on. Dr. Blackburne and I will be diligent in it and will doe yo2i. all the right ^ your heart can wish. I thought together with this to have sent you the transcript of Mr. Hobbes' life revised by himselfe but am prevented by hast, and 'tis the last day of the terme. I will send it suddenly. " Dupl. with 'sense,' 'opinion.' ' Iiiconnexion with the controversy *" Dupl. with 'slighted.' originated by Dr. Fell's excisions in Dupl. with ' goe.' Wood's notice of Hobbes in his Hist. ■* Dupl. with ' meane.' et Antiq. Univ. Oxon., 1674, see e Subst. for ' Tuus^ Clark's Wood's Zz/i? a«(/7'/OT«,ii. 291. C 2 20 Aubrey^ s 'Brief Lives' My service to Mr. Pigot. I am, Sir, your affectionate friend and servant, Jo : Aubrey. London Feb. 12, Why might not his two sheetes Of heresie be bound up with this to preserve it and propagate trueth ? I know here be severall tautologies ; but I putt them downe thus here, that upon reviewe I should judge where such or such a thing would most aptly stand. Why should not Dr. Blackbourne in the life of Mr. H. written by him selfe quote that of A. Wood in the margent for a blindation, because there are in great part the very same words ? ' ii. Aubrey to Richard Blackburne. ' Dr. Blackbourne ! Pray advise me whether 'twould not shew hand- somest to begin with a description of Malmesbury, and then to place Mr. H. pedigre? But, with all, should not " Thomas Hobbes was borne at Malmesbury, Apr. . . . 1588 a" be the initiall and, as it were, textual!, line ? Shall I in the first place putt Mr. H. life donne by himselfe ? (If so, whether in Latin, or English, or both ?) Or else, shall I intersperse it with these animadversions ? I could begin with a pleasant description of Malmesbury, etc., (all new and untoucht) 14 leaves in 8vo, which his verses will lead me to, and which Ant. Wood seemes to desire. Pray be my Aristarchus, and correct and marke what you thinke fitt. First draughts'* ought to be rude as those of paynters, for he that in his first essay will be curious in refining will certainly be unhappy in inventing. Doctor, I am your affectionate and humble servant. J. A. MS. has ' 1688,' by a slip. •> Dupl. with 'sketches.' The Old Edition 21 I will speake to Fleetwood Shepherd to engage the earl of Dorset to write in the old gentleman's praise. Should mine be in Latin or English or both ? (And by whome the Latin, if so ?) Is my English style well enough Other MSS. A few additional lives, and portions of lives, of persons mentioned in these four biographical volumes, have been brought in from letters by Aubrey in MS. Ballard 14 and in MS. Wood F 39 and F 49. Three lives, in fair copy, by Aubrey, are found in MS. Rawlinson D. 727, foil. 93-96, and have been given here. They were formerly in Anthony Wood's hands : see Clark's Wood's Life atid Times, iv. 192, note. MS. Aubr, 21, a volume made up in the Ashmolean library from siftings out of Aubrey MSS. and papers ; MS. Aubr. 22, a collection of grammatical tracts, brought together by Aubrey with a view to a treatise on education ; MS. Aubr. 23, a volume of 125 leaves, dated on fol. 8 as ' CoUectio geniturarum, made London May 29, 1674,' but on the title as ' 1677 : for the (Ashmolean) Musaeum ' ; MS. Aubr. 26, ' Faber fortunae,' i. e. projects for retrieving Aubrey "s fortunes have yielded additional matter. V. The Old Edition. The pith of these lives was extracted by Anthony Wood, and incorporated in his Athenae, vol. i. in 1691, vol. ii. in 1692, and the 'appendix' left in MS. at his death (published in the second edition of the Athenae in 1721). The MSS. of Aubrey's 'Lives' were placed in the library of the Ashmolean Museum, in the personal custody of the Keeper, Edward Lhwyd, in 1693. Aubrey, writing'' to Thomas Tanner, intimates that his MSS. will show how greatly Wood's Athenae was indebted to his help, and " Anthony Wood has jotted here 1693, is found in MS. Tanner 25, ' 'Tis well.' fol. 59. Aubrey's letter, dated June i, 22 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' makes a special request that Wood shall not know that they have been placed in the Museum. Beginning" on Sept. 16, 1792, Edmund Malone made a transcript of 174 lives from the three MSS. (MS. Aubr. 6, 7, 8), with notes, with a view to publication. The first volume of this contained folios 1-152, forty-four lives of poets and sixty-eight of prose writers. It is now in the Bodleian, by the gift of C. E. Doble, Esq. ; but mutilated, folios 126-152 having been torn off from the end of the volume. The second volume, containing folios ^^2>~?>^^'> sixty-two lives, was MS. 9405 in Sir Thomas Phillipps' library, was mentioned in Notes and Queries (8 S. vii. 375), and has recently been bought by the Bodleian. Some years later, James Caulfield, of London, publisher, arranged for the issue of a select number of biographies from Aubrey's MSS., illustrated by engravings from originals in the Ashmolean and elsewhere. They were to appear under the title of ' The Oxford Cabinet ' ; and one part, 32 pp., a very pretty book, was published at London in 1797. This part contains the lives of William Aubrey, Francis Bacon, John Barclay, and Francis Beau- mont, with engravings (inter alia) of Aubrey's drawings of Verulam House, and Bacon's fishponds. At this point the Keeper of the Ashmolean, at Malone's instance, with- drew the permission which had been granted to Curtis to transcribe for Caulfield. The reason given was that Curtis had taken away papers and title-pages from Oxford libraries, and was not to be trusted in the Ashmolean — see Macray's Annals of the Bodleian, p. 273. The dates, however, suggest that Malone's action may have been in part inspired by a wish to keep the course clear for his own project. The transcription made for Caulfield, although not always accurate in point of spelling, is by no means badly done : certainly it is much better than that which was made for the later issue. In 1813 appeared ''Letters ivritten by Eminent Persons . . . and Lives of Eminent Men by John Aubrey^ Esq. . . . " Malone's note in Mr. Doble's MS. TJie Old Edition 23 from the originals in the Bodleian Library and Ash- molean Museum : in two volumes.' The editors are said to have been Dr. Philip Bliss and the Rev. John Walker, Fellow of New College. The Lives by Aubrey occupy pp. 197-637 of Volume II. Dr. Bliss's interests were bibliographical, and he was not careful " to collate with original MSS. either the printed text of earlier editions or transcripts made for himself. As a result, that issue of Aubrey's Lives, although making accessible the greater portion of what is interesting in the originals, is marred by many grave blunders and arbitrary omissions. A comparison of a few pages of Dr. Bliss's edition with Aubrey's MS. copy suggests a troublesome question in English textual criticism. If two eminent Oxford scholars in the beginning of the nineteenth century could thus pervert their author's meaning, can we have trust in the earlier redaction of greater texts, such as Shakespeare ? " I have shown this as regards the text of Anthony Wood's Life; and I hope some day to show it in the much more important matter of the text of the Athenae. THE 'LIVES' George Abbot (i 562-1 633). * Archbishop Abbot was borne in the howse of old Flemish building, timber and brick, now an alehouse, the signe ' Three Mariners/ by the river's side by the bridge on the north side of the street in St. Nicholas parish on the right hand as you goe out of the towne northwards. ** Old Nightingale was his servant, and weepes when he talkes of him. Every one that knew, loved him. He was sometimes cholerique. He was borne the first howse over the bridge on the right hand in St. Nicholas parish (Guildford). He was the Sonne of a sherman ^ His mother, with child of him, longed for a jack, and dream't that if shee could eate a jack, her son should be a great man. The next morning, goeing to the river, which runs by the howse (which is by the bridge), with her payle, to take up some water, a good jack came into her payle. Which shee eat up, all, her selfe. This is generally recieved for a trueth. His godfather and godmothers sent him to the Uni- versity, his father not being able. * Aubrey, in MS. Wood F. 39, fol. 223; Sept. 16, 1673. ** Idem, ibid., fol. 221; Aug. 10, 1673. » Sic, substituted for ' cloth-worker.' Sir Robert Alton 25 Sir Robert Aiton (1570-1638). * Sir Robert Aiton ^, knight ; — he lies buried in the south aisle of the choire of Westminster abbey, where there is erected to his memory an elegant marble and copper monument and inscription — viz. This long inscription is in copper : — M. S. Clarissimi, omnigenaque virtute et eruditione (presertim poesi) ornatissimi equitis, Domini Roberti Aitoni, ex antiqua et illustri gente Aitona ad Castrum Kinnadinum apud Scotos oriundi : qui a serenissimo rage Jacobo in cubicula interiora admissus ; in Germaniam ad impera- torem imperiique principes, cum libello regio regiae authoritatis vindice, legatus ; ac primum Annae, demum Mariae, serenissimis Britanniarum reginis, ab epistolis, consiliis, et libellis supplicibus ; necnon Xeno- dochio S''^® Catharinae praefectus ; anima Creatori reddita, hie, depo- sitis mortalibus exuviis, secundum redemptoris adventum expectat. Carolum linquens, repetit Parentem ; Et valedicens Mariae, revisit Annam ; et Aulaei decus alto Olympi Mutat honore. Obiit coelebs in Regia Albaula, non sine maximo bonorum omnium luctu et moerore : Aetat. suae LXVIII, Salut. humanae MDCXXXVIII. Hoc devoti gratique animi testimonium optimo patruo, Jo. Aitonus, M.L.P. In white marble at the bottome of the vionunient : — Musarum decus hic, patriaeque, aulaeque, domique Et foris exemplar, sed non imitabile, honesti. His bust is of copper, curiously cast, with a laurell held over it by two figures of white marble. That Sir Robert was one of the best poets of his time — Mr. John Dreyden sayes he has seen verses of his, some of the best of that age, printed with some other verses — quaere. He was acquainted with all the witts of his time in England. He was a great acquaintance of Mr. Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, whom Mr. Hobbes told me he made use of (together with Ben Johnson) for an Aris- * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 1 16. 26 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' tarchus, when he made his Epistle Dedicatory to his translation of Thucydides. I have been told (I think by Sir John himself) that he was eldest brother to Sir John Ayton, Master of the Black Rod, who was also an excellent scholar. ICote. ' Aubrey gives in trick the coat : — ' . . . , on a cross engrailed between 4 crescents a rose,' with the motto ' Et decerpta dabnnt odorem.' He encircles the coat of arms with a laurel wreath, as is his custom when it is a poet whose life he is writing. Aldsworth. * . . . Aldsworth, mathematical boyes. ** Memorandum : — the patent for the mathematicall blew-coate boj'es at Christ Church in London was dated 'iiyth August in the 25th yeare of the reigne of king Charles the second' (1673). Thomas Allen {1542-1632). Thomas Allen, Trin. Coll. Oxon. — Elias Ashmole, esqr., (has) the MSS. of Thomas Allen's commentary on the second and third bookes of Ptolomey's Quadripartite ■\ **** Thomas Allen — vide Anthony Wood s {Hist, ety Antiq. {Ujiiv.} Oxon. Mr. Thomas Allen ' was borne in Staffordshire. Mr. Theodore Haak, a German, Regiae Societatis Socius, was of Glocester Hall, 1626, and knew this learned worthy old gentleman, whom he takes to have been about ninety- six yeares old when he dyed, which was about 1630 (vide). The learned (Edmund) Reynolds, who was turned Catho- t Memorandum lique t by his brother the learned Dr. (John) made on tiieir Rcynolds, President of Corpus Xti Colledge, sions-which was of Gloccstcr Hall then too. They were ^dia inter . . . both Hcer of an age, and they dyed both within plusquam civilia r 1 > 1 tt 11 fratrcs. 1 2 moncthcs onc of th othcr He was at both * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 5 : in the index, *** MS. Aubr. S, fol. 14'. as a life to be written. •'' MS. Ashmole, 3S8. ** MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 6. **** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 95''. Thomas Allen 27 their funeralls. Mr. Allen came into the hall to commons, but Mr. Reynolds had his brought to his chamber. He sayes that Mr. Allen was a very cheerfull, facetious man, and that every body loved his company, and every bowse on their Gmidie-daycs were wont to invite him. His picture was drawne at the request of Dr. Ralph Kettle, and hangs in the dining roome of the President of Trin. Coll. Oxon. (of which house he first was, and had his education there) by which it appeares that he was a handsome sanguine man, and of an excellent habit of bodie. There is mention of him in Leicester s Coinvionwealth^ that the great Dudley, earle of Leicester, made use of him for ca.sting nativities, for he was the best astrologer of his time. He hath written a large and learned com- mentary, in folio, on the Quadripartite of Ptolemie, which Elias Ashmole hath in MS. fairly written, and I hope will one day be printed. In those darke times astrologer, mathematician, and conjurer, were accounted the same things ; and the vulgar did verily beleeve him to be a conjurer. He had a great many mathematicall instruments and glasses in his chamber, which did also confirme the ignorant in their opinion, and his servitor (to impose on freshmen and simple people) would tell them that sometimes he should t J Power^ meet the spirits comeing up his staires like bees. <s^Mfchaei Onef of our parishj was of Glocester Hall about Wilts). yeares and more since, and told me this from his servitor. Now there is to some men a great lechery in lying, and imposing on the understandings of beleeving people, and he thought it for his credit to serve such a master. He was generally acquainted, and every long vacation, he rode into the countrey to visitt his old acquaintance and patrones, to whom his great learning, mixt with much sweetnes of humour, rendred him very welcome. One time being at Horn Lacy^' in Herefordshire, at Mr. John * By Robert Parsons, S.J, i.e. Holm Lacy. 28 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' Scudamores (grandfather to the lord Scudamor), he happened to leave" his watch in the chamber windowe — (watches were then rarities) — The maydes came in to make the bed, and hearing a thing in a case cry Tick, Tick, Tick, presently concluded that that was his Devill, and tooke it by the string with the tongues '', and threw it out of the windowe into the mote (to'= drowne the Devill.) It so happened that the string hung on a sprig of an elder that grew out of the mote, and this confirmed them that 'twas the Devill. So the good old gentleman gott his watch again. Sir Kenelm Digby loved him much (vide Sir K. Digby's Life (p.) 69 <i), and bought his excellent library of him, which he gave to the University. I have a Stifelius' Arithmetique that was his, which I find he had much perused, and no doubt mastered. He was interred in Trinity College Chapell, (quaere where : as I take it, the outer Chapell.) George Bathurst * B.D. made his funerall oration in Latin, which was printed. 'Tis pitty there had not been his name on a ^ stone over him. *) Thomas Allen. . . . left the house ^ because he would not take orders. Queen Elizabeth sent for him to have his advice about the new star that appeared in the Swan or Cassiopeia (but I think the Swan), to which he gave his judgment very learnedly. He was great-uncle to Mr. (Henry) Dudley, the minister of Broadhinton in Wilts (1665). Notes. 1 Thomas Allen, of Staffordshire, aged 17, was elected Scholar of Trinity, June 4, 1561, and Fellow, June 19, 1564. His retirement to Gloucester Hall was no doubt to avoid the Oath of Supremacy imposed by Elizabeth on members on the foundation of the Colleges. Edmund Reynolds, in the same way, retired to Gloucester Hall, vacating his fellowship in Corpus Christi College. ^ Edmund Reynolds died Nov. 21, 1630; Thomas Allen died Sept. 30, 1632. * Dupl. with 'forgett.' i. e. tongs. Subst. for ' to have drowned.' ^ i. e. fol. 99, of MS. Aubr. 6. « Subst. for ' the.' * Aubrey in MS. Wood F. 39, fol. 142^: Oct. 27, 1671. ' Trinity College. Charles Alleyn. Lancelot Andrewes 29 ^ This will serve to show how imperfectly the names in the Matriculation- register represent those who actually studied in Oxford. The Matric. register gives ' Zachaiy Power, e com. Wilts.,' as matriculating at Gloucester Hall, Nov. 3, 1609: but omits his elder brother John Power (mentioned in MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 48, as being 40 in 1624, when Zachary was 32). * George Bathurst, of Ga(r)sington, Oxon, aged 16, was elected Scholar of Trinity June 6, 1626, and Fellow June 8, 1631 ; B. D. 1640. His Oralio funebris on Allen was publ. London 1632. Charles Alleyn (obiit 1640?). * Charles Alleyn, who wrote the Battailes of Agencourt, Poitiers, and Crescy, was usher to Mr. Thomas Farnaby. Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626). ** Lancelot Andrewes^, lord bishop of Winton, was borne in London ; went to schoole at Merchant Taylors schoole. Mr. Mulcaster ^ was his schoolemaster, whose picture he hung in his studie (as Mr. Thomas Fuller, Holy State). Old Mr. Sutton, a very learned man of those dayes, of Blandford St. Maries, Dorset, was his school fellowe, and sayd that Lancelot Andrewes was a great long boy of 18 yeares old at least before he went to the university. He was a fellowe* of Pembroke-hall, in Cambridge (called Collegmm Episcopormn, for that, at one time, in those dayes, there were of that house . . . bishops). The Puritan faction did begin to increase in those dayes, and especially at Emanuel College. That party had a great mind to drawe in this learned young man, whom if they could make theirs, they knew would be a great honour to them. They carried themselves outwardly with great sanctity and strictnesse, so that 'twas very hard matter to as to their lives. They preached up very strict keeping and observing the Lord's day; made, upon the matter, damnation to breake it, and that 'twas lesse sin to kill a man then . . . Yet these hypocrites did bowle in a private green at their colledge every Sunday after ♦ MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 42'. ** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 27. " Elected Fellow in 157G. 3^ Aubrey^ s 'Brief Lives' sermon ; and one of the colledge (a loving friend to Mr. L. Andrewes) to satisfie him one time lent him the key of a private back dore to the bowling green, on a Sunday evening, which he opening, discovered these zealous preachers, with their gownes off, earnest at play. But they were strangely surprized to see the entrey of one that was not of i/w brotherhood. There was then at Cambridge a good fatt alderman that was wont to sleep at church, which the alderman endeavoured to prevent but could not. Well ! this was preached against as a signe of reprobation. The good man was exceedingly troubled at it, and went to Andrewes his chamber to be satisfied in point of conscience. Mr. Andrewes told him that (it) was an ill habit of body not of mind, and that it was against his will ; advised him on Sundays to make a more sparing meale and to mend it at supper. The alderman did so, but sleepe comes upon (him) again for all that, and was preached at. (He) comes againe to be resolved, with tears in his eies ; Andrewes then told him he would have him make a good heartie meale as he w^as wont to doe, and presently take out his full sleep. He did so*; came to St. Marie's ^ where the preacher w^as prepared with a sermon to damne all w^ho slept at sermon, a certaine signe of reprobation. The good alderman having taken his full nap before, lookcs on the preacher all sermon time, and spoyled the designe. — But I should have sayd that Andrewes was most extremely spoken against and preached against for offering to assoile or excuse a sleeper in sermon time. But he had learning and witt enough to* defend himselfe. His great learning quickly made him known in the university, and also to King James, who much valued him for it, and advanced him, and at lasf^ made him bishop of Winchester, which bishoprick he ordered with great prudence as to government of the parsons, pre- " Subst. for 'he followed his advice.' 1* ' To St. Marie's' subst. for ' to church.' * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 27'. In l6l|. Lancelot Andrewes 31 ferring of ingeniose persons that were staked to poore livings and did delitescere. He made it his enquiry to find out such men. Amongst severall others '^whose names have escaped my memorie) Nicholas Fuller (he wrote Critica Sacra) minister of AUington necr Amesbury in Wilts, was one. The bishop sent for him, and the poor man was afrayd and knew not what hurt he had donne. (He) makes him sitt downe to dinner; and, after the desert, was brought in in a dish his institution and induction, or the donation, of a prebend : which was his way. He chose out alvvayes able men to his chaplaines, whom he advanced. Among others, (Christopher) Wren, of St. John's in Oxon, was his chaplaine. a good generall scholar and good orator, afterwards deane of Winsore, from whom (by his son in lawe. Dr. William Holder) I have taken this exact account of that excellent prelate. His Life is before his Sermons, and also his epitaph, which see. He dyed at Winchester house, in Southwark, and lies buried in a chapell at St. Mary Overies, where his executors . . . Salmon M. D. and Mr. John Saint- lowe, merchant of London, have erected (but I beleeve according to his lordship's will, els they would not have layed out icoo/z.) a sumptuose monument for him. He had not that smooth way of oratory as now. It was a shrewd and severe animadversion of a Scotish lord, who, when king James asked him how he liked bp. A.'s sermon, sayd that he was learned, but he did play with his text, as a Jack-an-apes does, who takes up a thing and tosses and playes with it, and then he takes up another, and playes a little with it. Here's a pretty thing, and there's a pretty thing! * Bishop Andrews : vide the inscription before his Sermons. Notes. ' Aubrey gives the coat : — ' See of Winchester ; impaling . . ., 3 mullets on a bend engrailed and cottiseJ . . .,' ensigned with a mitre or, and encircled by the Garter motto. ^ Richard Mulcaster, Head Master of Merchant Taylors' Scliool, 1561-1586. * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 9. 32 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' Francis Anthony (1550-1623). * Dr. [Francis*] Anthony, the chymist, Londinensis, natus 16 Aprilis, 1550, i^. P.M., Virgo 0° 3' ascend. Quaere A (nthony) W {cod) if of Oxon or Cam- bridge ''. Scripsit 2 Hbros, viz. : — Aiiriim potabile, and his Defense against Dr. (Matthew) Gwyn (who wrote a booke called Aurtan non Aurum). This is all that Mr. Littlebury, bookeseller, remembers. He lived in St. Bartholomew's close, London, where he dyed, and is, I suppose, buried there, about 30 yeares since ^, scil. 1652. Vide his nativity in Catalogue ^. He had a sonne who wrote something, I thinke (quaere Mr. Littlebury) ; and a daughter maried to . . . Montague, a bookeseller in Duck-lane, who in Oliver's time was a soldier in Scotland. A'otes. ' Wood notes here ' so that by this reckoning,' i. e. if bom in 1550 ut supra, ' he was 102.' * i.e., I suppose, in MS. Aubrey 23 (Aubrey's Collectio Genitiiraruni), where at fol. 121, among nativities from Dr. Richard Napier's papers, is: — 'Dr. Anthony, Londinensis, who made aurum potabile at London, natus 16 April, 1550, i" P.M.' Thomas Archer (i 554-1 630?). Mr. Archer, rector of Houghton Conquest, was a good scholar in King James's (the ist) dayes, and one (of) his majestie's chaplains. He had two thick 4to MSS. of his own collection ; one, joci and tales etc., and discourses at dinners ; the other, of the weather. I have desired parson Poynter'^, his successor, to enquire after them, but I find him slow in it. No doubt there are delicate things to be found there. * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 2i\ " Added by Anthony Wood. He was M.A., Cambridge, 1574. ** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. i'. Thomas Poynter, rector of Hough- ton Conquest, Beds., 1676-1700. JoJin Ashindon. Deborah Aubrey 33 John Ashindon (obiit 13 — ?). * Johannes Escuidus* Merton College : — Elias Ashmole, esq., hath the corrected booke by the originall MSS. of Merton College library, now lost, which is mentioned in Mr. William Lilly's almanack 1674, a folio. Amongst many other rarities he haz a thin folio MS. of Alkindus in Latin. ** Johannes Escuidus : — Summa astrologiae judicialis, in folio, Venetiis, 1489. — It is miserably printed, he sayes there ; and that he was a student of Merton College Oxford. — Mr. Elias Ashmole has the booke. Elias Ashmole (1617 -1692). *** Memorandum — the lives of John Dee, Dr. (Richard) Nepier, Sir William Dugdale, William Lilly, Elias Ash- mole'', esq., — Mr. Ashmole haz and will doe those himselfe: as he told me formerly but nowe he seemes to faile. Deborah Aubrey (i6fi^-i68f). **** Mris. Deborah Aubrey, my honoured mother, was borne at Yatton-Kaynes, viilgo West-Yatton, in the parish of Yatton-Keynel in com. Wilts., January 29**^ 1609'', mane. In a letter from my mother, dated Febru. 3'', i6|§, she tells me she was seaventie yeares old the last Thursday [29 Januarii] — quod N. B. Her accidents. My mother was maried at 15 yeares old. She fell sick of a burning feaver at Langford, Somerset. * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. •> In MS. Ballard 14, fol. 19, 20 is "John Ashindon (or Eastwood): an autobiography dictated by Ashmole see Brodrick's Memorials of Merton to Robert Plot, to be sent to Anthony (O. H. .S.), p. 200. Wood, Dec. 29, 1683. ** Aubrey, in MS. Wood, F. 39, Added later by Aubrey to his note, fol. 229: Sept. 22, 1673. **** MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 81", 82. *** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. lo". I. D 34 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' She was taken on the 6*^ June 1675 ; feaver there againe in July 1675. She was borne Jan. 29*'', morning, scil. the day before the anniversary-day of the king's decollation. She was 15 yeares old and as much as from January to June when she was maried. She fell from her horse and brake her . . . arme the last day of Aprill (1649 or 50) when I was a suitor to Mris Jane Codrington. Lettre, Aug. 8, 1681 : — she was lately ill three weekes and now her eies are a little sore. Memorandum : 6 Januarie i68§, my mother writes to me that she is 73 yeares of age. Note. She died at Chalk in Jan. i68f, and was buried at Kingston S. Michael ; so in a letter by Aubrey to Anthony Wood, May 11, 1686, in MS. Ballard 14, fol. 139. John Aubrey (1626-1697). (These autobiographical jottings are found in MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 3-5. They have been printed, with a few slips and slight omissions, in John Britton's Memoir of J. Aubrey., London, 1845, pp. 12-17. Aubrey (fol. 3) directs that the paper is ' to be interposed as a sheet of wast paper only in the binding of a booke ' ; and appends to this direction the motto : — ' I presse not to the choire ^ . . . Thus devout penitents of old were wont, Some without dore, and some beneath the font. Mr. Thomas Carew.' Aubrey gives (fol. 3) an (incomplete) drawing of his own horoscope, on the scheme : — 'i^ natus i62f, March nth, 17'^ 14' 44" p.m. . . (tempus verum), sub latitudine 51° 30'.' In MS. Aubr. 21, fol. no, is Charles Snell's calculation of Aubrey's nativity, on the scheme 'Sunday, 12 Martii 1626, 5** 13' 40" A.M., natus Johannes Aubreius, armiger, sub polo 51° 06.' The astrologers of the time used sometimes the English, and sometimes the Italian, enumeration of the hours.} * 'Nor dare I' followed, scored out. Astronomical symbols omitted. John Aubrey 35 * I. A\ His life'' is more remarqueable in an astrologicall respect ' then for any advancement of learning ^, having from his birth (till of late yeares) been labouring under a crowd of ill directions : for his escapes of many dangers ^, in journeys both by land and water, 40 yeares. He was borne (longaevous, healthy kindred *) at Easton Pierse^, a hamlet in the parish of Kington Saint Michael in the hundred of Malmesbury in the countie of Wilts, his mother's ^ (daughter and heir of Mr. Isaac Lyte) inherit- ance, March the 12 (St. Gregorie's day'^), A. D. 1625*^, about sun-riseing, being very weake and like to dye that he was christned before morning prayer. I gott not strength till I was 11 or 12 yeares old; but had sicknesse ® of vomiting for 1 2 houres every fortnight for . . . yeares, then about monethly, then quarterly, and at last once in halfe a yeare. About 12 it ceased. When a boy, bred at Eston, an ^ eremiticall solitude. Was s very curious ; his greatest delight to be continually with the artificers that came there (e. g. joyners, carpenters, coupers, masons), and understood their trades. 1634'', was entred in his Latin grammar by Mr. R(obert) Latimer', rector of Leigh de-la-mere, a mile's fine walke, who had an easie way of teaching : and every time we askt leave to goe forth, we had a Latin word from him which at our returne we were^ to tell him again — which in a little while amounted to a good number of words. 'Twas my unhappinesse in half a yeare to loose this good enformer by his death, and afterwards was under severall dull ignorant rest ''-in ^-house teachers'" till J 638 (12'), at * MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 3. ' Subst. for 'a place for solitude * Aubrey's favourite way of writing like an . . .' his initials. A is his favourite mono- ^ I'^e notes slide from i=,t to 3rd o Explained in the margin as being ' i.e. at 12 years of age. ' the belly-akc : paine in the side.' gram. Dupl. with 'This person's life.' Subst. for ' being.' i. e. i62f. person. Subst. for ' at 9,' scil. years of age. ' Subst. for ' must re(peat),' Reading doubtful, blurred. D a 36 A iihreys 'Brief Lives ' which time I was sent to Blaiidford schole in Dorset (William Sutton B.D., who was ill-natured). Here I recovered my health, and gott my Latin and Greeke, best of any of my contemporaries. The usher " had (by chance) a Cowper's Dictionary, which I had never seen before. I was then in Terence. Percieving his method, I read all in the booke where Terence was, and then Cicero — which was the way"^ by which I gott my Latin. ' Twas a wonderfuU helpe to my phansie, my reading of Ovid's Metamoi-pJiy in English by Sandys, which made me understand the Latin the better. Also, I mett accidentally a booke of my mother's. Lord Bacon's Essaies, which first opened my understanding as to moralls (for Tullie's Offices was too crabbed for my young yeares) and the excellence ^ of the style, or hints and transitions. was alwayes enquiring of my grandfather^ of the old time, the rood-loft, etc., ceremonies, of the priory, etc. At 8, I was a kind of engineer ; and I fell then to drawing, beginning first with plaine outlines, e.g. in draughts of curtaines. Then at 9 (crossed herein by father and school- master), to colours, having no body to instruct me''; copied pictures in the parlour in a table booke like ■'^ Blandfordiae, horis vacuis, I drew and painted Bates's .... (quaere nomen libri ^•^). I was wont (I remember) much to lament with my selfe that I lived not in a city, e. g. Bristoll, where I might have accesse to watchmakers, locksmiths, etc. (I did) not very much care for grammar. (I had) apprehension enough, but my memorie not tenacious. So that then ' was a promising morne enough of an inventive and philoso- phicall head. (I had a) musicall head, inventive, (wrote) blanke verse, (had) a strong and early impulse to anti- * Supra, p. 29. Dupl. with ' our.' Thomas .Stephens : see sub no- mine. Dupl. with ' meanes.' " Dupl. with ' clearnesse.' ' ' At 8 y^ears of age) I,' but the first words are scored out. 6 Isaac Lyte. Dupl. with ' being only my owne instructor.' ' Dupl. with ' (when) a boy.' For ' was ' he began to write ' I (had) ' but struck it out. John Aubrey 37 quitie (strong impulse to T-j^'*). (My) witt was ahvaies working, but not adroict for verse. (I was) ex(ceeding '') mild of spirit ; migh(tily) susceptible of fascination. * My idea very cleer"^'; phansie like'' a mirrour, pure chrystal water which the least wind does disorder and unsniooth — so noise or etc. would*". ** My uncle Anthony Browne's bay nag threw me dangerously the Monday after Easter 1639. Just before it I had an impulse of the briar under which I rode, which tickled him, at the gap at the upper end of Berylane. Deo gratias 1 *** 1642, May z^, I went^* to Oxford. Peace Lookt through Logique and some Ethiques. 1642, Religio Medici printed, which first opened my understanding, which I carryed to Eston, with Sir K. D. But now ' Bellona thundered, and as a cleare skie is sometimes suddenly overstretch (ed) with a dismall'' cloud and thunder, so was this serene peace' by the civill warres through the factions of those times ; vide Homer's Odyssey. In August™ following my father sent for me home, for feare. In February . . . following, with much adoe ° I gott mj- father to lett me to beloved Oxon againe, then a garrison pro rege. * i. e. to Saturn, patron of anti- quities. Margin frayed. * MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 3^ In the margin Aubrey writes ' Tacitus and Juvenal,' perhaps mean- ing that he read these authors now, before going up to Oxford. * The sentence stood at first : — ' Phansie like a pure christall mirrour.' * Soil. ' disorder my phansy.' ** MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 2. ' i.e. Monday, April 15. *** MS. Aubr, 7, fol. 3'. " Aubrey intended to write a tint sentence, parallel to what follows, describing the quiet of Oxford before the outbreak of the great war. Sir Kenelm Digby's ' Observa- tions on Religio Medici,' publ. in 1643. ' Dupl. with ' now did Bel- lona . . . .' •< Dupl. with ' black.' ' Dupl. with ' one ' ™ Uupl. begun, but scored through ' J.' i. e. July. " Dupl. with ' importunity.' 38 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' I gott Mr. Hesketh, Mr. Dobson's man, a priest, to drawe the ruines of Osney 2 or 3 wayes before ' twas puUd downe Now the very foundation is digged-up. In Aprill I fell sick of the small pox at Trinity College ; and when I recovered, after Trinity weeke % my father sent for me into the country again : where I conversed with none but servants and rustiques and soldiers quartred, to my great griefe {Odi prophaniim vulgiis et arceo), for in those dayes fathers were not acquainted with their children. It was a most sad life to me, then in the prime of my youth, not to have the benefitt of an ingeniose conversation and scarce any good bookes — almost a consumption. This sad life I did lead in the country till 1646, at which time I gott (with much adoe) leave of my father to lett me goe to the Middle Temple, April the 6*'' 1646 ; admitted . . . 24 June following, Oxon was surrendred, and then came to London many of the king's party, with whom I " grew acquainted (many of them I knew before). I loved not debauches but their martiall conversation was not so fitt for the muses. Novemb. 6, I returned to Trinity College in Oxon again to my great joy ; was much made of by the fellowes ; had their learned conversation, lookt on bookes, musique. Here and at Middle Temple (off and on) I (for the most part) enjoyd the greatest felicity of my life (ingeniose youths, as^ rosebudds, imbibe the morning dew^) till Dec. 1648 (Christmas Eve's eve) I was sent for from Oxon home again to my sick father, who never recovered. Where I was engaged to looke after his country businesse and solicite a lawe-suite. Anno 1 65-, Octob my father dyed, leaving me debts 1800 li. and bro(thers') portions loco //. " Trinity Sunday, 1643, was June 4. Subst. for ' was faine ' (to con- verse). Dupl. witli ' renewed ' (acquaint- ance). i.e. though my friends were not debauchees, yet their conversation was not improving. For the low tone which grew up among Oxford scholars from contact with the garri- son, see Clark's Wood's Life and Times, i. 129. » Subst. for ' like.' ' ' Dew' is subst. for 'and sp(irit). John Aubrey 39 Quid digni feci, hie process, viam ? Truly nothing ; only umbrages, sc. Osney abbey ruines, etc., antiquities. Cos, a wheatstone, exors ipse secandi, e. g. (my) universall character"^ (:that) which was neglected and quite forgott and had sunk had not I engaged ^ in the worke, to carry on the worke — name them He began to enter into pocket memorandum bookes philosophical! and antiquarian remarques. Anno Domini 1654, at Llantrithid. Anno 16 — I began my lawe-suite on the entaile in Brecon^®, which lasted till . . . , and it cost me 1200 Anno 1 was to have maried Mris K, Ryves, who died when to be maried, 2000 //. + ^, besides counting care of her brother, 1000 per annum. Anno 1 made my will " and settled my estate on trustees, intending to have seen the antiquities of Rome and Italy for . . . (years), and then to have returned and maried, but — Diis aliter visum est superis, my mother, to my inexpressible griefe and ruine, hindred this " designe, which was ^ my ruine. * My estate (was of) value 100 li. fere + Brecon. Then debts and lawe-suites, opus et ustis, borrowing of money and perpetuall riding. To my prayse, (I had) wonderfull credit in the countrey for money. Anno . . . sold manor of Bushelton in Herefordshire to Dr. T(homas) Willis. Anno . . . sold the manor of Stratford in the same county to Herbert (Croft) lord bishop of Hereford. Then anno 1664, June 11, went into France. Oct. . . . returned. Then Joan Sumner. " i.e. my character throughout my life was that I discharged the function of a whetstone. ^ Perhaps sell. ' others.' He set other people to work to record matters and so rescued them from oblivion. The people he set to work. i. e. her portion was to be more than ;^2ooo, and her husband was to be guardian of her brother's estate (during minority?) which was worth £1000 a year. » Subst. for ' my.' f Dupl. with ' was procatractique cause ' (of my ruine). * MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 4. 40 Aubreys 'Brief Lives' * Memorandum. J. Aubrey in the yeare 1666, wayting then upon Joane Sumner to her brother at Seen in Wilts, there made a discovery of a chalybiate waters and those more impregnated than any waters yet heard of in England. I sent some bottles to the Royal Society in June 1667, which were tryed with galles before a great assembly there. It turnes so black that you may write legibly with it, and did there, after so long a carriage, turne as deepe as a deepe claret. The physitians were wonderfully surprized at it, and spake to me to recommend it to the doctors of the Bath (from whence it is but about 10 miles) for that in some cases 'tis best to begin with such waters and end wath the Bath, and in some vice versa. I wrote severall times, but to no purpose, for at last I found that, though they were satisfied of the excellency of the waters and what the London doctors sayd was true, they did not care to have company goe from the Bath. So I inserted it last yeare in Mr. Lilly's almanac, and towards the later end of summer there came so much company that the village could not containe them, and they are now preparing for building of houses against the next summer. Jo(hn) Sumner sayth (whose well is the best) that it will be worth to him 200 li. per annum. Dr. (Nehemiah) Grew in his History of the Repository of the Royal Society mentions this discovery, as also of the iron oare there not taken notice of before 'tis in part iii, cap. 2, pag. 331. ** Then lawe-suite with her*. Then sold Easton- Peirse and the farme at Broad Chalke. Lost 500 li. (Fr. H.) + 200 //. + goods + timber. Absconded as a banishd man. I was in as much afiliction as a mortall could bee, and never quiet till all was gone, (and I) wholly cast myselfe on God's providence. Then In monte Dei videbitur " Joan Sumner. * MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 5". ** MS. Aubr. 7, fol.V ' Gen. xxii. 14. Dnpl. with ' submitted myselfe to God's will.' John Aubrey 41 Monastery ^ I wished monastrys had not been putt downe, that the reformers would have been more moderate as to that point. Nay, the Turkes have monasteries. Why should our reformers be so severe ? Convenience of religious houses — Sir Christopher Wren — fitt there should be re- ceptacles and provision for contemplative men ; if of 500, but one or t\vo\ 'Tis compensated". What a pleasure 'twould have been to have travelled from monastery to monastery. The reformers in the Lutheran countrys were more prudent then to destroy them (e. g. in Holsatia, etc.) ; (they) only altered the religion. But notwithstanding all these embarasments I did plan pimto (as they occur'd) take notes of antiquity ; and having a quick draught, have drawne landskips on horse- back symbolically, e. g. (on my) journey to Ireland in July, Anno Domini 166-. (The) earl of Thanet" (gave me) otinni at Hethe- field. (I^ had) never quiett, nor anything of happinesse till* divested of all, 1670, 1671^^: at what time providence raysed me (unexpectedly) good friends — the right honour- able Nicholas, earl of Thanet, with whom I was delites- cent at Hethfield in Kent^" neer a yeare, and then was invited . . . ; anno . . . , Sarney ; Sir Christopher Wren ; Mr. Ogilby ; then Edmund Wyld, esq., R(egiae) S(ocie- tatis) S(ocius), of Glasely-hall, Salop (sed in margine), tooke me into his armes, with whom I most commonly take my diet and sweet otiiiiii's. Anno 1671, having sold all and disappointed as afore- " i. e. Aubrey then wished he could have withdrawn into a monastery, i. e. had been left. ?i.e. the advantages of the Re- formation in England have drawbacks in the disadvantages of losing monas- teries. ^ 'tooke' in MS. » Nicholas Tufton, 3rd earl. In MS. Ballard 14, fol. 99, April 23, 1674, Aubrey mentions a project for his advantage : — ' The earl of Thanct would have me goe to his estate in the Bermudas.' ' The paragraphs following repeat, with some enlargement, the statements already made. e Dupl. with ' till all was sold.' 42 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' said of moneys I received, I had so strong an impulse to (in good part) finish my"" Description of Wilis, two volumes in folio, that I could not be quiet till I had donne it, and that with danger enough, tanquam canis e Nilo, for feare of the crocodiles, i. e. catchpolls. And indeed all that I have donne and that little that I have studied have been just after that fashion, so that had I not lived long my want of leisure would have afforded but a slender harvest of . . . A man's spirit rises and falls with his ^ : makes me lethargique. * (My) stomach (was) so tender that I could not t Once at dnnkc claret without sugar, nor white wine, S'sco^ndin-r'"^ but would disgorge. (It was) not well ordered Oct. anno . . . ; , at Weston' '■^'■'^ lU/U. rs"oigotmy A Strange fate that I have laboured olilhtre'd in my Under ncvcr ^ in my life to enjoy one entire some's'iirforma- monctlie f or 6 wcckes oHtim for contemplation. EdwarT My studies (geometry) were on horse back %, S^GmfngiiSn^ ' and (in) the house of office: (my father Dorset. discouraged me). My head was alwaies working; never idle, and even travelling (which from 1649 till 1670 was never off my horsback) did gleane som observations, of which I have a collection in folio of 2 quiers of paper 4- a dust basket, some wherof are to be valued. His ^ chiefe vertue, gratitude. Tacit, lib. IV § xx : — Cneus Lentulus outre 1' honneur du consulat et le triumphes de Getules, avoit la gloire d'avoir vescu sans reproche dans sa pauverte, et sans " Dupl. with ' great.' ^ Aubrey adds a reference : — ' vide Camden's divinum instr.' One volume is now MS. Aubr. 3 ; the second is lost. Aubrey's symbol for ' fortune ' or ' wealth.' * MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 4'. » The marginal note names two exceptions. ' i.e. Ralph Sheldon's (Anthony Wood's friend) : Aubrey was there in 1678, Clark's Wood's Life and Times, iii. 420. e Dupl. with 'a little.' •> In these paragraphs Aubrey jots down his opinions as to his own character. ' Tac. Ann. iv. 44. John Aubrey 43 orgueil dans son opulence ou il estoit parvenu de puis par de voyes legitimes. (I was) never riotous or prodigall ; but (as Sir E. Leech said) sloath and carelesnesse (are) equivalent to all other vices. My fancy lay most to geometric. If ever I had been good for anything, 'twould have been a painter, I could fancy a thing so strongly and had so cleare an idaea of it. When a boy, he did ever love to converse with old men, as living histories. He cared not for play, but on play- dayes he gave himselfe to drawing and painting. At 9, a pourtraiter " ; and soon was . . . Reall character, (things ^ that) lay dead, I caused to revive by engaging 6 or 7 . . . fimgor vice coiis, etc. Wheras very sickly in youth ; Deo gratias, healthy from t6. Amici. A(nthony) Ettrick, Trin. Coll. M. T. John Lydall. Fr(ancis) Potter, of 666 C lettres°'. Sir J(ohn) Hoskyns, baronet. Ed(mund) Wyld, esq. of Glasley Hall, quem summae gratitudinis ergo nomino. Mr. Robert Hooke, Gresham College. Mr. (Thomas) Hobbes, 165 — . A(nthony) Wood, 1665. Sir William Petty, my singular friend. Sir James Long, baronet, of Draycot, xpovoypacpCa etc. Mr. Ch(arles) Seymour, father'' of the d(uke) of S(omerset). * Dupl. with ' negligence (^lachesse).' ' i.e. school holidays. ' Subst. for ' drawer.' See supra, p. 36. See supra, p. 39. ® ? acquaintance begun at the Middle Temple. ' i.e. who discovered (in his own opinion) ' the number of the beast.' 6 i. e. Aubrey had a hundred letters of his. ' Father ' is written, as frequently in Aubrey, in a symbol, viz. ^ 44 Aubreys 'Brie/ Lives' Sir Jo<hn) Stawell, M.T. * Bishop of Sarum (Seth Ward). Dr. \V(illiam) Holder. Scripsit ^. 'The= Naturall History of Wiltshire.' These ' Lives ' (pro AV ^ i6|^). ' Idea® of education of the noblesse,' in Mr. Ashmole's hands. item, ' Remaynders of Gentiiisme,' being observations on Ovid s Fastoriivi. inemorandiim, ' Villare Anglicamnn interpreted.' item, Faber Foi-tunae (for his own private use). I. A. lived most at Broad-chalke in com. Wilts ; some- times at Easton Piers ; at London every terme. Much of his time spent in journeying to South Wales (entaile*^) and Hereff<ordshire). I now indulge my genius with my friends and pray for the young angels. Rest at Mris More's neer Gresham College (Mrs More's in Hammond Alley in Bishopgate Street farthest house old Jairer (?) taverne). (I) expect preferment (through) Sir LI. Jenkins''. * It was I. A. that did putt Mr. Hobbes upon writing his treatise De Legibus^ which is bound up with his Rhctoriqiie that one cannot find it but by chance ; no mention of it in the first title. ** I have writt ' an Idea of the education of the Noblesse from the age of lo (or 1 1) till i 8 ' : left with Elias Ashmole, esquire. *** 1673', die Jovis^ 5" Martii, 9'' 15' + ?. M. J. A. * See note on p. 43. *■ See Clark's Wood's Life and Times, iv. 191. <= Now MS. Aubr. i and 2. The monogram of Anthony Wood. « This is now M.S. Aubr. 10. ' i.e. on business of the suit con- cerning the entail : supra, p 39. 6 This symbol is for ' opposite to.' ^ Sir Llewelyn {or Leoline, from the Latin form) Jenkins, Secretary of State 1 680-1 684. * MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 5. ** MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 5'. *** MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 97'. ' 167I. ' i.e. Thursday. John Aubrey 45 arrested (by) . . . Gardiner, serjeant, a lusty faire-haired solar fellow, prowd, insolent, et omnia id genus. * March 25, 1675, my nose bled at the left nostrill about 4^ P. M. I doe not remember any event ** July 31, 1677, I sold my bokes to Mr. Littlebury, scilicet when my impostume in my heade did breake. About 50 annos (aetatis) (I had) impostume in capite. *** Captain . . . Poyntz (for service that I did him to the earle of Pembroke and the earl of Abingdon did very kindly make me a grant of a thousand acres of land in the island of Tobago, anno Domini i68i, Febr. 1^. He advised me to send over people to plant and to gett subscribers to come in for a share of these 1000 acres, for 200 acres he sayes would be enough for me. In this delicate island is lac hiiiae (the mother of silver). William Penn, Lord Proprietor of Pennsylvania, did, ex mero motu et ex gratia speciali, give me, (16 — ) a graunt, under his scale, of six hundred acres in Pennsylvania without my seeking or dreaming of it. He adviseth me to plant it with French protestants for seaven yeares gratis and afterwards (they are) to pay such a rent. Also he tells me, for 200 acres ten pounds per annum rent for ever, after three yeares. **** John Aubrey March 20, 169^, about 11 at night robbed and 15 wounds in my head. January 5"^, 1695, an apoplectick fitt, circiter 4''. I'. M. ***** Accidents of John Aubrey^^. Borne at Easton-Piers, March 12, i62f, about sun-rising : very weake and like to dye, and therfore Christned that morning before Prayer. I thinke I have heard my mother say I had an ague shortly after I was borne. 1629: about 3 or 4 yeares old, I had a grievous ague. * M.S. Aubr. 23, fol. 2. **** MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 103". ** MS. Aubr. 23, a slip at fol. ***** Aubrey in MS. Ravvl. J. fol. 103^. 6 (No. 15041 in Summary Catal. of *** MS. Aubr. 36, pp. 9, 10. Bodl. MSS.), fol. 30. 46 Aubrey's 'Bn'e/ Lives' I can remember it. I gott not health till 11, or 12: but had sicknesse of vomiting for 13 howres every fortnight for . . . yeares ; then, it came monethly for . . . ; then, quarterly; and then, halfe-yearly ; the last was in June 1642. This sicknesse nipt my strength in the bud. 1633 : 8 j'eares old, I had an issue (naturall) in the coronall suture of my head, which continued running till 21. 1634: October*: I had a violent fever that was like to have carried me off. 'Twas the most dangerous sicknesse that ever I had. About 1639 (or 1640) I had the measills, but that was nothing : I was hardly sick. 1639: Monday after Easter weeke my uncle's nag ranne away with me, and gave a very dangerous fall. 1642 : May 3, entred at Trinity College, Oxon. 1643: April and May, the small-pox at Oxon; and shortly after, left that ingeniouse place ; and for three yeares led a sad life in the countrey. 1646 : April , admitted of the Middle Temple. But my father's sicknesse, and businesses never permitted me to make any settlement to my studie. 1651 : about the 16 or 18 of April, I sawe that incom- parable good conditioned gentlewoman, Mris M. Wiseman, with whom at first sight I was in love — haeret lateri 1652 : October 21 : my father died. 1655: (I thinke) June 14, I had a fall at Epsam, and brake one of my ribbes and was afrayd it might cause an apostumation. 1656 : September 1655, or rather (I thinke) 1656, I began my chargeable and taedious lawe-suite about the entaile in Brecknockshire and Alonmouthshire. This yeare. and the last, was a strange year to me, and'' of contradictions ; — scilicet love M. W.'^ and lawe-suites. 1656: December: Veneris morbus. " Subst. for ' Mich: ' (aelmastide). *" Letalis arundo : Verg.//««. iv. 73. i. e. a year. i.e. ^Viseman, ut supra. John Aubrey 47 * 1657: Novemb. 27, obiit domina Kathcrina Ryves, with whom I was to marry ; to my great losse. 1658: ...» 1659: March or Aprill, hke to breake my neck in Ely minster, and the next day, riding a gallop there, my horse tumbled over and over, and yet (I thanke God) no hurt, 1660: July, August, I accompanied A. Ettrick into Ireland for a moneth ; and returning were like to be ship- wrackt at Holy-head, but no liurt donne. 1661, 1662, 1663 : about these yeares I sold my estate in Herefordshire. . . y : Janu., had the honour to be elected fellow of the Royal Society. 1664: June II, landed at Calais. In August following, had a terrible fit of the spleen, and piles, at Orleans. I returned in October. 1664, or 1665 : Munday after Christmas, was in danger to be spoiled by my horse, and the same day received laesio in testiculo which was like to have been fatall. Quaere R. Wiseman quando — I beleeve 1664. 1665: November i ; I made my first addrcsse (in an ill howre) to Joane Sumner. 1666: this yeare all my businesses and affaires ran kim kam. Nothing tooke effect, as if I had been under an ill tongue. Treacheries and enmities in abundance against me. 1667: December — : arrested in Chancery lane, at Mrs. Sumner's suite. (j66|-) : Febr. 24, a.m. about 8 or 9, triall with her at Sarum. Victory and 600 li. dammage, though divelish opposition against me. 1668: July 6, was arrested by Peter Gale's malicious contrivance, the day before I was to goe to Winton for my second triall, but it did not retain me above two hovvres; but did not then goe to triall. 1669'=: March 5, was my triall at Winton, from 8 to 9, * Ibid., fol. 30'. " ? i66|. * Two initials obliterated. <^ i.e. 16^3. 48 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' the judge being exceedingly made against me, by my lady Hungerford. But 4 of the Venue (?) appearing, and with much adoe, gott the moeity of Sarum, verdict viz. 300 li. 1669 and 1670 : I sold all my estate in Wilts. From 1670, to this very day (I thanke God), I have enjoyed a happy delitescency. 1671 : danger of arrests. 1677 : later end of June, an imposthume brake in my head. Laus Deo. * Memorandum :— St. John's night, 1673, in danger of being run through with a sword by a young . . at Mr. Burges' chamber in the Middle Temple. Quaere the yeare'' that I lay at Mris Neve's: for that time I was in great danger of being killed by a drunkard in the street opposite Grayes-Inne gate — a gentleman whom I never sawe before, but (Deo gratias) one of his companions hindred his thrust. (Memorandum : horo- scope . . .'^) Danger of being killed by William, earl of Pembroke, then lord Herbert, at the election of Sir William Salkeld for New Sarum. I see Mars in . . . threatnes danger to me from falls. I have been twice in danger of drowning. Notes. ' This beginning of Aubrey's autobiography is explained by Henry Coley's judgment on his nativity, found in MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 104, on the scheme 'J. A. natus l62f, March ilth, 17'' 14' 44" p.m., sub latitudine 51° 30'.' 'The nativity,' Coley says, 'is a most remarkable opposition, and 'tis much pitty the starres were not more favourable to the native.' Coley goes on to state that the stars ' threaten ruin to land and estate ; give superlative vexations in matters relating to marriag, and wondrous contests in law-suits — of all which vexations I suppose the native hath had a greater portion than ever was desired.' Aubrey must have been only too glad to have authority for attributing his failure in life to the stars, and not to his own ill-conduct. * Ibid., fol. 31. Aubrey adds: 'vide Almanac: » "l"^ ; a symbol I have not found 'twas that yeare I went to Heth- elsewhere in Aubrey, as indicating field.' a person. " Some astrological symbols follow. John Aubrey 49 ^ In MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 3, in jottings at the side of his horoscope, Aubrey suggests that his failure in this respect was due to defects of his upbringing, not of natural ability. ' 'Eif (piKofjiaOTjs, (art noXv/JXiOris. By />ian piano I might have ^attained to learning) ; though (my) memory (was) not tenacious, {yet I had) zeale to learning, and ..." extraordinary, {but I was) bred ignorant at Eston. ' ^ Henry Coley, in his 'Observations upon the geniture ' of Aubrey, MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 105', finds that the stars show that he 'will be in great danger between the years of 40 and 50.' — On this Aubrey remarks : — ' Much about that time the native was several times in danger of expiration, as, first, by the e(arl) of P(embroke) ; 2, a bruise of the left side ; 3, a narrow escape of falling downe stayres ; and, lastly, as dangerous a fall from a horse ; besides the accident of sowneing, cum multis aliis. 1668 : the native was in no small trouble, at least received disparagement, by an arrest, and other untoward transactions.' * In MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 62 sqq., is a notice of Aubrey's family and of Kington St. Michael. The pedigree is : — William Aubrey, LL.D. John Aubrey (3rd son) Richard Aubrey m. Deborah, (only son) daughter of Isaac Lyte John William Thomas (our author) See in ' Wiltshire : the Topographical Collections of John Aubrey, corrected and enlarged by John Edward Jackson,' Devizes, 1862. In MS. Aubr. 23, on a slip at fol. 47, Aubrey notes his father's christening : — 'Richard Aubrey, July 26, St. Anne's day, christened A.D. 1603.' MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 83, notices Aubrey's brother William: — 'My brother William Aubrey's scheme by Henry Coley. — Natus Mr. W. A. March 20, 164I, at 30' P.M.' MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 119", is the back of an envelope (seal, a pelican feeding her young) addressed to Aubrey's third brother : — ' to his very loving freind Mr. Thomas Awbrey at Broad Chalke give these.' ' In MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 8, Aubrey notes: — ' John Aubrey (was) borne in the chamber where are on the chimney painted the armes of Isaac Lyte and Israel Browne.' MS. Aubr. 17 contains several of Aubrey's drawings, in pencil and water- colours, of the house and grounds at Easton-Piers. In MS. Aubr. 3 (his ' Hypomnemata Antiquaria'), fol. 55 sqq., is Aubrey's One word I cannot decipher. Two words I cannot decipher. I. E 50 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' description of Easton-Piers. It is printed in J. E. Jackson's Aubrey's Wiltshire Collections (Devizes, 1862), pp. 235 sqq. * In MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 8, Aubrey notes: — 'ex registro Kington St. Michael in com. Wilts : June 15, Richard Aubrey and Debora Lyght maried, 1625.' ' Aubrey in a marginal note seeks to bring his birth-day into connexion with the Roman Quinquatria (March 19). The note is: ' Qninquatria : feast dedicated to Minerva' (dupl. with 'Pallas'). ' In MS. Aubr. 23 (his ' Collectio geniturarum '), fol. 116, 117, are letters from Charles Snell about Aubrey's nativity and accidents. Snell there enumerates Aubrey's : — ' Sicknesse att birth ; ague .and vomittings aboute 5 or 6 yeares old ; issue in his head ; small-pox ; amours with madam Wiseman " ; selling away the manner of Stratford, etc. ; haesitating in his speech.' Snell gives this advice : — ' If the haesitation in your speech doth hinder, gett a parsonage of 4 or 500 li. per annum, and give a curat 100 li. per annum to officiate for you.' The letter is dated from ' Fordingbridge ; 12 August, 1676.' Aubrey, in his letters to Anthony Wood, several times touches on the idea of his taking Orders. MS. Ballard 14, fol. 98 : — ' I am like to be spirited away to Jamaica by my lord (John) Vaughan, who is newly made governor there, and mighty earnest to have me goe with him and will looke out some em- ployment worthy a gentleman for me. Fough ! the cassock stinkes : it would be ridiculous.' — April 9, 1674. MS. Ballard 14, fol. 119: — ' I am stormed by my chiefest friends afresh, viz. Baron Bertie'', Sir William Petty, Sir John Hoskyns, bishop of Sarum'', etc., to turne ecclesiastique ; "but the king of France growes stronger and stronger, and what if the Roman religion should come-in againe?" '"Why then!" say they, " cannot you turtle too?^' You, 1 say, know well that I am no puritan, nor an enimy to the old gentle- man on the other side of the Alpes. Truly, if I had a good parsonage of 2 or 300/2. per annum, (as you told me) it would be a shrewd temptation.' — Aug. 29. 1676. ' Aubrey notes in the margin, (l) ' T. H.' (in a monogram), i. e. that this Latimer had been schoolmaster to Thomas Hobbes, and (2), 'delicate little horse,' to indicate that he did not walk the mile to Leigh-de-la-mere like a poor boy, but rode his pony there like a fine gentleman. John Britton has mis-read the note, and made it a description of Mr. Latimer's appearance, 'delicate little person^ In MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 109, Aubrey gives this inscription as on a stone 'under the communion-table' in the church of Leigh-de-la-mere : — ' Here lieth Mr. Robert Latymer, sometime rector and pastor of this church, who deceased this life the second day of November, anno domini 1634.' And then Aubrey notes : — 'This Mr. Latimer was schoolmaster at Malmsbury"* to Mr. Thomas Hobbes. * See infra, p. 52. Vere Bertie, Baron of the Ex- chequer, 1675-78. " Seth Ward. ^ ' At Malmsbnry ' is scored out, and the following substituted : — ' In a private schoole at Westport, next to the Smyth's shop as is (now, 1666) opposite to the . . . (an inne).' John Aubrey 51 He afterwards taught children here". He entred me into my accedence. Before Mr. Latimer, one Mr. Taverner was rector here, who was the parson that maried my grand-father and grandmother Lyte.' In a marginal note (MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 3), Aubrey excuses his father's neglect of his education on the plea that he himself grew up illiterate. The note is : — ' My grandfather A(ubrey) dyed, leaving my father, who was not educated to learning, but to hawking.' See in the life of Alderman John Whitson. " In the margin Aubrey notes : — : strong impulse to fi .' This means I suppose that the position of Saturn at his nativity gave him a bias to the study of antiquities. This means, I suppose, that the copies he made sufficiently resembled the pictures on the parlour wall. A note in MS. Aiibr. 8, fol. 6", perhaps refers to his own skill in drawing, 'As Mr. Walter Waller's picture drawne after his death ; e contra, I have done severall by the life.' Walter Waller was vicar of Chalk, where Aubrey lived : see in the life of Edmund Waller. Possibly ' The mysteries of nature and art, viz. . . . drawing, colour- ing . . . ," by J[ohn] B[ate], Lend. 1634, 410. Here (fol. 3") in the margin is written : — ' Vide Pond,' referring perhaps to a pocket almanac, in which Aubrey had marked the date of his going up to Oxford. See Clark's Wood's Life and Times, i. 11, 12. In a letter from Aubrey to Anthony Wood, of date Feb. 21, i6|f, in MS. Ballard 14, fol. 127, is this interesting note : — ' At Trinity College we writt our names in the Buttery-booke, when we were entred.' Aubrey cites in the margin (MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 3') : — ' Horat. Epist. 2''.' (i.e. Epist. ii. 2. 45) : — In MS. Wood F. 39, fol. 183, Aubrey, writing on Oct. 19, 1672, tells Anthony Wood, ' you must not forgett that I have 3 other faces or prospects of Osney abbey, as good as that now in the Monasticon. They are in my trunke yet at Easton Piers.' Ibid., fol. 190', on Oct. 22, 1672, he says, ' I will bring you about March my two other draughts ' of Osney mines, one by Mr. Dobson himselfe, the other by his man, one Mr. Hesketh, but was a priest.' Note that in MS. Wood F. 39, fol. 200, is a drawing (from memory) by Aubrey of the stone-work which crowned the great earth-mound of Oxford Castle. " In a slip at the end of MS. Aubr. 26 (Aubrey's Faber Fortunae, in which he entered schemes by which he hoped to 'make his fortune'), is this note : — ' I have the deed of entaile of the lands in South Wales, Brecon, and Mon- mouthshire, by my grandfather, William Aubrey LL. D., which lands now of right belong to me. Memorandum: — Mr. David Powell, who liveth at . . . neer Llanverarbrin neer Llandvery, as I remember), can helpe me to the counterpart of this deed of entaile in Wales — quod N. B.' ' Atque inter sylvas Academi quaerere verum. Dura sed emovere loco me tempora grato.' » i. e. at Leigh-de-la-mere. E a 52 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' " In MS. Aubr. 21, at fol. 75 is part of a draft of a will by Aubrey, probably the one mentioned here (Ralph Kathurst became 'Dr.' in 1654) : — ' Item, my will is that my executors buy for Trinity Colledge in Oxon a colledge pott of the value of ten pounds, with my arraes theron inscribed ; and ten pounds which I shall desire my honoured friends Mr. Ralph Bathurst of Trinity College and Mr. John Lydall to lay out upon mathematicall and philosophicall books. Item, I give to the library of Jesus Colledge in Oxon my Greeke Crysostomus, Bede's 2 tomes, and all the rest of my bookes that are fitt for a library, as Mr. Anthony Ettrick" or Mr. John Lydall shall think fitt, excepting those bookes that were my father's which I bequeath to my heire. Item, I bequeath to John Davenant of the Middle Temple, esq., a ring of the value of 50^., with a stone in it. Item, to Mr. William Hawes of Trinity College aforsaid a ring of tlie like value. Item, to Mr. John Lydall " of the Colledge aforesaid a ring of the like value. Item, to Mr. Ralf Bathurst ^ of Trinity College aforesaid a ring of the like value. Item, to Mris Mary Wiseman of Westminster, my best diamond ring.' On a slip at fol. 101 of MS. Aubr. 23 is the jotting : — ' Eston-pierse : possession given, 25 March, 1671, P. M." In his retirement during this year at Chalk, Aubrey tried his hand at play-making. Writing to Anthony Wood on Oct. 26, 1671, MS. Wood, F. 39, fol. 141', he says: — ' I am writing a comedy for Thomas Shadwell, which I have now almost finished since I came here, et quorum pars magna fui. And I shall fit him with another, The Coiuitrey Revell, both humours untoucht, but of this, mum ! for 'tis very satyricall against some of my mischievous enemies which I in my tumbling up and downe have collected.' Of the first of these comedies, the autobiographical one, I have found no trace : of the second, satirizing the men and manners of Wiltshire, a very rude draft is found in MS. Aubr. 21. ^" In MS. Aubr. 23, fol. IT3 is a note (dated 167!) from Henry Coley, addressed : — ' For his much honoured friend Mr. John Aubrey, at the right honourable the earle of Thanet's house at Hethfield in Kent, these present.' The letter states that the writer has forwarded letters to and from Aubrey ; and concludes: 'you are much wanted at London, and dayly expected, and therefore I hope you will not be long absent. Interest calls for your ap- pearance.' " i. e. which followed after this bleeding. Bleeding at the nose was t'nought ominous : see Clark's Wood's Life and Times, iii. 289, note i. * Anthony Ettrick, ' of Berford, co. Dorset ' : matric. at Trinity College in 1640, and was afterwards called at the Middle Temple. William Ha\ves,ofByssam, Berks, aged 16, was elected .Scholar of Trinity College, Oxford, June 5, (Trinity Monday) 1640 ; President in 1658. Of Uxmore, Oxon, aged 15, elected Scholnr of Trinity, June 4, 1640. Of Hoothorpe, Northants. , elected Scholar of Trinity, June 5, 1637 ; Fellow, June 4, 1640 ; President, 1664. John Aubrey. William Aubrey 53 ^' In MS. Aubr. 26, p. 17 is this note: — 'The earle of Abington to buy of Captain Poyntz the propriety of the island of Tobago, now regnante Gulielmo III.' Aubrey before this time had planned to retrieve his ruined fortunes by colonial schemes : e g., MS. Aubr. 26, p. 46 : — ' 1676 : from Sir William Petty — (in) Jamaica 500//. gives 100 per annum : take a chymist with me, for brandy, suger, e tc., and goe halfe with him.' In consequence of this grant, Aubrey seriously thought of emigrating. MS. Aubr. 26, p. 14: — ' Mr. Robert Welsted, goldsmith and banquier, saies that Mr. John Evelyn's bookes are the most proper for a plantation. Also Markham's husbandry and huswifry, etc. This is in order for Mr. \V. Penn and myselfe. — Also let him carry with him Mr. Haines booke of Cydar Royall, which method will likewise serve for other fruites — it is by distillation. Quaere of Mr. Tyndale's at Bunhill, who makes severall sorts of English wines and cydars. Memorandum the great knack and criticism is to know when it comes to its sowrenesse ; it must not be vinegar for then nothing will come — quod N. B.' This is noticed on a slip f fragment of a letter, '8 March, i69f from Edward Harley) at fol. 113 of MS. Aubr. 23 : — ' J. A. vulneratus die 20 Martii inter 10 et 11 horas Londini. Deo gratias.' This paper was acquired by Rawlinson in July . . . 1746 (ibid. fol. 31"). There is an inaccur te copy of it in MS. Ballard 14, foil. 158, 159, which has the note: — '1754, June 11, transcribed from a MS. in Mr. Aubrey's own writing in the possession of Dr. Richard Rawlinson.' William Aubrey (1529-1595). * William Aubrey ^, Doctor of Lawes : — extracted from a MS. ^ of funeralls, and other good notes, in the hands of Sir Henry St. George, . . .^ marked thus ^. I guesse it to be the hand-writing of Sir Daniel Dun, knight, LL. Dr., who maried Joane, third daughter of Dr. William Aubrey : — William Aubrey (the second son of Thomas Aubrey, the 4th son of Hopkin Aubrey, of Abercunvrig in the countie of Brecon, esqre) in the 66th yeare of his age or thereabouts, and on the 25th of June, in the yeare of our Lord 1595, departed this life, and was buried in the Cathedrall-church of St. Paul in London, on the north side of the chancell, over against the tombe of Sir John Mason, knight, at the base or foot of a great pillar standing upon the highest step of certain degrees or * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 19^. " The blank is left for his official title, viz. Clarencieux King of Arms. 54 Aiibrey^s 'Brief Lives' staires rising into the quire eastward from the same pillar towards the tombe of the right honble the lord William, carle of Pembroke, and his funeralls were per- formed the 23d of July, 1595. This gentleman in his tender yeares learned the first grounds of grammar in the College of Brecon, in Brecknock towne, and from thence about his age of fourteen yeares he was sent by his parents to the University of Oxford, where, under the tuition and instruction of one Mr. Morgan, a great learned man, in a few yeares he so much profited in humanity and other recommendable knowledge, especially in Rhetorique and Histories, as that he was found to be fitt for the studie of the Civill Law, and thereupon was also elected into the fellowship* of All-soules Colledge in Oxford (where the same Lawe'' hath alwayes much flourished). In which Colledge he ernestly studied and diligently applied himselfe to the lectures and exercise of the house, as that he there attained the degree of a Doctor of the Law Civill at his age of 25 yeares, and immediately after, he had bestowed on him the Queen's Publique Lecture of Law in the university, the which he read with so great a commendation as that his fame for learning and knowledge was spred far abroad and he also es- teemed worthy to be called to action in the common- wealth. Wherefor, shortly after, he was made Judge Marshall of the Queen's armies at St. Quintins in France. Which warrs finished, he returned into England, and determining with himselfe, in more peaceable manner and according to his former education, to passe on the course of his hfe in the exercise of law, he became an advocate of the Arches, and so rested many yeares, but with such fame and credit as well for his rare skill and science in the* law, as also for his sound judgment and good experience therein, as that, of men of best judgment, he was generally accounted peerlesse in that facultie. ' William Aubre was elected into a Fellowships were set aside for ' legists,' Law Fellowship at All Souls in 1547. i.e. students of Civil Law. ''i.e. a number of the All Souls * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 20. IVilltam Aubrey 55 Wherupon, as occasion fell out for imployment of a civilian, his service was often used as well within the realme as in forrein countries. In which imployments, he alwaies used such care and diligence and good circumspection, as that his valour and vertues dayly more appearing ministred means to his further advancement. In soe much that he was preferred to be one of the Councell of the Marches of Wales, and shortly after placed Master of the Chancery, and the appointed Judge of the Audience, and constituted Vicar Generall to the Lord Archbishop of (Canterbury) through the whole province, and last, by the especiall grace of the queene's most excellent majestic, queen Elizabeth, he was taken to her highnesse nearer service and made one of the Masters of Request in ordinarie. All which titles and offices (the Mastership of Chancery, which seemed not competible with the office of Master of Requestes, only excepted) he by her princely favour pos- sessed and enjoyed until! the time of his death. Besides the great learning and wisdome that this gentleman was plentifully endowed withal), Nature had also framed him so courteous of disposition and affable of speech, so sweet of conversation and amiable behaviour, that there was never any in his place better beloved all his life, nor he himselfe more especially favoured of her majestie and the greatest personages in the realme in any part of his life then he was when he drew nearest his death. He was of stature not taull, nor yet over-low ; not grosse in bodie, and yet of good habit ; somewhat inclining to fatnesse of visage in his youth ; round, well favoured, well coloured and lovely ; and albeit in his latter yeares sicknesse had much* impaired his strength and the freshnesse of his hew, yet there remained there still to the last in his countenance such comely and decent gravity, as that the change rather added unto them then ought diminished his former dignitie. He left behind him when he died, by a vertuouse gentle- woman Wilgiford his wife (the first daughter of Mr. John Williams of Tainton in the countie of Oxford, whom he * MS. Anbr. 6, fol. 20'. 56 Aitbrey^s 'Brief Lives' maried very young a maiden, and enjoyed to his death, that both having lived together in great love and kindnesse by the space of 40 yeares) three sons and six daughters, t Vide pedeere. ^11 of them marfed, and having issue, as irchWshop of'^'' followeth f. hirguar"imn?^^ His eldest son Edward, maried unto Joane, ^reat Vi "nd""^ I daughter and one of the heires of William grandmother Havard, in the countie of Brecon, esqre. husband told her His sccond son Thomas maried Mary the kept a'noMe^ daughter and heire of Anthony Maunsell of house, and that . , , . , r /—i with admirable Llantnthcd, m the com. of Glamorgan, esqre. oeconomie ; and His ^d son Tohn, t bcinp then of the age that there was o / \ • not one woman of 1 8 ycarcs (or much thereabouts), was maried in the family. — ^ ' Vide the arch- to Rachcl, onc of the daughters of Richard bishop of Can- ° terburyscase Danvcrs of Tockcnham, in com. Wilts, esqre. in Sir Edward ' Cooke's eldest daughter Elizabeth, maried to Reportes where ' he is mentioned. Jhomas Norton of Nomood in the countie of Kent, esqre. His 2d daughter Mary maried William Herbert of Krickhowell, in the countie of Brecknock, esqre. His 3d daughter Joane maried with Sir Daniel Dun, knight, and Doctor of the Civill Lawe. His 4th daughter Wilgiford maried to Rise Kemis of Llanvay, in the county of Monmouth, esqre. His 5th daughter Lucie maried to Hugh Powell, gent. His 6th and youngest daughter Anne, maried to John Partridge, of Wishanger, in the countie of Glocester, esqre. Of every of the which since his death there hath pro- ceeded a plentifull issue. (^Additions by Aubrey.') Memorandum : — he was one of the delegates (together with Dr. Dale, &c.) for the tryall of Mary, queen of Scots, and was a great stickler for the saving of her life, which kind- nesse was remembred by King James att his comeing-in to England, who asked after* him, and probably would " Dupl. with ' for.' *■ Dupl. with ' some thought.' William Aubrey 57 have made him Lord Keeper, but he dyed, as appeares, a little''' before that good opportunity happened. His majestie sent for his sonnes'', and knighted the two eldest, and invited them to court, which they modestly and perhaps prudently, declined. They preferred a country life. You may find him mentioned in the History of Mary, queen of Scotts, 8vo, written, I thinke, by (John) Hayward ; as also in Thuanus's Annalcs, which be pleased to see^ and insert his words here in honour to the Doctor's Manes. Dr. . . . Zouch mentions him with respect in his De Jure Faeciali, pag. . . . ; and as I remember, he is quoted by Sir Edward Coke, Lord Chief Justice of the King's memorandum: Bcnch, In his Rcports, about the legitimacy ^rocfortoidme ^hc carlc of Hcrtford.f Quaere if it was ippeat^i"o''°' Edward the father*, or els his son William, faTeo?Han-"'' about the mariage with the ladie Arbella ford's suite, Qf-.j^rt? tempore regmae "-JLuctic. * [Johannes'' David Rhesus M.D. makes an honourable mention of him in his Welsh grammar in folio, pag. . . . ; as also in his preface.] ** \Lingtiae Cytnraccae instihttiones accuratae, J. David Rhoesus, folioj London, 1593, pag. 182 (quaere if he is not mentioned in the Welsh preface) : — Caeterum nunc et propter eorum authoritatem et quod huic loco inter alia maxima quadrent, non pigebit antiquissima Taliessini ' Cambrobrytannica carmina subjungere, furtim (quae mea est audacia) et eo nesciente, a me surrepta, et clanculum calamo commissa, ex ore, vesper! fortuito juxta proprium ignem pro solito in sua cathedra con- sidentis, et haec una cum aliis carminibus memoriter, et non sine delectatione quadam decora, proferentis, ornatissimi et doctissimi viri domini Gulielmi Aubraei, Cambrobrytanni ab illustrissima Aubraeo- rum familia oriundi, linguae Cambrobrytannicae peritissimi eximiique patriae suae decoris et ornamenti, Juris utriusque Doctoris celeberrimi, ac regiae majestati k Supplicum Libellis constituti Domini, et amici " He died more than seven years fol. 21 ; perhaps that the following before James's accession. paragraph, on fol. 21", may be '2 eldest' is written over as a inserted, correction. * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 21. This sentence is scored out on ** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 21". 58 Aubrey's ^ Brief Lives' optimi perpetuoque colendi, nobisque amicis jam strenuas et auxiliatrices manus porrigentis, qua citius et magis prospere elucubrationes hae ad nostratium et aliorum utilitatem proelo committebantur. Carmina vero sunt hujusmodi. * Memorandum :— old Judge Atkins'' (the father) told me that the Portugall ambassador was tryed for his life for killing Mr. Greenway in the New Exchange (Oliver's time), upon the precedent of the bishop of Rosse (Scotch) by Dr. W. Aubrey's advice. Memorandum: — Dr. Cruzo*^ of Doctors Commons hath the MSS. of this bishop's tryall. De legaii deliquentis jiidice competetite dissertation autore Richardo Zoucheo, Juris Civilis professore Oxoniae, Oxon 1657, 12™°, pag. 89 : — Quarto, quod cum episcopus Rossensis, legatus reginae Scotorum, multa turbulenter in Anglia fecisset ad rebellionem excitandam et ad Anglos in Belgio profugos ad Angliam invadendam inducendos, Davidi Lewiso, Valentino Dalo, Gulielmo Drurio, Gulielmo Awbreio, et Henrico Jones, Juris Caesarei consultissimis, quaestio proposita fuit An legatus, qui rebellionem contra principetn ad quern legatus est concitat, legati privilegiis gaudeat et An, ut hostis, poenae subjacent, eidem responderunt, ejusmodi legatum, jure gentium et civili Romano- rum, omnibus legati privilegiis excidisse et poenae subjiciendum. *** He was a good statesman ; and queen Elizabeth loved him and was wont to call him ' her little Doctor.' Sir Joseph Williamson, Principall Secretary of Estate (first, Under-Secretary), haz told me that in the Letter-office are a great many letters of his to the queen and councell He sate many times as Lord Keeper, durante bene placito, and made"^ many decrees, which Mr. Shuter, etc., told me they had seen. Vide Anthony Wood's Hist, ct Antiq. : he was principal of New Inne. Memorandum : — the Petikenol, i.e. chiefe of the family, * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 20^. " Sir Edward Atkins, Puisne Justice of the Common Pleas, 1649. '' John Craso, LL.D., Caius Coll., Cambr. 1652. ** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 22. *** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 21. " Here followed, ' which Mr. Shuter etc. told me they had seen ' : scored out, as belonging infra. ^ Subst. for ' gave.' Wt'lliaju Aubrey 59 is my cosen Aubrey of Llannelly in Brecknockshire, of about 60 or 80 li. per annum inheritance ; and the Doctor should have given a distinction ; for want of which in a badge on one of his servants' blew-coates, his cosen Wilh'am Aubrey ^ also LL. Dr., who was the chiefe, plucked it off. The learned John Dee was his great friend and kins- man, as I find by letters between them in the custody of Elias Ashmole, esqre, viz., John Dee wrote a booke The Soveraignty of the Sea, dedicated to queen Elizabeth, which was printed, in folio. Mr. Ashmole hath it, and also the originall copie of John Dee's hand writing, and annexed to it is a lettre of his cosen Dr. William Aubrey ^ whose advise he desired in his writing on that subject. He purchased Abercunvrig (the ancient seate of the family) of his cosen Aubrey. He built the great house at Brecknock, his studie lookes on the river Uske. He could ride nine miles together in his owne land in Breconshire. In Wales and England he left 2500 //. per annum wherof there is now none left in the family. He made one Hugh George (his chiefe dark) his executor, who ran away into Ireland and cosened all the legatees, and among others my grandfather (his youngest son) for the addition of whose estate he had contracted with .... for Pembridge castle in the com. of Hereford, which appeares by his will, and for which his executor was to have payed. He made a deed of entaile (36 Eliz., 1 5(94)) which is also mentioned in his will, wherby he entailes the Brecon estate on the issue male of his eldest son, and in defailer, to skip the 2d son (for whom he had well provided, and had maried a great fortune) and to come to the third. Edward the eldest had seaven sonnes ; and his eldest son, Sir William, had also seaven sonnes ; and so I am heire, being the 18th man in remainder, which putts me in mind of Dr. Donne, For what doeth it availe To be the twentieth man in an entaile ? " William Aubrey, Student of Ch. Ch. in 1580; D.C.L. 1597. See infra, p. 61. 6o Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' Old Judge Sir (Edward) Atkins remembred Dr. A. when he was a boy ; he lay at his father's house in Glocestershire : he kept his coach, which was rare in those dayes. The Judge told me they then (vulgarly) called it a Quitch. I have his originall picture. He had a delicate, quick, lively and piercing black eie, fresh complexion, and a severe eie browe. The figure in his monument at St. Paules is not like him, it is too big. Hcrouvi filii noxae : he engrossed all the witt of the family, so that none descended from him can pretend to any. 'Twas pitty that Dr. Fuller had not mentioned him amongst his Worthys in that countie. When he lay dyeing, he desired them to send for a goodman ; they thought he meant Dr. Goodman, deane of St. Paules, but he meant a priest, as I have heard my cosen John Madock say. Capt. Pugh was wont to say that civilians (as most learned an(d) gent.) naturally incline to the church of Rome; and the common lawyers, as more ignorant and clownish, to the church of Geneva. Wilgiford, his relict, maried Browne, of Willey, in com. Surrey. The inscription on his monument in St. Paul's church : — Gulielmo Aubreo clara familia in Breconia orto, LL. in Oxonia Doctori, ac Regio Professori, Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis causarum Auditor! et Vicario in spiritualibus General!, Exercitus Regii ad St. Quentin Supremo Juridico, in Limitaneum Walliae Consilium adscito, Cancellariae Magistro, et Reginae Elizabethae k supplicum libellis : Viro exquisita eruditione, singular! prudentia, et moribus suavissimis qui (tribus filiis, et sex filiabus e Wilgiforda uxore susceptis), aeternam in Christo vitam expectans, animam Deo xxiii Julii 1595, aetatis suae 66, placid^ reddidit ; Optimo patri Edvardus et Thomas, milites, ac Johannes, armiger, filii moestissimi, posuerunt. * This Dr. W. Aubrey was related to the first William, earl of Pembroke, two wayes (as appeares by comparing the old pedcgre at Wilton with that of the Aubreys) ; by Melin and Philip ap Elider (the Welsh men are all kinne); * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 2i\ William Aubrey 6i and it is exceeding probable that the earle was instru- mental! in his rise. When the earl of Pembroke was generall at St. Quintins in France, Dr. Aubrey was his judge advocat. In the Doctor's will is mention of a great piece of silver plate, the bequest of the right hon'''^ the earle of Pembroke. .... Stephens, the clarke of St. Benets, Paules Wharfe, tells me that Dr. W. Aubrey gave xx.y. per annum for ever to that parish. * Vide the register of St. Benet's, Paule's Wharfe — quaere. Stephens, the dark, sayeth that he gave xx.y. per annum to the parish of St. Benet's, Paule's wharfe, for ever : quaere. ** Sir Andrew Joyner of Bigods in Much Dunmow parish in Essex hath two folios, stitcht, of manuscript letters of state, wherin are two letters of Dr. William Aubrey's to secretary Walsingham, and also lettres of queen Elizabeth's owne handwriting to Cecill ; also Liber Si"^ Marine de Reding, a MS. ; and other MSS., — a long shelfe of them — one of them writt tempore Henr. IV. This I had from Mr. Andrew Paschal, rector of Chedzoy, Somerset. (^Letter by Dr. IV. Aubrey : supra, p. 59.) *** My good coosen, I HAVE sente unto you again my yonge coosen * inclosede in a bagge, as my wyffe cariethe yet one of myne ; trustinge in God, that shortly both, in theyr scverall kyndes, shall come to lyght and live long, and your's having gcnittin, for ever. I knowe not, for lack of suffici- encie of witte and learninge, how to judge of it at all. But in that shadowe of judgemente that I have, truste me beinge vearie farre from meanynge to yelde any thyng, to your owne eares, of yourselfe. The matter dothe so strive with the manner of the handlinge that I am in dowpte whyther I shall preferre the matter for the sub- * MS. Aiibr. 8, fol. i9\ 0- i.e. John Dee's book, the 'child ** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 1'. of his invention.' *•** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 23. 62 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' stance, weyght, and pythines of the multitude of argumentes and reasones, or the manner for the methode, order, per- spicuitie, and elocution, in that height and loftynesse that I did nott beleve our tonge (I meane the Englyshe) to be capable of. Marie, our Brittishe, for the riches of the tonge, in my affectionate opinion, is more copious and more advawntageable to utter any thinge by a skillfull artificer. This navie which you aptlie, accordinge to the nature and meaninge of your platt, call pettie, is so sette furthe by you, thos principall and royall navies of the Grecianes and Trojanes described by Homer and Vergill are no more bownde to them, then it is to you. You argue or rather thoondre so thicke and so strong for the necessitie and commoditie of your navie, that you leade or rather drawe me obtorto collo to be of opinion with you, the benefitte therofe to be suche as it wilbe a brydle and restrcynte for conspiracies of foreyne nationes, and of owre owne a salfegarde to merchants from infestationes of pyrates ; a readie meane to breed and augmente noombers of skillfull marryners and sowldiers for the sea, a mayntynawnce in proces of tyme for multitudes of woorthie men that otherwise wolde be ydle. Who can denie, as you handle the matter, and as it is in trothe, but that it will be a terror to all princes for attemptinge of any soodeyne invasions,* and hable readilie to with- stande any attempte foreyne or domesticall by sea? And where this noble realme hath ben long defamede for sufifringe of pyrates disturbers of the common traffyke upon these seas, yt will, as you trulye prove, utterlie extingwishe the incorrigible, and occupie the reformed in that honourable service. The indignitie that this realme hath long borne in the fyshinge rownde aboute yt, with the intolerable injuries that owre nation hath indurede and doe still, at strangers handes, besides the greatnes of the commoditie that they take owte of our mowthes, hath ben, and is suche, that the same almoste alone were cause sufficiente to furnishe your * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 23^ IVilliam Aubrey 63 navie if it may have that successe and consideration that it deserveth, it will be a better wache for the securitie of the state than all the intelligencers or becones that may be devisede : and a stronger wall and bulwarke than either Galleys was, or a brase of such townes placed in the most convenient parte of any continente of France, or the Lowe- countrey. As her majestic of right is totins orbis Britannici domina, et lex maris, whiche is given in the reste of the worlde by Labro in our learning to Antoninus the Emperor, so she showlde have the execution and effect therof in our worlde, yf your navie were as well setled as you have plottede it. But what doe I by this bare recitall deface your reasones so eloquentlie garnishede by you with the furniture of so much and so sundrie lernynge? I will of purpose omitt howe fully and howe substantially you confute the stronge objectiones and argumentes that you inforce and presse againste your selfe. I wolde God all men wolde as willinglie beare the light burdynes that you lay upon them for the supportation of the chardges as you have wiselie and reasonablie devisede the same. And so the dearthe and scarsitie that curiouse or covetouse men may pretende to * feare, you so sowndlie satisfie, that it is harde with any probabilitie to replie. As for the sincere handlinge and govermente it is not to be disperede yf the charge shall be with good ordinawnces and instructiones placede carefullie in chosen persones of good credite and integritie. See howe boldlie upon one soodeyne readinge I powre my opinion to your bosome of this your notable and strange discowrse. And yet I will make bold to censure it also as he dyd in the poore slipper when he was nott able to fynd any faulte in any one parte of the workemanship of the noble picture of that goddes. I pray you, Sir, seyinge you meane that your navie shall contynewe in time of peace furnishede with your noombre of men, what provision or ordre make you, howe they shall occupie and exercise themselves all the while ? Assure your selfe those whelpes of yours neyther can nor will be * MS. Anbr. 6, fol. 24. 64 Attbrey's 'Brief Lives' ydle, and excepte it may please you to prescribe unto them some good occupation and exercise, they will occupie themselves in occupationes of their owne choice, wherof few shall be to your lykinge or meanynge. Peradventure you meane of purpose to reserve that to the consideration of the state. And where you in vearie good proportion, lawierlike, share goodes taken by pyrates amonge sundrie persones of your navie, and some portion to itselfe, reserv- inge the moytie to the prince, you are to remembre that the same are challenged holly to belong to her highnesse by prerogative. Let me be also bold to offer to your consideration whether it be expedient for you so freely to deale with the carryinge of ordinawnces out of the realm.e beinge a matter lately pecuted ^ by the knowledge et convenicntia of, etc. You doe, to veary great purpose inserte the two orationes of Georgius Gemistus Plethon, the one to Emanuel by fragments, and the other to his Sonne Theodore ad vei'btim, for the worthynes and varietye of many wise and sownd advises given by him to those princes in a hard tyme, when they were in feare of that Turkish conquest, that did after followe to the ruine of that empire of Constantinople. However well doeth he handle the differences and rates of customes and tributes, the moderate and sober use of apparell in ipsis principibus ! How wisely doethe* he condemne the takeinge up of all the newe attires and apparell of strange nations, as though he had written to us at this tyme, who doe offende as deepely therein as the Greekes then dyd ! How franke is he to his prince in useinge the comparisone between the Eagle that hath no varietie of colours of feathers, and yet of a princelie nature and estimation, and the Peocock, a bird of no regall propertie nor credit yet glisteringe angelically with varietie of feathers of all lively colours. There is one sentence in the later oration which I have thought to note because in apparence it dothe oppugne in a maner your treatise. The wordes " Anthony Wood has put dots under this word, and noted in the margin ' sic' * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 24^ IVilh'am Aubrey 65 are these, Prestat longc terrestrihits copiis ac miliUivi ct diiaini virtute, qiictin nautanini et similium koinitiuin vilitiin arte, fidnciam poncre. Good coosen, pardon my boldnes. I doe this bicause you may understande that I have roone over it. And yet was I abrode all the fowle day yesterday. I pray you pardon me agayne for nott sendinge of it to you accord inge to promisse. And for that your man is come, and for that I have spente all my paper, I will no longer trowble you at this tyme, savinge with my right heartie commendations to your selfe and to my coosen your good mother from me and from my woman. From Kewe this Soonday in the morninge, the of July. Yours assuredlie at commawndement, W. Aubrey. To his verie lovinge coosen and assured freende Mr. John Dee, at Mortelake. Notes. ' Aubrey gives in trick the coat : — ' in the I and 6, gules", a chevron between 3 eagles heads .erased or [Aubrey] ; in the 2, . . ., a lion rampant . . . ; in the 3, . . ., a chevron between 3 (lions' ?) paws . . . ; in the 4, . . ., three cocks gules ; and in the 5, parted per pale . . . and . . ., 3 fleur-de-lys counter-changed.' The crest is ' an eagle's head erased or [Aubrey].' ^ In MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 7, is the memorandum : — 'Insert to Liber B.' — ' Liber B.' was a volume of antiquarian notes, collected by Aubrey, now lost (Macray's Annals of the Bodleian, p. 367). Aubrey wanted to copy into it something from this MS. ^ . Two other memoranda in the same place are : — (fl) 'William Aubrey, LL.D. : extract out of De jure feciali, and De legati deli- quentis judice coinpetente, by Dr. Zouch,' as is done supra, p. 58 ; [l>) ' Memor- andum the XX s. per annum bread at St. Benet's, Paul's wharf ; see supra, p. 61. Aubrey, in MS Ballard 14, fol. 119, writing to Anthony \Vood on Aug. 29, 1676, says : — ' This day accidentally Mr. St. George shewed me my grandlather, Dr. William Aubrey's, life in their office' (i.e. the College of Arms), ' written, I suppose, by Sir Daniel Dun, his son-in-lawe. He came to Oxon at 14, and was LL. Dr. at 25.' ' Aubrey was very enthusiastic about these notices of his grandfather. Writing to Anthony Wood, on May 19, 1668 (MS. Wood F. 39, fol. 118), he says: — ' My grandfather Dr. William Aubrey — Thuanus in his Annales makes an honourable mention of him, and also it is set downe in the life of Mary, queen of Scotts (he being one of the commissioners) that he was very jealous of her being putt to death— which the chroniclers mention too I'me sure, and Stow. If yon would be pleased to turne to Thuanus and the life aforesaid you (would) very much oblige me, and you shall have a payre of gloves, for his sake.' » It should be ' azure.' I. F 66 Atibrey^s 'Brief Lives' * Edward Seymour, created earl of Hertford in 1559, had in 1553 married secretly Katharine, daughter of Henry Grey, duke of Suffolk. In 1561 Elizabtth sent thtm prisoners to the Tower, and the marriage was disputed in the law-courts. William Seymour, his grandson, who succeeded as 2nd earl in J621, married in 1610 Arabella Stuart. She was sent prisoner to the Tower by James I : but Dr. W. Aubrey had died in 1595. ' Aubrey, in MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 6'''. has a note: — " Meredith Lloyd respondet that Telesinus (Teliessen) was a British priest to whom Gildas writes.' Francis Bacon (1561-1626). (^His coat of arms.') * Quarterly, on the i and 4, gules on a chief argent two mullets sable [Bacon], on the 2 and 3, barry of six or and azure, over all a bend gules [...]. a crescent on the fesse point for difference ; impaling, sable, a cross engrailed between 4 crescents argent, a crescent sable on the fesse point [Barnham]. (^Miscellaneous Notes.y ** Chancellor Bacon : — The learned and great cardinal Richelieu was a great admirer of the lord Bacon. So was Monsieur Balzac : e.g. Ics Oenvrcs diverses. disser- tation sur un tragedie. a Monsieur Huygens de Zuylichen, p. 1 5(S — ' Croyons, pour I'amour du chancilier Bacon, que toutes les folies des anciens sont sages et tous leur songes mysteries.' Quaere if I have inserted'^ his irrigation in the spring showres. Vide Court of King James by Sir Anthony Welden, where is an account of his being viceroy here when the king was in Scotland, and gave audience to ambassadors in the banquetting-house. *** Lord Chancellor Bacon : — IMemorandum, this Oct. 16H1, it rang over all St. Albans that Sir Harbottle Grim- ston. Master of the Rolles, had removed the coffin of this most renowned Lord Chancellour to make roome for his owne to lye-in in the vault there at St. Michael's church. **** Sir Francis Bacon, knight, baron of Verulam and * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 67. see infra, p. 84. ** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 15^. *** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 16^. " i. e. in the life in MS. Aubr. 6 ; **** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 67. Francis Bacon 67 viscount of St. Albans, and Lord High Chancellor of England : — vide his life writt by Dr. William Rawley before Baconi Rcsuscitatio, in folio. (^His admirers and acquaintances.^ It appeares by this following inscription that Mr. Jeremiah Betenham of Graye's Inne was his lordship's intimate and dearely beloved friend. This inscription is on the freeze of the summer house on the mount in the upper garden of Grayes Inne, built by the Lord Chancellor Bacon. The north side of the inscription is now perished The fane was a Cupid drawing his bowe. Franciscus Bacon, Regis Solicitator Generalis, executor testamenti Jeremie Betenham nuper lectoris hujus hospitii, viri innocentis et abstinentis et contemplativi, banc sedem in memoriam ejusdem Jeremie extru.xit, anno Domini, 1609. In his lordship's prosperity Sir Fulke Grevil, lord Brookes, was his great friend and acquaintance ; but when he was in disgrace and want, he was so unworthy as to forbid his butler to let him have any more small beer, which he had often sent for, his stomach being nice, and the small beere of Grayes Inne not liking his pallet. This has donne his memorie more dishonour then Sir Philip Sydney's friend- ship engraven on his monument hath donne him honour. Vide . . . History, and (I thinke) Sir Anthony Weldon. . . . Faucet, of Marybon in the county of Middlesex, esqr., was his friend and acquaintance, as appeares by this letter which I copied from his ovvne handwriting (an elegant Roman hand). 'Tisin the hands of Walter Charlton, M.D., who begged it not long since of Mr. Faucet's grandsonne. * Richard earle of Dorset, was a great admirer and friend of the lord chancellor Bacon, and was wont to have Sir Thomas Billingsley'' along with him to remember and to putt-down in writing my lord's sayings at table. " Dupl. with ' lost.' Richard S.ickville, 3rd earl, ub. Part of the paye left blank for 1624. insertion of the letter. See infra, sub nomine. * MS. Aubi. 6, ful. 67\ F % 68 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' Edward, lord Herbert of Cherbery. John Dun% dean of Paul's. George Herbert. Mr. Ben: Johnson was one of his friends and acquaintance, as doeth appeare by his excellent verses on his lordship's birth-day in his second volume, and in his Undcrzvoods, where he gives him a character and concludes that " about his time, and within his view were borne all the witts that could honour a nation or help studie.' * Lord Bacon's birth-day: Underwoods, p. 222. Haile, happy genius of this ancient pile, How comes it all things so about thee smile ? The fire, the wine, the men ! and in the midst Thou stand'st as if some mysterie thou didst ! Pardon, I read it in thy face, the day, For whose retumes, and many, all these pray : And so doe I. This is the sixtieth yeare Since Bacon, and my lord, was borne, and here, Sonne to the grave wise Keeper of the Scale, Fame and foundation of the English weale. What then his father was, that since is he. Now with a title more to the degree, England's High Chancellour, the destin'd heir In his soft cradle of his father's chaire. Whose even thred the Fates spinne round and full Out of their choysest and their whitest wooll. 'Tis a brave cause of joy ; let it be knowne, For 'twere a narrow gladnesse, kept thine owne. Give me a deep-crown'd bowle, that I may sing In raysing him the wisdome of my king. Discoveries, p. loi. Yet there happened in my time one noble speaker t who was full t Dominus gravity in his speaking. His language (where he could Verulanus. spare or passe-by a jest) was nobly censorious. No man ever** spake more neatly, more pres{ent)ly, more weightily, or suffered lesse emptinesse, lesse idlenesse, in what he utter' d. No member of his speech but consisted of the owne graces : his hearers could not cough, or looke aside from him, without losse. He commanded where he spoke ; and had his judges angry, and pleased, at his devotion. No " Donne. » MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 69. ** M.S. Aubr. 6, fol. 69'. Francis Bacon 69 man had their affections more in his power. The feare of every man that heard him was lest he should make an end. Cicero is sayd to be the only wit that the peop'e of Rome had, equall'd to their empire, iiigeniuiii par impcrio. We had many, and in their severall ages (to take in but the former seciiluin) Sir Thomas Moore, the elder Wiat, Henry, earle of Surrey, Chaloner, Smith, Eliot, bishop Gardiner, were for their times admirable ; Sir Nicholas Bacon was singular and almost alone in the beginning of queen Elizabeth's times; Sir Philip Sydney and Mr. Hooker (in different matter) grew great masters of wit and language and in whom all vigour of invention and strength of judgment met ; the earle of Essex, noble and high ; and Sir Walter Rawleigh, not to be contemn'd either for judgement or stile ; Sir Henry Savile, grave and truly letter'd ; Sir Edwin Sandys, excellent in both ; lord Egerton, the Chancellour, a grave and great orator, and best when he was provoked ; but his learned and able (though unfortunate) successor is he who hath fill'd up all numbers, and performed that in our tongue which may be compar'd or preferred either to insolent Greece or haughty Rome. In short, within his view, and about his times, were all the wits borne that could honour a language or helpe study. Now things dayly fall, wits grow downe- ward and eloquence growes backward, so that he may be nam'd and stand as the marke and aK\ir\ of our language. I have ever observ'd it to have been the office of a wise patriot among the greatest affaires of the state to take care of the common- wealth of learning *, for schooles they are the seminaries of state and nothing is wurthier the study of a statesman then that part of the republick which wee call the advancement of letters. Witnesse the care of Julius Caesar, who in the heate of the civill warre writ his bookes of analogie and dedicated them to Tully. This made the lord St. Albans entitle his worke Novum Organiim, which though by the most of superficia 1 men who cannot gett beyond the title of nominalls, it is not penetrated nor understood, it really openeth all defects of learning whatsoever, and is a booke Qui longum noto scriptori porriget aevum'^. My conceit of his person was never increased towards him by his place or honour, but I have and doe reverence him for the greatnesse that was only proper to himselfe in that he seem'd to me ever by his worke one of the greatest men and most worthy of admiration that have been in many ages. In his adversity I ever prayed that God would give him strength ; for greatnes he could not want. Neither could I condole in a word or syllable for him, as knowing no accident could doe harme to vertue but rather helpe to make it manifest. » M.S. Aubr. 6, fol. 70. " HoRAT., Ari Poet. 34'''. 70 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' * He came often to Sir John Danvers at Chelsey. Sir John told me that when his lordship had wrote the History of Henry 7, he sent the manuscript copie to him to desire his opinion of it before 'twas printed. Qd. Sir John ' Your lordship knowes that I am no scholar.' ' 'Tis no matter ' said my lord, ' I know what a schoUar can say ; I would know what you can"* say.' Sir John read it, and gave his opinion what he misliked which Tacitus did not omitt (which I am sorry I have forgott) which my lord acknowledged to be true, and mended it : ' Why,' said he, ' a scholar would never have told me this.' Mr. Thomas Hobbes (Malmesburiensis) was beloved by his lordship who was wont to have him walke with him in his delicate groves where he did meditate : and when a notion darted into his mind Mr. Hobbs was presently to write it downe, and his lordship was wont to say that he did it better then any one els about him : for that many times, when he read their notes he scarce under- stood what they writt, because they understood it not clearly themselves. In short, all that were great and good lowed and honoured him. Sir Edward Coke, Lord Chiefe Justice, alwayes envyed him, and would be undervalueing his lawe, as you may find in my lord s lettres, and I knew old lawyers that rcmembred it. { Personal characteristics. ) He was Lord Protector during King James's progresse into Scotland, and gave audience in great state to am- bassadors in the banquetting-house at Whitehall. His lordship would many times have musique in the next roorae where he meditated. The aviary at Yorke-house was built by his lordship ; it did cost 300//. At every meale, according to the season of the yeare, .MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 67'. » Sulist. for • will. Francis Bacon 71 he had his table strewed with sweet herbes and flowers, which he sayd did refresh his spirits and memorie. When his lordship was at his country house at Gor- hambery, St. Albans seemed as if the court were ^ there, so nobly did he live. His servants had liveries with his crest (a boare . . . ) ; his watermen were more imployed by gentlemen then any other, even the king's. King James sent a buck to him, and he gave the keeper fifty pounds. He was wont to say to his servant Hunt, (who was a notable thrifty man, and loved this world, and the only servant he had that he could never gett to become bound for him) • The world was made for man, Hunt ; and not man for the world.' Hunt left an estate of 1000//. per annum in Somerset. None of his servants durst appeare before him without Spanish leather bootes : for he would smell the neates- leather, which offended him. The East India merchants presented his lordship with a cabinet of Jewells, which his page, Mr. Cockaine, recieved, and decieved his lord. Three of his lordship's servantsf kept their + Sir Thomas , , , , Meautys, coachcs, and some kept race-horses — vide Sir Busheii, M^n ! . . Anthony Welden's Cotcrt of King James. * He was a 7rat6epao-T?/s. His Ganimeds and favourites tooke bribes ; but his lordship alwayes gave judgement seciindwn aeqinnn et boinim. His decrees in Chancery stand firme, i.e. there are fewer of his decrees reverst then of any other Chancellor. His dowager marled her gentleman-usher, Sir (Thomas, I thinke) Underbill, whom she made deafe and blind with too much of Venus. She was living since the be- heading of the late King. — Quaere where and when she died. " Subst. for ' had been.' * MS. Aiibr. 6, fol. 68. His brother-in-law, Mervyn Tou- chet, second earl of Castleliaven, was executed on this charge, May 14, 1631. ^' Alice, daughter and co-heir of Bennet Barnham. 72 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' He had a delicate*, lively hazel eie ; Dr. Harvey told me it was like the eie of a viper. I have now forgott what Mr. Bushel! sayd, whether his lordship enjoyed his Muse best at night, or in the morning. (J^/is pocms^. His lordship was a good poet, but conceal d, as appeares by his letters. See excellent verses of his lordship's which Mr. Farnaby tran>lated into Greeke, and printed both'' in his ^ kvQo\oyia. scil. The world's a bubble, and the life of man Less then a span, etc. * \KvQo\oy'\.a : Florilegium epigrammatum selectorum ; Thomas Farnaby, London, 1629, pag. 8. — ' Hue elegantem viri clarissimi domini Verulamii -ap^^hiav adjicere ad- lubuit' — opposit to it on the other page — ' quam -apuihiav e nostrati bona nos Graecam qualemcunque sic fecimus, et rhythmice.' The world's a bubble, and the life of man Lesse then a span ; In his conception wretched, from the wombe So to the tombe : Curst from his cradle, and brought up to yeares With cares and feares. Who then to fraile mortality shall trust But limmes in water or but writes in dust. Yet since with sorrow here we live opprest, What life is best ? Courts are but onely superficiall scholes To dandle fooles : The rurall parts are turn'd into a den Of savage men ; And wher's a city from all vice so free, But may be term'd the worst of all the three? " Over 'delicate,' Aubrey has written were ' hazell ' and ' ful of life.' ' T. Hobbes,' either as his authority i.e. the original, and the Greek for the statement, or comfaring version. Bacon's eyes with Hobbes', which * M.S. Auhr. 6, fol. 71^^. Francis Bacon 73 Domestick cares afflict the husband's bed Or paines his bed ; Those that live single take it for a curse, Or doe things* worse; Some would have children ; those that have them mone, Or wish them gone. What is it then to have, or have no wife, But single thraldome or a double strife ? Our owne affections still at home to please Is a disease ; To crosse the sea to any foreine soyle, Perills and toyle; Warres with their noise affright us ; when they cease Ware worse in peace. What then remaines ? but that we still should cry Not to be borne, or, being borne, to dye. {His writings .y * His reading of Treason. His reading of Usurie. Decrees in Chancery. Cogitata et Visa : printed in Holland by Sir William Boswell, Resident there : who also there printed Dr. Gilbert's Magnetique Philosophie. Speech in Parliament of naturalization of the Scottish nation : printed 1641. His apothegmes, Xvo. Essaies ! l : l i l Advancement of learning. History of King Henry the 7th. Novum Organon. — At the end of his Novum Organoii Hugh Holland wrote these verses : — Hie liber est qualis potuit non scribere Stultus, Ncc voluit Sapiens : sic cogitavit Hugo. 'doe things' sulist. for 'live much.' * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 74. 74 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' Naturall Historic. Of ambassadors : published by Francis Th}-nne out of Sir Robert Cotton's library, 1650. Speech touching duells, in the Starre-chamber : in the Bodleian library at Oxford. Reprint it. All the rest of his lordship s workes you will find in Dr. William Rawley's Resascitatio. A piece of philosophy halfe as thick as the grammar set forth by Dr. Rawley, 1660. . . . . , 167-. * Apothegniata. His lordship being in Yorke-house garden lookeing on fishers as they were throwing their nett, asked them what they would take for their draught : they answered so miicJi : his lordship would offer them no more but so much. They drevv-up their nett. and (in) it were only 2 or 3 little fishes : his lordship then told them it had been better for them to have taken his offer. They replied, they hoped to have had a better draught ; ' but' sayd his lordship, ' Hope is a good breakfast, but an ill supper.' When his lordship was in dis-favour, his neighbours hearing how much he was indebted, came to him with a motion to buy Oake-wood of him. His lordship told them. 'He would not sell his feathers' The earle of Manchester being removed from his place of Lord Chiefe Justice of the Common Pleas to be Lord President of the Councell, told my lord (upon his fall) that he was sorry to see him made such an example. Lord Bacon replied ' It did not trouble him since he was made a President.' The bishop of London did cutt-downe a noble clowd of trees at Fulham. The Lord Chancellor told him that he was a good expounder of darke places. L'pon his being in dis-favour his servants suddenly went * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 6S. " Reclius, of the King's Bench. Francis Bacon 75 away ; he compared them to the flying of the vermin when the howse was falling. One told his Lordship it was now time to looke about him. He replyed, ' I doe not looke about me, I looke above me.' Sir Julius Caesar (Master of the Rolles) sent to his + Most of these lordship in his necessity a hundred pounds for have'from°si/ ^ prcsciit f i quacre + dc hoc of Michael Malet. John Darners. p^jg Lordship would oftcn driokc a good draught of strong beer (March beer) to-bedwards, to lay his working fancy asleep : which otherwise would keepe him from sleeping great part of the night. I remember Sir John Danvers told me. that his lordship much delighted in his curious garden at Chelsey, and as he was walking there one time, he fell downe in a dead- sowne. My lady Danvers rubbed his face, temples, etc. and gave him cordiall water: as soon as he came to himselfe, sayd he, ' Madam, I am no good footman.' (^His death and burial.') * Mr. Hobbs told me that the cause of his lordship's death was trying an experiment : viz., as he was taking the aire in a coach with Dr. Witherborne (a Scotchman, Physitian to the King) towards High-gate, snow lay on the ground, and it came into my lord's thoughts, why flesh might not be preserved in snow, as in salt. They were resolved they would try the experiment presently. They ** alighted out of the coach, and went into a poore woman's howse at the bottome of Highgate hill, and bought a hen, and made the woman exenterate it, and then stuffed the bodie with snow, and my lord did help to doe it himselfe. The snow so chilled him, that he immediately fell so extremely ill, that he could not returne to his lodgings (I suppose then at Graye's Innc), but went to the earle of Arundell's house at High-gate, where they putt him into a good bed warmed with a panne, but Dupl. with ' pretty.' * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 68. ** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 68v. 76 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' it was a damp bed that had not been layn-in in about a yeare before, which gave him such a cold tliat in 2 or 3 dayes. as I remember he * told me, he dyed of suffocation. Mr. George Herbert, Orator of the University of Cambridge, haz made excellent verses on this great man. So haz Mr. Abraham Cowley in his Pindariques. Mr. Thomas Randolph of Trin. Coll. in Cambr. haz in his poems verses on him. * In the north side of the chancell of St. Michael's church (which, as I remember, is within the walles of Verulam) is the Lord Chancellor Bacon s monument in white marble in a niech, as big as the life, sitting in his chaire in his gowne and hatt cock't, leaning his head on his right hand. Underneath is this inscription which they say was made by his friend Sir Hemy- Wotton. Frarsciscus Bacon, Baro de Verulam, Sti Albani Vicecomes. seu. notioribus titulis, Scientiarum Lumen. Facundiae Lex, sic sedebat. Qui postquam omnia Xaturalis sapientiae at Civilis arcana evohnsset, Naturae decreium explevit ' Composita solvantur,' Anno Domini MDCXXVI aetatis LXVL Tanti viri mem. t His lordship's Thomas Meauts's t ' secretane, woo maricd a kins- SUperStitls CultOr, woman Anne ) j ii • j • ^ Bacon), who is defunai admirator, now the wife of T4 P SirHaibottle ^■ Grimstoo, Master of the / U' is' \ Roiies. {His relatives.) X His mothta- vvas<Anne> ** had a Uterine! brother AxTHONV Cooke, sister or w if^^f"^ BacOX, who was a verv ^reat statesman and Giddy-hall in ' - t> i"'' much bevond his brother Francis for the wnfe to Sir Nicholas Bacon. poUtiques, a lamc man, he was a pensioner to, and lived with . . . earle of Essex. And to him he 'i.e. Hobbes. * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 71. ** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 6S'. Francis Bacon 77 dedicates the first edition of his Essayes, a little booke no bigger then a primer, which I have seen in the Bodlyan Library. His sisters were ingenlose and well-bred ; they well understood the use of the globes, as you may find in the preface of Mr. Blundevill of the Sphaere : see if it is not dedicated to them. One of them was maried to Sir John Cunstable of Yorkshire. To this brother in lawe he dedicates his second edition of his Essayes, in 8vo ; his last, in 4to, to the duke of Bucks. * Blundevill's Exercises, preface : — ' I began this arithmetique more then seven yeares since for that vertuous gentlewoman Mris Elizabeth Bacon, the daughter of Sir Nicholas Bacon, knight (a man of most excellent witt and of a most deep judgement and sometimes Lord Keeper of the great seale of England), and lately the loving and faithfull wife of my worshipfull friend Mr. Justice Windham, who for his integrity of life and for his wisdome and justice dayly shewed in government and also for his good hospitalitie deserved great com- mendation ; and though at her request I had made this arithmetique so plaine and easie as was possible (as to my seeming) yet her continuall sicknesse would not suffer her to e.xercise herself therin.' (^His residences.) ** I will write something of Vcrulam, and his house at Gorhambery. At Verulam is to be seen, in some few places, some t Veroiamiun,, »'emaines of the wall of this citie f ; which cL^hd'aiu' ^^'^^ compass about . . . miles. This mag- oppidum. nanimous Lord Chancellor had a great mind to have made it a citie again : and he had designed it, to be built with great uniformity : but Fortune denyed it him, though she proved kinder (to) the great Cardinal Richelieu, who lived both to designe and finish that specious towne of Richelieu, where he was borne ; before, an obscure and small vilage. (The ichnographie, etc., of this towne and palais is nobly engraved). Within the bounds of the walls of this old citie of Verulam (his lordship's Baronry) was Vcrulam howse, * MS. Anbr. 6, fol. 70'. ** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 68'. 78 Aiibi^ey's 'Brief Lives' about \ a mile from St. Albans : which his Lordship built, the most ingeniosely contrived little pile f, measurtMm^t that cvcr I sawc. No qucstioH but his lordship i.read'th; but I was thc chiefcst architect ; but he had for his little suspected . . . ri'/<-.Aii \ it would be assistant a la .ourite 01 his (a St. Albans man) pulleii doune _ t>. i / i i ^ • i for the sale of Mr. . . . Dobson (who was his lordships rifjht the materialls. . . r , hand) a very ingeniose person (Master of the Alienation Office) ; but he spending his estate upon woemen% necessity forced his son William Dobson to be the most excellent painter that England hath yet bred, qui obiit Oct. 164H ; sepult. S. Martin's in the fields *. ** The view of this howse from the entrance into the gate by the high-way is thus. The parallel sides answer one another. I doe not well remember if on the east side were bay windowes, which his lordship much affected, as may be seen in his essay Of BuUding. Quaere whether the number of windowes on the east side were 5 or 7 : to my best remembrance but 5. This model I drew by memorie, 1656. Verulam Howse This howse did cost nine or ten thousand the building, and was sold about 1665 or 1666 by Sir Harbottle Grimston, baronet, (now Master of the Rolles) to two carpenters for fower hundred poundes ; of which they made eight hundred poundes. Memorandum : — there were good chimney-pieces ; the roomes very loftie, and all were very well wainscotted. Memorandum : — there were two bathing-roomes or stuffes, whither his Lordship retired afternoons as he sawe cause. All the tunnclls of the chimneys were carried into the middle of the howse, as in this draught ; and round about them were seates. The top of the howse was well leaded. From the leads was a lovely prospect to the ponds, which were opposite to the " Dupl. with ' luxuriously.' * Explicit MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 68^ ** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 72. •> Dupl. with ' respective.' ^ Aubrey's drawing will be found among the facsiniiks at the end of this volume. Francis Bacon 79 east side of the howse, and were on the other side of the stately walke of trees that leades to Gorhambery-howse : and also over that long walke of trees, whose topps afford a most pleasant * variegated verdure, resembling the workes in Irish-stitch. The kitchin, larder, cellars, &c., are under ground. In the middle of this howse was a delicate staire-case of wood, which was curiously carved, and on the posts of every interstice was some prettie figure, as of a grave divine with his booke and spectacles, a mendicant friar, &c. — (not one thing twice). Memo- randum : — on the dores of the upper storie on the outside (which were painted darke umber) were the figures of the gods of the Gentiles (viz. on the south dore, 2d storie, was Apollo ; on another, Jupiter with his thunderbolt, etc.) bigger then the life and donne by an excellent hand ; the heightnings were of hatchings of gold, which when the sun shone on them made a most glorious shew. Memorandum : — the upper part of the uppermost dore, on the east side, had inserted into it a large looking-glasse, with which the stranger was very gratefully decieved, for (after he had been entertained a pretty while, with the prospects of the ponds, walks, and countrey, which this dore faced) when you were about to returne into the roome*. one would have sworn prima iiititiiu, that he had beheld another prospect through the howse : for, as soon as the stranger was landed on the balconie, the conscrge '' that shewed the howse would shutt the dore to putt this fallacy on him with the looking-glasse. This was his lordship's summer-howse : for he sayes (in his essay) one should have .seates for summer and winter as well as cloathes. From hence to Gorhambery is about a little mile, the way easily ascending, hardly so acclive as a deske. From hence to Gorambury in a straite line Icade three parallell walkes : in the middlemost three coaches may passe abreast : in the wing-walkes two may. They consist * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 72'. shutt the dore' : scored out. " Here followed 'the servant would ^ French ' concierge.' Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' of severall stately trees of the like groweth and heighth, viz. elme, chesnut, beach, hornebeame, Spanish-ash, cervice- tree, &c., whose topps (as aforesaid) doe afford from the walke on the howse the finest shew that I have seen, and I sawe it about Michaelmas, at which time of the yeare the colour of leaves are most varied. The manner of the walke is thus : — u u u u t t t t s s s s r r r r o o o 0 n n n n in m m m X X X X ^ ^ t t t t s S s s r r r r o o o 0 n n n n m m m m X X X X u u u u t t t t s s s s r r r r o o o 0 n n n n m m tn m * The figures of the ponds were thus : they were pitched at the bottomes with pebbles of severall colours, which were work't in to severall figures, as of fishes, &c. which in his lordship's time were plainly to be seen through the cleare water, now over-grown with flagges and rushe If a poor bodie had brought his lordship halfe a dozen pebbles of a curious colour, he would give them a shilling, so curious was he in perfecting his fish-ponds, which I guesse doe containe four acres. In the middle of the * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 73. Francis Bacon 8i middlemost pond, in the island, is a curious banquetting- house of Roman architecture, paved with black and white marble; covered with Cornish slatt, and neatly wainscotted. (rt) = cutt hedge about the island. (/;] = walke between the hedge and banquetting-howse. Memorandum : — about the mid-way from Verolam-house to Gorambery, on the right hand, on the side of a hill which faces the passer-by, arc sett in artificiall manner the afore-named trees, whose diversity of greens on the side of the hill are exceeding pleasant. These delicate walkes and prospects entertaine the eie to Gorambery- howse, which is a large, well-built Gothique hovvsc, built (I thinke) by Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper, father to this Lord Chancellor, to whom it descended by the death of Anthony Bacon, his middle brother, who died sans issue. * The Lord Chancellor made an addition of I. * MS. Aubr. 6, lul. 73'. G 82 A ubrey s 'Brief Lives ' a noble portico, which fronts the garden to the south : opposite to every arch of this portico, and as big as the arch, are drawen, by an excellent hand (but the mischief of it is, in water-colours), curious pictures, all emble- matical], with mottos under each : for example, one I remember is a ship tossed in a storme, the motto, Alter crii turn TipJiys. Enquire for the rest. Over this portico is a stately gallerie, whose glasse- windowes are all painted ; and every pane with severall figures of beast, bird, or flower: perhaps his lordship might use them as topiques for locall memory. The windowes looke into the garden, the side opposite to them no window, but that side is hung all with pictures at length, as of King James, his lordship, and severall illustrious persons of his time. At the end you enter is no windowe, but there is a very large picture, thus : — in the middle on a rock in the sea stands King James in armour, with his regall ornaments ; on his right hand stands (but whither or no on a rock I have forgott), King Henry 4 of France, in armour ; and on his left hand, the King of Spaine, in like manner. These figures are (at least) as big as the life, they are donne only with umbre and shell gold : all the heightning and illuminated part being burnisht gold, and the shadowed umbre, as in the pictures of the gods on the dores of Verolam-house. The roofe of this gallerie is semi-cylindrique, and painted by the same hand and same manner, with heads and busts of Greek and Roman emperours and heroes. ' In the hall (which is of the auncient building) is a large storie very well painted of the feastes of the gods, where Mars is caught in a nett by Vulcan. On the wall, over the chimney, is painted an oake with akornes falling from it ; the word, Nisi quid potiiis. And on the wall, over the table, is painted Ceres teaching the soweing of corne ; the word, Moniti ineliora. The garden is large, which was (no doubt) rarely planted and kept in his lordship's time: vide vitam Peireskii de domino Bacon. Here is a handsome dore, which opens Francis Bacon 83 into Oake-wood ; over this dore in golden letters on blew are these six verses * The oakes of this wood are very great and shadie. His lordship much delighted himselfe here: under every tree he planted some fine flower, or flowers, some wherof are there still (1656), viz. paeonies, tulips, . . . From this wood a dore opens into . . . , a place as big as an ordinary parke, the west part wherof is coppice-wood, where are walkes cutt-out as straight as a line, and broade enoug for a coach, a quarter of a mile long or better. — Here his lordship much'' meditated, his servant Mr. Bushell attending him with his pen and inke horne to sett downe his present notions. — Mr. Thomas Hobbes told me, that his lordship would employ him often in this service whilest he was there, and was better pleased with his minnics, or notes sett downe by him, then by others who did not well understand his lordship. He told me that he was employed in translating part of the Essayes, viz. three of them, one wherof was that of the Greatnesse of Cities, the other two I have now forgott. The east of this parquet (which extends to Veralam- howse) was heretofore, in his lordship's prosperitie, a paradise; now is a large ploughed field. This eastern division consisted of severall parts ; some thicketts of plumme-trees with delicate walkes ; some of rasberies. Here was all manner of fruit-trees that would grow in England ; and a great number of choice forest-trees ; as the whitti-tree, sorbe-, cervice-, etc., eugh ''. The walke(s), both in the coppices and other boscages, were most ingenioscly designed: at severall good viewes'', were erected elegant sommer-howscs well built of Roman architecture, well wainscotted and cieled ; yet standing, but defaced, so that one would have thought the Barbarians had made a conquest here. This place in his lordship's time was " A blank space is left in the MS. i. e. yew. for their insertion. ' Belvideri ' is written over ' good * M.S. Aubr. 6, fol. 74. viewes,' as an alternative. ^ Siibst. for ' was wont {to meditate). r; 2 84 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' a sanctuary for phesaiits, partridges, etc. birds of severall kinds and countries, as white, speckled etc.. partridges. In April, and the springtime, his lordship would, when it rayned, take his coach (open) to recieve the benefit of irrigation, which he was w^ont to say was very wholsome because of the nitre in the aire and the 7tiiivcrsall spirit of the world. His lordship was wont to sd.y, I will lay my viaiinor of Gorambery on't, to which Judge .... made a spightfull reply, saying he would not hold a wager against that, but against any otJter mannour of his lordship s he would. Now this illustrious Lord Chancellor had only this mannor of Gorambery. Eoger Bacon (i 214-1294). * Roger Bacon, friar ordinis (S. Francisci) : — Memo- randum, in Mr. Selden's learned verses before Hopton's Concordance of y cares, he speakes of friar Bacon, and sayes that he was a Dorsetshire gentleman. There are yet of that name in that countie. and some of pretty good estate. I find by . . . (which booke I have) that he understood the making of optique glasses ; where he also gives a perfect account of the making of gunpowder, vide pag. . . . ejusdem libri. ** Friar Roger Bacon : — Dr. Gerard Langbain had a Catalogue^ of all his workes, which Catalogue Dr. (Thomas) Gale, schoolmaster of Paule's, haz now. Note. " The reference is probably to a list of pieces by Roger Bacon which were found among Thomas Allen's MSS. Langbaine's draft of it is found in MS. Langbaine 7, p. 393 : see Clark's Wood's Life and Times, iv. 253. Thomas Badd. (1607-1683). *** The . . . happinesse a shoemaker haz in drawing on a fair lady's shoe. ... I know one that it was the hight of his ambition to be prentice to his mris('s) shoemaker upon that condicion. * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 6'. ** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 9'. *** MS. Aubr. 21. p. II. Edward Bagshaw 85 Sir Thomas Bad s^ father, a shoemaker, married the brewer's widow of Portsmouth, worth 20^000 //. Edward Bagshaw (1629-1671). * Edward Bagshaw was borne at Broughton in North- amptonshire ; 42 when he dyed — from his widowe ^. ** My old acquaintance, Mr. Edward Bagshawe, B.D., 3rd son of Edward Bagshawe, esq., a bencher of the Middle Temple, was borne (the day nor moneth certaine to be knowne) November or December at Broughton in Northamptonshire, where Mr. Boldon '', quondam Coll. Aeneinas., was parson. He was a king's scholar at Westminster schole, then student of Christ Church. Scripsit severall treatises. Obiit on St. Innocents day, 28 Dec, 1671, in Tuttle street, Westminster, a prisoner to Newgate 22 weekes for running into a praemunire for refusing to take the oath of allegiance (he boggled at the word ' willingly " in the oath) : aetatis 42. Sepult., Ncwyeares day, in the fanatique burying-place by the Artillery-ground in Moor- fields, where his sorrowfull widdowe will place his epitaph. 1500 or 20CO people were at his funerall. *** 'Here'' lyes interred | the body of | Mr. Edward Bagshaw | minister of the Gospell | who recieved from God I faith to embrace it | courage to defend it | and patience to suffer for it | when by most despised and by many persecuted | esteeming the advantages of birth, education, and learning | as things of worth to be accounted losse for the knowledge | of Christ. ] P"rom the reproaches of pretended friends | and persecutions of professed adver- saries I he I took sanctuary | by the will of God | in eternall rest.' * .Sir Thomas Badd, of Games Oysells, created a baronet in 1642. * Aubrey, in MS. Wood, F. 39, fol. 319'. ** Idem, ibid., fol. 163': Jan. 27, 167'. Robert Bolton, obiit 1631. *** Cited by Aubrey, in MS. Wood, F. 39, fol. 175'. <^ Anthony Wood notes ' made, they say, by Dr. (John) Owen,' I'liritan dean of Christ Church, Oxford. 86 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' A'ote. ' MS. Aubr. 27 : — ' A review and conclusion of the Antidote against Mr. Baxter's palliated cure of Church Divisions,' by Edward Bagshaw, Lend. i67i,has the note ' donum Margaretae, viduae autoris : Jan. 27, 1671 (i.e. -'). Jo. Awbrey.' Jean Louis Guez de Balzac (1594-1655). * Monsieur de Balzac ended his dayes in a Cappucine's cell, and was munificent to them : vide Entreticns de monsieur de Balzac, printed above 20 yeares since, Richard Bancroft (1544-16 10). In MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 119'", is this jotting: — ' Dr. Mat Skinner. Resp. 'tis archbishop Bancroft's picture— quod N.B., and inscribe.' This is probably to be interpreted as meaning—' Enquire whether the portrait,' in a certain place, ' is that of Dr. ]\Iatthew Skinner.' Finding that it is the portrait of Richard Bancroft, 'see that the name is inscribed on it,' for future identification. John Barclay (1582-162 1). Robert Barclay (1648-1690). *'*' Johannes Barclaius, Scoto-Britannus: — from Sam. Butler — was in England some time tempore regis Jacobi. He was then an old man, white beard ; and wore a hatt and a feather, which gave some severe people offence. Dr. John Pell tells me, that his last employment was Library-Keeper of the Vatican, and that he was there poysoned. Memorandum : — this John Barclay haz a sonne*. now (1688) an old man, and a learned quaker, who wrote a Systeme of the Quakers' - Doctrine in Latine ''. dedi- cated to King Charles II. now (to) King James II; now translated by him into English, in The Quakers mightily value him. The booke is common. * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 2. ** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 5.^. " Robert Barclay was not son of John Barclay ; see the dates supia. Theologiae verae Chiistianae apologia, Ainstel. 1676 The English version appeared in 167S. Isaac Barrow 87 Isaac Barrow (1630-1677). * Isaac Barrow, D.D. — from his father, (who was borne Aprill 22, 1600, \ a yeare older then King Charles 1st), May 17, 1682. His father, Thomas Barrow, was the second son of Isaac Barrow of Spinney Abbey in the countie of Cambridge, esq., who was a Justice of the Peace there above fourtie yeares. The father of Thomas never designed him for a tradesman, but he was so severe to him (that) he could not endure to live with him and so came to London and was apprentice to a liiinen-draper. He kept shop at the signe of the White-horse in Forster lane near St. Forster's church in St. Leonard's parish; and (his son*) was christened at St. John Zacharie's in Forster lane, for at that time St. Leonard's church was pulled downe to be re-edified. He was borne anno Dni 1630 in October'' after King Charles 11'"^. Dr. Isaac Barrow had the exact day and hower of his father, which may be found amongst his papers. His father sett it downe in his English bible, a faire one, which they used at the king's chapeli when he was in France and he could not get it again. His father travelled with the King, Charles 2°*^, wliere ever he went ; he was sealer to the Lord Chancellor beyond sea, and .so when he came into England. Amongst Dr. Barrowe's papers it may be found. Dr. Tillotson has all his papers — quaere for it, and for the names of all writings both in print and MSS. He went to schoolc, first to Mr. Brookes at Charterhouse two yeares. His father gave to Mr. Brookes 4//. per annum, wheras his pay was but 2 //., to be carefull of him ; but Mr. Brokes was negligent of him, which the captain of the school acquainted his father (his kinsman) and sayd that he would not have him stay there any longer than he"' did, for that he*-" instructed him. Afterwards to one Mr. Holbitch, about fower years, at * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 99. Subst. for ' November.' " Isaac Bariow. ' i. e. this " captain of the school.' 88 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' Felton^ in Essex ; from whence he was admitted of Peter- house College in Cambridge first, and went to schoole a yeare after. Then he was admitted of Trinity College in Cambridge at 13 yearcs old. Quaere whose daughter his mother was. His mother was Anne, daughter of William Buggin of North Cray in Kent, esq. She died when her sonne Isaac was about fower yeares old. Anno Domini ... he travelled, and returned, anno Domini . . . He wrote What MSS. ? — -quaere Dr. Tillotson, and quaere Mr. Brabazon Aylmer, bookseller, nere Ex- change Alley. His humour when a boy and after : — merry and cheerfuU and beloved where ever he came. His grandfather kept him till he was 7 years old : his father was faine to force him away, for there he would have been good for nothing there. A good poet, English and Latin. He spake 8 severall languages. * His father dealt in his trade to Ireland Avhcre he had a great losse, neer looc//. ; upon which he wrote to Mr. Holbitch, a Puritan, to be pleased to take a little paines more than ordinarj^ with him, because the times growing so bad, and such a losse then received, that he did not knowe how he might be able to provide for him, and so Mr. Holbitch tooke him away from the howse where he was boarded to his owne howse, and made him tutor to my lord viscount Fairfax, ward to the lord viscount Say and Scale, where he continued so long as my lord continued. This viscount Fairfax'' died a young man. This viscount Fairfax, being a schooleboy, maried a gentleman's daughter " sic, for Felsted. * MS. Aiibr. 8. fol. 99^^. William Fairfax, born June 6. 1630, succeeded as 3rd viscount Fairfax of Emley. Sept. 1641, married iiliza- beth. daughter of Alexander .Smith of Slulton CO. Suffolk, and died 1648. His son Thomas. 4th viscount, died 165?. Isaac Barrozv 89 in the towne there, who had but a thoLisand pounds. So leaving the schoole, would needs have Mr. Isaac Barrow with him, and told him he would maintaine him. But the lord Say was so cruel to him that he would not allow anything that 'tis thought he dyed for want. The looo//. could not serve him long. During this time old Mr. Thomas Barrow was shutt-up at Oxford and could not heare of his sonne. But young Isaac s master, Holbitch, found him out in London and courted him to come to his schoole and that he would make him his heire. But he did not care to goe to schoole again. When my lord Fairfax faild and that he sawe he grew heavy upon him, he went to see one of his schoolfellowes, one Mr. Walpole, a Norfolke gent., who asked him ' What he would doe ? ' He replyed he ' knew not what to doe : he could not goe to his father at Oxford.' Mr. Walpole then told him ' I am goeing to Cambridge to Trinity College and I will maintaine you there ' ; and so he did for halfe a yeare till the surrender of Oxford ; and then his father enquired after him and found him at Cambridge. And the very next day after old Mr. Barrow came to Cambridge, Mr. Walpole was leaving the University and (hearing nothing of Isaac's father) resolved to take Isaac along with him to his howse. His father then asked him what pro- fession he would be of, a merchant or etc. ? He begd of his father to lett him continue in the University. His father then asked what would maintain him. He told him 20//. per annum: 'I warrant you,' .sayd he, 'I will maintaine myselfe with it.' His father replyed 'l ie make a shift to allow you that.' So his father then went to his tutor and acquainted him of, etc. His tutor, Dr. Duport, told him that he would take nothing for his reading to him, for that he was likely to make a brave scholar, and he would helpe him to halfe a chamber for nothing. And the next newes his father heard of him was that he was chosen in to the howse. * Dr. Hill " was then master of * MS. Auhr S, fol. 100. ° Thomas Hill, intnidetl Master by the Parliamentary Visitors, 1^45-1653. 90 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' the college. He mctt Isaac" one day and layd his hand upon his head and sayd ' thou art a good boy ; 'tis pitty that thou art a cavalier.' He was a strong and a stowt man and feared not any man. He would fight with the butchers' boyes in St. Nicholas' shambles, and be hard enough for any of them. He went to travell 3 or 4 yeares after the king was beheaded, upon the colledgc account ''. He was a candidate for the Greeke professor s place, and had the consent of the University but Oliver Cromwell putt in Dr. Widrington'' ; and then he travelled. He was abroad 5 yeares viz. in Italic, France. Germany, Constantinople. As he went to Constantinople, two men of warre (Turkish shippes) attacqued the vessell wherin he was. In which engagement he shewed much valour in defending the vessell ; which the men that were in that engagement often testifye, for he never told his father of it himsclfc. Upon his returne, he came in (a) ship to Venice, which was stowed with cotton-wooll, and as soon as ever they came on shore the ship fell on fire, and was utterly con- sumed, and not a man lost, but not any goods saved — a wonderfull preservation. His personall valour — At Constantinople, being in com- pany with the English mtrchants,therewasa Rhadamontade that would fight with any man and bragged of his valour, and dared any man there to try him. So no man accepting liis challenge, said Isaac (not then a divine), ' Wh^, if none els will try you I will': and fell upon him and chastised him handsomely that he vaunted no more amongst them. After he had been 3 years beyond sea, his correspondent dyed, so that he had no more supply; yet he was so well beloved that he never wanted. At Constantinople he wayted on the consul Sir Thomas Bendish, who made him stay with him and kept him there a ycare and a halfe, whether he would or no. " I )upl. v\ itli ■ the boy.' Ralph Widdrington, Is-cg. Piof. • i. e. receiving his fellowship. Greek, 1654-1660. 1655-59. Isaac Barroiv 91 At Constantinople. Mr. Dawes (afterwards Sir Jonathan Dawes, who dyed sherif of London), a Turkey merchant, desired Mr. Barrow to stay but such a time and he would returne with him, but when that time came he could not goe, some businesse stayd him. Mr. Barrow could stay no longer ; so Mr. Dawes would have had Mr. Barrow have C " pistolles. ' No,' said Mr. Barrow, ' I know not whether I shall be able to pay you.' ''Tis no matter,' said Mr. Dawes. To be short, forced him to take fifty pistolls, which at his returne he payd him again. * Memorandum, his pill (an opiate, possibly Matthews his pil), which he was wont to take in Turkey, which was wont to doe him good, but he tooke it preposterously at Mr. Wilson's, the sadler's, neer Sufifolke-house, where he was wont to lye and where he dyed, and 'twas the cause of his death — quaere + de hoc there. As he lay expiring*' in the agonie of death, the standers- by could heare him say softly ' I have .seen the glories of the world' — (from) Mr. Wilson. I have heard Mr. Wilson say that when he was at study, was so intent at it that when the bed was made, or so. he heeded it not nor perceived it, was so totiis in Iioc : and would sometimes be goeing out without his hatt on. He was by no meanes a spruce man*^, but most negligent in his dresse. As he was walking one day in St. James's parkc, looking . . . , his hatt up. his cloake halfe on and halfe off, a gent, came behind him and clapt him on the shoulder and sayd ' Well, goe thy wayes for the veriest scholar that ever I mett with.' He was a strong man but pale as the candle he .studyed by. His stature was . . . The first booke he printed was Euclid's Elements in Latin, printed at Cambridge, impensis Gulielmi Nealand, bibliopolae, Anno Domini MDCLV. " i.e. 100. Dupl. with 'he was not a Dr. * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 100'. Smirkc ' — in Andrew Maivell's satire. Dupl. with • uuravcllini^.' .Subst. lor " I sawe.' 92 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' Euclidis data succincte demonstrata, printed at Cam- bridge ex officina Joannis Field, impensis Gulielmi Nealand, bibliopolae, anno Domini 1657. Euclid's Elements in English. Euclid's Elements in Latin — in the last impressions of this is an appendix about the sphaere itselfe, it's segments and their surfaces, most admirably derived and demonstrated by the doctrine of infinite arithmetique and indivisibles. * Lectiones XVIII Cantabrigiae in scholis publicis habitae in quibus opticorum phaenomenwn genuinae rationes invcstigantur ac exponuntur. Annexae sunt lectiones aliquot geometricae. Londini, prostant venales apud Johannem Dunmore et Octavianum Pulleyn. MDCLXIX. Archimedes. Apollonius. Theodosius. Now printing, 22 initiating lectures about mathematics"*, to which will be subjoined some lectures that he read about Archimedes, proving that he was an algebraist, and giving his owne thoughts by what method Archimedes came to fall on his theoremes. Bookes writ by the learned Dr. Isaac Barrow and printed for Brabazon Aylmer at the Three Pidgeons over against the Royall Exchange in Cornhill : — 12 Sermons preached upon several! occasions; in 8vo, being the first volume. 10 Sermons against evil speaking; in 8vo, being the second volume. 8 Sermons of the love of God and our neighbour ; in 8vo, being the third volume. The duty and reward of bounty to the poor, in a sermon, much enlarged, preached at the Spittall upon Wednesday in Easter weeke anno Domini 1671, in 8vo. A sermon upon the Passion of our blessed Saviour preached at Guildhall chapcU on Good PVyday the 13th day of April 1677, in 8vo. * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 101. * ' In geometric' is written over 'about mathematics' in explanation. Isaac Barrow 93 A learned treatise of the Pope's supremacy, to which is added a discourse concerning the unity of the church ; in 4to. The sayd discourse concerning the Unity of the Church is also printed alone in 8vo. An exposition of the Lord's Prayer, of the Ten Com- mandments, of the doctrine of the Sacraments ; in Hvo. All the sayd books of the learned Dr. Isaac Barrow (except the sermon of bounty to the poor) are since the author's death published by Dr. Tillotson, dcane of Canterbury. 'The true and lively effigies of Dr. Isaac Barrow' in a large print, ingraven from the life by the excellent artist D. Loggan ; price, without frame, Gd. * Thomas Barrow, (father of Isaac, S.T.D.) was brother to Isaac Barrow late lord bishop of St. Asaph, and sonne of Isaac Barrow of Spiney Abbey, who was sonne of Philip Barrow^, who hath in print a method of Physick, and he had a brother Isaac Barrow, a Dr. of Physick, who was a benefactor to Trinity Colledge in Cambridge, and was there tutor to Robert Cecill that was earle of Salisbury and Lord Treasurer. ** Isaac Barrow, D.D., ((a) Cambridge (man), borne in Essex), is buried in the south crosse aisle of \\'estminstcr Abbey with this inscription : — Isaacus Barrow S.T.P. Regi Carolo II" a sacris Vir prope divinus et vere magnus si quid magna habent Pietas, probitas, fides, summa eruditio, par modestia, Mores sanctissimi undiquaque et suavissimi. Geometriae professor Londini Greshamcnsis, Graecae linguae et Matheseos apud Cantabrigienses suos, Cathedras omnes, ccclesiam, gentem ornavit. Collegium SS. Trinitatis praeses illustravit, Jactis bibliothecae vere regiae fundamentis auxit. * M.S. Aut)r. 8, fol. loP'. ' See Cooper's Athenae Cant. ii. 96. ♦* MS. .Aubr. 6. fol. 51. Aubrey gives in trick the coat: — 'sable, two swoids in s.nltire between four flcur- de-Iys . . .' Anthony W ood notes : — ' This was made for Dr. Barrow, \'icechan- cellor of Canihridgc. vide part iii,' i. c. MS. Aubi. 8, tit supra. 94 Aubreys 'Brief Lives' Opes, honores, et universum vitae ambitum, Ad majora natus, non contempsit sed reliquit seculo. Deum quern a teneris coluit cum primis imitatus est, Paucissimis egendo, beneficiendo quam plurimis, Etiam posteris quibus vel mortuus concionari non desinit. Caetera et poene majora ex scriptis peti possunt. Abi lector et aemulare. Obiit IVto die Maii anno Domini MDCLXXVII setatis suae XLVII. Monumentum hoc Amici posuere. This epitaph was contrived by Dr. John Mapletofi and perfected by Dr. (Thomas) Gale. He was the . . . son of . . . Barrow, (who) was a brewer at Lambith ; a King's Scholar at Westminster. Anno 1655 he printed at Cambridge Euclidis Elemcn- torum libri XV breviter demonstrati. Anno . . . , he travelled ; was at Constantinople ; sawe part of Graece, Italic, France. He was a good poet, of great modestie and humanity, careles of his dresse. . . . Barrow (16..- 168.). * Dr, . . . Barrow, M.D., secretary to the lord gcnerall Monke in Scotland, and who wrote the life or history of the generall, was cosen-german to Thomas (father of Isaac, D.D.). He was a very good-humoured man. He much resembled and spake like Dr. Ezerel Tong. Obiit 2 yeares since : quaere ubi. Thomas Batcheroft (15 .. -1670). ** Memorandum : in Sir Charles Scarborough's time (he was of Caius College) Dr. . . . (the head of that house) would visit the boyes' chambers, and see what they were studying ; and Charles Scarborough's genius let him to the mathematics, and he was wont to be reading of Clavius upon Euclid. The old Dr. had found in the title ' , e Socictatc Jcsii^ and was much scandalized * M.S. Aiibr. 8, fol. loo". Batcheroft was Master of Gonville nnd ♦•■^ MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 6o». Thomas Cains College, 1625-49, 1O60-1670. Francis Beaumont 95 at it. Sayd he, ' By all nieanes leave-off this author, and read Protestant mathematicall bookcs.' One sent this Doctor a pidgcon-pye from New-market or thereabout, and he askt the bearer whither 'twas hott, or cold ? He did out-doe Dr. Kettle. George Bate (1608-1668). * Kingston super Thames ; north aisle chap(el). Spe resurrectionis felicis heic juxta sita est Elizabetha conjux lectissima Georgii Bate, M.D., Car. 2 inedici primarii, Qui cineres suos adjacere curavit ut qui unanimes convixerant quasi unicorpores condormientes una resurgant. Mortem obiit 17 -Apr., 1667, aet. 46 ex hydro-pulmon., funesta Londini conflagratione acceleratam. Obiit ille 19 Apr., 1668 aetatis suae 60. Francis Beaumont (1584-1616). ** Mr. Francis Beaumont was the son of Judge Beau- mont ^ There was a wondcrfull consimility t Utrumqnp nostrum'' r ^ .l i increciibili moiio oi phanscy J bctwccn him and Mr. John Consentit astrum. i i i • i Horace, lib. 2, Flctcher, whicli causcd that dearnesse of O'le 17. frendship between them. I thinke they were both of Queen's College in Cambridge. I have heard Dr. John Earles (since bishop of Sarum). * Note in pencil (partly inked over) by Aubrey at end of M.S. Rawl. 766. The slip is addressed (not by Aubrey) 'To Mr. Thomas Awbrey at Broad Chalke — , to be left at the Lambe in *Katherine Streete in Salis- bury.' The seal is ' party per chevron, . . . and or r?\ in chief 2 eagles (or falcons rising, a mullet for differe:ice,' a coat for Stephens. Aubrey gives in trick, as on the monument, 'sable, a fesse engrailed argent, between 3 dexter hands coiiped bendways or.' ** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 116". " Francis Keaumont, Justice of the Common Pleas, 159.^ Subit. for ' illorum.' 96 Aubreys 'Brief Lives* who knew them, say that his maine businesse was to correct the overflowings * of Mr. Fletcher's witt. They lived together on the Banke side, not far from the Play-house, both batchelors ; lay together — from Sir James Hales, etc. ; had one wench in the house between them, which they did so admire ; the same cloathes and cloake, &c., betweene them. He writt (amongst many other) an admirable elegie on the countesse of Rutland, which is printed with verses before Sir Thomas Overburie's Characters. John Earles. in his verses on him, speaking of them, 'A monument that will then lasting bee. WTien all her marble is more dust then shee." Ex registro : — he was bur\-ed at the entrance of St. Benedict's chapell where (is) the earl of Middlesex" «Meiiiorai>- monum.ent, in Westminster Abbey, March 9, dam : — Isaac j fy | s.^" Casanboa «as ^ ^^^^^^ I searched, severall \-eares since, in the H^i^y^ s. Register-booke of St Mar>^ Overies. for the obiit of Mr. John Fletcher, which I sent to Mr. Anthony a Wood. He hath a ver\- good prefatorj^ letter before Mr. Sp^ht's edition of Sir Geofrey Chaucer's Workes printed by Adam Islip, 1602, London, where he haz judicious ob- servations of his writing. William Bedwell 1 15.. -1632*. * . . . BedweU, professor of ... at Gresham College, translated into English Pitisci TrigontsiuA-ia. Published T/u turiianicut of Toinam. He was an Essex man — from his grand-niece. William Eeeston 16.. -1682). Did I tell j'ou that I have mett with old Mr. . . . who knew all the old English poets, whose hves I am * • Super ' is wriltei above • over." foL 357 : written Sept. i, 1681. * MS. K\Ax. J, fol. 6. * Blank in MS, AtArev forgettimi ** Aubrey, in MS. Wood F. 39, the name at the moment. Richard Benese 97 taking from him : his father was master of the . . . play- house. * The more to be admired, quaere — he was not a company keeper ; lived in Shorditch ; would not be debauched ; and if invited to court, was in paine. W. SJiakespeare — quaere Mr. Beeston, who knowes most of him from Mr. Lacy. He lives in Shoreditch at Hoglane within 6 dores north of Folgate. Quaere etiam for Ben Jonsofi. ** Old Mr. Beeston, whom Mr. (John) Dreyden calles 'the chronicle of the stage,' died at his house in Bishopsgate street without, about Bartholomew-tyde, 1682. Mr. Shipey in Somerset-house hath his papers. Richard. Benese (14.. -1546). *** I did see, many yeares since, in a countrey-man's house, a little booke in 8vo in English, called Arsmetric, or the Art of numbring: printed in an old black letter about Henry VHI. The author's name I doe not remember — quaere in Duck lane. The next old mathematicall booke in English that I have seen hath this title, viz : — This booke sheweth the manner of measurinrr of all manner of land, as well of woodland as of lande in the felde, and comptinge the true nombre of acres of the same. Newlye invented and compiled by Syr Rycharde Benese, chanon of Marton Abbay besyde London. ^ Printed in Southwarkc in Saint Thomas hospital by me James Nicolson. 'Tis a quarto. * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 45'. The first a note of questions to be put to hiiu. part of the note seems to be a char- ♦* M.S. Aubr. 7, fol. 6. acter of Beeston ; the second part is *** MS. Aubr. 8, ful. 71. I. H 98 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' * This Sir Richard Benese was also author of a little booke, in Hvo, called .... : quaere Absolom Leech for it — ' tis about physick. Berkeley. ** Mris . . . Barckley, sister of the late lord Fitz- Harding", was cosen german to Mr. Sydney Godolphin, and also his niistresse. He loved her exceedingly. After Mr. Godolphin's death she maried one Mr. Davys who I thinke is now ^ dead, and she lives at Twicknam — from Philip Packer, esq. Willoughby Bertie. 3rd earl of Abingdon (1692-1760). *** (Willoughby) Bertie, filius primus Jacobi Bertie, 2"*^' filii Jacobi, comitis de Abington, natus Westmonast. 28 die Novembris, 2^. P.M. 1692. — The child is yet living, notwithstanding the S**" house " : mend the figure, but the time is right. **** I know not how to retreive the fashion or shape of the old engine of the batiering-ravime, but from the coate of the Bertyes, which is ' or, 3 battering rammes barrewise,' as in the margent, the timber is proper, the head azure, the homes and ironworke gilded. ***** Memorandum : — the battering ramme, the armes of Bertie, hung in equilibrio in an engine they call the * M.S. Aubr. 8, fol. 70'. ' January i6&|.' ** MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 6. *** M.S. Aubr. 23, fol. 90. *■ Charles Berkeley, created viscount i. e. in the scheme of the nativity, Fitz-hardinge 1663, killed in the sea- -which portended immediate death, fight, June 3, 1665. **** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 11. »> MS. Aubr. 7 (fol. 5) is dated ***** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 5. Henry Billingsley 99 triangles— from Mr. Nicolas Mercator : vide Bcrtie"s coate in primo volumine'*. See'' the old glasse windowes in Aldersgate street — -from Mr. ( Edward ) Bagshawe. Henry Billingsley (15.. -1606). * Sir Henry Billingsley', knight. — On the north side of the chancell of St. Katharine Coleman church London at the upper end is this inscription, viz : — Here lieth buried the body of Elizabeth, late the wife of Henry Hillingsley, one of the Queene's majestie's customers of her port of London, who dyed the 29th day of July in the yeare of our Lord God 1577- In obititin ejus. Stat sua cuique dies atque ultima funeris hora Cum Deus hinc et mors invidiosa vocant ; Nec tibi nec pietas tua vel forma, Elizabetha, Praesidium leto"^ ne trahereris erat. Occidis exactis ternis cum conjuge lustris, At septem vitae lustra fuere tuae. Fecerat et proles jam te numerosa parentem, Filiolae trinae, caetera turba mares. Undecimo partu cum mors accessit et una Matrem te et partum sustulit undecimum — Scilicet ex mundo, terrena ex fece, malisque, Sustulit ; at superis reddidit atque Deo. Est testis sincera fides, testis tua virtus. Grata viro virtus, grata fidesque Deo. Quem posuit tumulum tibi conjux charus, eodem In tumulo condi mortuus ipse petit. (Vide) the Register book (of the church). Memorandum : — Billingsley (a village) is in the countic of Salop. 'Tis a Shropshire familie ; but the village now is one Mr. Norton's. This Sir Henry Billingsley was one of the learncdst " i. e. in MS. Aubr. 6, ut supra. This sentence possibly refers to some other topic th.in the jireceding. * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 35\ " MS. ' laeto.' H 2 lOO Aubrey's 'Brief Lives* citizens that London has bred. This was he that putt forth all Euclid's Elements in English with learned notes and preface of Mr. John Dee, and learned men say 'tis the best Euclid. He had been sheriff and Lord Mayor of the city of London. His howse was the fairc hovvse in Fen- church street where now Jacob Luce lives, a merchant, of of whom quaere + . Vide in Fuller's Worthies and Stowe's Survey. His Euclid was printed at London by John Day, 1570. ' The Translator to the Reader — Wherfore considering the want and lack of such good authors hitherto in our l^nglish tongue, lamenting also the negligence and lacke of zeale to their countrey in those of our nation to whom God hath given both knowledge and also abilitie to translate into our tongue and to publish abroad such good authors and bookes : Seeing moreover that many good witts, both of gentlemen and others of all degrees, much desirous and studious of these artes, — I have for their sakes with some chardge and great travaile faithfully translated into our vulgar tounge and set abroad in print this booke of Euclid wherunto I have added plaine declarations and examples, manifold additions, scholies, annotations, and inventions which I have gathered.' — He promises (here) some more translations and sayes that in religion he hath alreadie don, quaere. Memorandum P. Ramus in his Scholia's sayes that the reason why mathematiques did most flourish in Germanie was that the best authors were rendred into their mother tongue, and that publique lectures of it were also read in their owne tongue — quod nota bene. Memorandum when I was a boy, one Sir . . . Billingsley had a very pleasant seate with a faire * oake-wood ad- joyning to it, about a mile i '' east of Bristoll — quaere if'', etc. Vide de Sir Thomas Billingsley, pag. (44 b)"*; who was gentleman of the horse to Richard, earl of Dorset. He * ' faire ' is scored out. Henry Billingsley. i.e. 1 1 mile. ^ i. e. MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 67' — in ' i. e. if descended from Alderman Francis Bacon's life. Henry Billingsley lor managed the great horse best of any man in England. He taught the Prince Elector and brothers to ride. Quaere if descended hence. In those dayes'^ merchants travelled much abroad into Italic, Spaine, etc. Quaere Mr. Abraham Hill of v.'hat company he was. Probably good memorialls may be there found of his generous and publique spirit. Respondct: — He was of the Goldsmiths' Company, where is a good picture of him. R. B., i.e. Robert Billingsley, teaches Arithmetique and Mathematiques at ... in ... . He hath printed a very pretty little booke of arithmetique and algebra, London (scilicet, {They Idea of AritJimetic) : was Sir Henry's great grandson — from Mr. Abraham Hill.Regiae Societatis Socius. * In the table of benefactors in the church of St. Catherine Colman, viz. — , , (■ Dame Elizabeth i , ,. , .,, ' 100^5 ■ „. ) Bilhngsley did will to the ^ { Sir Henry J ^ ^ poor \s. per weeke for ever and 200//. which their heires etc. have not payd ' — The minister here, Mr. Dodson, sayts that it was not payd because the parish did not find-out in due time land to make a purchase of. Many yeares since Mr. Abraham Hill, Regiae Societatis Socius, citizen, told me that .Sir Henry Billingsley was of the Goldsmiths' Company, and that his picture was in Goldsmiths' Hall, which I went lately to see. No picture of him, and besides the clarke of the Company told me that he is sure he was never of that Company. But Mr. Hill tells me since that in Stowe's Survey you may see of what Company all the Lord Mayers were, which see'^' and tell me. ** Sir H. Billingsley — Mr. Leeke, mathematician, saith that he was of the company of goldsmiths, quaere. Quaere " i.e. Henry Billingsley'^, to whom <^ This injunction was ad<lresst<l to in this paragraph Aubrey harks back. Anthony Wood. ^ ' Richard,' infra, p. 103. ** MS. Anbr. 8, fol. 18. * M.S. Aubr. 7, fol. 9. I02 Aubi'eys 'Brief Lives ' the clarke of the company : vide register booke. Vide Heralds" Office (Salop, and neer Bristowe). Vide Fuller s Worthyes where he mentions the Lord Mayers. * Ex registro (of St. Catherine Coleman) : — Sir Henrj- Hillingsley, knight, buried in the vault under his pewe in the church of St. Catherine Coleman, London, December the iSth, 1606. I find b\' the register that he had two more wives besides Elizabeth mentioned in the inscription ; his second was the lady Trapps ; third, . . . Memorandum his house (which is a very faire one), which is neer the church, is still remayning untoucht b\- the fire. In the parlour windowe are scutchions of his family, which gett. There now lives Mr. Lucy^ a great merchant. He was sheriff of the citie of London anno Domini ( 1584). reginae Elizabethae a6 : he was Lord Mayor of the city of London anno Domini (1.596), reginae Eliza- bethae 38 — Sir Thomas Skinner served one part and Sir Henry Billingsley the other :— Baker's Chronicle, reigne queen Elizabeth. ** Out of the visitation in the great booke ^ of Wilts, Dorset, and Somerset : — Sir Henrj' Billingsley, maried . . . Lord Mayer j I. Sir Henr%- Biliingsley, of Sysam in Glo- cestershire, filius et haeres. 2. William BiLingsley, /«. . . . 3. Thomas^ I. Henr)- Billingsley, w. . . . of Graye's Inne 1 2. Thomas I. Blanch 2. Elizabeth » MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 90. of Arms. * Anthony Wood notes ' Luce, in Aubrey notes here : — ' Quaere if this Thomas was not Sir Thoraa.> Billingsle}-, the femous horseman?': see supra, p. loo. vol. i, p. . . .' i.e. MS. Aubr. 6, fol. ** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 89'. '' Ja the librarj- of the College Martin Billingsley. Thomas Billingsley 103 * Sir Henry Billingsley('s life is) already donne". Friar Whitehead of Austin Friars (now Wadham College), did instruct him. He kept him at his house and there I thinke he dyed. jVo/es. ' Aubrey gives in colour this very elaborate coat : — ' quartei ly in the i and 4, gules, a fleur-de-lys or, a canton of the second ; in the 2, . . ., on a cross belwetn four lions rampant 5 mullets . . .; in the 3, per saltire or and azure two birds (? martlets); impaling, quarterly, in the i and 4, azure 2 lions passant in pale or; in the 2, or, a fess sable, 2 mullets in chief gules; in the 3, barry of six argent and gules a bend sable and a canton gules.' - See Clark's Wood's City of Oxford, ii. 454, 471. It is suggested that Billingsley in his Euclid published Whitehead's papers as his own. Martin Billingsley. Mr. Martin Billingsley (captain (Edward) Shirburne knew him) was a writing master in London. He printed an excellent copie-booke (quaere if he descended from this'') : vide his scutcheon " above his picture before his booke. *** Martin Billingsley, who made the copie booke, 162^^, port. ^ ut in margine, ' . . . ,a cross between 4 lions rampant . . . , 5 mullets ... on the cross.' Richard Billingsley. **** Richard Billingsley'' scripsit : — 'An Idea of Arithmetick, at first designed for the use of the free-schoole at Thurlow in Suffolk, by R. B. school- master there': stitch't Hvo, 3 sheetes, London, 'printed by J. Flesher, and are to be sold by W. Morden booke- seller in Cambridge. 165",.' Thomas Billingsley (obiit 167..). ***** Sir Thomas Billingsley was the best horseman in England, and out of England no man e.xccedcd him. * MS Aubr. 8 Aubrey's volume of Lives of the English Mathematicians <, lol. 76. " i. e. written ; viz. in M.S. Aubr. 6. ut supra. MS. Aubr, 6, fol. 35'. i.e. frcin Sir Henry Billingsley. <^ As given in next paragraph. M.S. Aubr. 8, fol. 18. ' Portavit,' bore to his arms. **** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. iS. o Called ' Robert,' supra, \>. loi. *"*♦* M.S. Aubr. 6, fol. 67'. I04 Aubreys 'Brief Lives' He taught this* earle (of Dorset) and his 30 gentlemen to ride the great horse. He taught this** Prince Elector Palatine of the Rhine and his brothers. He ended his dayes at the countesse of Thanet's (daughter and co-heire of Richard, earl of Dorset) . . . 167- ; d3'ed praying on his knees. John Birkenhead. (16 15-1679). * Sir John Birkenhead, knight, was borne at Xantwych in Cheshire. His father was a sadler there, and he had a brother a sadler, a trooper in Sir Thomas Ashton's regiment, who was quartered at my father's, who told me so. He went to Oxford university at . . . old, and was first a servitor of Oriall colledge : vide Antiq. Oxoii.^ !Mr. Gwin minister of Wilton, was his contemporary there, who told me he wrote an excellent hand, and. in i63[7 or H] when William Laud, archbishop of Canterbury, was last there, he had occasion to have some things well transcribed, and this Birkenhead was recommended to him. who performed ^ his businesse so well, that the archbishop recommended him to All Soules" college to be a fellow, and he was accordingly elected?. He was scholar enough, and a poet. After Edgehill fight, when King Charles I first had his court at Oxford, he was pitched upon as one fitt to write the Newes, which Oxford Newes was called Ulcrcurius Aulicits. which he writt wittily enough, till the surrender of the towne (which was June 24, 1646). He left a collection of all his Mcrcurius Aidicus's and all his other pamphletts, which his executors (Sir Richard Mason and Sir Muddiford Bramston) were ordered by the king to giv'e to the Archbishop of Canterbury's library. ■'' i.e. Richard Sackville, fth earl; i.e. Anthony Wood's Hist. €t obiit 1677. Ajitiq. Univ. Oxon., 1674. Birken- i.e. Charles Louis, Elector Pala- head became servitor at Oriel in 1632, line 1648-80; his brothers were aged 15. Prince Rnpert and Prince Maurice. <" Philip Gwyn, matr. at Oriel in * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 85. 1634. « Anthony Wood corrects this to ' Subst. for ' dischardged.' ' Xorthwich.' * ^ In 1639. John Birkenhead After the surrender of Oxford, he was putt out of his fellowship by the Visitors, and was faine to shift for him- selfe as well as he could. Most part of his time he spent at London, where he mett with severall persons of quality that loved his company, and made much of him. He went over into France, where he stayed some time, I thinke not long. He received grace there from the dutches of Newcastle, I remember he tolde me. He gott many a fourty shillings (I beleeve) by pamphletts, such as that of ' Col. Pride,' and ' The Last Will and Tes- tament of Philip carle of Pembroke,' &c. At the restauration of his majestic he was made Master of the Facultees, and afterwards one of the Masters of Requests. He was exceedingly confident % witty, not very gratefull to his benefactors, would lye damnably. He was of midling stature, great goggli eies, not of a sweet aspect. He was chosen a burghes of Parliament at Wilton in Wiltshire, anno Domini i66(i), i.e. of the King's long parliament. Anno 167(9) upon the choosing of tJiis Parliament '', he went downe to be elected, and at Salisbury heard * how he was scorned and mocked at Wilton (whither he was goeing) and called Pensioner, etc.— [Vendidit hie auro patriam, dominumque potentem Imposuit; leges fixit pretio atque refixit. ViRG. Aeneid, lib. vi. 621. — This was Curio : vide Servium de hoc] — he went not t quaere to the borough where he intended to stand ; Anthony Wood , 1x1 1 1 • to whom I writt but rctumed to London, and tooke it so to <klth%hich as heart that he insensibly decayed and pined I remember was 1 t-\ 1 j_ 1 the same day avvav : and SO, December . . . t, J 070, dyed at that Mr. Hobbes .. . ,, die<i. his lodgeings in Whitehall, and was buried J His rea<ion y •« > was because he Saturday, December 6, in St. Martyn s church- say d they removed the yard t in-thc- F"ields, neer the church, according bodies out of the ^ ' church. to his will and testament. His executors intend to sett up an inscription for him against the church wall. » Subsl. for ' bold': Aubrey wiites Feb. here icvvtuvris, in explanation. * M.S. Aiibr. 6, fol. 85'. ^ M.S. Aubr. 6 was written in For choosing a grave in the ro6 He had the art of locall memory ; and his topiques were the chambers, &c., in All Soules colledge (about lOo), so that for IOC errands, &c., he would easily remember. He was created Dr. of LL. ; had been with the king-'. His library was sold to Sir Robert Atkins for 200 //. His MSS. (chiefly copies of records) for 900//. Henry Birkhead. (1617-1696). ** My old acquaintance, Dr. Henry Birkhed, formerly fellow of your college (but first was commoner of Trinity College Oxon) was an universally <belove)d man. He had his schoole education under Mr. Farnary'' and (was his) beloved disciple. He died at the Bird-cage (at his sister's, Mris Knight, the famous singer) in St. James's parke, (on) Michaelmas- eve 1696, aged about 80. He was borne in London (at the) Paul-head tavern (which his father kept) in Paule's chaine (in) St. Paul's church-yard anno 1617, baptized the 25 of September. John Gadbury haz his nativity from him. I will aske his sister (Mris Knight) for a very ingeniose diatribe that he wrote on Martialis epigram, lib. (xi. 94. 8), jura, verpe, per Anchialum, which he haz cleared beyond his master Farnaby, Scaliger, or any other. ' Scaliger,' he sayd. ' speakes the truth, but not the whole truth.' Tis pity it should be lost, and I would reposit it in the Museum. I gave my Holyoke's dictionary to the Museum. Pray looke on the blank leaves at the end of it, and you will find a thundering copie of verses that he gave me, in the' praise of this king of France. Now he is dead, it may be lookt-upon. churchyard, and not, as was usual mending him for D.C.L. with persons of substance, in the ** Aubrey in MS. Tanner J4, fol. church. IS9: Nov.'2i, 1696. * MS. .Aubr. 6, fol. 85. ^ i. e. All Souls : the letter is " These words, added i? by Wood) written to Thomas Tanner. in pencil, probably give the reason Thomas Farnaby, «/ infra. assigned in the royal mandate recom- Louis Xl\'. Richard Blackbourne. Robert Blake 107 Richard Blackbourne (1652-1 7 . ■ ?)• * Richard Blackbiirne, Londineiisis, was of Trinity College, Cambridge, M.A. Tooke his M.D. degree at Leyden about 5 or 6 yeares since. He practises but little ; studies much. A generall scholar, prodigious memorie, sound judgment : but 30 yeares old now. John Blagrave (1550-1611). In MS. Aubr. 8 (.Aubrey's Lives of English Mathematic ans), fol. 76, ' Mr. John Blagrave of Reding' is noted as a life to be written, and the coat is given in trick ' or, on a bend sable, 3 greaves argent.' In the Index (fol. 8) at the beginning of the same volume he is noted : — John Blagrave of Reding, vide his will, quaere Mr. Morden." Robert Blake (1599-1657). ** . . . Blake, admirall, was borne at .... in com. Somer- set ; was" of Albon-hall, in Oxford. He was there a young man of strong body, and good parts. He was an early riser and studyed well, but also tooke his robust pleasures of fishing, fowling, &c. He would steale swiinncs — from H. Norborne, B.D., his contemporary there''. He served in the House of Commons for . . . Anno Domini (1649) he was made admirall. He did the greatest actions at sea that ever were done, viz., . . . . . . Blake obiit anno Domini (1657) and was buried in King Henry jth's chapell ; but upon the returne of the king, his body was taken up again and removed by Mr. Wells' occasion, and where it is now, I know not. Quaere Mr. Wells of Bridgewater. Vide Diurnalls, and Rushworth's History; vide Anthon\' Wood's Hist, {et Antiq. Oxon.'). * Aubrey in MS. Wood, F. 39, ful. 354' : June 21, 1681. M.S. Aubr. 8, fol. 33. " Matric. at St. Alban Hall Jan. if', l6i|, aged 17; touk 1!..\. from Wadham Feb. 10, 161 ^ At .St. Alban Hall. Norborne matric. in Oct. iftio; and took li.I). in lirid^Lwater, 1O40. io8 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' Sir Henry Blount (1602-1682). * Sir Henry Blount, Tittinghanger, natus Dec. 1,5, 1602, 9*^ P.M. ** Sir Henry Blount obiit 9th Oct. last ^ in the morning. *** Sir Henry Blount \ knight: — he was borne (I presume) at Tittinghanger in the countie of Hertford. It was heretofore the summer seate of the Lord Abbot of St. Alban's. He was of Trinity College in Oxford where was a great acquaintance'' between him and Mr. Francis Potter. He stayed there about (four) yeares. From thence he went to Grayes Inne, where he stayd . . . . and then sold his chamber there to Mr. Thomas Bonham - (the poet) and travelled — voyage into the Levant. May 7, 1634, he embarqued at Venice for Constantinople: vide his Voyage into tlic Levant, printed London 16 — , in 4to. He returned . . . He was pretty wild when young, especially addicted to common wenches. He was a 2d brother. He was a gentleman pensioner to King Charles I, on whom he wayted (as it was his turne) to Yorke (when the King deserted the Parliament) ; was with him at Edge-hill fight ; came with him to Oxford ; and so returned to London ; walkt ^ into Westminster hall with his sword by his side ; the Parliamentarians all stared upon him as a Cavaleer, knowing that he had been with the King : was called before the House of Commons, where he remonstrated to them he did but his duty, and so they acquitted him. In these dayes he dined most commonly at the Hey- cock's" ordinary, neer the Pallzgrave-head taverne, in the Strand, which was much frequented by Parliament-men and gallants. One time colonel Betridge being there * MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 121. ** MS. Aubr. 23, a slip at fol. 103''. " i.e. Oct. 1682. *** M.S. Aubr. G, fol. 102. ^ Matric. June 30, 161 5 ; B.A. June 18, 1618. Subst. for ' friendship.' Dupl. with ' came.' * Dupl. with ' combe-makers.' Sir Henry Blount (one* of the handsomest men about the towne) and bragged much how the woemen loved him; Sir H. Blount did lay a wager of ... . with him that let them two goe together to a bordello ; he only (without money) with his handsome person, and Sir Henry with a xx^. piece on his bald crowne, that the wenches should choose Sir Henr)- before Betridge ; and Sir H. won the wager. E(dmund) V\'(yld), esq., was one of the witnesses. Memorandum : — there was about 164 . . a pamphlet (writt by Henry Nevill, esq., avovv\i.S}^) called The Parlia- ment of Ladies, 3 or 4 sheets in 4to, wherin Sir Henry Blount was first to be called to the barre for spreading abroad that abominable and dangerous doctrine that it was far cheaper and safer to lye with common wenches'" then with ladies of quality His estate left him by his father was 500 //. per annum, which he sold to ... . (quaere) for an annuitie of 1000//. per annum in anno Domini 16..; and since his elder brother dyed. Anno Domini 165(5) he was made one of the comittee for regulating the lawes. He was severe against tythes, and for the abolishing them, and that every minister .should have icq//, per annum and no more. Since he was . . . year old he dranke nothing but water or coffee. 1647 or therabout, he maryed to Mris [Hester"*] Wase, [daughter of Christopher Wase**], wht) dyed 1679 ; by whom he haz two sonnes, ingeniose young gentlemen. Charles Blount (his second son) hath writt Aniina Mtmdi, 8vo, 167(9) (burnt by order of the bishop of London) and of Sacrifices, Svo. I remember twenty yeares since he inveighed mucli against sending youths to the universities — quaere if his sons there — because they learnt there to be debaucht ; and that the learning that they learned there * they were to ■ Diipl. with ' who was an extra- ordinary handsome man.' *" Subst. for ' whores.' Dupl. with ' honour.' ^ The words in square brackets are insertions by Anthony Wood. * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 102'. no Aubreys 'Brief Lives' unlearne againe, as a man that is buttond or laced too hard, must unbutton before he can be at his ease. Drunken- nes?e he much exclaimed against, but he allowed wenching. When coffee first came-in he was a great upholder of it. and hath ever since been a constant frequenter of coffee houses, especially Mr. . . . Farre at the Rainbowe by Inner Temple Gate. and lately John s coffeehouse in Fuller's rents. The first coffee house in London t ♦ .And tbe next . ir-i i- »•! • i-ii was Mr. Fair's was in bt. Michaci s Alley m Lomehill. a bajb<-r. wS.ich . i /-i i i . i' i was set Qp in opposite to the Lhurch : which was sett up bv one . . . Bowman (coachman to Mr. Hodges, a Turkey merchant, who putt him upon it) in or about the yeare 1652. 'Twas about 4 yeares before any other was sett up. and that was by Mr. Far. Jonathan Paynter, opposite to St. Michael s Church, was the first apprentice to the trade, \-iz. to Bowman. Memorandum : — the Bagneo. in Newgate Street, was built and first opened in Decemb. 1679: built by ... . (Turkish merchants). He is a gentleman of a ven,* clear judgement, great experience, much contemplation, not of verj- much reading, of great foresight into government. His conversation is admirable. When he was young, he was a great collector of bookes, as his sonne is now. He was heretofore a great shammer, i. e. one that tells falsities not to doe any body any injur\', but to impose on their vmderstanding : — e. g. at Mr. Farre's ; that at an inne (nameing the signe) in St. Alban s, the inkeeper had made a hogs-trough of a free-stone coffin ; but the pigges, after that, grew leane, dancing and skipping, and would run up on the topps of the houses like goates. Two young gentlemen that heard Sir H. tell this s/iam so gravely, rode the next day to St Alban's to enquire : coraeing there, nobody had heard of any such thing, "twas altogether false. The next night as soon as the(y) allighted. they came to the Rainbowe and found Sir H., looked louringly on him, and told him they wonderd he was not ashamed to tell such storj-s as, &c., ' Why, gentlemen,' (say d Sir H. ■ - have you been there to make Edmund Bonner III enquiry ? ' ' Yea,' sayd they. ' Why truly, gentlemen,' sayd Sir H. ' I heard you tell strange things that I knew to be false. I would not have gonne over the threshold of the dore to have found you in a lye: ' at which all the company laught at the two young gentlemen. He was wont to say that he did not care to have his servants goe to church, for there servants infected one another to goe to the alehouse and Icarne debauchery ; but he did bid them goe to see the executions at Tj'burne. which worke more upon them then all the oratory in the sermons. His motto over his printed picture is that which I have many yeares ago heard him speake of, viz. : — Loqiicndnui est cum vttlgo, sentieiidtnn cum sapicntibus. He is now (1680) neer or altogether 80 yeares, his intellectualls good still, and body prettj- strong. This last vveeke * of Sept. 1682. he was taken very ill at London, and his feet swelled ; and removed to Titting- hanger. A'o/es. ' Aubrey gives in colours the coats: — 'or, 2 bars nebule sable [lilouiul'; and ' or, 2 bars nebule sable [Blount] ; im])aling, barry of six or and gules [VVase].' ."Mso the references (a'l ' vide Anthony Wood's {//is/, el') Antiq. Oxon.^ \ 'vide Heralds' Office.' Aubrey, in M.S. Wood F. 39, writing on .•Vprii 7, 1673, says of Blount, 'His father was Sir Thomas Pope Blount, and his grandmother (as I remember I have heard Dr. Hannibal Potter say) was our founder's daughter.' ' Aubrey, in MS. Wood F. 39, fol. 199, speaks of him as 'Tom Bonham, of Essex, that haz made many a good song and epitaph — When the shrill scirocco blowes.' Edmund Bonner (i 495-1 569). * Mr. Steevens^. . .whom I mett lately accidentally, informed me thus: — that bishop Bonner was of Broadgates hal! : that he came thither a poor boy, and was at first a skuUion boy in the kitchin, afterwards became a servitor, and so by his industry raysed to what he was. * A note added after the preceding 273'': May 30, 1674. life had been written. *> See i«^«o;«/«^,Thomas Stephens. * Aubrey in MS. Wood, F. 39, fol. 1 12 When he came to his greatnes, in acknowledgement from whence he had his rise, he gave ^ to the kitchin there a great brassc-pott, called Bonner's pott, which was taken away in the parliament time. He has shewed the pott to me, I remember. It was the biggest, perhaps, in Oxford : quaere the old cooke how much it contayned. John Booker (160^-1667). * John Booker, astrologer, natus Manchester, March 23, 1601, 20'' 10' P. M. James Bovey (1622-16..). ** James Bovey ^ borne at London May 7th, 1622, 6 a clock in the morning''. James Bovey, esq., was the youngest son of Andrew Bovey, merchant, cash-keeper to Sir Peter Vanore, in London. He was borne in the middle of Mincing Lane, in the parish of Saint Dunstan's in the East, London, anno 1622, May 7th, at six a clock in the morning. Went to schoole at Mercers Chapell, under Mr. Augur. At 9 sent into the Lowe Countreys ; then returned, and perfected himselfe in the Latin and Greeke. (At) 14, travelled into France and Italie, Switzerland, Germany, and the Lowe Countreys. Returned into England at 19; then lived with one Hoste, a banquier, 8 yeares, was his cashier 8 or 9 yeares. Then traded for himselfe (27) till he was 31 ; then maried the only daughter of William de Vischer, a merchant ; lived 18 yeares with her, then continued single. Left off trade at 32, and retired to a countrey life, by reason of his indisposition, the ayre of the citie not agreing with him. Then in these retirements he wrote Active " PhilosopJiy, (a thing not donne before) wherin are enumerated all the Arts and Tricks practised in Negotiation, and how they were to be ballanced by counter-prudentiall rules. » Anthony Wood notes here, ' false' ; * MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 121. i.e. having inquired at Pembroke (in ** MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 12. 1674), he found no trace of this The horoscope is 1. ft blnnk. tradition. " Diipl. with ^ Negotiative.' James Bovey Whilest he lived with Mr. Hoste, he kept the cash of the ambassadors of Spaine that were here ; and of the farmers, called by them Assaitistes, that did furnish the Spanish and Impcriall armies of the Low-Countreys and Germany ; and also many other great cashes, as of Sir Theodore Mayern, etc. ; his dealing being altogether in money-matters: by which meanes he became acquainted with the ministers of state both here and abroad. When he was abroad, his cliiefe employment was to observe the affaires of state and their judicatures, and to take the politique surveys in the countreys he travelled thorough, more especially in relation to trade. He speakes* the Low-Dutch, High-Dutch, French, Italian, Spanish and Lingua Franco, and Latin, besides his owne. When he retired from businesse he studied the Lawe- Merchant, and admitted himselfe of the Inner Temple, London, about 1660. His judgment haz been taken in most of the great causes of his time in points concerning the Lawe-Merchant. As to his person he is about 5 foot high, slender'', strait, haire exceeding black and curling at the end, a dark hazell'' eie, of a midling size, but the most sprightly that I have beheld. Browes and beard of the colour as his haire. A person of great temper- ance, and deepe thoughts, and a working head, never idle. From** 14 he had a candle burning by him all night, with pen, inke, and paper, to write downe thoughts as they came into his head ; that so he might not loose a thought. Was ever a great lover of Naturall Philosophie. His whole life has been perplex't in lawe-suites, (which haz made him expert in humane affaires), in which he alvvaies over-came. He had many lawe-suites with powerfull adversaries; one lasted 18 ycares. Red-haired men never had any kindnesse for him. He used to say : — In rufa pelle non est animus .sine felle. In all his travells he was never robbed. " Subst. for ' understands.' Subst. for ' spare body.' I. " Subst. for ■ a y^x^ black eie.' Dupl. witli ' From his youtii lie.' I 114 Aith'eys 'Brief Lives' He has one son, and one daughter who resembles him. From 14 he began to take notice of all prudential! rules as came in his way, and wrote them downe, and so con- tinued till this day, Sept. 28, 1680, being now in his 59th yeare. For his health he never had it very well, but indififerently, alvvaies a weake stomach, which proceeded from the agitation of the braine. His dyet was alwayes fine diet : much chicken He wrote a Table of all the Exchanges in Europe. * He hath writt (which is in his custodie, and which I have seen, and many of them read) these treatises, viz. I. The Characters, or Index Rerum (etc.'') ** A Catalogue of the treatises written of Active Philosophy by James Bovey, of the Inner Temple, esquire, 1677. 1. The Characters, or Index Rerum : in 4 tomes. 2. The Introduction to Active Philosophy. 3. The Art of Building a Man : or Education. 4. The Art of Conversation. 5. The Art of Complyance. 6. The Art of Governing the Tongue. 7. The Art of Governing the Penn. 8. The Government of Action. 9. The Government of Resolution. 10. The Government of Reputation. II. The Government of Power: in 2 tomes. J 2. The Government of Servients. 13. The Government of Subserviency. 14. The Government of Friendshipp. 15. The Government of Enmities. 16. The Government of Law-suites. 17. The Art of Gaining Wealth. * Dupl. with ' fowle.' * MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 1 2'. ^ Aubrey, on fol. 12% gives the full list of 32 titles copied (with some slight changes of spelling, etc.) from Bovey's own list, given infra. ** MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 13', Bovey's autograph. Richard Boyle 1 8. The Art of Buying and Selling*. 19. The Art of Preserving Wealth. 20. The Art of Expending Wealth. 21. The Government of Secresy. 22. The Government of Amor Conjugalis : in 3 tomes. 23. Of Amor Concupiscentiae. 24. The Government of Felicity. 25. The Lives of Atticus, Sejanus, Augustus. 26. The Causes of the Diseases of the Mind. 27. The Cures of the Mind, viz*. Passions, Diseases, Vices, Errours, Defects. 28. The Art of Discerning of Men. 29. The Art of Discerning a Man's selfe. 30. Religion from Reason : in 3 tomes. 31. The Life of Cum-fu-zu, soe farr wrote by J. B. 32. The Life of Mahomett, wrot by Sir Walter Raleigh's papers, with some small addition for methodizing the same. * I have desired him to give these MSS. to the library of the Royal Society. He made it his businesse'' to advance the trade of England, and many men have printed his conceptions. Note. ^ Aubrey gives in trick the coat : — ' ermine, on a bend sable cottised gules, five besants, between 2 eagles proper; ' and an impression of Bovey's seal with the same coat. Richard Boyle, earl of Cork (1566-1643). ** Earl of Corke : — vide countesse of Warwick's funerall sermon, 2 or 3 shops'' within Paul's churchyard. *** Earl of Corke ^ — Thomas, earl of Strafford made him disgorge 1500 //. per annum, which he restored to the church— (from) Mr. . . . Anderson. Earl of Corke bought of captaine Horsey fottrtic plougli- " No. 18 is no. 19 in Aubrey's copy ; i.e. A ubrt y remembered seeing the no. 19 is no. 18 in Aubrey's copy. sermon in a shop there. He went * M.S. Aubr. 7, fol. 12". and foimd it, and has excerpts infra, *" 'From a child' followed : scored p. 116. out. *** MS. Aubr. 8 fol. 1 2. ** M.S. Aubr. 8, fol. \\\ I 2 ii6 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' lands in Ireland for fourtie pounds. (A. Ettrick assures me, ' I say againe fourtie ploughlands. ) The queen gave Lismore to Sir Walter Raleigh, and . . . to Sir John Anderson, etc. to etc.. ea intentione to plant them, which they did not : and were not planted till since the last rebellion — quaere Mr. Anderson, who sayes that Ireland could not be secure till it was enough peopled with English. My lady Petty sayes he had a wife or two before, and that he maried Mris. Fenton- without her father's consent — (quaere Secretary Fenton s Christian name ^). * . . . Boyle, the first earle of Corke : — the countesse of Thanet, his great-grand-daughter, daughter to this earle of Corke and Burlington, haz told me that her father has a booke in folio — thick — of her grandfather's writing, (giving) the place, day, and hour of birth, and by what steps, waye.s, and degrees he came to his greatnes. Which she will doe her endeavour to gett me an extract of it, but it is in Ireland and (I thinke) must be kept there, and is an heir-loome to the family. (^Excerpts from Aiitho7iy Walkers Sermon.^ ** Of Richard Boyle, first earl of Corke, and his seventh daughter, Mary, countess of Warwick. 'The Virtuous Woman found: Being a Sermon preached at Felsted, in Essex, at the Funerall of the most excellent and religious lady, the Right honourable MARY Countesse Dowager of Warwick. By Anthony Walker, D.D. rector of Fyfield, in the sayd countie. The 2d Edition corrected. Printed at London, for Nath. Ranew, at the King's Arms, in St. Paul's Church-yard, 1680.' (The Epistle dedicatory is dated May 27, 1678.) Pag. 44.— ' She was truly excellent and great in ail respects: great in the honour of her birth, being bom a lady and a virtuosa both ; seventh daughter of that eminently honourable, Richard, the first earle of Cork ; who being born a private gentleman, and younger brother of a younger * MS. Ballard 14, fol. 127, a letter date Feb. 21, i6|f. trom Aubrey to Anthony Wood of ** MS. Aubr. 7. fol. 10. Richard Boyle 117 brother, to no other heritage than is expressed in the device and motto, which his humble gratitude inscribed on all the palaces he built, GiyiT s Providence, mine Inheritance ; by that Providence, and his diligent and wise industry, raised such an honour and estate, and left such a familie, as never any subject of these three kingdomes did. and that with so uns-:otted a reputation of integrity that the most invidious scrutiny could find no blott, though it winnowed all the methods of his rising most severely, which our good lady hath often told me with great content and satisfaction. This noble lord, by his prudent and pious consort, no lesse an ornament and honour to their descendants than himself, was blessed with five sonnes, (of which he lived to see four lords and peeres of the kingdome of Ireland, * and a fifth, more than these titles speak, a soveraigne and peerlesse in a larger province, — that of universal! nature, subdued and made obsequious to his inquisitive mind), and eight daughters. And that you may remark how all things were extraordinary in this great personage, it will, I hope, be neither unpleasant, nor impertinent, to add a short story I had from our lady's own mouth : — Master Boyl, after earle of Cork (who was then a widdovver), came one morning to waite on Sir Jeofry Fenton, at that time a great ofiRcert of state in that kingdome of * ^Esta'tc'^ °^ Ireland, who being ingaged in business, and not knowing who it was who desired to speake with him, a while delayed him access ; which time he spent pleasantly with his young daughter in her nurse's arms. But when Sir Jeofifry came, and saw whom he had made stay somewhat too long, he civilly excused it. But master Boyl replied, he had been very well entertayned ; and spent his time much to his satisfaction, in courting his daughter, if he might obtaine the honour to be accepted for his son-in-lawe. At which Sir Jeoffry, smiling (to hear one who had been formerly married, move for a wife carried in arms, and under two years old, 1 asked him if he would stay for her ? To which he frankly answered him he would, and Sir Jeofifry as generously promised him he should then have his consent. And they both kept their words honourably. And by this virtuous lady he had thirteen children, ten of which he lived to see honourably married, and died a grandfather by the youngest of them. Nor did she derive less honour from the collateral, than the descend ing line, being sister by soul and genius, as well as bloud, to these great personages, whose illustrious, unspotted, and resplendent honour and virtue, and whose useful! learning and accurate pens, may attone and ** expiate, as well as shame, the scandalous blemishes of a de- bauched, and the many impertinencies of a scribling, age : — * M.S. Aiibr 7, fol. loV ** M.S. Aubr. 7, fol. II. ii8 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' (1) , Richard, the truly right honourable, loyal, wise, and virtuous, earl of Burlington and Cork, whose life is his fairest and most laudable character ; (2) , the right honourable Roger earle of Orer>', that great poet, great statesman, great soldier, and great every-thing which merits the name of great or good ; (3) , Francis lord Shannon, whose Pocket Pistol, as he stiles his book, may make as wide breaches in the walls of the Capitol, as many canons ; (4) , and that honourable and well known name Robert Boyl, esquier, tiiat profound philosopher, accomplished humanist, and excellent t \\ In does he divine, I had almost sayd lay-bishop, as one hath stiled iu>t mention . Sir Henry Savil : whose works alone may make a lord Killimeke*; . . «iio was slain at librarie +- otVfskarrnt"in" The female branches also (if it be lawful! so to call irt-fand.' them whose virtues were so masculine, souls knowing no difference of sex) by their honours and graces (by mutuall reflec- tions) gave, and received lustre, to, and from, her : — the eldest of which, the lady Alice, was married to the lord Baramore ; the second, the lady Sarah, to the lord Digby, of Ireland ; the third, the lady Laetitia, to the eldest son of the lord Goring, who died earle of Norwich ; the fourth, the lady Joan, to the earle of Kildare, not only primier earle of Ireland, but the ancientest house in Christendome of that degree, the present earle being the six and twentieth, or the seaven and twentieth, of lineal descent : and, as I have heard, it was that great antiquary King Charles the First his observation, that the three ancientest families of Europe for nobility, were the Veres in England, earls of Oxford, and the Fitz-Geralds in Ireland, earls of Kildare, and Momorancy in France : 'tis observable * that the present earle of Kildare is a mixture of blood of Fitz-Geralds and Veres : the hfth, the lady Katharine, who was married to the lord viscount Ranelaugh J, and mother to the present generous earle ' ^Jonti"^^ Ranelaugh, of which family I could have added an eminent remark, I meet with in Fuller's " Worthies ; " this lady's character is so signalized by her known merit among all persons of honour, that as I need not, so I dare not, attempt beyond this one word^she was our lady's Friend-Sister ; the sixth, the lady Dorothy Loftus ; the seaventh, (the number of perfection) which shutt-up and crown'd this noble train (for the eighth, the lady Margaret, died unmariedi, was our exceUent lady Mar)-, married to Charles, earle of Warwick ; of whom, if I should use the language of my text, I should neither * MS. Aubr. 7, fol. ir. Richard Boyle 119 despair their pardon, nor fear the reproach of rudeness— iT/rfw/ daughter';^ all his daughters, did virtuously but thou — Prov. xxxi. 29, 30, 31- But shee t needed neither borrowed shades, nor reflexive lights, to set her off, being personally great in all naturall * ^f'vJ'arw^ck^^^ endowments and accomplishments of soul and body, wisdome, beautie, favour, and virtue ; great by her tongue, for never woman used one better, speaking so gracefully, promptly, discreetly, pertinently, holily, that I have often admired the edifying words that proceeded from her mouth ; great by her pen, as you may {ex pede Herculeni) discover by that little t tast of it the world hath been happy in, the hasty t Her lady-^hip's ^ . ^ . . - r Pious Medi- fruit of one or two interrupted houres after supper, laiions. which shc professed to me, with a little regret, when she was surprised with it's sliding into the world without her know- ledge, or allowance, and wholly beside her expectation ; great by being the greatest mistresse and promotress, not to say the foundress and inventress, of a new science — the art of obliging ; in which she attain'd that sovereign perfection, that she reigned over all their hearts with whom she did converse ; great in her nobleness of living and hospitality ; great in the unparallelld sincerity of constant, faithfull, condescending friendship, and for that law of kindness which dwelt in her lips and heart ; great in her dexterity of management ; great in her quick apprehension of the difficulties of her affaires, and where the stress and pinch lay, to untie the knot, and loose and ease them ; great in the conquest of herselfe ; great in a thousand things beside, which the world admires as such : but she despised them all, and counted them but loss and dung in comparison of the feare of God, and the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus.' Notes. ' Aubrey gives in trick the coat : — ' per btnd crenellee argent and gules [Boyle]; impaling, . . ., a cross vert between 4 fleur de lys . . . [Fenton],' surmounted by an earl's coronet. A leaf containing an earlier draft of this life (as shown by the coat tiicked in the ini.er marginj has been cut out belween fol. 14 aiid fol. 15 of M.S. Anbr. (■>. The excision was made by Aubrey himself, a line being drawn by him across the excision from fol. 14' to fol. 15, to mark the transposition of a passage. The reason for the cutting out of this leaf is suggested in a letter of Aubrey to Anthony Wood (.MS. Wood F. 39, fol. 360, July 14, 1681), where he says his ' Lives' contain 'severe touches on the earl of Corke, Dr. Wallis, etc' In the margin of the excised leaf a note, given on the authority of ' Mr. A. E.' i. e. Anthony Ettrick, seems to speak of amours and bastards of the earl. I20 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' * Catherine Fenton, daughter of Sir Geoffrey Fenton, Secretary of State for Ireland 1581-1603. ^ Anthony Wood, in answer to this query, suggests : — ' Jeffrey, quaere.' ' Lewis Boyle, second son of Kichard, first earl of Cork, created viscount Boyle of Kynalmeaky, 162^. Robert Boyle (i62?-i6yi). * Mr. Robert Boyle; — vide Oliver Hill's • . . , where he is accused of grosse plagiarisme. Dr. (Robert) Wood went to schoole with him at Eaton Colledge. ** Mr. R. Boyle, when a boy at Eaton (was) verie sickly and pale — from Dr. (Robert) Wood, who was his schoole-fellow. *** The honourable Robert Boyle ^ esq, the (fifth) son of Richard Boyle, the first earle of Corke, was borne at Lismorf in the county of Corke, the (25) day Indentiyan of (January) anno (i62f). a ?rea?tovvne"or Hc was nurscd by an Irish nurse, after the twenty churches. Irisli manner, wher they putt the child into a 'Twas tlie seate , , in/- i r ii • • i of king John - pcndulous .satcliell (msted of a cradle', with From Elizabeth, ,. ^ , countesse of a slitt lor the child s head to peepe out. Thanet. tti -i-t- -itt , He learn t his Latin W ent to the university of Leyden. Travelled France. Italy, Switzerland. I have oftentimes heard him say that after he had seen the antiquities and architecture of Rome, he esteemed none^ any where els. He speakes Latin very well, and very readily, as most men I have mett w^ith. I have heard him say that when he was young, he read over Cowper s dictionary : wherin I thinke he did very well, and I beleeve he is much be- holding to him lor his mastership of that language. His father in his will, when he comes to the settlement and provision for his son Robert, thus, — Item, to my son Robert, whi m I beseech God to blesse with a particular blessing, I bequeath, &r'c. Mr. R. H.'', who has seen the rentall, sayes it was 3000 //. * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 1 2'. • Siibst. for ' cared not for.' ** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 6". ^ Probably Robert Hooke. *** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 16'. William Brereton 12 1 per annum : the greatst part is in Ireland. His father left him the mannor of Stalbridge in com. Dorset, where is a great freestone house : it was forfeited by the earle of Castlehaven. He is very tall (about six foot high) and streight, very temperate, and vertuouse, and frugall : a batcheler ; keepes a coach ; sojournes with his sister, the lady Ranulagh. His greatest delight is chymistrey. He haz at his sister's a noble laboratory, and severall servants (prentices to him) to looke to it. He is charitable to ingeniose men that are in want, and foreigne chymi.sts have had large proofe of his bountie, for he will not spare for cost to gett any rare secret. At his owne costs and chardges he gott translated and printed the New Testament in Arabique"-, to send into the Mahometan countreys. He has not only a high renowne in England, but abroad ; and when foreigners come to hither, 'tis one of their curiosities to make him a visit. Notes. ' Aubrey gives in colours the Boyle coat {supra, p. 1 19), with a mullet guli s for difference. Anthony Wood adds the reference: — 'see in the first sheet of the second part,' i. e. of MS. Aubr. 7, viz. the excerpts supra from Antho.'iv Walker's sermon. ^ The Gospels and Acts in Malay (in Arabic character^ Oxford, 1677. William Brereton, 3rd baron, (1631 -1680). * William, lord Brereton, obiit March 17, 1680*; buried at St. Martin's-in-the-fields : scripsit Origmes Moriens in Latin verse. ** William, lord Brereton^ of (Leighlin) : — this vertuous and learned lord (who was my most honoured and obligeing friend) was educated at Breda, by John Pell, D.D., then Math. Professor there of the Prince of Orange's 'ilustrious schoole.' Sir George Goring, earl of Norwich (who was my lord's grandfather), did send for him over, where the (Doctor) (then Mr. John Pell) tooke great care of him, and made him a very good Algcbrist. * MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 5. " i6|g, in this case. ** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 33. 122 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives'' He hath wrote a poem called Origines Morietts, a MS. Obiit March 17, 164^, London, and is buried at St. Martin's church in the fields. He was an excellent musitian, and also a good composer. Xote. ' Anthony Wood adds the reference ' quaere in Coll. Exon.' Wood seems to have thought that .'>ir William Brereton of Honford in Cheshire (an officer in the Parliamentary army, mentioned in the Athenae) might be found among the Exeter College matriculations and might be connected with this peer's family. Edward Brerewood (1565-16 13). * Mr. Edward Brerewood ^ w as borne . . . He was of Brasen-nose College in Oxon. My old cosen Whitney fellow there long since, told me, as I remember, that his father was a citizen of W(est) Chester ; that (I have now forgot on what occasion, whether he had outrun the exhibition from his father, or what), but he was for some time in straightes in the College : that he went not out of the College gates in a good while, nor (I thinke) out of his chamber, but was in slip-shoes, and wore out his gowne and cloathes on the bord and benches of his chamber, but profited in knowledge wonderfully. He writ his Logica, and . . ., de meteoris. de ponderibiis et minimis (which he dedicates to his countryman. Lord Chancellor Egerton, who was no doubt his patron). He was astronomic professor at Gresham College, London, where he died anno 1613, and was buried in Great Saint Helen's chancell : so Hist, and Antiq.of Oxon., lib. 2. pag. 219 b. 'Tis pity I can pick-up no more of him. Xotes. ' Anthony Wood added the reference 'vide A. W.'s (^Hist. el") Antiq. '; but scored it out, finding himself anticipated in the text of the notice. ' James Whitney, matric. April 19, i6li at St. Marj' Hall, but took his degrees from Brasenose (Clark's Reg. Univ. Oxon. II. iii. 334). * MS. Aiibr. 6, fol. 33'. Arthur Brett. Henry Bri'ggs 123 Arthur Brett (16 . . -1677). (In MS. Aubr. 22 (Aubrey's Collection of Grammars; is a tract of 6 pp. 'A demonstration how the Latine tonge may be learn t ' ; Lond. 1669 ; 'by Arthur Bret, M.A. of Ch. Ch. in Oxford and of Westminster Schoole.') Henry Briggs (1556-163^). * Henry Briggs was borne at . . . (vide Anthony Wood's 0x011. Antiqjiit.: quaere his nephew who is beadle to Stationers' Hall ; quaere Vaticinium Carolinnm. an English poem). He was first of St. John's College in Cambridge. Sir Henry Savill sent for him and made him his geometric professor. He lived at Merton College in Oxon, where he made the dialls at the buttresses of the east end of the chapell with a bullet for the axis. He travelled into Scotland to comune with the honoiu'- able . . . lord Nepier ^ of Marcheston about making the logarithmicall tables. Looking one time on the mappe of England he observed that the " two rivers, the Thames and that Avon which runnes to Bathe and so to Bristowe, were not far distant, scilicet, about 3 miles — vide the mappe. He sees 'twas but about 25 miles from Oxford ; getts a horse and viewes it and found it to be a levell ground and ^ easie to be digged. Tiien he considered the chardgc of cutting between them and the convenience of making a manage between those rivers which would be of great consequence for cheape and safe carrying of goods between London and Bristovv, and though the boates goe slowly and with meanders, yet considering they goc day and night they would be at their journey's end almost as soon as the waggons, which often are overthrowne and liquours spilt and other goods broken. Not long after this he dyed and * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 47'. Dupl. with ' and saj'pable.' " Siibst. for ' that the befiiniiings of <^ Dupl. with ' the Bylanders.' the Thames and Avon.' 124 Aubreys 'Brief Lives' the civill wanes brake-out. It happened by good luck that one Mr. Mattheues of Dorset had some acquaintance with this Mr. * Briggs and had heard him discourse of it. He was an honest simple man, and had runne out of his estate and this project did much run in his head. He would revive it (or els it had been lost and forgott) and went into the country to make an ill survey of it (which he printed) about anno . . ., but with no great encourage- ment of the countre}' or others. Upon the restauration of King Charles H he renewed his designe and applyed himselfe to the king and counsell. His majestic espoused it more (he told me) then any one els. In short, for want of management and his non-ability, it came to nothing, and he is now dead of old age. But Sir Jonas Moore (7|:;5=* an expert mathematician and a practicall man), being sent to sur\'ey the manner of Dantesej- in Wilts (which was forfeited to the crowne by Sir John Danvers his foolery), went to see these streames and distances. He told me the streames were too small unlesse in winter : but if some prince or the Parliament would rayse money to cutt through the hill by Wotton-Basset which is not very high, then there would be water enough and streames big enough. He computed the chardge, which I have forgott, but I thinke it was about 200,00c li. Insert his letter to Dr. John Pell dc logarithviis written anno Dni 1628. Mr. William Oughtred calls him the Plnglish Archimedes in ... . An epitaph on H. Briggs among H. Burched's poems ^ ** Mr. Briggs — vide and quaere Dr. Whitchcot, behind St. Lawrence Church ; he knew him. Respondet quod non. *** Mr. Norwood to the reader, before his Trigono- metric : — ' of the construction and divers applications of Logarithmes Mr. Brigs hath written a booke called Aritlnnetica Logarithniica, and since again began another * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 49. *' M.S. Anbr. 8, fol. 8. »*» MS. Aul.r. 8, fol. 79. Thomas Brightman 125 excellent worke of like nature entitulcd Trigonovietria Britatmica. I have onely seen (in the hands of a friend of his) a printed copie of so much as he had done, namely the tables : but whilest he was in hand with the rest, he departed this life. It was writ in Latin.' N^oles. ' John Napier, of Merthiston, hom 1550, died 1617. His on Alexander was created baron Napier in 1627. - MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 48 is two leaves, pp. 49-52, sign. I. of a printed book, a miscellany of Greek and Latin verses. The first piece on p. 49 is six Greek lines ' Epitapl.ium D. Henrici Briggi ob mathesin et pietatem faniigerati, denali 1631. Januar. ult.' The second piece is 32 Latin verses ' in bibliothccain Oxonienseni teitio amplificatnm MDCXXXVL' Thomas Brightman (1562-1607). (^A Letter from Edward Gibson about Thomas Brightman c- * Hawnes, Dec. 21, (16)81. Since you have desired and have been put into an expectation of receiving some information concerning Mr. Brightman, tho I have litlc or nothing to serve you and your freind with, I send this to let you know that I find nothing of his arms ; that upon the stone is engraven ' Here lyeth the body of Thomas Brightman, deceased, minister of this parish, who dyed Aug. 24, 1607.' Over his head are these sad rimes (I hope they are Oxford, tho not much for the honour of it). — Christ cals his churches candlestiks of old, Altho the candlesticks but the candles hold. The lights on them hee calleth angels pure, Not barely candles, for those must endure. Candles when burn't out are soon forgott. But ministers, as angels, must not rot. » MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 49. 126 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' Sith God doth ministers so eternize, Let not us mortals give them lower prize. And specially to Brightman's recommendacion And bee entomed a light to th' revelation Wee must, wee ought, to make such saints last In whom wee know the times to come and past. I am, Sir, Yours to serve you, Edw. Gibson. Dr. Fuller, amongst his Worthies, hath something of Mr. Brightman. * For Mr. John Aubrey : leave this at Mr. Hooke's lodging in Gresham College. Note. ' In MS. Aubr. S, fol. 3, Anthony Wood has jotted down 'quaere Mr. Aubrey of Thomas Brijjhtman, Dr. (William) Butler, Henry Billingsley, Sir George Wharton' — Aubrey's notes, so far, about these four having been scnnty. In MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 48", opposite Gibson's letter Wood notes an odd omission in it : — ' Quaere in what church Mr. Thomas Brighlman was buried ? ' Alexander Brome (1620-1666). ** H. Brome assured me that his brother Alexander was in his accedence at 4 yeares old and a quarter \ Note. ' This is a marginal note opposite the life of Katberine Philips, and is intended to be a parallel instance of precocious reading, the boy being taken, first, through the Psalter, and then through the Bible, before beginning his ' accidence '(i.e. Latin Grammar) : cp. the course of Anthony Wood's education, Clark's Wood's Life and Times, i. 46, 4", 48. Henry Brome was a London bookseller. Christopher Brookes (16 . . -7665). *** Christopher Brookes, of Oxford, a mathematical instrument maker. He was sometime manciple of Wadham College : his widowe lived over against the Theatre. This C. B. printed* 1649 an 8vo of about 2 sheetes, » MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 48. ** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 38'. *** MS. Aubr. 7, a slip at fol. 8'. " Clark's Wood's Life and Times, ii. 237. Elizabeth Broiighton 127 scil. ' A new quadrant of more natural easie and manifold performance than any other heretofore extant ' : but it was his father-in-Iawe's* invention. I had it from his widow about 1665. Elizabeth Broughton. * In the Heralds' Office — Heref(ordshire) — Edward Broughton, m. Isabell, daughter of of Kington, eldest son, 1634 Rafe Beeston, of Warwickshire. Elizabeth. (Arms'": — ) 'argent, 2 bars gules, on a canton of the second a cross of the field, a martlet or for difference.' Mris. Elizabeth Broughton was daughter of . . . Broughton of . . . in Herefordshire, an ancient family. Her father lived at the mannour-house at Canon- Peon. Whether she was borne there or no, I know not : but there she lost her mayden-head to a poor young fellow, then I beleeve handsome, but, in 1660, a pittifull poor old weaver, clarke of the parish. He had fine curled haire, but gray. Her father at length discoverd her inclinations and locked her up in the turret of the house, but she (like a . . . ) getts downe by a rope ; and away she gott to London, and did sett-up for her selfe. She was a most exquisite beautie, as finely shaped as nature could frame; and had a delicate witt. She was soon taken notice of at London, and her price was very deare— a second Thais. Richard, earle of Dorset, kept her (whether before or after Venetia'', I know not, but I guesse before). At last she grew common and infamous and gott*' the pox, of which she died. I remember thus much of an old song of those daye.s, • William Onghtred. *■ Given by .^tlbrey in colours in * MS. Anbr. 6, fol. ioi\ a lozenge. Venetia Stanley. Dupl. with ' had.' < 128 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives* which I have seen in a collection— 'twas by way of litanie — viz. : — From the watch at twelve a clock, And from Bess Broughton's buttond " smock, Libera uos, Domine. In Ben Johnson's execrations against Vulcan, he con- cludes thus : — Pox take thee, Vulcan ! May Pandora's pox And all the ills that flew out of her box Light on thee. And if those plagues will not dee Thy wive's pox take thee, and Bess Broiightofis too. — In the first edition in 8vo her name is thus at length. I see that there have been famous wocmen before our times. Vixere foites ante Agamemnona Multi, etc HuRACE, lib. 4, oi!e 9. I doe remember her father (1646), neer 80, the hand- somest shaped man that ever my eies beheld, a very wise man and of an admirable elocution. He was a com- mittee-man in Herefordshire and Glocestershire. He was commissary to colonel Massey. He was of the Puritan party heretofore ; had a great guift in praying, etc. His wife (I have heard my grandmother say, who was her neighbor) had as great parts as he. He was the first that used the improvement of land by soape-ashes when he lived at Bristowe, where they then threw it away. William Brouncker, 2nd viscount (1620-1684), * William, lord viscount Brouncker of Lions in Ireland : he lived in Oxford when 'twas a garrison for the King : but he was of no university, he told me. He addicted * Aubrey notes in the margin : senipstresse helped to woike it.' — ' JJarbaia C.C. (i.e. countess of * MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 18. Castlcmainc) had such a one: nay William Broitncker himselfe only to the study of the mathematicks, and was a very great artist in that learning. His mother was an extraordinary great gamester, and playd all, gold play ; she kept the box herselfe. Mr. . . . Arundall (brother of the lord Wardour) made a song in characters of the nobility. Among others, I remember this, Here's a health to my lady Brouncker and the best card in her hand, And a health to my lord her husband, with ne're a foot of land. He was president of the Royall Society about 15 yeares ^. He was .... of the Navy office ^. He dyed April the 5th, 1684 ; buried the 14th following in the vault which he caused to be made (8 foot long, 4 foot broad, and about 4 foot high) in the middle of the quire of Saint Katharine's, neer the Tower, of which convent he was governour. He gave a fine organ to this church a little before his death ; and whereas it was a noble and large choire, he divided (it) in the middle with a good skreen (at his owne chardge), which haz spoiled (it). (^A note ivritten by hivi ^.) * Sir, These are to give notice that on Friday next the thirtieth day of this instant November, 1677, being St. Andrew's day, the council and officers of the Royal Society are to be elected for the year ensuing. At which election your presence is expected in Gresham Colledge at nine of the clock in the forenoon precisely. (For John Aubrey, esq.) Brouncker, P. R. S. N'otes. ' He was President, 1663, from the incorporation of the Royal Society, to 1677. He was a Lord of the Admiralty in 1680, and again in 1682. ' The signature is in long sloping letters, like the children's puzzles of thirty years' back, which could be read only when the paper was held edgeways. It has beaten Anthony Wood, who notes at the side: — 'What this name is I know not.' * MS. Aubr. 23, fob 26. I. K Aubrey s 'Brief Lives' William Browne (1591-1645). * The earle of Carnan'on does not remember Mr. Brown ^, and I ask't his lordship lately again if any of his servants doe : he assures me no. yote. ' The inqaiiy was made of Chailes Dormer, second earl of Carnarvon. William Browne, author of Briiaiinia's Pastorals, had been tutor in 1624 to Robert Dormer ^created earl of Carnarvon in 162S) in Exeter College. Robert Burton (i57t-i6|o). ** Memorandum. Mr. Robert Hooke of Gresham CoU^e told me that he lay in the chamber in Christ Church that was Mr. Burton's, of whom 'tis whispered that. 7io)i obstante all his astrologie and his booke of Melancholic, he ended his daj-es in that chamber by hanging him selfe. Thomas Bushell (i 594-1 674). *** Mr. Thomas Bushell was an . . . shire man, borne . . . : quaere Thomas ]\Iariet, esq, [He* was borne at Marston in . . . shire, neer him.] He was one of the gentlemen that way ted on the Lord Chancellour Bacon. 'Twas the fashion in those dayes for gentlemen to ha\ e their suites of clothes garnished with buttons. My Lord Bacon was then in disgrace, and his man Bushell having more buttons then usuall on his cloake, etc., they sayd that his lord's breech made buttons and Bushell wore them — from whence he was called buttotid BiisJull. He was only an English scholar, but had a good witt and a working and contemplative head. His lord much loved him. * MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 9. he writt the Melanchtly.^ ** MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 29, a note *** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 97^ appended to ' the scheme of the • The words in square brackets natinty of Derrwcriius Jtmior on his are the answer to the inquiry, added mcMiiuneDt at Christ Chtuch in Oxon : later. Thomas Biishell His genius lay most towards naturall philosophy, and particularly towards the discovery, drayning, and im- provement of the silver mines in Cardiganshire % etc. He had the strangest bewitching way to drawe-in people (yea, discreet and wary men) into his projects that ever I heard of. His tongue was a chaine and drewe in so many to be bound for him and to be ingaged in his designes that he ruined a number. Mr. Goodyere of . . . in Oxfordshire was undon by him among others ; see part iii. pag. 6 b. He was master of the art of running in debt, and lived so long that his depts were forgott, so that they were the great-grandchildren of the creditors. He wrote a stich't treatise of mines and improving of the adits to them and bellowes to drive-in wind, which Sir John Danvers, his acquaintance, had, and nayled it^ to his parlor-wall at Chelsey, with some scheme, and I beleeve is there yet : I sawe it there about lo yeares since. During the time of the civill warres, he lived in Lundy island. Anno 1647 or 8, he came over into England; and when he landed at Chester, and had but one Spanish threepence (this I had then from .... of Great Tew, to whom he told it), and, sayd he, could have been contented to have begged a penny, like a poor man.' At that time he sayd he owed, I forgett whether it was 50 or sixty thousand pounds : but he was like Sir Kenelm Digby, if he had not 4rt^., wherever he came he would find respect and credit. ©:^"Memorandum, after his master the lord chancellor dyed, he marled . . . , and lived at Enston, Oxon ; where having some land lyeing on the hanging of a hill faceing the south, at the foot wherof runnes a fine cleare stream which petrifies, and where is a pleasant solitude, he spake to his servant ' Dupl. with ' Wales.' " Dupl. with ' I could have con- The reference is to MS. Aulir. 8, tentedly begged, like a poor man.' (^Lives, part iii.) : see infra, p. 134. K 2 132 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' Jack t Sydenham to gett a labourer to cleare some boscage <jack which grew on the side of the hill, and also before wiTh^sir'^ to dig ^ a cavity in the hill to sitt, and read or Ki'ngton^sr" ^' Contemplate. The workman had not workt an waI*'wont t ""^ hower before he discovers not only a rock, but armesTa'"ra'cc- ^ ''^ck of an unusuall figurc with pendants ^ve™his^' like icecles as at Wokey hole (Somerset), which account. ^■^^ occasion of making that delicate grotto and those fine walkes. Here in fine weather he would walke all night. Jack Sydenham sang rarely : so did his other servant, Mr. Batty. They went very gent, in cloathes, and he loved them as his children. He did not encumber him selfe with his wife, but here enjoyed himselfe thus in this paradise till the war brake out, and then retired to Lundy isle. He had donne something (I have forgott what) that made him obnoxious to the Parliament or Oliver Cromw^ell, about 1650; would have been hangd if taken; printed severall letters to the Parliament, etc., dated from beyond sea, and all that time lay privately in his howse in Lambeth marsh where the^' pointed pyramis is. In the garret there, is a long gallery, which he hung all with black, and had some death's heads and bones painted. At the end where his couch was, was in an old Gothique nich (like an old monument) painted a skeleton incumbent on a matt. At the other end where was his pallet-bed was an emaciated dead man stretched out. Here he had severall mortifying and divine motto"s (he imitated his lord ® as much as he could), and out of his windowes a very pleasant prospect. At night he walkt in the garden and orchard. Only Mr. Sydenham, and an old trusty woman, was privy to his being in England. He dyed about 1676 or 1677 — quaere w^here — he was Ho yeares of age. [He ^ dyed in Scotland yard neer * Dupl. with 'make.' Subst. for 'stretched.' Dupl. with ' the turret.' ® Bacon. ' Subst. for ' painted with.' ' Added later. Thomas Biishell 133 Whitehall about 1675 or 1677 ; Mr. Beach the quaker can tell me exactly.] His entertainment to Queen Henrietta Marie at Enston was in anno 163(6, 23 August). Insert, i.e. sowe * my book (which J. S.** gave my grandfather Isaac Lyte) in this place. . . . Goodall ^, of Ch. Ch. Oxon, composed the musique ; I remember the student of Ch. Ch. which sang the songs ((I) now forgett his name). * Mr. Bushell had a daughter maried to a merchant . . . in Bristowe. He was a handsome proper gentleman when I sawe him at his house aforesayd at Lambith. He was about 70 but I should have not guessed him hardly 60. He had a perfect healthy constitution ; fresh, ruddy face ; hawke- nosed, and was temperate. As he had the art of running in dept, so sometimes he was attacqued and throwen into prison ; but he would extricate him selfe again straingely. He'' died about 3 yeares since ((from) Sir William Dugdale), i.e. about 1677; and was buried at . . . Memorandum : — in the time of the civill warres his ^ hermitage over the rocks at Enston were hung with black- bayes ; his bed had black curtaines, etc., but it had no bed-postes but hung by 4 cordes (covered with black- bayes) instead of bed postes. When the queen-mother came to Oxon to the king, she either brought (as I thinke) or somebody gave her an entire mummie from Egypt, a great raritie, which her majestic gave to Mr. Bushel!, but I beleeve long ere this time the dampnesse of the place haz spoyled it with mouldinesse. Memorandum: — the grotto belowe lookes just south; so that when it artificially raineth, upon the turning of a cock, you are enterteined with a rainebowe. In a very " i.e. sew in. now perfectly remember ; but he did, Jack Sydenham, supra, p. 132. or neer it: and (I thinke) dyed in lJupl. with ' did sett.' London. Quaere Mr.Watts the taylcir.' * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 98. » Dupl. with ' his pretty house al ^ .Subst. for ' whether he lived to the.' see the king's restanration I cannot ' Snbst. for ' rock.' 134 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' little pond (no bigger then a basin) opposite to the rock, and hard by, stood (1643, Aug. 8) a Neptune, neatly cutt in wood, holding his trident in his hand, and ayming with it at a duck which perpetually turned round with him, and a spanniel swimming after her — which was very pretty, but long since spoyled. I heare that . . . earl of Rochester, in whose possession it now is, doeth keepe it very well in order. * Mr. Bushel] was the greatest arts-master to runne in dept (perhaps) in the world. He died one hundred and twenty thousand pounds in dept. He had so delicate a way of making his projects alluring and feazible, profitable, that he drewe to his baites not only rich men of no designe, but also the craftiest knaves in the countrey, such who had cosened and undon others : e. g. Mr. Goodyeere, who undid Mr. Nicholas Mees's father, etc. Vide Pica for Irish cattle. Vide ^ p. 148, Bushell's rocks. Quaere his servant John Sydenham for the collection of remarques of severall partes of England, by the said Mr. Bushell. ** Memorandum : — his ingeniose invention of aditiis with bellowes to bring fresh aire into the mines : quaere Mr. Beech (quaker) if he hath his printed booke or where it may be had. He gave one to Sir John Danvers, which was nayled in the parlour to the wainscot : 'twas but about 8 sheetes. Quaere Dr. Plott ((author of) Antiquities of Oxonshire) of the booke I gave him some yeares since of the songs and entertainment of Mr. Bushell to queen Henrietta Marie at his rocks. If he had it not, perhaps Anthony Wood had it. Mr. E(dmund> W(yld) sayes that he tap't the mountaine of Snowdon in ... in Wales, which was like to have drowned all the countrey ; and they were like to knock him and his men in the head. * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. I2\ also quotes a MS. with this symbol. " The MS. with this symbol I ** MS. Aubr. 8, slips at fol. have not identified. Anthony Wood 13. Samuel Butler 135 Mr. Thomas Bushell lay some time (perhaps yeares) at Capt. Norton's, in the gate at Scotland-yard, where he dyed seven yeares since (now, 1684), about 80 aetat. Buried in the little cloysters at Westminster t Now, 1687, ^ ^aved^" ""^'^ Abbey : vide the Register. Somebody putt " B. B. upon the stone f . — From Mr. Beech the quaker. Notes. * ' Nailed,' I suppose, after the fashion of nailing counterfeit coins to the counter, or vermin to the stable door. Sir John Danvers had probably lost money in the ' scheme.' '■' Stephen Goodall, chaplain of Ch. Ch., died in Oxford, in Sept. 1637. — Griffiths' Index to Wills . . . at Oxford, p. 24. Anthony Wood says the music was composed by Samuel Ives. Aubrey's copy of these poems is now among Anthony Wood's books in the Bodleian. Samuel Butler (i6if-i68o). * Mr. Samuel Butler was borne % at Pershore in Wor- cestershire, as we suppose : his brother lives t He was born , in Worcester- thcrC. shire, hard by Barbon-bri.ige, He Went to schoole at Worcester — from i a mile from tt-ii Worcester, in Mr. Hill, the parish of St. John, Mr. Hill His father {was) a man but of slender thinkes, who ^ went to schoole fortune, and to breed him at schoole was as with him. much education as he was able to reach to. When° but a boy he would make observations and reflec- tions on every thing one sayd or did, and censure it to be either well or ill. He never was at the university, for the reason alledged. He came when a young man to be a servant to the countesse of Kent, whom he served severall yeares. Here, besides his study, he employed his time much in painting and drawing, and also in musiquc. He was thinking once to have made painting his profession — from Dr. Duke. His love to and skill in painting made a great friendship " Sic in MS. : either a slip of the Suhst. for ' was borne at Powyk, stone-cutter for T. B., or a heartless neer Worcester (where he went to recalling of his nick-name {supra, schoole).' p. 1 30). • Subst. for ' when he was a boy.' * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 114'. 136 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' between him and Mr. Samuel Cowper (the prince of limners of this age). He then studyed the Common Lawes of England, but did not practise. He maried a good jointuresse, the relict of ... . Morgan, by which meanes he lives comfortably. After the restauration of his majestic when the court at Ludlowe was againe sett-up, he was then the king's steward at the castle there. He printed a witty Poeme called Hudidras, the first part anno 166. . which tooke extremely*; so that the king and t The Lord Lord ChanccUor Hyde f would have him Hyde'^h!!rhis ^^^^ ^'^^> accordingly he was sent for. libr'a^y over^the They both promiscd him great matters, but chimney. ^j^jg j^^ g^j. employment, only the king gave him . . . //. He is of a middle stature, strong sett, high coloured, a head of sorrell haire, a severe and sound judgement : a good fellowe. He haz often sayd that way (e.g. Mr. Edmund Waller's) of quibling with sence will hereafter growe as much out of fashion and be as ridicule as quibling with words — quod N.B. He haz been much troubled with the gowt, and particularly 1679, he stirred not out of his chamber from October till Easter. /-^u••i. A (Domini 1680) Obnt Anno^ . . } . (circiter 70. ) He dyed of a consumption September 25 ; and buried 27, according to his appointment'', in the churchyard of Convent Garden ; scil. in the north part next the church at the east end. His feet touch the wall. His grave, 2 yards distant from the pillaster of the dore, (by his desire) 6 foot deepe. About 25 of his old acquaintance at his funerall. I myself being one [of <^ the eldest, helped to carry ^ the pall with Tom Shadwell, at the foot, Sir Robert Thomas * Subst. for ' which tooke, nothing struck out, apparently only because so much ! ' Aubrey thought they went too much Subst. for ' desire.' Persons of into detail, position were usually buried in church. ^ Subst. for ' beare.' ' The words in square brackets are Samuel Butler 137 and Mr. Saunders, esq., at the head ; Dr. Cole and Dr. Davenant, middle]. His coffin covered with black bayes ; S. B. i68o\ * Insert in vita Sam. Butler his verses of the Jesuites, not printed, which I gave to you^ about 12 or 14. ** Htidibras imprinted. No Jesuite ever took in hand, To plant a church in barren land ; Or ever thought it worth his while A Swede or Russe to reconcile ; For where there is not store of wealth, Souls are not worth the charge of health Spaine and ^ America had two designes To sell their Ghospell for their mines ; For had the Mexicans been poore, No Spaniard twice had landed on their shore. 'Twas gold the Catholick Religion planted, Which, had they wanted gold, they still had wanted. He had made very sharp reflexions upon the court in his last part ^ : — Did not the learned Glynne and Maynard To prove true subjects traytors straine hard ? *** Mr. Saunders (the countesse of Kent's kinsman) sayd that Mr. John Selden much esteemed him for his partes, and would sometimes employ him to write letters for him beyond sea, and to translate for him. He was secretarie to the duke of Bucks, when he was Chancellor of Cambridge. He might have had preferments at first ; but he would not accept any but very good ones, so at last he had none at all, and dyed in want. * The inscription on the coffin. * MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 5'. Anthony Wood, in obedience to this injunction, inserted the leaf which is now fol. 115 of MS. Aubr. 6. ** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 115. ' Subst. for ' the charges of their health.' Read, perhaps, ' on,' ' her.' 0 See Clark's Wood's Life and Times, i. 1S6, note 2. *** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 114', 138 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' He painted well and made it (sometime) his profession. He wayted some yeares on the countess of Kent : she gave her gentlemen 2o/z. per annum a-piece. Mr. John Selden tooke notice of his partes and would many times make him write or translate for him. Obiit sine prole. * Samuel Butler writt my lord [John ''J Rosse's Answer to [Robert the marquesse of Dorchester. iNIemorandum : — satyricall witts disoblige whom they converse with, etc. ; and consequently make to themselves many enemies and few friends ; and this was his manner and case. He was of a leonine-coloured haire, sanguino- cholerique, middle sized, strong. William Butler (1535-161I). Butler, physitian ; he was of Clare-hall in Cambridge, never tooke the degree of Doctor, though he was the greatest physitian of his time. The occasion of his being first taken notice of was thus t : — About the comeing-in of king w^UeT.esqTe"'^ Jamcs, tlicrc was a minister of . . . (a few miles from Cambridge), that was to preach before his majestic at New-market. The parson heard that the king was a great scholar, and studyed so ex- cessively that he could not sleep, so somebody gave him some opium, which had made him sleep his last, had not Dr. Butler^ used this following remedy. He was sent for by the parson's wife. \\'hen he came and sawe the parson, and asked what they had donne, he told her that she was in danger to be hanged for killing her husband, and so in great choler left her. It was at that time when the cowes came into the backside to be * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 7. ' Inserted by Anthony Wood. * Inserted by Wood, who wrote ' Henry ' and then changed it to ' Robert.' ** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 26'. Anthony Wood inserts the Chris- tian name " William.' ^ Subst. for ' Upon the first of King James.' 0 Dupl. with ' this physitian.' William Butler 139 milk't. He turnes back, and asked whose cowes those were. She sayd (her) husband's Sayd he, ' will you give one of these cowes to fetch your husband to life again?' That she would, with all her heart. He then causes one presently to be killed and opened, and the parson f to be taken out of his bed and putt E.^!o?Gaie, into the cowes warme belly, which after some time brought him to life, or els he had infallibly dyed. Memorandum : — there is a parallell storie to this in Machiavell's Florentiac History, where 'tis sayd that one of the Cosmo's being poysoned was putt into a mule's belly, sowed up, with a place only for his head to come out. He was a humorist One time king James sent for him to New-market, and when he was gon halfe way (he) left the messenger and turned back ; so then the messenger made him ride before him. I thinke he was never maried. He lived in an apothecary's shop, in Cambridge, (John) Crane, to whom he left his estate; and he in gratitude erected the monument for him, at his owne chardge, in the fashion ^ he used. He was not greedy of money, except choice pieces of gold or rarities. He would many times (I have heard say) sitt among the boyes at St. Maries church in Cambridge {^j^ and just so would the famous attorney-generall Noy, in Lincoln's Inne, who had many such froliques and humours). I remember Mr. Wodenoth, of King's College, told me, that being sent for to he told him that his disease was not to be found in Galen or Hippocrates, but in Tullie's Epistles, Cum non sis tibi fneris, no7i est air veils vivere. I thinke he left his estate to the apothecarle. He gave to the chapell of Clare-hall, a bowle for the communion, of gold (cost, I thinke, 2 or 300 li.), on which is engraved " ' Husband's' subst. for ' hers.' No doubt Edmund Waller, supra; and Thomas Gale, infra. ' Dupl. with ' a man of great moodes.' infra, p. 142. e Subst. for ' habit.' ' Subst. for ' plate.' I40 Aubrey s 'Brief Lives* a pelican feeding her young with the bloud from her breast (an embleme of the passion of Christ), no motto, for the embleme explained it selfe. He lies buried in the south side of St. Marie's chancell, in Cambridge, wher is a decent monument, with his body halfe way, and an inscription, which gett. He was much addicted to his humours, and would suffer persons of quality to wayte sometimes some houres at his dore, with coaches, before he would recieve them. Once, on the rode from Cambridge to London, he tooke a fancy to a chamberlayn or tapster in his inne, and tooke him with him, and made him his favourite, by whom only accession was to be had to him, and thus enriched him. Dr. Gale of Paul's schoole, assures me that a French man came one time from London to Cambridge, purposely to see him, whom he made stay two howres for him in his gallery, and then he came out to him in an old blew gowne ; the French gentleman makes him 2 or 3 very lowe bowes downe to the ground ; Dr. Butler whippes his legge over his head, and away goes into his chamber, and did not speake with him. He kept an old mayd whose name was Nell. Dr. Butler would many times goe to the taverne, but drinke by him- selfe. About 9 or 10 at night old Xell comes for him with a candle and lanthorne, and sayes • Come you home, you drunken beast.' By and by Nell would stumble : then her master calls her ' drunken beast ' ; and so they did drunken beast one another all the way till they came home. * A ser\-ing man brought his master's water to doctor Butler, being then in his studie (with turn'd barres) but would not bee spoken with. After much fruitlesse impor- tunity, the man told the doctor he was resolved he should see his master's water : he would not be turned away — threw it on the Dr's. head. This humour pleased the Dr. and he went to the gent, and cured him — (from) Mr. R, Hooke. * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 22. William Butler 141 A gent, lying a-dyeing, sent his servant with a horse for the doctor. The horse being exceeding dry, ducks dovvne his head strongly into the water, and plucks downe the Dr. over his head, who was plunged in the water over head and cares. The Dr. was madded, and would returne home. The man swore he should not ; drew his sword, and gave him ever and anon (when he would returne) a little prick, and so drove him before him — (from) Mr. . . . Godfrey. * Some instances of Dr. Butler's cures : — from Mr. James Bovey. — The Dr. lyeing at the Savoy in London, next the water side, where was a balcony look't into the Thames, a patient came to him that was grievously tormented with an ague. The Dr. orders a boate to be in readinesse under his windowe, and discoursed with the patient (a gentleman) in the balcony, when on a signall given, 2 or 3 lusty fellowes came behind the gentleman and threw him a matter of 20 feete into the Thames. This surprize absolutely cured him. A gentleman with a red, ugly, pumpled face came to him for a cure. Said the Dr., ' / must hang you! So presently he had a device made ready to hang him from a beame in the roome ; and when he was e'en almost dead, he cutts the veines that fed these pumples, and lett-out the black ugly bloud, and cured him. Another time one came to him for the cure of a cancer (or ulcer) in the bowells. Said the Dr., ' can ye ? ' ' Yes,' said the patient. So the Dr. ordered a bason for him to , and when he had so donne the Dr. com- manded him to eate it up. This did the cure. ** Inscription on his nionunicfit^. This inscription was sent to me by my learned and honoured friend, Dr. Henry More, of Cambridge. * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 24. ** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 23. The in- scription is Henry More's autograph. " Anthony Wood queries ' Where is this monument ? ' having forgotten MS. Aubr. 6 : supra, p. 1 40. 142 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' Gulielmus Butlerus, Clarensis Aulae quondam Socius, Medicorum omnium quos praesens aetas vidit facile princeps, hoc sub marmore secundum Christi ad- ventum expectat, et monumentum hoc privata pietas statuit, quod debuit publica. Abi, viator, et ad tuos reversus, narra te vidisse locum in quo salus jacet. Nil proh ! marmor agis, Butlerum dum tegis, ullum [_ Si splendore tuo nomen habere putas. ^ ^ Ille tibi monumentum est, tu diceris ab illo : c to . . . t_i O Butlen vivis munere, marmor iners. M Sic homines vivos, mira sic mortuus arte, ^ Phoebo chare senex, vivere saxa facis. Butlero Heroum hoc posuere dolorque fidesque. Hei ! quid agam, exclamas et palles, Lector ? At unum Quod miseris superesse potest, locus hie monet : ora. * A scholar made this drolling epitaph : — Here lies Mr. Butler who never was Doctor, Who dyed in the yeare that the Devill was Proctor^. Memorandum : — There is now in use ^ in London a sort of ale called Dr. Butler s ale. ** Dr. Butler : — This inscription I recieved from Dr. Henry Moore of . . . Cambridge. Quaere if his coat of arms is not there, and what ? Quaere his coat of arms ^ From Dr. H. More: — More's father was a very strong bodyed man. 'Twas forty stooles he gave his father ; he Obiit CIDI3CXVII. Janua. XXix. Aeta. suae Lxxxiii. * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 26^ " Dupl. with ' fashion.' ** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 25. •> For the answer to this query, see itifra. Cecil Calvert 143 had almost killed him. Told him he would be the better for't as long as he lived. That he was chymical I know by this token that his mayd came running-in to him one time, like a slutt and a furie, with her haire about her eares, and cries*, ' Butler ! come and looke to your Devills yourselfe, and you will : the stills are all blowne up ! ' She tended them, and it seemes gave too great a heate. Old Dr. Ridgely^ knew him, and I thinke was at that time with him. — From this Dr. Ridgely his Sonne. * Dr. Butler of Cambridge : — {Arms : — ) ' azure, three lozenges in fess between 3 covered cups or. — This is the coate of armes on his monument. By reason of time and the ill colours I cannot positively say whether the field is azure or vert, but I beleeve 'tis the former.' — This informa- tion I had from Mr. Vere Philips, fellow of King's College, Cambridge. Azotes. ' Thomas Gale, Head Master of St. Paul's School 167 2-1 697, D.D. Trin. Coll. Cambr. 1675. ' Aubrey does not explain this ' drollery.' I can see nothing Satanic in the names of the Cambridge proctors for 1617-18, John Smithson and Alexander Read. ^ Thomas Ridgley (Rugeley), M.D., St. John's, Cambr. 1608 ; his son Luke Ridgely, M.D., Christ's, Cambr. Cecil Calvert, 2nd baron Baltimore (i 606-1 675). ** Cecil Calvert, lord Baltemore, absolute lord and proprietary of Maryland and Avalon in America, son to (George) Calvert (secretary of estate to king James), was gentleman-commoner of Trinity College, Oxon, con- temporary with Mr. Francis Potter, B.D. *** Now if I would be rich, I could be a prince. I could goe into Maryland, which is one of the finest countrys of the world ; same climate with France ; between Virginia and New England. I can have all the favour of my lord " Dupl. with ' said.' ** Aubrey in MS. Wood F. 39, ' Dupl. with ' then.' fol. 138 : Sept. 2, 1671. * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 22. *** Ibid., fol. 141^: Oa. 27, 1671. 144 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' Baltemore I could wish. — His brother is his lieutenant there ; and a very good natured gentleman.' — Plenty of all things : ground there is 2000 miles westwards. I could be able I believe to carry a colony of rogues ; another, of ingeniose artificers ; and I doubt not one might make a shift to have 5 or 6 ingeniose companions, which is enough, William Camden (1551-1623). * Mr. William Camden, Clarencieux — vide Fuller's Holy State where is something of his life and birth, etc. : vide Englaiid's Worthies: quaere at the Heralds' Office when he was made Clarencieux. Mr. Edward Bagshawe (who had been second schoole- master of Westminster schoole) haz told me that Mr. Cam- den had first his place and his lodgeings (which is the gate- house by the Queen's Scholars' chamber in Deanes-yard), and was after made the head schoole-master of that schoole, where he writt and taught Instittitio Grcscae Grannnaticcs Compendiaria : in nsitin Regiae Scholae Westmonastcriensis, which is now the common Greeke grammar of England, but his name is not sett to it. Before, they learned the prolix Greeke Grammar of Cleonard. He writt his Britannia first in a large 8°. Annales reg. Elizabethae. There is a little booke in i6mo. of his printed, viz.: A Collection of all the Inscriptions then on the Tombes in Westminster Abbey. 'Tis reported, that he had bad eies ^ (I guesse lippitude) which was a great inconvenience to an antiquary. Mr. Nicholas Mercator has Stadius's Ephemerides, which had been one of Mr. Camden's ; his name is there (I knowe his hand) and there are some notes by which I find he was astrologically given. * MS. Anbr. 6, fol. 1 1 9. Aubrey fitchee sable.' gives in trick the coat : — ' or, a fess ° Subst. for ' was short- (sighted).' engrailed between 6 cross crosslets William Camden 145 In his Briianiiia he haz a remarkable astrologicall observation, that when Saturn is in Capricornus a great plague is certainly in London. He had observed it all. his time, and setts downe the like made by others before his time. Saturn was so posited in the great plague 1625. and also in the last great plague 1665. He likewise delivers that when an eclipse happens in that 'tis fatall to the towne of Shrewsbury, for . . . He was basted by a courtier of the queene^s in the cloysters at Westminster for . . . queen Elizabeth in his history — from Dr. John Earle, dean of Westminster. My honoured and learned friend, Thomas Fludd, esq., a Kentish gentleman, ((aged) 75, 1680) was neighbour and an acquaintance to Sir Robert Filmore, in Kent, who was very intimately acquainted with Mr. Camden, who told Sir Robert that he was not suffered to print many things in his Elizabetlia, which he sent over to his acquaintance and correspondent Thuanus, who printed it all faithfully in his Annalls without altering a word — quod N. B. He lies buried in the South cross-aisle of Westminster Abbey, his effigies \ on an altar, with this inscription : — Qui fide antiqua et opera assidua Britannicam antiquitatem indagavit Simplicitatem innatam honestis studiis excoluit Animi solertiam candore illustravit Gulielmus Camdenius ab Elizabetha regina ad regis armorum (Clarentii titulo) dignitatem evocatus Hie Spe certa resurgendi in Christo S.E. Qui obiit anno Domini 1623, 9 Novembris, Aetatis suae 74: in his hand a booke, on the leaves wherof is writt BRITANNIA. Mr. Camden much studied the Welsh language, and I. L 146 Aubreys 'Brief Lives' kept a Welsh servant to improve him (in) that language, for the better understanding of our antiquities.— From Mr. Samuel Butler. * Sir William Dugdale tells me that he haz minutes of King James's life to a moneth and a day, written by Mr. William Camden ; as also his owne life, according to yeares and daye, which is very briefe, but 2 sheetes, Mr. Camden's owne hand writing. Sir William Dugdale had it from (John) Hacket f, bishop of Coventry and . _ „ Lichfield, who did filch it from Mr. Camden ♦ »^ Quaere ' Sug'^aie.^'vide he lay a dyeing. HTckefcame ** Quacre Mr. Ashmole to retrive and looke •'HeiDrTh.) ^'^^ Camdcn's minutes (memorandums) of uugllL^so'.'wh'o King James I from his entrance into England, ..iJmeofit. ThorndykeJ filched from him as he lay a dyeing. 'Tis not above 6 or 8 sheetes of paper, as I remember. Those memoires were continued within a fortnight of his death. *** Quaere Dr. Buzby if Mr. Camden ever resigned the schoolmaster's place*.? And if he did not dye at West- minster at the schoole house — vide bishop Hackett's life, which is printed before his sermons. **** Memorandum : — Mr. Camden's nativity is in his Memoires of King James, Avhich gett. ***** William Camden : quaere Sir William Dugdale who haz his papers ? Anthony Wood's lettre sayth that some of them are in Sir Henry St. George's hands ^, ' written and tricked with Mr. Camden's owne hand ' : ergo quaere ibidem. ****** When my grandfather'' went to schoole at Yatton- Keynell (neer Easton-Piers) Mr. Camden came to see the * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 119'. ** MS. Anbr. 6, a slip pasted on to fol. 119. *** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 119'. * ' Non ' is added by Anthony Wood in red ink, in answer to this inquiry. »*** MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 119. ***** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 18. See Clark's Wood's Life and Times, ii. 268. ****** MS. Ballard 14, fol. 133; a letter from Aubrey to Anthony Wood, dated July 15, 1681. * Isaac Lyte. William Canynges 147 church, and particularly tooke notice of a little painted- glasse-windowe in the chancell, which (ever since my re- membrance) haz been vvalled-up, to save the parson the chardge of glazing it. William Canynges (i 399-1474). * The antiquities of the city of Bristowe doe very well deserve some antiquarie's paines (and the like for Gloucester). Here were a great many religious houses. The collegiate church (priorie of Augustines) is very good build- ing, especially the gate-house. The best built churches of any city in England, before these new ones at London since the conflagration. Sevcrall monuments and in- scriptions. Ratliff church (which was intended " for a chapel) is an admirable piece of architecture of about Henry VH's time. It was built by alderman . . . Canning, who had fifteen shippes of his owne (or 16). He gott his estate chiefly by carrying of pilgrims to St. Jago of Compostella. He had a fair house in Ratliff Street that lookes towards the water side, ancient Gothique building, a large house that, 1656, was converted to a glasse-house. See the anno- tations on Norton's Ordinall in TJieatrnm C/u inicitm, where 'tis sayd that Thomas Norton of Bristow got the secret of the philosopher's stone from alderman Canning's widow. This alderman Canning did also build and well endow the religious house at Westbury or Henbury (vide Speede's mappe and chronicle) ; 'tis about two or three miles from Bristowe in the rode to Aust-passage. In his old age he retired to this house and entred into that order. He built his owne monument at his church at Ratcliff where is an inscription, which gett ^ ; but he was not interred there but at Westbury. Ac/e. ' See J. Button's Historical and Architectural essay relating to Redcliffe ( liurch, Bristol, with plans, views, account of its monuments, &c. 1813, * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 105. " Subst. for 'built.' L 2 148 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' William Cartwright (1611 -1643). * William Cartwright. M.A., Aedis Christi, Oxon., natus juxta Teuxbury in com. Glocestriae. September, 161 1 ; baptizatus* 26 Sept. ** Glocestershire is famous for the birth of William Cartwright at a place called Northway neer Tewksbury. Were he alive now he would be sixty-one. He writt a treatise of metaphysique — quaere Dr. (Thomas) Barlowe. etc.. de hoc: as also of his sermons, particularly the sermon that by the king's command he preached at his returne from Edge-hill fight. 'Tis not to be forgott that king Charles ist dropt a teare at the newes of his death. William Cartwright was buried in the south aisle in Christ Church, Oxon. Pitty "tis so famous a bard should lye without an inscription. *** William Cartwright was borne at Northway neer Tewksbury, Gloucestershire— this I have from his brother, who lives not far from me ^ and from his sisters whom I called upon in Glocestershire at Leckhamton. His sister Howes was 57 yeares old the 10 March last: her brother William w'as 4 yeares older. His father was a gentleman of 300//. per annum. He kept his inne at Cirencester, but a year or therabout, where he declined and lost by it too. He had by his wife ICO per annum, in Wiltshire, an impropriation, which his son has now [hut having many children, lives not handsomely and haz lost his learning : he was by the second wife, whose estate this was). Old Mr. Cart- wright lived sometime at Leckhampton, Gloc, wher his daughters now live. * MS. Anbr. 8, fol. 4'. *** Anbrey in MS. Wood F. 39, • 'At Northway': so his baptismal fol. 141 : Oct. 27, 1671. certificate in MS. Wood F. 49, fol. 25. *■ Aubrey, at this date, was in ** Aubrey, in MS. Wood F. 39, hiding at Broad Chalk, fol. 138': Sept. 2, 1 67 1. Lucius Gary 149 Lucius Gary, viscount Falkland (i 610- 1643). * Lucius Carey', second lord Falkland, was the eldest son of Sir Henry Carey, Lord Lievetenant of Ireland, the first viscount Falkland. His mother was daughter and heir of Sir (Laurence) Tanfield, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, by whom he had Great Tue. in Oxfordshire (formerly the Raines- fords), and the Priory of Burford, in Oxfordshire, which he sold to (William) Lenthall, the Speaker of the Long Parliament. He was borne . . . (quaere) ; had his University educa- tion at the Univ'ersity of Dublin, in Ireland. He travelled, and had one Mr. ... (a very discreet gentleman) to be his governor whom he respected to his dyeing day. He maried Letice, the daughter of Sir (Richard) Morison, by whom he had two sonnes : the eldest lived to be a man, died sine prole ; the second was father to this lord Falkland now living. This lady Letice was a good and pious lady, as you may see by her life writt about 1649. or 50, by . . . Duncomb, D.D. But I will tell you a pretty story from William Havves, of Trin. Coll., who was well acquainted with the governor aforesaid, who told him that my lady was (after the manner of woemen) much governed by, and indulgent to, the nursery ; when she had a mind to beg any thing of my lord for one of her woemen* (nurses, or &c.) ; she would not doe it by herselfe (if she could helpe it), but putt this gentleman upon it, to move it to my lord. My lord had but a small estate for his title ; and the old gentleman would say, ' Madam, this is so unreasonable a motion to propose to my lord, that I am certaine he will never graunt it'; — e.g. one time to lett a farme** twenty pound per annum under value. At length, when she could not prevaile on him, she would say that, * I warrant you, for all this, I will obtaine it of * MS. Aubr. 6, f«l. 93. " Dupl. with ' mayd?.' "* Dupl. with ' bar^aine.' 150 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' my lord ; it will cost me but the expence of a feiv teares.' Now she would make her words good ; and this great witt, the greatest master of reason and judgement of his time, at the long runne, being storm d by her teares (I pre- sume there were kisses and secret embraces that were also ingredients), would this pious lady obtain her unreasonable desires of her poor lord. Haec verba, me hercule, una falsa lacrumula, Quam, oculos terendo misere, vix vi expresserit, Restinguet. Terent. Eunuch. Act i, Scene i. N B. : — my lord in his youth was very wild, and also mischievous, as being apt to stabbe and doe bloudy mis- chiefs ; but 'twas not long before he tooke-up to be serious, and then grew to be an extraordinary hard ♦ Amaydthat studcnt. I havc heard Dr, Ralph Bathurst t lord^ii^ed wixh say that, when he was a boy, my lord lived •'xhereTs ' at Covcutrcy (where he had then a house), Harmoniques and that hc would sctt up very late at nights written with , . , , . , Philemon Hoi- at his study, and many times came to the land's owne , , 1 1 * 1 hand, in a library at the schoole J there. curious Greeke . ^ , . character; he The studics in fashion m those daycs (m was school- master here. England) were poetry, and controversie with the church of Rome. My lord s mother was a zealous papist, who being very earnest to have her son of her religion, and her son upon that occasion, labouring hard to find the * trueth, was so far at last from setling on the Romish church, that he setled and rested in the Polish (I meane Socinianisme). He was the first Socinian in England; and Dr. (Hugh) Cre.scy, of Merton Coll. (^dean of (Leighlin) in Ireland, afterwards a Bene- dictin monke), a great acquaintance of my lord's in those da> es (anno . . . ), told me, at Samuel Cowper's (1669), that he himselfe was the first that brought Socinus's bookes (anno ... ) ; shortly after, my lord comeing to him, and casting his eic on them, would needs presently borrow * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 93V Lucius Caiy them, to peruse ; and was so extremely taken and satisfied with them, that from that time was his conversion. My lord much lived at Tue, which is a pleasant scat, and about 12 miles from Oxford ; his lordship was ac- quainted with the best witts of that University, and his house was like a Colledge, full of learned men*. Mr. William Chillingworth, of Trinity College in Oxford (after- wards D.D.), was his most intimate and beloved favourite, and was most commonly with my lord ; next I may reckon (if not equall) Mr. John Earles, of Merton College (who wrote the Characters) ; Dr. (George) Eglionby, of Ch. Ch., was also much in esteem with his lordship. His chaplaine. Charles Gataker, (filius (Thomae) Gataker of Redriff. a writer), was an ingeniose young gentleman, but no writer ''. For learned gentlemen of the country, his acquaintance was Sir H. Rainesford. of . . . neer Stratford-upon-Avon, now .... (quaere Tom Mariet) ; Sir Francis Wenman of Caswell, in Witney parish ; Mr. . . . Sandys, the traveller and translator (who was uncle to my lady Wenman) ; Ben. Johnson (vide Johnsonus Virbius, where he haz verses, and 'twas his lordship, Charles Gattaker told me, that gave the name to it) ; Edmund Waller, esq. ; Mr. Thomas Hobbes, and all the excellent of that peaceable time. In the civill warres he adhered to King Charles I, who after Edge-hill fight made him Principall Secretary of Estate (with Sir Edward Nicholas), which he dischardged with a great deale of witt and prudence, only his advice was very unlucky to his Majestic, in perswading him (after the victory*' at Rowndway-downe, and the taking of Bristowe), to sitt-dovvne before Glocester, which was so bravely defended by that incomparably vigilant governor coll. . . . Massey, and the diligent and careful soldiers and citizens (men and woemen), that it so broke and * Anthony Wood notes in the mar- .Subst. for ' Wayneman.' gin ' Jo(hn) Triplett.' '' ' excellent' written over ' witts," as Charles Gataker was author of .th alternative, several pamphlets. » Dupl. with 'victorybythe Devizes.' '52 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' weakned the king's army, that 'twas the procatractique cause of his ruine : vide Mr. Hobbes. After this, all the King's matters went worse and worse. Anno domini 164(3) the .... fight (quaere which) at Newbery, my lord Falkland being there, and having nothing to doe to chardge ; as the 2 armies were engageing, rode in like a mad-man (as he was) between them, and was (as he needs must be) shott. Some that* were your superfine discoursing politicians and fine gentlemen, would needs have the reason of this mad action of throwing away his life so, to be his discontent for the unfortunate advice given to his master as aforesaid ; but, 1 have been well enformed, by those that best knew him, and * knew the intrigues behind the curtaine (as they say), that it was the griefe of the death of Mris . , . Moray, a handsome lady at court, who was his mistresse, and whom he loved above all creatures, was the true cause of his being so madly guilty of his own death, as afore mentioned : [lutlluin viagiiiiin ingeniiini sine mixtura de- men tiae). The next day, when they went to bury the dead, they could not find his lordship's body, it was stript, trod-upon, and mangled ; so there was one that had wayted on him in his chamber would undertake to know it from all other bodyes, by a certaine mole his lordship had in his neck, and by that marke did find it. He lies interred in the at Great Tue aforesaid, but, 1 thinke, yet without any monument ; quaere if any inscription. In the dining roome there is a picture of his at length, and like him ('twas donne by Jacob de Valke, who taught me to paint). He was but a little man, and of no great strength of body ; he had blackish haire, something flaggy, and I thinke his eies black. Dr. Earles would not allow him to be a good poet, though a great witt ; he writt not a smoth verse, but a greate deal of sense. He hath writt Snbst. for ' Some now thai.' * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 94. Sir Charles Cavendish 153 He had an estate in Hertfordshire, at , which came by Morrison (as I take it) ; sold not long before the late civill warres. Azotes. ' Aubrey gives in trick the coat ' argent, on a bend sable, 3 roses of the tield [Gary],' surmounted with a viscount's coronet and wreathed with laurel for a poet. * A pencil note in the margin says : 'quaere Baron Berty' ; perhaps Vere Bertie, Puisne Baron of the Exchequer, 1675. '^^^ query would be for the name of the tutor on the foreign tour. ' i.e. a maid, formerly in Lucius, lord Falkland's service, came into service with Dr. Bathurst's father, and told of his lordship's late studies. Sir Charles Cavendish ( 1 6. . -1652 ?). * (From Mr. John Collins, mathematician : — ) Sir Charles Cavendish ^ was borne at ... , the younger brother to William, duke of Newcastle. He was a little, weake, crooked man, and nature having not adapted him for the court nor campe, he betookc himselfe to the study of the mathematiqucs, wherin he became a great master. His father left him a good estate, the revenue wherof he expended on bookes and on learned men. He had collected in Italic, France, &c., with no small chardge, as many manuscript mathematicall bookes as filled a hoggeshead, which he intended to have printed ; which if he had live(d) to have donne, the growth of mathematicall learning had been 30 yeares or more for- warder then 'tis. But he died of the scurvey, contracted by hard study, about 1652 (quaere), and left one Mr. . . . . , an attorney of Clifford's Inne, his executor, who shortly after died, and left his wife executrix, who sold this incomparable collection aforesaid by weight to the past-board makers for wast paper, A good caution foi those that have good MSS. to take care to see them printed in their life-times. He dyed .... and was buried in the vault of the family of the duke of Newcastle, at Bolsover, in the countie of (Derby). * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 29. 154 Aubreys 'Brief Lives' He is mentioned by Mersennus. Dr. John Pell (who knew him. and made him one of his xil jui^'men contra Longomontanum) tells me that he writt severall things in mathematiques for his owne pleasure. Sole. ' Aubrey gives in trick the coat :— ' sable, 3 bucks' heads caboshed argent [Cavendish] ; quartering, argent, a fess between 3 crescents gules [Ogle], a crescent on the fess point for difference,' with the motto Cavendo tutus. Charles Cavendish. Colonel, (i 620-1643). * Charles Cavendish, colonel, was second son to the right honourable (William, 2nd) earle of Devonshire, brother to this present earle, William. He was borne at anno .... He was well educated, and then travelled into France. Italic, &c. : but was so extremely delighted in travelling, that he went into Greece, all over : and that would not serve his turne but he would goe to Babylon, and then his governour would not adventure to goe any further with him ; but to see Babylon he was to march in the Turks' armie. This account I had many yeares since, scilicet J 642, from my cosen Edmund Lyte, who was then gentleman usher to his mother the countesse dowager. Mr. Thomas Hobbes told me that this Mr. Cavendish told him that the Greekes doe sing their Greeke. — In Hereford- shire they have a touch of this singing ; our old divines had. Our old vicar of Kington St. Michael, Mr. Hynd. did sing his sermons rather then reade them. You may find in Erasmus that the monkes used this fashion, who mocks them, that sometimes they would be very lowe, and by and b\- they would be mighty high, quando nihil opus est. — Anno ]66c comeing one morning to ^Ir. Hobbes, his Greeke Xenophon lay open on the board : sayd he. ' Had you come but a little sooner you had found a Greeke here that came to see me, who understands the old Greeke : I spake to him to read here in this booke. and he sang * MS. Aul)r. 6, ful. 29 : Aubrey repeats the coat given supra. Charles Cavendish 155 it ; which putt me in mind of what Mr. Charles Cavendish told me ' (as before) ; ' the first word is "Evvoia, he pro- nounced it ennia' The better way to explaine it is by prick-song, * Upon his returne into England the civill warres brake-out, and he tooke a comission of a colonel in his majestie's cause, wherin he did his majestic great service, and gave signall proofes of his valour ; — e. g. out of Af crcurii A itlici — Grantham, in Lincolnshire, taken by col. Cavendish for the king, 23 March, 164I, and after demolished. — Young Hotham routed at Ancaster by col. Cavendish, 11 Apr. 1643. — Parliament forces routed or defeated at Dunnington by col. Cavendish, 13 June, 1643. Mercurms Au/icus, Tuesday, Aug. i, 1643; 'It was advertised from Newarke that his majestie's forces having planted themselves at the siege of Gainsborough in com. Line, were sett upon by the united powers of Cromwell, Nottingham, and Lincolne, the garrisons of these townes being almost totally drawn-out to make-up this army, which consisted of 24 troupes of horse and dragoons. Against this force, col. Cavendish having the command of 30 troupes of horse and dragoons, drawes out 16 only, and leaving all the rest for a reserve, advanced towards them, and engaged himselfe with this small partie against all their strength. Vi'hich being observed by the rebells, they gott between him and his reserve, routed his 16 troupes, being fore- spent with often watches, killed lievetenant-colonel Markam, most valiantly fighting in defence of his king andcountrey. The most noble and gallant colonel himselfe, whilest he omitted no part of a brave commander, being cutt most dangerously in the head, was struck-ofi' his horse, and so unfortunately shott with a brace of bullets after he was on the ground, whose life was most pretious to all noble and valiant gentlemen. Wherupon the reserve coming, routed and cutt downe the partie.' This was donnc either the 2H or 29 of July, 1643, for upon this terrible rout, the lord Willoughby of Parham * MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 29'. Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' forthwith yealded Gainsborough to the king's partie, July 30; the earle of Newcastle being then generall of that partie. His body was first buried at . . . , f but ♦ Quaere if at , ^ Gau.sbor.ugii by ordcr of his mothers will, when she was or Newark ? ^ as I remember buricd at Darby (wliere she has erected a 'twas Newarkii. noble monument for herselfe and lord) she ordered her Sonne's body to be removed, and both to be layd in the vault there together, which was Feb. 18, 1674. Funerall Sermon, by William Naylour. her chaplain, preached at Darby, Feb, 18, 1674. Lond. for Henry Broome. Texte, 2 Sam. iii. 38th verse. — page 16 : ' He was the souldiers' mignion, and his majestie's darling, designed by him generall of the northern horse (and his commission was given him), a great marke of honour for one of about five and twenty : '■ thus shall it be donne to the man whom the king delights to honour." ' Col. Cavendish was a princely person, and all his actions were agreable to that character : he had in an eminent degree that which the Greekes call u^os a^iov TvpavvlSos. the semblance and appearance of a man made to go\ erne. Methinkes he gave cleare this indication, the king's cause lived with him, the king's cause died with him — when Cromwell heard that he was slaine, he cried upon it IVe have donne our bttsinesse. 'And yet two things (I must confess) this commander knew not, pardon his ignorance, — he knew not to flie away — he knew not how to aske quarter — though an older did, I meane . . . Henderson; for when this bold person entred Grantham on the one side, that wary gentle- man, who should have attaqued it, fled away on the other. If Cato thought it usurpation in Caesar to give him his life. Cavendish thought it a greater for traytors and rebells of a common size to give him his. This brave hero might be opprest, (as he was at last by numbers) but he could not be conquered ; the dying words of Epaminondas will fitt him, Satis vixi, invictiis etiam morior. * ' What wonders might have been expected from a commander so vigilant, so loyall, so constant, had he not dropt downe in his blooming age? But though he fell in his green yeares, he" fell a prince, and a great one too, in this respect greater then Abner; for * MS. Aubr. 8, ful. 39. " Anthony Wood notes 'col. Charles Cavendish.' Charles Cavendish 157 Abner, that son of Mars, deserved his father's epithite, uWonpwtiKKm, one of both sides, first he setts-up Isbosheth, and then deserts him. Whereas Cavendish merited such a statue as the Roman senate decreed L. Vitellius, and the same inscription, Pietatis imtnobilis erga Principein, one whose loyaltie to his great master nothing could shake. 'Secondly, consider the noble Charles Cavendish in his extraction, and so he is a branch of that family, of which some descended that are kings of Scotland : this the word Fitivius joyned to his matemall t coate does plainly point at — not to urge at this time his descent by the father's side from one of the noblest families in England. An high extraction to s6me persons is like the dropsie, the greatnesse of the man is his disease, and renders him unweildie ; but here is a person of great extract free from the swelling of greatness, as brisk and active as the lightest horseman that fought under him. ]n some parts of India, they tell us, that a nobleman accounts himselfe polluted if a plebeian touch him ; but here is a person of that rank who used the same familiaritie + and frankness amongst the meanest of his souldiers, the poorest miner, and amongst his equalls ; and by stooping so low. he rose the higher in the common account, and was valued accordingly as a prince*, and a great one; thus Abner and Cavendish run parallell in their titles and appellations. ' Consider Abner in the manner of his fall, that was by a treacherous hand, and so fell Cavendish. II Sam. iii. 27, " And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab tooke him aside in the gate to speake with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the bloud of Asahel * his brother." Thus fell Abner ; and thus Cavendish, — the colonell's horse being mired in a bog at the fight before Gainsborough, 1643, ^he rebels surround him, and take him prisoner; and after he was so, a base laskall comes behind him, and runs him through. Thus fell two great men by treacherous handes. 'Thirdly and lastly, the place of his lall, that was in Israel . . . Here Abner fell in his, and Cavendish fell in our Israel— the Church of England. ... In this Church brave ("avendish fell, and what is more then that, in this Churches quarrel. . . . 'Thus I have compared colonel Cavendish with Abner, a fighting and a famous man in Israel ; you see how he does equal, how he does exceed him.' * M.S. .\ubr. 8, ft)l. 39'. » ' Abner' in MS. by a slip. t His mother ^ as tlaughter til the lord Bnicp. whose ancestors had been kings of Scotlana! t Sir Robert Harley (son), an iTigeniose g^nt. and expert sol- dier, liaz often sayfl, that (generally! the rommanders of the king's army would never be arquainted with their soldiers, which was an extraordinary 1)rejudice to the ting's cause. A captaine's good look, or good word (some times), floes infinitely winne them, and oblige them ; and he would say 'twa to admiration how souldiers will venture their lives for an obligeing officer. — quod N. B. 158 Aubreys 'Brief Lives' John Cecil, 4th earl of Exeter (1628-1678). * . . . Cecil, earl of Exeter (quaere my lord chief baron Montagu * de nomine Christiano earle of Exeter, translated monsieur Balsac's letters, as appeares by his c[nstle to my lord in the first volumnc, lib. V, Icttre V, and Vol. 2'', lib. V, lettre VI — ' et je suis sans doute beaucoup plus honneste homme en Angleterre qu'en France, puisque j'y parle par vostre bouche.' William Cecil, lord Burghley (1520-1598). ** Cecil, lord Burleigh : — Memorandum, the true name is Sitsilt, and is an ancient Monmouthshire family, but now come to be about the size ^ of yeomanry. In the church at Monmouth, I remember in a south windowe an ancient scutcheon of the family, the same that this family beares. 'Tis strange that they should be so vaine to leave off an old British name for a Romancy one, which I beleeve Mr. Verstegan did putt into their heads, telling his lordship, in his booke, that they were derived from the ancient Roman Cccilii. The first lord Burley (who was Secretary of Estate) was at first but (a) country-schoole- master, and (I thinke Dr. Thomas Fuller sayes, vide Holy State) borne in Wales. I remember (when I was a schooleboy at Blandford) Mr. Basket, a reverend divine, who was wont to beg us play-dayes, would alwayes be** uncovered, and sayd that ' 'twas the lord Burleigh's custome./(?r (said he) here is my Lord ChanccUcr, my Lord Treasurer, my Lord Chief Justice, &c., predestinated! 'He made Cicero's Epistles his glasse, his rule, his oracle, and ordinarie pocket-booke ' (Dr. J. Web in pre- face of his translation of Cicero's Familiar Epistles). * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 59^ * Sir\Villiam Montagu, Chief Baron of ihe Exchequer 1676-1686. '' John Ctcil, succeeded as fourth earl in 1^43. ** MS. Anbr. 8, fol. 60. Dupl. with ' degree.' <* Subat. for ' keepe.' Thomas Chaloner 159 Thomas Chaloner (1595-1661). * Thomas Chaloner ^, esq., [bred ^ up in Oxon], was the (third) son of Dr (Thomas) Chaloner, who was tutor (i.e. infurinator^) to prince Henry (or prince Charles — vide bishop Hall's Letters de hoc). He was a well-bred gentleman, and of very good naturall parts, and of an agreable humour. He had the accomplish- ments of studies at home, and travells in France, Italic, and Germanic. About anno . . . (quaere John Collins) riding a hunting in Yorkeshire (where the allum workes now are), on a common, he tooke notice of the soylc and herbage, and tasted the water, and found it to be like that where he had seen the allum workes in Germanic. Wherupon he gott a patent of the king (Charles I) for an allum worke (which was the first that ever was in England), which was worth to him two thousand pounds per annum, or better : but tempore Caroli I""' some courtiers did thinke the profitt too much for him, and prevailed so with the king, that, notwithstanding the patent aforesayd, he graunted a moeitie, or more, to another (a courtier), which was the reason that made Mr. Chaloner so interest himselfe for the Parliament-cause, and, in revenge, to be one of the king's judges. He was as far from a puritan as the East from the West. He was of the naturall religion, and of Henry Martyn's gang, and one who loved to enjoy the pleasures of this life. He was (they say) a good scholar, but he wrote nothing that I hearc of, onely an anonymous pam- phlett, 8vo, scil. An account of the Discovery of Moysess Tombe; which was written very wittily. It was about 1652. It did sett the witts of all the Rabbis of the * MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 19. " The words in sqii.Tre biackets are added by Anthony Wood. Chalo- ner matriculated at Exeter Collejje, June 7, 161 1. i. e. ' tutor,' in the sense of instructor (not, of comptroller of the household). i6o Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' Assembly then to worke, and 'twas a pretty while before the shamme was detected, which was by He had a trick sometimes to goe into Westminster hall in a morning in Terme time, and tell some strange story* (sham), and would come thither again about 1 1 or 12 to have the pleasure to heare how it spred : and sometimes it would be altered, with additions, he could scarce knowe it to be his owne. He was neither proud nor covetous, nor a hypocrite : not apt to doe injustice, but apt to revenge. After the restauration of King Charles the Second, he ^ kept the castle at the Isle of Man f, where he had a prettie wench that was his concubine : * where when newes was brought him that there were some come to the castle to demaund it for his majestic, he spake to his girle to make him a posset, into which he putt, out of a paper he had, some poyson, which did, in a very short time, make him fall a vomiting exceedingly ; and after some time vomited nothing but bloud. His retchings were so violent that the standers by were much grieved to behold it. Within three howres he dyed. The demandants of the castle came and sawe him dead ; he was swoln so extremely that they could not see any eie he had, and no more of his nose then the tip of it, which shewed like a wart, and his coddes were swoln as big as one's head. This account I had from George Estcourt, D.D., whose brother-in-lawe, . . . Hotham, was one of those that sawe him. Aoles. ' Aubrey gives in trick the coat ' azure, 3 cherubs' heads or.' In MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 6', is a note : — ' Is Chaloner's shield cum vel sine chevron. Resp. — cum chevron, pront per scale.' Anthony Wood assigns the discovery, and first working, of the alum-reine to Thomas Chaloner the father, towards the end of Elizabeth's reign. ^ Anthony Wood says that James Chaloner, brother of Thomas, poisoned himself in 1660 at Peel Castle. Thomas died in 1661 at Middleburg in Zeeland. t This is a mistalce. K( dmund ) W( yld ) esq. assures me tliat 'twas James Chaloner that dveH in the Isle of' Man : and that Thomas Chalo.ver dyed or went beyond the sea ; but which of them was the eldest brother he knowes not, but he ghesses James to be the elder, because he had 1500 //. per annum (circiter), which Thom.\s had not. * Dnpl. with ' false,' i.e. falsehood. * MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 19' George Chapman. Walter Charleton i6i George Chapman (15,57-1634). * On the south side of St. Giles church in the church- yard by the wall, one entire Portland stone \ a yard and \ high fei^e, thickness half a yard. D. O. M, Georgius Chapmannus Poeta Homericus Philosophus o (etsi Christianus otus) per quam celeriter ... V: LXXVII fatis concessit . . . die Maii anno Salutis Humanae M D C XXXIV H. S. E. Ignatius Jones architectus regius ob honorem bonarum literarum familiari suo hoc monumentum D. S. P. F. C. Note. ' In MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 61'', Aubrey gives a rough drawing of the monument. The lower part is an oblong block, ' thicknes | yard : one entire Portland stone ' with the inscription on the front. Above is a laurel wreath carved in stone. Behind is what seems to be a mural tablet. In MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 6", Aubrey asks, 'quaere if . . . Chapman is in the first part ?' i.e. in MS. Aubr. 6 (Lives, Part i.) : but no life of Chapman is found in that volume. Walter Charleton (161^-1707). ** Walter Charleton, M.D., borne at Shepton-Malet * in com. Somerset, Feb. 2**, 1619, about 6 h. P.M., his mother being then at supper. *** ' Dom. G. Charleton, D. M. : nascitur die Mercurii ** Febr., aerae Christi \6\~, hor. 12, mom. 18 P.M.' — this*^ is my lord William Brounckar's doeing and is his ovvne hand- writing. * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 61. Aubrey Aubrey in MS. Wood F. 39, fol. has been unable to make out the T44. whole inscription. *** MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 54. ** MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 53', and a slip •> Wednesday, at fol. loo". ' i.e. the horoscope which Aubrey " ' His father was minister there' : has there. I. M Aitbreys 'Brief Lives' Thomas Charnock (1526-1581). * Mr. (Andrew) Paschal, rector of Chedzoy, hath the originall scroll of Mr. Charnock, scilicet, of the philoso- pher's stone. ** Mr. Charnock, the chymist, mentioned in < Ashmole's) Theati'um Chymimm, was buryed in Otterhampton neer Bridgewater, anno 1581 ^, April 21, aged 55 yeares — (from) Mr. Paschal : vide Mr. Paschal's lettre, here inserted before (the life of) Nicholas Mercator, p. 32. *** Concerning Mr. CJiarnocke, Sir, Mr. Wells of Bridgewater performed his promise. He writes that the house was lately pulled down, and is new built from the ground, all except the wall at the east end. He could make nothing of what was only left over the chimney ; but he found the little dore that led out of the lodging-chamber into the little AtJianor roome. Of that you have an account in the enclosed draught. The two roses I take to be the white and red, termes common with Charnocke for the two magisteries. The two animals over them I suppose are wolves, denoting the J abounding with a volatile ^ 0 and used for pre- paring and purifying one of the principal ingredients into the worke. Out of it growes (if those authors may be credited) most precious fruits. I obliged a painter to goe over soon after I had been there and take all he could find exactly. He was there, but I could never get anything from him : an ingeniose man, but egregiously carelesse. Looking back I find this noted by me — June 22, 1681 ; the place in the Athaiior roome in which he kept his * MS. Aubr. 21, fol. 77. ** MS. Aiibr. 8, fol. 9'. » Anthony Wood noted here ' rather 1 680 ; if you menne Stephen Charnock, the divine ' : but saw his error and erased the note. i. e. as fol. 56-58 of MS. Aubr. 8. *** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 58"; the heading is by Aubrey; the letter is the original. « Earth. d Salt. Thomas Charnock 163 lampe was stone-work about 15 inches deep and so much square in the clear from side to side. Over it a wooden collar with a rabit* as to lett-in a cover close. No place to come into the square but by the collar, contrived probably after the accident of burning his tabernacle mentioned in his printed pieces. I find this added: — 'Twas painted about the chimney thus : — on the left side of the chimney proceeded from a red stalk streaked with white, first, a paire of red branches, then a paire of white, then of red, then one of white to the top ; something like a rabbit's head painted looking from the chimney to the foot of the sayd stalk. — The next picture separated as by a pillar on the chimney :— from one stalke, two white branches, of either side one ; then two red, above; then two white; then at the top this the balls of a dusky yellow. — The next picture is also distinguished by a pillar on the chimney to the right side: this (is) quite obscured by smoake. In the left corner of the roome another picture described, with double branches, white, then red, then white, then one on the top red. This is all I can say of that place, of which I wish I were capable of sending a better account. The other side of Mr. Wells's paper gives you one of the schemes in the middle of the roll, which is now by me. The transcription of the thing, said to be Ripley's, should cost Mr. Ashmole nothing, were I not under an obligation not to impart it to any. It may be greatly to his losse who did communicate it to me, if the owner should know I have it. If I can contrive a way to send it with leave I shall be ambitious to gratify that worthy person. your etc. And. Paschall. * Rabbet = ' a groove cut along the edge of another board, required to fit edge of a board ... to receive a it.' — Century Dictionary. corresponding projection cut on the M 2 164 Aubreys 'Brie/ Lives' * To his much honoured friend John Aubrey, esqre., these present, at Mr. Hooke s lodgeings in Gresham College, London. ** Sir, I received and returne thankes for yours. Since my last I got leave to transcribe w^hat Mr. Char- nocke v^^rote on the backside of the rolle, w^hich I heer send you. I kept as neare as I could to the very errours of his pen, by which it may in part be seen that he was, as he professes, an itnlettcrcd scholar. The inside of the rolle (which is all in Latine, and perhaps the same with the scrowle mentioned in Thcntriim CJieuiicuvi, p. 375) was composed by a great master in the Hermetic philosophy and written by a master of his pen. Some notes written in void spaces of it by Mr. Charnocke's hand shew he did not (at least throughly) understand it. But it seemes to me that this rolle was a kind of Vade ineaim or manuall that the students in that wisdome carryed about with them. I presume 'twas drawn out of Raymund LuUy, of which I shall be able to gaine fuller satisfaction when I have his workes come down. I was also, since my last, at Mr. Charnocke's house in Comag, where the rolle was found ; and saw the place where 'twas hid. I saw the litle roome and contrivance he had for keeping his worke, and found it ingeniosely ordered so as to prevent a like accident to that which befell him New Yeare's day, 1 555 ; and this pretty place joining as a closet to his chamber was to make a servant needlesse and the worke of giving attendance more easy to himselfe. I have also a litle iron instrument found there which he made use of about his fire. I sawe on the doore of his little Athaiwr-xoom, if I may so call it, drawn by his own hand, with course colours and work, but in- geniously, an embleme of his worke, at which I gave some guesses, and so about the walls of his chamber. I thinke * Address, on MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 53. ** MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 57. The letter Postage is marked as ' 6(/.' is the original. Thomas Chaniock there was in all 5 panes of this worke, all somewhat differing from each other, some very obscure and almost worne out. They told me that people had been unwilling to dwell in that house, because reputed troublesome, — I presume from some traditionall storyes of this person, who was looked on by his neighbours as no better than a conjurer. As I was taking horse to come home from this pleasant entertainment, I see a pretty ancient man come forth of the next doore. I asked him how long he had lived there. Finding that it was the place of his birth, I inquired if he had ever heard anything of that Mr. Charnocke. He told me he had heard his mother (who dyed about 13 or 14 yeares since and was 80 yeares of age at her decease) often speake of him ; that he kept a fire in, divers yeares ; that his daughter hved with him ; that once he was gone forth, and by her neglect (whome he trusted it with in his absence) the fire went out and so all his worke was lost ; the brazen head was very neare comeing to speake, but so was he disappointed. I suppose the pleasant-humoured man — for that he was so appeares by his breviary — alludeing to Frier Bacon's story, did so put off the inquisitivenes of his simple neigh- bours, and thence it is come down there by tradition till now. Indeed it appeares by the inclosed lines that when he wrote the rolle he had attained but to the white stone, which is perhaps not half the way to the red, (' Put me to my sister Mercury, I congeale into silver ') ; and, if the old woman's tale were true, he might after- wards be going on and be come neare to the red and then that vexing accident might befall him ; and this might be, notwithstanding what is sayd in the fragment, re- ferred to the yeare 1574, for (being so neare the red as the traditionall story saycs he was) he might see in that 50th yeare of his age that the white was ferment to the red. You may observe my calculation differs in one thing from Mr. Ashmole's in his notes upon T/ieatruin Chemiami, Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' p. 478 : for he makes ' the presse ' to have been (out of Stowe) 15,58, but I (out of Dr. Burnet's History) 1557; and consequently he supposes the presse to have been after the finishing of the Breviary, but I presume he set on the Breviary after he was pressed. So indeed he him- selfe plainly averres in the 4 last lines of chapter 4 of his Breviary {Tlieairiivi Chcmicinn, p. 296). I mention this to give a reason for my dissenting from your worthy friend, to whome I must intreat you to communicate these in- formations that I have had opportunity to gather, and also present my humble service. Sir, I thought when I set pen to paper to have given you an account of some conversation I have had with a person who is a zealous friend and admirer of this sort of know- ledge, but I see I have already gone beyound bounds. I shal onely say he hath almost convinced me that it is not so hidden and obscure, so difficult and unaccountable, as men commonly seeme to beleeve. I am in hopes to receive, by Mr. Hooke's and Mr. Lodwick's favour, the lamp for which he was pleased to give directions some time since. I have not yet seen my miller and his invention, though he promised to bring it to me ; I presume 'tis not yet ready. I expect him dayly. Pray give my humble service to our worthy friend, and to Mr. Pigott. I am sure I now need the ^ . . . . * I shall be glad to heare of a new edition of the Theatruni ^ and that you will speed the printing of your MS. of Raymund Lullye's. If it doe not goe soon to the presse, how joyfuU should I be to have the perusall of it ! 'Tis the onely grievous thing I suffer in this solitude that I may not see good bookes and good men, but I must be content. * Line frayed off. * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 56''. Elias Ashmolc's Theatritin Chemi- cum BritannicMH, 1652. Thomas Charnock 16'] * The first thing written on the back side is as followes At Stockeland, Bristowe, iiii myles from Brigewater, 1566. The principall rules of naturall philosophy figuratively set fourth to the obtayning of the philosopher's stone, collectyd out of xl auctors by the unletteryd scholer Thomas Chamocke, studient in the sciencis off astronomic, physick, and naturall philosophic, the same year that he dedicatyd a booke off the science to queene Elizabeth of Englande which was Anno Domini 1566, and the viii yere off her raigne. {MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 56^, gives the rest of the writing on the back of the roll ; but the outer edge of the leaf is torn off, and the writing consequently imperfect) ** his pose on the white and red rose . . . . black appere sartayne . . . XX or it wax bright . . . Ix after to black againe . . . XX or it be perfet'' white . . . it or all quick things be dedd or this rose be redd Thomas Chamocke [in red letters] 1572. This is the philosopher's dragon which eateth upp his one tayle Beinge famisshed in a doungen of glas and all for my prevayle (Ma)ny yeres I keapt this dragon in pryson strounge. (Bef)ore I coulde mortiffy him I thought it lounge (But) at the lenght by God's grace yff ye beleve my worde (I) vanquished him wythe a fyrie sword. [Then ^ followes the picture of a dragon with a black stone under his foot, with a white stone neare his breast, with a red stone over his head : his tayle is turned to his gapeing mouth.] The dragon speketh : — . . . . souldiers in armoure bright . . . (n)ot have kylled me in fyelde in fighte . . . (Cha)mock nother for all his philosophic . . . (pr)yson and famyne he had not famysshed me * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 56. ° i. e. of the roll mentioned, supra, p. 164. ** M.S. Aubr. 8, fol. 56'. b < Perfet ' is scored through. A note added ia the text by Paschall. A description by Paschall of a drawing on the roll, after the above verses. t68 Aitbreys 'Brief Lives' (Guy of \V)arwicke nor Bevys of Southehampton . . . . such a venomous dragon . . . . fowght with PHdra the serpent e cowlde not have his intent . . . . n the wyse inc'.ose too in a toonne off brasse . . . . d shutt up in a doungeon of glasse . . . . lyffe was so quick and my poyson so strounge • . . . e cowlde kyll me it was full lounge . . . . he hyld me in prison day and nyght . . (k)eapt me from sustenance to mynishe me myght . . . When I saw none other remedye . . . very hunger I eate myne one bodye by corruption I became black and dedd (Th)at precious stone which is in my hedd . . . be worth a M'' to him that hath skyll (F)or that stone's sake he wysely dyd me kyll (In d)eath I dyd hym forgyve even at the very hower (Se>inge that he wylbe beneficiall unto the poore When I was alyve I was but stronge poyson Profittable for few things in conclusion (Now th)at I ame now dying in myne owTie blood (N)ow I do excell all other wordeley good (A) new name is given me of those that be wysse (No)w I ame named the elixer off great price (If y)ou wyll make prouff, put to me my sister mercury (I will co)ngoyle hir into sylver in the twinkling off an eye qualites I have many mo . . . (foo)lyshe and ingenorant shall never kno Few prelates and Masters of art within this reame Do knowe aryght what I do meane My great grawnt-father was killyd by Ravnde LuUi, knight of Spayne And my g(r)awnt-father by Syr Gorge Rippley, a chanon of Yenglande sartayne And my father by a chanon of Lechefelde was kylled truly Who gave hym to his man Thomas Davton when he dyd dye And my mother by Mr. Thomas Norton off Bristow slayn was And each of these were able to make or D in a glasse And now I ame made the great and riche elixer allso That my master shall never lack whether he ryde or go But he and all other must have great feare and aye As secrettely as they can to exchaunge my increase awaye. Here Chamock changeth to a better cheere For the sorrow that he hath sufferj'd many a yere " The symbols for sun and moon = gold and silver. Thomas C ha mock 169 Or that he could accomplish the regiment of his fyre '^or he saw his desier Wherefore in thy hartt now prease God allway And do good deeds with it whatsoever thou may Therefore thy god gave this science unto thee To be bis stuarde and refresh the poore and needie. Anno D. 1526 — Thomas Charnocke borne at Feversham in Kent. He travailed all England over to gain his knowledge. 155I — He attained the secret from his master of Salisbury close, who dying left his worke with him. He lost it by fireing his tabernacle on a New Yeare's day. About this time being 28 yeares of age, he learned the secret againe of the prior of Bathe. He began anew with a servant, and againe by him- selfe alone without a servant. He continued it nine monthes ; was within a month of his reckoning ; the crowe's head began to appear black. 1 557 — He, pressed on a warre proclaimed against the French (Burnet's History, part 2, p. 35,5), broke and cast all away. January i, he began ; July 20, he ended, his Breviary. 1562 — He marryed Agnes Norden at Stockland, Bristoll. 1563 — He buryed Absolon his son. 1566 — He dedicated a booke to Queen Elizabeth 9 yeares after the Breviary was penned. He dated the rolle at Stockland. 1572 — He wrote the posy on the rolle. He wrote his aenigma ad Alchimiam'' and de Alchimia 3573 — the fragment'! of ' knocke the child on the head.' 1 574 — that he never saw the white ferment to the red till that jCth yeare of his age. * Half a line which Paschall could not read. Printed in Ashmole's Thealrum Chemictim. ^ Printed ibid. Printed ibid. Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' 1576 — the difficulty of the philosophick number in the roll. J581 — Buryed at Otterhampton neare Stockland out of his house at Comage where he kept his worke. 1587 — Bridget Charnock (probably his daughter that kept his house when his fire was sayd to go out), marryed to one . . . Thatcher in Stockland. Collected out of the Roll, the register, and T/ieatruin Chcviicinn. Geoffrey Chaucer (1328-1400). * Sir Geffrey Chaucer : memorandum — Sir Hamond L' Estrange, of . . . , in . . . had his Workes in MS., a most curious piece, most rarely writt and illumined, which he valued at 100//. His grandson and heire still haz it. — From Mr. Roger L'Estrange. He taught his sonne the use of (the) astrolabe at 10 ; prout per his treatise of the Astrolabe. Dunnington Castle, neer Newbury, was his ; a noble seate and strong castle, which was held by the King (Charles P*) (who governour ?) but since dismanteled. Memorandum : — neer this castle was an oake, under which Sir Jeofrey was wont to sitt, called Chaucer' s-oake, which was cutt downe by tempore Caroli I™' : and so it was, that was called into the starre chamber, and was fined for it. . . . Judge Richardson * harangued against him long, and like an orator, had topiques from the Druides, etc. This information I had from ... an able attorney that was at the hearing. His picture is at his old howse at Woodstock (neer the parke-gate), a foot high, halfe way : has passed from proprietor to proprietor. ** One Mr. Goresuch of Woodstock dined with us at Rumney marsh, who told me that at the old Gothique- built howse neer the parke-gate at Woodstock, which was the howse of Sir Jeffrey Chaucer, that there is his picture, * MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 27. ** Aubrey, in MS. Wood F. 39, ■ Sir Thomas Richardson, Chief fol. 200: April 7, 1673. Tuslice of the King's Bench, 1631. IVilltam Chillingworth 171 which goes with the howse from one to another — which see. William Chillingworth (1602-164I). * WiUiam Chillingworth^ D. D., — vide Anthony Wood's Antiq. Oxon. in Trinity College — was borne in Oxford. His father was a brewer. About anno ... he was acquainted with one . . . who drew him and some other scholars over to Doway, where he was not so well entertained as he thought he merited for his great disputative witt. They made him the porter (which was to trye his temper, and exercise his obedience) : so he stole over and came to Trinity College againe, where he was fellowe. William Laud, A. B. C.%was his godfather and great friend. He sent his grace weekly intelligence of what passed in the university-. Sir William Davenant (poet laureat) told me that notwithstanding this doctor's great reason, he was guiltie of the detestable crime of treachery. Dr. Gill filius D"' Gill (schoolmaster of Paules schoole), and Chillingworth held weekely intelligence one with another for some yeares, wherein they used to nibble at states-matters. Dr. Gill in one of his letters calles King James and his sonne, the old foole and the young one, which letter Chillingworth communicates to W. Laud, A. B. Cant. The poore young Dr. Gill was seised, and a terrible storme pointed towards him, which, by the eloquent intercession and advocation of Edward, earle of Dorset, together with the teares of the poore old Doctor his father, and supplication on his knees to his majestic, were blowne-over. I am sorry so great a witt should have such a naeve. Absentem qui rodit amicuni. Qui non defendit alio culpante, solutos Qui capiat risus hominum famamque dicacis, Fingere qui non visa potest, commissa tacere Qui nequit : hie niger est; hunc tu, Romane, caveto. HORAT. lib. I, sat. iv. * MS. Aubr. 6, ful. 12^ i. e. Arch Bishop of Canterbury. 172 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' He was a little man, blackish haire, of a saturnine complexion. The lord Falkland (vide (life of) lord Falkland) and he had such extraordinary clear reasons, that they were wont to say at Oxon that if the great Turke were to be converted by naturall reason, these two were the persons to convert him. He lies buried in the south side of the cloysters at Chichester, where he dyed of the morbus castrensis after the taking of Arundel castle by the parliament : wherin he was very much blamed by the king's soldiers for his advice in military affaires there, and they curst that little priest and imputed the losse of the castle to his advice. In his sicknesse he was inhumanely treated by Dr. Chey- nell who, when he was to be buryed, threw his booke into the grave with him, saying, ' Rott with the rotten ; let the dead bury the dead.' Vide a pamphlet of about 6 sheets writt by Dr. Cheynell (maliciously enough) where he gives an account of his life. This following inscription was made and set-up by Mr. Oliver Whitby ^ his fellowe-collegiate at Trinity College and now one of the prebendarys of this church : Virtuti sacrum. Spe certissimae resurrectionis Hie reducem expectat animam GUUELMVS ChILLINGWORTH, S. T. p. Oxonii natus et educatus, Collegii S**^ Trinitatis olim Socius, Decus et Gloria. Omni Literarum genere celeberrimus, Ecclesiae Anglicanae adversus Romano-Catholicam Propugnator invictissimus, Ecclesiae Sarisburiensis Praecentor t dignissimus ; Sine Exequiis, Furentis cujusdam Theologastri, Doctoris Cheynell +, Diris et maledictione sepultus : Honoris et Amicitiae ergo, Ab Olivero Whitby, t This is a mistake ; he was not Chantor of the Church, but Chancellor of the Church of S.arum, whose office was antiently to read a lecture in Latin, quarterlj', in the pulpit in the library, either in Theologie or the Canon Lawe. Since the Reformation 'twas commuted into preaching on the Holy- dayes. He ne\ er swore to all the points of the Church of England. J Minister of Petworth. IVi'lliam Chillingzvorth 173 Brevi hoc monimento, Posterorum memoriae consecratus, Anno Salutis, 1672 a My tutor, W. Browne haz told me, that Dr. Chilling- worth studied not much, but when he did, he did much in a little time. He much delighted in Sextus Empeiricus. He did walke much in the College grove, and there contemplate, and meet with some cod's-licad or other, and dispute with him and baffle him. He thus prepared himselfe before-hand. He would alwayes be disputing; so would my tutor. I thinke it was an epidemick evill of that time, which I thinke now is growne out of fashion, as unmannerly and boyish. He was the readiest and nimblest disputant of his time in the university, perhaps none haz equalled him since. I have heard Mr. Thomas Hobbes, Malmesb. (who knew him), say, tliat lie was like a lusty fighting fellow that did drive his enimics before him, but tvotild often give his oivne party stnart ^ back-bloives. When Doctor Kettle, (the president of Trin. Coll. Oxon.) dyed'', which was in anno (1643) Dr. Chillingworth was competitor for the presidentship, with Dr. Hannibal Potter and Dr. Roberts. Dr. Han. Potter had been formerly chaplain to the bishop of Winton, who was so much Dr. Potter s friend, that though (as Will Hawes haz told me) Dr. Potter was not lawfully elected, upon referring themselves to their visitor (bishop of Winton), the bishop (Curie) ordered Dr. Potter possession ; and let the fellowes gett him out if they could. This was shortly after the lord Falkland was slaine, who had he lived, Dr. Chillingworth assured Will Hawes, no man should have carried it against him : and that he was so extremely discomposed and wept bitterly for the losse of his deare friend, yet notwithstanding he doubted not to have an astergance ^ for it. " 1642, in MS. Dupl. with ' terrible.' 174 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' Azotes. ' William Chillingworth was elected Scholar of Trinity June 2, 1618 (then of St. Martin's parish, Oxon, aged 19), and Fellow, June 10, 1628. ■ For another instance of reports sent to Laud (who was Chancellor of Oxford 1630-41) about Oxford matters, see Clark's Wood's Life and Times, ii. 238. Alexander Gill matr. at Trinity College, June 26, 161 2, was Clerk at Wadham College, April 20, 1613, but rejoined Trinity and from thence took his D.D., March 9, 163I. He was usher to his father in St. Paul's School 1621-28, being removed for the offence here related. * Francis Cheynell, a native of Oxford (like Chillingworth), Fellow of Merton 1629, D.D. July 24, 1649. ' Oliver Whitby, matr. at Trinity, Oct. 15, 1619; Archdeacon of Chichester, Dec. 23, 1672. " W'illiam Browne, of Blandford St. Mary, Dorset, aged 16, elected Scholar of Trinity May 28, 1635, M.A. March 18, 164I. ' Anthony Wood, in a marginal note, objects — ' This cannot be : Dr. Kettle died after Chillingworth.' But Wood is wrong. Keltell died in July 1643; Chillingworth in January, 164I ; Potter was admitted President August 8, 1643. * ' Astergance,' apparently an Aubrey form for ' abstergence,' i. e. consolation. The meaning perhaps is : — although Chillingworth was grieved for Falkland's (or Kettell's) death, he had looked for the consolation of being promoted to the Presidentship of his College. John Clavell (1601-1642). * John Clavell, the famous thiefe, borne May ii, 1601, 1 1'' 30' P.M. Jolin Cleveland (16 13-1658). ** John Cleveland was borne at . . . (quaere Mr. Nayler) in Warwickshire. He was a fellow of St. John's Colledge in Cambridge, where he was more taken notice of for his being an eminent disputant, then a good poet. Being turned out of his fellowship for a malignant he came to Oxford, where the king's army was, and was much caressed by them. He went thence to the garrison at Newark upon Trent, where upon some occasion of drawing of articles, or some writing, he would needs add a short conclusion, viz. ' and hereunto we annex our lives, as a labell to our trust.' After the king was beaten out of the field, he came to London, and retired in Grayes ♦ MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 121". ** MS. Aubr. 6. fol. 6-. ^ George Clifford 175 Inne. He, and Sam. Butler, &c. of Grayes Inne, had" a clubb every night. He was a comely plump man, good curled haire, darke browne. Dyed of the scurvy, and lies buried in St. Andrew's church, in Holborne, anno Domini 165.. (quaere Mr. Nayler'', of . . . ). George Clifford, earl of Cumberland (i 558-1 605). *Henry, earl of : Cumberland ; obiit 12 Eliz. ( 1570 ). Anne, daughter of William, lord Dacres of Giilesland. George, earl of m. Marg< aret > daughter Cumberland obiit 3 Jacobi <i6o5>. ( of Francis, earl of Bedford). Francis, m. Grisold, daughter earl of Cum- berland, obiit 1641. (i) Richard, m. Anne, »/. (2) Philip, earl of earl of Dorset daughter and neir Pembroke and Montgomery. Margaret, m. John, earl of Thanet, ISABELL m. James, earl of North- ampton. Nicholas, earl of Thanet, my hon- oured lord ; obiit November 27, 1679, ^^"^ issue. . Elizabeth, daughter of Richard, earl of Corke and Burlington. John, obiit sine prole. Richard, now earle. of Thomas Hughes of Uxbridge, esq. Henry, earl m of Cumber- land, obiit 1643. Henry, earl of Cum- berland, was a poet. His daughter (the countesse of Corke and Burlington) hath several 1 ^' copies of his making. Elizabeth Frances, daughter of Robert Cecill, earl of Saruin. m. Richard < Boyle >. earl of Cork and Burling- ton. t This George, earl of Cumberland, built the greatest fleet of shipping that ever any subject did. He had a vast estate, and could then ride in his ovvne lands from Yorkeshire to West- He had . . . castles. The best account of his expedition with his fleet to America is to be found in Purchas's Pilgrim. He tooke from the Spaniards to the value of seaven or 8 hundred thousand poundes. When he returned with this riche t From Elt'cahel/t, countesse of Thanet. morland. ' MS. has 'did had,' i.e., Aubrey * Aubrey, in MS. Rawl. D. at first thought of writing 'did have.' fol. 96*. Perhaps John Nayler, fellow of <= Subst. for ' a great many.' St. John's College, Cambridge. 176 Aubrey's 'Brief Lives' cargo (the richest without doubt that ever subject brought), the queene's councell (where he had some that envyed ^'"^ Virtntis comes Invidid) layed their heads together and concluded 'twas too much for a subject to have, and confiscated it all to the queen, even shippes and all, and to make restauration to the Spaniard, that he was forced to sell fifteene thousand pounds per annum. My lady Thanet told me she sawe the accounts in writing. The armada of the Argonautes was but a trifle to this. As I take it. Sir Walter Ralegh went this brave voyage with his lordship ; and Mr. Edmund Wright, the excellent navigator ; and, not unlikely, Mr. Harriot too. This was the breaking of that ancient and noble family ; but Robert, earl of Salisbury (who was the chiefest enemie) afterwards maried his daughter, as above, as he might well be touch't in conscience, to make some recompence after he had donne so much mischiefe. That he was an acquaintance of Sir Walter Raleigh, I remember by this token, that Sir James Long told me that one time he came to Draycot with Sir Walter Raleigh from Bathe, and, hunting a buck in the parke there, his horse made a false step in a conie-borough and threw him and brake the kennell-bone of his shoulder. Henry Clifford, earl of Cumberland (1591-1643). * From the pedigree of the carles of Cumberland ^ in the hands of Elizabeth, countesse of Thanet, daughter of the earle of Burlington and Corke. George, (third) earl of Cumberland, had seaven f castles in the north. He was buryed with his ances- ca?teiir..''"°' tors at Skippon Castle. Obiit about the beginning of King James's raigne. Vide epistle to George, earl of Cumberland, before the History of the Massacre. * M.S. Aubr. 8, fol. 28. " The number was doubtful, see supra, p. 175. Henry Clifford ^11 (fifth) carl of Cumberland, was a poet; the of Corke and Burlington haz still his verses, of Christ Church, Oxon Nicholas, earl of as wont to say that the mare of Fountaines- dash, meaning that since they gott that estate the church) they did never thrive but still Henry, lord Clifford, first earl of Cumberland, obiit 34 Henry VIII { 1542); sepult. in ecclesia Skippon. Knight of the Garter. Henry, lord Clifford, second earle of Cum- m. .Anne, daughter of William, lord Uacres of Henry, countesse He was Thanet, w abbey did (given to declined. berland, obiit 12 Eliz , 8 januarn 1570 (i.e. rl). He was knight of the most noble order of the Garter, and lord of Westmorland and Vesse. Buried in skippon Church. Gillesland, his second wife. She died in Skipton Castle in July 1581, and was buryed in the vault of that Church. I . George, third earl of m. Margaret, Cumberland, knight of I daughter the Garter, that made of Francis, the famous expedition earl of to America. Obiit 1605 Bedford, in the Savoy at London. Sepult. in Skippon Church. Richard, earle m. Lady Anne ?«. Philip. of Dorset. j Clifford earl of Obiit at Dorset (quaere obiit). Pembroke, house, 28 etc. March, 1624. had issue only two daughters. 2. Francis, m. Mris Grizell erearl of Hughes of Cumber- Uxbridge, land. widow to Thomas • Nevill, lord Abergavenny. Henry, lord »/. Frances CcciU, Clifford : last onlv daughter of Robert, earl of earl of Cum- berland of that line. Obiit in Yorke, 1643. Salisbury, Lord High Treasurer. Obiit 14 Feb. •643- Elizabeth Clifford, mar t'ed (i6t,'0 'Richard borne in Skipton Boyle, earle of Castle, 1613. Corke and Burlington. * Henry, the last earle of Cumberland, was an ingeniose gentleman for those times and a great acquaintance of the Lord Chancellor Bacon's ; and often writt to one another, which lettres the countesse of Corke and Burlington, my lady Thanet's mother, daughter and heir of that family, keepes as reliques ; and a poeme in English that her father wrott upon the Psalmes and many other subjects, and very well, but the language being now something out of fashion, like Sir Philip Sydney's, they will not print it. NoUs. ' Aubrey gives in trick the coat : — ' checquy or and .nzure, a fess gules [Clifford],' surmounted by an earl's coronet. Anthony Wood has a note here:— ' George, earl of Cumberland, A.M. 1502: A ll. Aed. Christi, 1608, quaere '—this latter degree belongs to Henry, fifth carl. Matric. Jan. 30, 160^: took B.A. Feb. 16, l6o». " ' Thomas,' is in error for Edward. * Aubrey, in MS. Wood F. 39, fol. 208 : May 17, 1673. I. N 178 Aiibrey^s 'Brief Lives' Sir Edward Coke (1502-1633). * Vide his life by ... : quaere his nephew or sonne * Roger Coke. Sir Edward Coke ^, knight, Lord Chiefe Justice of the King's Bench, was borne at ... in Norfolke. I heard an old lawyer ( . . . Dunstable) of the Middle Temple, 1646, who was his country-man, say that he was borne to 300 //. land per annum ^, and I have heard some of his country say again that he was borne but to 40 li. per annum. What shall one beleeve ? Quaere Roger Coke of what house he was in Cambridge, or if ever at the University. Old John Tussell (that was my attorney) haz told me that he gott a hundred thousand pounds in one yeare, viz. 1° Jacobi. being