part iii

, cap. 2, pag. 331.

[168]Then lawe-suite with her[169]. Then sold Easton-Peirse[AA], and the farme at Broad Chalke. Lost 500 _li._ (Fr. H.) + 200 _li._ + goods + timber. Absconded as a banishd man.

Then

In monte Dei videbitur[170].

I was in as much affliction as a mortall could bee, and never quiet till all was gone, <and I> wholly[171] cast myselfe on God's providence.

Monastery[172].

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 receptacles and provision for contemplative men; if of 500, but one or two[173]. 'Tis compensated[174]. 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 _pian piano_ (as they occur'd) take[175] notes of antiquity; and having a quick draught, have drawne landskips on horseback symbolically, e.g. <on my> journey to Ireland in July, Anno Domini 166-.

<The> earl of Thanet[176] <gave me> _otium_ at Hethefield.

<I[177] had> never quiett, nor anything of happinesse till[178] divested of all, 1670, 1671[AB]: at what time providence raysed me (unexpectedly) good friends--the right honourable Nicholas, earl of Thanet, with whom I was delitescent at Hethfield in Kent[AC] neer a yeare, and then was invited ...; anno ..., Sarney; Sir Christopher Wren; Mr. Ogilby; then Edmund Wyld, esq., R<egiae> S<ocietatis> S<ocius>, of Glasely-hall, Salop (sed in margine), tooke me into his armes, with whom I most commonly take my diet and sweet _otium's_.

Anno 1671, having sold all and disappointed as aforesaid of moneys I received, I had so strong[179] an impulse[180] to (in good part) finish my[181] _Description of Wilts_, 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[182] ⦻: makes me lethargique.

[183]<My> stomach <was> so tender that I could not drinke claret without sugar, nor white wine, but would disgorge. <It was> not well ordered till 1670.

☞ A strange fate that I have laboured under never[184] in my life to enjoy one entire monethe[VII.] or 6 weekes _otium_ for contemplation.

[VII.] Once at Chalke in my absconding Oct. anno ...; at Weston[185] anno....

My studies (geometry) were on horse back[VIII.], and <in> the house of office: (my father 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 + a dust basket, some wherof are to be valued.

[VIII.] So I got my Algebra, Oughtred in my pocket, with some[186] information from Edward Davenant, D.D., of Gillingham, Dorset.

His[187] chiefe vertue, gratitude.

Tacit. lib. IV § xx:--Cneus Lentulus[188], outre l' honneur du consulat et le triumphes de Getules, avoit la gloire d'avoir vescu sans reproche dans sa pauverté, et sans orgueil dans son opulence où il estoit parvenu de puis par de voyes legitimes.

<I was> never riotous or prodigall; but (as Sir E. Leech said) sloath and carelesnesse[189] <are> equivalent to all other vices.

My fancy lay most to geometrie. 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[190] he gave himselfe to drawing and painting. At 9, a pourtraiter[191]; and soon was....

Reall character, <things[192] that> lay dead, I caused to revive by engaging 6 or 7 ... _fungor vice cotis_, etc.

Wheras very sickly in youth; Deo gratias, healthy from 16.

_Amici._

A<nthony> Ettrick, Trin. Coll. M. T.[193]--John Lydall. Fr<ancis> Potter, of 666[194], C lettres[195]. 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, χρονογραφία etc. Mr. Ch<arles> Seymour, father[196] of the d<uke> of S<omerset>.

Sir Jo<hn> Stawell, M. T.[197] Bishop of Sarum <Seth Ward>. Dr. W<illiam> Holder.

_Scripsit[198]._

'The[199] Naturall History of Wiltshire.' These 'Lives' (pro AW[200], 1679/80). 'Idea[201] of education of the noblesse,' in Mr. Ashmole's hands. _item_, 'Remaynders of Gentilisme,' being observations on Ovid's _Fastorum_. _memorandum_, '_Villare Anglicanum_ interpreted.' item, _Faber Fortunae_ (for his own private use).

I. A. lived most at Broad-chalke in com. Wilts; sometimes at Easton Piers; at London every terme. Much of his time spent in journeying to South Wales (entaile[202]) 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[203]☍ old Jairer (?) taverne).

<I> expect preferment <through> Sir Ll. Jenkins[204].

[205]It was I. A. that did putt Mr. Hobbes upon writing his treatise _De Legibus_, which is bound up with his _Rhetorique_ that one cannot find it but by chance; no mention of it in the first title.

[206]I have writt '_an Idea of the education of the Noblesse_ from the age of 10 (or 11) till 18': left with Elias Ashmole, esquire.

[207]1673[208], die Jovis[209], 5ᵗᵒ Martii, 9ʰ 15´ + P.M. J. A. arrested <by> ... Gardiner, serjeant, a lusty faire-haired solar fellow, prowd, insolent, et omnia id genus.

[210]March 25, 1675, my nose bled at the left nostrill about 4ʰ. P.M. I doe not remember any event[AD].

[211]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.

[212]Captain ... Poyntz (for service that I did him to the earle of Pembroke and the earl of Abingdon[AE]) did very kindly make me a grant of a thousand acres of land in the island of Tobago, anno Domini 1685/6, Febr. 2ᵈ. He advised me to send over people to plant[AF] 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 lunae_ (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 seale, of six hundred acres in Pennsylvania[AG], 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.

[213]John Aubrey[AH], March 20, 1692/3, about 11 at night robbed and 15 wounds in my head.

January 5ᵗʰ, 1693/4, an apoplectick fitt, circiter 4ʰ. P.M.

[214]_Accidents of John Aubrey[AI]._

Borne at Easton-Piers, March 12, 1625/6, 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.

I can remember it. I gott not health till 11, or 12: but had sicknesse of vomiting for 12 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 yeares old, I had an issue (naturall) in the coronall suture of my head, which continued running till 21.

1634: October[215]: 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 businesse, never permitted me to make any settlement to my studie.

1651: about the 16 or 18 of April, I sawe that incomparable good conditioned gentlewoman, Mris M. Wiseman, with whom at first sight I was in love--haeret lateri[216].

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 Monmouthshire.

This yeare, and the last, was a strange year to me, and[217] of contradictions;--scilicet love M. W.[218] and lawe-suites.

1656: December: Veneris morbus.

[219]1657: Novemb. 27, obiit domina Katherina Ryves, with whom I was to marry; to my great losse.

1658: ...[220]

1659: March or Aprill, like 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 hurt donne.

1661, 1662, 1663: about these yeares I sold my estate in Herefordshire.

...[221]: Janu., had the honour to be elected fellow of the Royal Society.

1664: June 11, 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 1; I made my first addresse (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.

<1667/8>: 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 howres; but did not then goe to triall.

1669[222]: March 5, was my triall at Winton, from 8 to 9, the judge being exceedingly made against me, by my lady Hungerford. But 4 of the Venue (?) appearing, and with much adoe, gott the moëity 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.

[223]Memorandum:--St. John's night, 1673, in danger of being run through with a sword by a young ...[224] at Mr. Burges' chamber in the Middle Temple.

Quaere the yeare[225] 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: horoscope....[226])

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 ...[226] threatnes danger to me from falls.

I have been twice in danger of drowning.

_Notes._

[J] 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 1625/6, March 11th, 17ʰ 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.

[K] 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.

Ἐὰν ᾖς φιλομαθής, ἔσῃ πολυμαθής. By _pian piano_ I might have <attained to learning>; though <my> memory <was> not tenacious, <yet I had> zeale to learning, and ...[227] extraordinary, ... ...[228]; <but I was> bred ignorant at Eston.'

[L] Henry Coley, in his 'Observations upon the geniture' of Aubrey, MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 105ᵛ, 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.'

[M] 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, 1642/3, at 11ʰ 30´ P.M.'

MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 119ᵛ, 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.'

[N] 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 description of Easton-Piers. It is printed in J. E. Jackson's Aubrey's _Wiltshire Collections_ (Devizes, 1862), pp. 235 sqq.

[O] 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.'

[P] Aubrey in a marginal note seeks to bring his birth-day into connexion with the Roman Quinquatria (March 19). The note is: 'Quinquatria: feast dedicated to Minerva' <dupl. with 'Pallas'>.

[Q] 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[229]; selling away the mannor 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 employment 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[230], Sir William Petty, Sir John Hoskyns, bishop of Sarum[231], 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 turne too?_" You, I say, know well that I am no puritan, nor an enimy to the old gentleman on the other side of the Alpes. Truly, if I had a good parsonage of 2 or 300 _li._ per annum, (as you told me) it would be a shrewd temptation.'--Aug. 29, 1676.

[R] Aubrey notes in the margin, (1) '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[232] to Mr. Thomas Hobbes. He afterwards taught children here[233]. 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.'

[S] 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.

[T] In the margin Aubrey notes:--

'♄: strong impulse to ♄.' This means I suppose that the position of Saturn at his nativity gave him a bias to the study of antiquities.

[U] This means, I suppose, that the copies he made sufficiently resembled the pictures on the parlour wall. A note in MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 6ᵛ, perhaps refers to his own skill in drawing, 'As Mr. Walter Waller's picture drawne after his death; è contra, I have done severall by the life.' Walter Waller was vicar of Chalk, where Aubrey lived: see in the life of Edmund Waller.

[V] Possibly "The mysteries of nature and art, viz.... drawing, colouring ...," by J[ohn] B[ate], Lond. 1634, 4to.

[W] Here (fol. 3ᵛ) 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, 1679/80, 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. 3ᵛ):--'HORAT. _Epist._ 2ᵈ.' <i.e. _Epist._ ii. 2. 45>:--

'Atque inter sylvas Academi quaerere verum. Dura sed emovere loco me tempora grato.'

[X] 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. 190ᵛ, on Oct. 22, 1672, he says, 'I will bring you about March my two other draughts of Osney ruines, 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.

[Y] 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 Monmouthshire, 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.'

[Z] In MS. Aubr. 21, at fol. 75 is part of a draft of a will by Aubrey, probably the one mentioned here (Ralph Bathurst 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 armes 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[234] 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_s._, with a stone in it.

Item, to Mr. William Hawes[235] of Trinity College aforsaid a ring of the like value.

Item, to Mr. John Lydall[236] of the Colledge aforesaid a ring of the like value.

Item, to Mr. Ralf Bathurst[237] of Trinity College aforesaid a ring of the like value.

Item, to Mris Mary Wiseman of Westminster, my best diamond ring.'

[AA] On a slip at fol. 101 of MS. Aubr. 23 is the jotting:--'Eston-pierse: possession given, 25 March, 1671, P.M.'

[AB] 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. 141ᵛ, 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 Countrey 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.

[AC] In MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 113 is a note (dated 1672/3) 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 appearance.'

[AD] i.e. which followed after this bleeding. Bleeding at the nose was thought ominous: see Clark's Wood's _Life and Times_, iii. 289, note 1.

[AE] 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.'

[AF] 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 _li._ gives 100 per annum: take a chymist with me, for brandy, suger, etc., and goe halfe with him.'

[AG] 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. W. 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.'

[AH] This is noticed on a slip (fragment of a letter, '8 March, 1692/3' from Edward Harley) at fol. 113 of MS. Aubr. 23:--'J. A. vulneratus die 20 Martii inter 10 et 11 horas Londini. Deo gratias.'

[AI] This paper was acquired by Rawlinson in July ... 1746 (ibid. fol. 31ᵛ). There is an inaccurate copy of it in MS. Ballard 14, foll. 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).

[238]William Aubrey[AJ], Doctor of Lawes:--extracted from a MS.[AK] of funeralls, and other good notes, in the hands of Sir Henry St. George, ...[239], 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 staires rising into the quire eastward from the same pillar towards the tombe of the right honble the lord William, earle of Pembroke, and his funeralls were performed 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[240] of All-soules Colledge in Oxford (where the same Lawe[241] 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 esteemed worthy to be called to action in the commonwealth. 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 life 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[242] 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.

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 majestie, 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 possessed and enjoyed untill the time of his death. Besides the great learning and wisdome that this gentleman was plentifully endowed withall, 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[243] 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 gentlewoman Wilgiford his wife (the first daughter of Mr. John Williams of Tainton in the countie of Oxford, whom he 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, all of them maried, and having issue, as followeth[IX.].

[IX.] Vide pedegre.

His eldest son Edward, maried unto Joane, daughter and one of the heires of William Havard, in the countie of Brecon, esqre.

His second son Thomas maried Mary the daughter and heire of Anthony Maunsell of Llantrithed, in the com. of Glamorgan, esqre.

His 3d son John,[X.] being then of the age of 18 yeares (or much thereabouts), was maried to Rachel, one of the daughters of Richard Danvers of Tockenham, in com. Wilts, esqre.

[X.] John Whitgift, archbishop of Canterbury, was his guardian, and the doctor's great friend. I have heard my grandmother say that her husband told her that his grace kept a noble house, and that with admirable order and oeconomie; and that there was not one woman in the family.--Vide the archbishop of Canterbury's case in Sir Edward Cooke's _Reportes_ where he is mentioned.

His eldest daughter Elizabeth, maried to Thomas Norton of Norwood 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 proceeded 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 kindnesse was remembred by King James att his comeing-in to England, who asked after[244] him, and probably[245] would have made him Lord Keeper, but he dyed, as appeares, a little[246] before that good opportunity happened. His majestie sent for his sonnes[247], 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 _Annales_, which be pleased to see[AL] 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 Bench, in his Reports, about the legitimacy of the earle of Hertford.[XI.] Quaere if it was Edward the father[AM], or els his son William, about the mariage with the ladie Arbella Stuart?

[XI.] Memorandum: Mr. Shuter, the proctor, told me that the Doctor appealed to Rome about the earle of Hartford's suite, tempore reginae Elizabethae.

[248][Johannes[249] David Rhesus M.D. makes an honourable mention of him in his Welsh grammar in folio, pag....; as also in his preface.]

[250][_Linguae Cymraecae institutiones accuratae_, J. David Rhoesus, folio, London, 1592, pag. 182 (quaere if he is not mentioned in the Welsh preface):--

Caeterum nunc et propter eorum authoritatem et quod huic loco inter alia maxime quadrent, non pigebit antiquissima Taliessini[AN] Cambrobrytannica carmina subjungere, furtim (quae mea est audacia) et eo nesciente, a me surrepta, et clanculum calamo commissa, ex ore, vesperi fortuitò juxta proprium ignem pro solito in sua cathedra considentis, et haec una cum aliis carminibus memoriter, et non sine delectatione quadam decora, proferentis, ornatissimi et doctissimi viri domini Gulielmi Aubraei, Cambrobrytanni ab illustrissima Aubraeorum familia oriundi, linguae Cambrobrytannicae peritissimi eximiique patriae suae decoris et ornamenti, Juris utriusque Doctoris celeberrimi, ac regiae majestati à Supplicum Libellis constituti Domini, et amici 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.]

[251]Memorandum:--old Judge Atkins[252] (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[253] of Doctors Commons hath the MSS. of this bishop's tryall.

[254]_De legati deliquentis judice competente dissertatio_, autore Richardo Zoucheo, Juris Civilis professore Oxoniae, Oxon 1657, 12ᵐᵒ, 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 principem ad quem legatus est concitat, legati privilegiis gaudeat_ et _An, ut hostis, poenae subjaceat_, eidem responderunt, ejusmodi legatum, jure gentium et civili Romanorum, omnibus legati privilegiis excidisse et poenae subjiciendum.

[255]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[256].

He sate many times as Lord Keeper, durante bene placito, and made[257] many decrees, which Mr. Shuter, etc., told me they had seen.

Vide Anthony Wood's _Hist. et Antiq._: he was principal of New Inne.

Memorandum:--the _Penkenol_, i.e. chiefe of the family, 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 William Aubrey[258], also LL. Dr., who was the chiefe, plucked it off.

The learned John Dee was his great friend and kinsman, 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[259], 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 _li._ per annum wherof there is now none left in the family. He made one Hugh George (his chiefe clark) 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., 15<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?

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.

_Heroum 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 Auditori et Vicario in spiritualibus Generali, Exercitus Regii ad St. Quentin Supremo Juridico, in Limitaneum Walliae Consilium adscito, Cancellariae Magistro, et Reginae Elizabethae à supplicum libellis: Viro exquisita eruditione, singulari 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, placidè reddidit;

Optimo patri Edvardus et Thomas, milites, ac Johannes, armiger, filii moestissimi, posuerunt.

[260]This Dr. W. Aubrey was related to the first William, earl of Pembroke, two wayes (as appeares by comparing the old pedegre at Wilton with that of the Aubreys); by Melin and Philip ap Elider (the Welsh men are all kinne); and it is exceeding probable that the earle was instrumentall 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 honᵇˡᵉ the earle of Pembroke.

... Stephens, the clarke of St. Benets, Paules Wharfe, tells me that Dr. W. Aubrey gave xx_s._ per annum for ever to that parish.

[261]Vide the register of St. Benet's, Paule's Wharfe--quaere. Stephens, the clark, sayeth that he gave xx_s._ per annum to the parish of St. Benet's, Paule's wharfe, for ever: quaere.

[262]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 Stᵃᵉ Mariae 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. W. Aubrey: supra, p. 59._>

[263]MY GOOD COOSEN,

I have sente unto you again my yonge coosen[264] inclosede in a bagge, as my wyffe cariethe yet one of myne; trustinge in God, that shortly both, in theyr severall kyndes, shall come to lyght and live long, and your's having _genium_, for ever. I knowe not, for lack of sufficiencie 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 substance, weyght, and pythines of the multitude of argumentes and reasones, or the manner for the methode, order, perspicuitie, 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 restreynte 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,[265] and hable readilie to withstande any attempte foreyne or domesticall by sea? And where this noble realme hath ben long defamede for suffringe 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 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 Calleys was, or a brase of such townes placed in the most convenient parte of any continente of France, or the Lowe-countrey. As her majestie of right is _totius 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[266] 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 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, reservinge 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 realme beinge a matter lately pecuted[267] by the knowledge _et convenientia_ 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 verbum_, 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[268] 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 are these, _Prestat longè terrestribus copiis ac militum et ducum virtute, quàm nautarum et similium hominum vilium arte, fiduciam ponere_.

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 accordinge 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 28 of July.

Yours assuredlie at commawndement,

W. AUBREY.

To his verie lovinge coosen and assured freende Mr. John Dee, at Mortelake.

_Notes._

[AJ] Aubrey gives in trick the coat:--'in the 1 and 6, gules[269], 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].'

[AK] 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:--(_a_) 'William Aubrey, LL.D.: extract out of _De jure feciali_, and _De legati deliquentis judice competente_, by Dr. Zouch,' as is done _supra_, p. 58; (_b_) 'Memorandum 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 Wood on Aug. 29, 1676, says:--'This day accidentally Mr. St. George shewed me my grandfather, 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.'

[AL] 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 you 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.'

[AM] Edward Seymour, created earl of Hertford in 1559, had in 1553 married secretly Katherine, daughter of Henry Grey, duke of Suffolk. In 1561 Elizabeth sent them prisoners to the Tower, and the marriage was disputed in the law-courts. William Seymour, his grandson, who succeeded as 2nd earl in 1621, married in 1610 Arabella Stuart. She was sent prisoner to the Tower by James I: but Dr. W. Aubrey had died in 1595.

[AN] Aubrey, in MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 6ᵛ, 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._>

[270]Quarterly, on the 1 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._>

[271]Chancellor Bacon:--The learned and great cardinal Richelieu was a great admirer of the lord Bacon.

So was Monsieur Balzac: e.g. _les Oeuvres diverses_, dissertation sur un tragedie, à Monsieur Huygens de Zuylichen, p. 158--'Croyons, pour l'amour du chancilier Bacon, que toutes les folies des anciens sont sages et tous leur songes mysteries.'

Quaere if I have inserted[272] 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.

[273]Lord Chancellor Bacon:--Memorandum, this Oct. 1681, it rang over all St. Albans that Sir Harbottle Grimston, 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.

[274]Sir Francis Bacon, knight, baron of Verulam and viscount of St. Albans, and Lord High Chancellor of England:--vide his life writt by Dr. William Rawley before _Baconi Resuscitatio_, 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[275]. 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, hanc sedem in memoriam ejusdem Jeremie extruxit, 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 friendship 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 owne handwriting (an elegant Roman hand). 'Tis in the hands of Walter Charlton, M.D., who begged it not long since of Mr. Faucet's grandsonne.

* * * * *[276]

[277]Richard[278], earle of Dorset, was a great admirer and friend of the lord chancellor Bacon, and was wont to have Sir Thomas Billingsley[279] along with him to remember and to putt-down in writing my lord's sayings at table.

Edward, lord Herbert of Cherbery.

John Dun[280], 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 _Underwoods_, 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.'

[281]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 returnes, 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 Seale, 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. 101.

Yet there happened in my time one noble speaker[XII.] who was full of gravity in his speaking. His language (where he could spare or passe-by a jest) was nobly censorious. No man ever[282] 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 man had their affections more in his power. The feare of every man that heard him was lest he should make an end.

[XII.] Dominus Verulanus.

Cicero is sayd to be the only wit that the people of Rome had, equall'd to their empire, _ingenium par imperio_. We had many, and in their severall ages (to take in but the former _seculum_) 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 preferr'd 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 downeward and eloquence growes backward, so that he may be nam'd and stand as the marke and ἀκμή 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 commonwealth of learning[283], for schooles they are the seminaries of state and nothing is worthier 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 Organum_, which though by the most of superficiall 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[284].

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. #/

[285]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 schollar can say; I would know what _you_ can[286] 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 understood what they writt, because they understood it not clearly themselves.

In short, all that were _great and good_ loved 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 remembred it.

<_Personal characteristics._>

He was Lord Protector during King James's progresse into Scotland, and gave audience in great state to ambassadors in the banquetting-house at Whitehall.

His lordship would many times have musique in the next roome where he meditated.

The aviary at Yorke-house was built by his lordship; it did cost 300_li._

At every meale, according to the season of the yeare, 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 Gorhambery, St. Albans seemed as if the court were[287] 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_li._ 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 servants[XIII.] kept their coaches, and some kept race-horses--vide Sir Anthony Welden's _Court of King James_.

[XIII.] Sir Thomas Meautys, Mr. <Thomas> Bushell, Mr. ... Idney.

[288]He was[289] a παιδεραστής. His Ganimeds and favourites tooke bribes; but his lordship alwayes gave judgement _secundum aequum et bonum_. His decrees in Chancery stand firme, i.e. there are fewer of his decrees reverst then of any other Chancellor.

His dowager[290] maried her gentleman-usher, Sir (Thomas, I thinke) Underhill, whom she made deafe and blind with too much of Venus. ☞ She was living since the beheading of the late King.--Quaere where and when she died.

He had a delicate[291], lively hazel eie; Dr. Harvey told me it was like the eie of a viper.

I have now forgott what Mr. Bushell sayd, whether his lordship enjoyed his Muse best at night, or in the morning.

<_His poems._>

His lordship was a good poet, but conceal'd, as appeares by his letters. See excellent verses of his lordship's which Mr. Farnaby translated into Greeke, and printed both[292] in his Ἀνθολογία, scil.

The world's a bubble, and the life of man Less then a span, etc.

[293]Ἀνθολογία: Florilegium epigrammatum selectorum; Thomas Farnaby, London, 1629, pag. 8.--'Huc elegantem viri clarissimi domini Verulamii [293]παρῳδίαν adjicere adlubuit'--opposit to it on the other page--'quam παρῳδίαν 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?

Domestick cares afflict the husband's bed Or paines his hed; Those that live single take it for a curse, Or doe things[294] 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 W'are worse in peace. What then remaines? but that we still should cry Not to be borne, or, being borne, to dye.

<_His writings._>

[295]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, 8vo.

{ . . . . . Essaies { . . . . . { . . . . .

Advancement of learning.

History of King Henry the 7th.

Novum Organon.--At the end of his _Novum Organon_ Hugh Holland wrote these verses:--

Hic liber est qualis potuit non scribere Stultus, Nec voluit Sapiens: sic _cogitavit_ Hugo.

Naturall Historie.

Of ambassadors: published by Francis Thynne 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 _Resuscitatio_.

A piece of philosophy halfe as thick as the grammar set forth by Dr. Rawley, 1660.

. . . . .

. . . . , 167--.

[296]_Apothegmata._

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 much_: his lordship would offer them no more but _so much_. They drew-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[297] 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_.

Upon his being in dis-favour his servants suddenly went 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 Cæsar (Master of the Rolles) sent to his lordship in his necessity a hundred pounds for a present[XIV.]; quaere + de hoc of Michael Malet.

[XIV.] Most of these enformations I have from Sir John Danvers.

His Lordship would often drinke 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[298] 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._>

[299]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[300] 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 Inne), 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 it was a damp bed that had not been layn-in in about a yeare before, which gave him such a cold that in 2 or 3 dayes, as I remember he[301] 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.

[302]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 Henry Wotton.

Franciscus Bacon, Baro de Verulam, Sti Albani Vicecomes, seu, notioribus titulis, Scientiarum Lumen, Facundiae Lex, sic sedebat. Qui postquam omnia Naturalis sapientiae et Civilis arcana evolvisset, Naturae decretum explevit 'Composita solvantur,' Anno Domini MDCXXVI aetatis LXVI. Tanti viri mem. Thomas Meautys[XV.] superstitis cultor, defuncti admirator, H. P.

[XV.] His lordship's secretarie, who maried a kinswoman (<Anne> Bacon), who is now the wife of Sir Harbottle Grimston, Master of the Rolles.

<_His relatives._>

[303]He had a uterine[XVI.] brother ANTHONY BACON, who was a very great statesman and much beyond his brother Francis for the politiques, a lame man, he was a pensioner to, and lived with ... earle of Essex. And to him he dedicates the first edition of his Essayes, a little booke no bigger then a primer, which I have seen in the Bodlyan Library.

[XVI.] His mother was <Anne> Cooke, sister of ... Cooke of Giddy-hall in Essex, 2nd wife to Sir Nicholas Bacon.

His sisters were ingeniose 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.

[304]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 commendation; 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 exercise herself therin.'

<_His residences._>

[305]I will write something of Verulam, and his house at Gorhambery.

At Verulam is to be seen, in some few places, some remaines of the wall of this citie[XVII.]; which was in compass about ... miles. This magnanimous 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).

[XVII.] Verolamium, Virolamium, Cassivelani oppidum.

Within the bounds of the walls of this old citie of Verulam (his lordship's Baronry) was Verulam howse, about 1/2 a mile from St. Albans; which his Lordship built, the most ingeniosely contrived little pile[XVIII.], that ever I sawe. No question but his lordship was the chiefest architect; but he had for his assistant a favourite of his (a St. Albans man) Mr. ... Dobson (who was his lordship's right hand) a very ingeniose person (Master of the Alienation Office); but he spending his estate upon woemen[306], necessity forced his son William Dobson to be the most excellent painter that England hath yet bred, qui obiit Oct. 1648; sepult. S. Martin's in the fields[307].

[XVIII.] I am sorry I measured not the front and breadth; but I little suspected it would be pulled downe for the sale of the materialls.

[308]The view of this howse from the entrance into the gate by the high-way is thus. The parallel[309] 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 Building_. 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[310].

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 tunnells 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 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[311] 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). Memorandum:--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[312], one would have sworn _primo intuitu_, that he had beheld another prospect through the howse: for, as soon as the stranger was landed on the balconie, the conserge[313] 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 leade three parallell walkes: in the middlemost three coaches may passe abreast: in the wing-walkes two may. They consist 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 o 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 o 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 o n n n n m m m m

[314]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 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.

(_a_) = cutt hedge about the island.

(_b_) = walke between the hedge and banquetting-howse.

[Illustration]

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, are 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 howse, 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.[315]The Lord Chancellor made an addition of 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 emblematicall, with mottos under each: for example, one I remember is a ship tossed in a storme, the motto, _Alter erit tum Tiphys_. 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 potius_. And on the wall, over the table, is painted Ceres teaching the soweing of corne; the word, _Moniti meliora_.

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 into Oake-wood; over this dore in golden letters on blew are these six verses[316].

[317]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[318] 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 _minutes_, 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[319]. The walke<s>, both in the coppices and other boscages, were most ingeniosely designed: at severall good viewes[320], were erected elegant sommer-howses 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 sanctuary for phesants, 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 wont to say was very wholsome because of the nitre in the aire and the _universall spirit of the world_.

His lordship was wont to say, _I will lay my mannor of Gorambery on't_, to which Judge ... made a spightfull reply, saying he would not hold a wager against that, but against _any other_ mannour of his lordship's he would. Now this illustrious Lord Chancellor had only this mannor of Gorambery.

=Roger Bacon= (1214-1294).

[321]Roger Bacon, friar ordinis <S. Francisci>:--Memorandum, in Mr. Selden's learned verses before Hopton's _Concordance of yeares_, 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.

[322]Friar Roger Bacon:--Dr. Gerard Langbain had a Catalogue[AO] of all his workes, which Catalogue Dr. <Thomas> Gale, schoolmaster of Paule's, haz now.

_Note._

[AO] 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).

[323]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.

Sir Thomas Bad's[324] father, a shoemaker, married the brewer's widow of Portsmouth, worth 20,000 _li._

=Edward Bagshaw= (1629-1671).

[325]Edward Bagshaw was borne at Broughton in Northamptonshire; 42 when he dyed--from his widowe[AP].

[326]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[327], 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., Newyeares day, in the fanatique burying-place by the Artillery-ground in Moorfields, where his sorrowfull widdowe will place his epitaph.

1500 or 2000 people were at his funerall.

[328]'Here[329] lyes interred | the body of | Mr. Edward Bagshaw | minister of the Gospell | who recieved from God | 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. | From the reproaches of pretended friends | and persecutions of professed adversaries | he | took sanctuary | by the will of God | in eternall rest.'

_Note._

[AP] MS. Aubr. 27:--'A review and conclusion of the Antidote against Mr. Baxter's palliated cure of Church Divisions,' by Edward Bagshaw, Lond. 1671, has the note 'donum Margaretae, viduae autoris: Jan. 27, 1671 <i.e. 1/2>, Jo. Awbrey.'

=Jean Louis Guez de Balzac= (1594-1655).

[330]Monsieur de Balzac ended his dayes in a Cappucine's cell, and was munificent to them: vide _Entretiens de monsieur de Balzac_, printed above 20 yeares since.

=Richard Bancroft= (1544-1610).

In MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 119ᵛ, 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. Matthew Skinner.' Finding that it is the portrait of Richard Bancroft, 'see that the name is inscribed on it,' for future identification.

=John Barclay= (1582-1621).

=Robert Barclay= (1648-1690).

[331]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[332], now (1688) an old man, and a learned quaker, who wrote a Systeme of the Quakers' Doctrine in Latine[333], dedicated 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.

=Isaac Barrow= (1630-1677).

[334]Isaac Barrow, D.D.--from his father, (who was borne Aprill 22, 1600, 1/2 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 linnen-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[335]> 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[336] after King Charles IIⁿᵈ. 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 chapell when he was in France and he could not get it again. His father travelled with the King, Charles 2ⁿᵈ, where 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 schoole, first to Mr. Brookes at Charterhouse two yeares. His father gave to Mr. Brookes 4 _li._ per annum, wheras his pay was but 2 _li._, 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[337] did, for that he[337] instructed him.

Afterwards to one Mr. Holbitch, about fower years, at Felton[338] in Essex; from whence he was admitted of Peterhouse College in Cambridge first, and went to schoole a yeare after. Then he was admitted of Trinity College in Cambridge at 13 yeares 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 Exchange Alley.

His humour when a boy and after:--merry and cheerfull 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.

[339]His father dealt in his trade to Ireland where he had a great losse, neer 1000 _li._; upon which he wrote to Mr. Holbitch, a Puritan, to be pleased to take a little paines more than ordinary 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 Seale, where he continued so long as my lord continued.

This viscount Fairfax[340] died a young man. This viscount Fairfax, being a schooleboy, maried a gentleman's daughter in the towne there, who had but a thousand 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 1000 _li._ 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 profession 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 _li._ per annum: 'I warrant you,' sayd he, 'I will maintaine myselfe with it.' His father replyed 'I'le 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.[341]Dr. Hill[342] was then master of the college. He mett Isaac[343] 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 colledge account[344]. He was a candidate for the Greeke professor's place, and had the consent of the University but Oliver Cromwell putt in Dr. Widrington[345]; and then he travelled.

He was abroad 5 yeares[346], viz. in Italie, 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 himselfe.

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 consumed, and not a man lost, but not any goods saved--a wonderfull preservation.

His personall valour--At Constantinople, being in company with the English merchants, there was a Rhadamontade that would fight with any man and bragged of his valour, and dared any man there to try him. So no man accepting his challenge, said Isaac (not then a divine), 'Why, 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 yeare and a halfe, whether he would or no.

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[347] 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.

[348]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 Suffolke-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[349] 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 _totus in hoc_; and would sometimes be goeing out without his hatt on.

He was by no meanes a spruce man[350], but most negligent in his dresse. As he was walking one day in St. James's parke, 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[351] 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.

Euclidis data succincte demonstrata, printed at Cambridge 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.

[352]Lectiones XVIII Cantabrigiae in scholis publicis habitae in quibus opticorum phaenomenωn genuinae rationes investigantur 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[353], 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 severall 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 chapell on Good Fryday the 13th day of April 1677, in 8vo.

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 Commandments, of the doctrine of the Sacraments; in 8vo.

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, deane 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, 6_d._

[354]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[355], 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.

[356]Isaac Barrow, D.D., (<a> Cambridge <man>, borne in Essex), is buried in the south crosse aisle of Westminster Abbey with this inscription[357]:--

Isaacus Barrow

S.T.P. Regi Carolo IIº 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 Greshamensis, Graecae linguae et Matheseos apud Cantabrigienses suos, Cathedras omnes, ecclesiam, gentem ornavit. Collegium SS. Trinitatis praeses illustravit, Jactis bibliothecae vere regiae fundamentis auxit. Opes, honores, et universum vitae ambitum, Ad majora natus, non contempsit sed reliquit seculo. Deum quem 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 aetatis suae XLVII. Monumentum hoc Amici posuere.

This epitaph was contrived by Dr. John Mapletoft 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 Elementorum libri XV breviter demonstrati.

Anno ..., he travelled; was at Constantinople; sawe part of Graece, Italie, France.

He was a good poet, of great modestie and humanity, careles of his dresse.

=... Barrow= (16..-168.).

[358]Dr. ... Barrow, M.D., secretary to the lord generall 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 Batchcroft= (15..-1670).

[359]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 Societate Jesu_,' and was much scandalized at it. Sayd he, 'By all meanes leave-off this author, and read Protestant mathematicall bookes.'

One sent this Doctor a pidgeon-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).

[360]Kingston super Thames; north aisle chap<el>.

Spe resurrectionis felicis heic juxta sita est Elizabetha conjux lectissima Georgii Bate, M.D., Car. 2 medici 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).

[361]Mr. Francis Beaumont was the son of Judge Beaumont[362]. There was a wonderfull consimility of phansey[XIX.] between him and Mr. John Fletcher, which caused that dearnesse of frendship between them.

[XIX.]

Utrumque nostrum[363] incredibili modo Consentit astrum.

HORACE, lib. 2, ode 17.

I thinke they were both of Queen's College in Cambridge.

I have heard Dr. John Earles (since bishop of Sarum), who knew them, say that his maine businesse was to correct the overflowings[364] 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, When all her marble is more dust then shee.'

Ex registro:--he was buryed at the entrance of St. Benedict's chapell where <is> the earl of Middlesex' monument, in Westminster Abbey, March 9, 1615/6[XX.].

[XX.] Memorandum:--Isaac Casaubon was buryed at the entrance of the same chapell. He dyed July 8, 1614.

I searched, severall yeares since, in the Register-booke of St. Mary Overies, for the obiit of Mr. John Fletcher, which I sent to Mr. Anthony à Wood.

He hath a very good prefatory letter before Mr. Speght's edition of Sir Geofrey Chaucer's Workes printed by Adam Islip, 1602, London, where he haz judicious observations of his writing.

=William Bedwell= (15..-1632).

[365]... Bedwell, professor of ... at Gresham College, translated into English Pitisci _Trigonometria_. Published _The turnament of Totnam_. He was an Essex man--from his grand-niece.

=William Beeston= (16..-1682).

[366]Did I tell you that I have mett with old Mr ...[367] who knew all the old English poets, whose lives I am taking from him: his father was master of the ... play-house.

[368]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. Shakespeare_--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 Jonson_.

[369]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).

[370]I did see, many yeares since, in a countrey-man's house, a little booke in 8vo in English, called

Arsmetrie, or the Art of numbring:

printed in an old black letter about Henry VIII. 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 measuring 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 Southwarke in Saint Thomas hospital by me James Nicolson.

'Tis a quarto.

[371]This Sir Richard Benese was also author of a little booke, in 8vo, called....

: quaere Absolom Leech for it--'tis about physick.

=Berkeley.=

[372]Mris ... Barckley, sister of the late lord Fitz-Harding[373], was cosen german to Mr. Sydney Godolphin, and also his mistresse. He loved her exceedingly. After Mr. Godolphin's death she maried one Mr. Davys who I thinke is now[374] dead, and she lives at Twicknam--from Philip Packer, esq.

=Willoughby Bertie=, 3rd earl of Abingdon (1692-1760).

[375]<Willoughby> Bertie, filius primus Jacobi Bertie, 2ⁿᵈⁱ filii Jacobi, comitis de Abington, natus Westmonast. 28 die Novembris, 2ʰ. P.M. 1692.--The child is yet living, notwithstanding the 8ᵗʰ house[376]: mend the figure, but the time is right.

[377]I know not how to retreive the fashion or shape of the old engine of the _battering-ramme_, 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 hornes and ironworke gilded.

[Illustration]

[378]Memorandum:--the battering ramme, the armes of Bertie, hung in equilibrio in an engine they call the triangles--from Mr. Nicolas Mercator: vide Bertie's coate in primo volumine[379]. See[380] the old glasse windowes in Aldersgate street--from Mr. <Edward> Bagshawe.

[Illustration]

=Henry Billingsley= (15..-1606).

[381]Sir Henry Billingsley[AQ], 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 Billingsley, 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 obitum 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[382] 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 countie of Salop. 'Tis a Shropshire familie; but the village now is one Mr. Norton's.

This Sir Henry Billingsley was one of the learnedst 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 faire howse in Fenchurch 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 English 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[383] oake-wood adjoyning to it, about a mile 1/2[384] east of Bristoll--quaere if[385], etc.

Vide de Sir Thomas Billingsley, pag. <44b>[386]; who was gentleman of the horse to Richard, earl of Dorset. He 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[387] merchants travelled much abroad into Italie, Spaine, etc. Quaere Mr. Abraham Hill of what company he was. Probably good memorialls may be there found of his generous and publique spirit. _Respondet_:--He was of the Goldsmiths' Company, where is a good picture of him.

R. B., i.e. Robert[388] Billingsley, teaches Arithmetique and Mathematiques at ... in.... He hath printed a very pretty little booke of arithmetique and algebra, London (scilicet, _<The> Idea of Arithmetic_): was Sir Henry's great grandson--from Mr. Abraham Hill, Regiae Societatis Socius.

[389]In the table of benefactors in the church of St. Catherine Colman, viz.--

'1603 {Dame Elizabeth} Billingsley did will to the poor 1_s._ per {Sir Henry }

weeke for ever and 200_li._ which their heires etc. have not payd'--

The minister here, Mr. Dodson, sayes 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[390] and tell me.

[391]Sir H. Billingsley--Mr. Leeke, mathematician, saith that he was of the company of goldsmiths, quaere. Quaere 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.

[392]_Ex registro_ <of St. Catherine Coleman>:--Sir Henry Billingsley, knight, buried in the vault under his pewe in the church of St. Catherine Coleman, London, December the 18th, 1606. I find by 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 by the fire. In the parlour windowe are scutchions of his family, which gett. There now lives Mr. Lucy[393], a great merchant.

He was sheriff of the citie of London anno Domini <1584>, reginae Elizabethae 26; he was Lord Mayor of the city of London anno Domini <1596>, reginae Elizabethae 38--Sir Thomas Skinner served one part and Sir Henry Billingsley the other:--Baker's Chronicle, reigne queen Elizabeth.

[394]Out of the visitation in the great booke[395] of Wilts, Dorset, and Somerset:--

Sir Henry Billingsley, _maried_ ... Lord Mayer | | +--------------------------+----------------------------+ | | | 1. Sir Henry Billingsley, 2. William Billingsley, _m._ ... 3. Thomas[396] of Sysam in | Glocestershire, | filius et haeres. +--------------+--------------+ | | 1. Henry Billingsley, _m._ ... 2. Thomas of Graye's Inne | | +-------+-------+ | | 1. Blanch 2. Elizabeth

[397]Sir Henry Billingsley<'s life is> already donne[398]. Friar Whitehead[AR], of Austin Friars (now Wadham College), did instruct him. He kept him at his house and there I thinke he dyed.

_Notes._

[AQ] Aubrey gives in colour this very elaborate coat:--'quarterly in the 1 and 4, gules, a fleur-de-lys or, a canton of the second; in the 2, ..., on a cross between four lions rampant 5 mullets ...; in the 3, per saltire or and azure two birds (? martlets); _impaling_, quarterly, in the 1 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.'

[AR] 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.=

[399]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[400]): vide his scutcheon[401] above his picture before his booke.

[402]Martin Billingsley, who made the copie booke, 1623, port.[403] ut in margine, '..., a cross between 4 lions rampant ..., 5 mullets ... on the cross.'

=Richard Billingsley.=

[404]Richard Billingsley[405] scripsit:--

'An Idea of Arithmetick, at first designed for the use of the free-schoole at Thurlow in Suffolk, by R. B. schoolmaster there': stitch't 8vo, 3 sheetes, London, 'printed by J. Flesher, and are to be sold by W. Morden booke-seller in Cambridge, 1655.'

=Thomas Billingsley= (obiit 167..).

[406]Sir Thomas Billingsley was the best horseman in England, and out of England no man exceeded him.

He taught this[407] earle <of Dorset> and his 30 gentlemen to ride the great horse. He taught this[408] 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-; dyed praying on his knees.

=John Birkenhead= (1615-1679).

[409]Sir John Birkenhead, knight, was borne at Nantwych[410] 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. Oxon._[411] Mr. Gwin[412], minister of Wilton, was his contemporary there, who told me he wrote an excellent hand, and, in 163[7 or 8] 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[413] his businesse so well, that the archbishop recommended him to All Soules' college to be a fellow, and he was accordingly elected[414]. 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 _Mercurius Aulicus_, which he writt wittily enough, till the surrender of the towne (which was June 24, 1646). He left a collection of all his _Mercurius Aulicus's_ and all his other pamphletts, which his executors (Sir Richard Mason and Sir Muddiford Bramston) were ordered by the king to give to the Archbishop of Canterbury's library.

After the surrender of Oxford, he was putt out of his fellowship by the Visitors, and was faine to shift for himselfe 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 Testament of Philip earle of Pembroke,' &c.

At the restauration of his majestie he was made Master of the Facultees, and afterwards one of the Masters of Requests. He was exceedingly confident[415], 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 166<1>, i.e. of the King's long parliament. Anno 167<9> upon the choosing of _this_ Parliament[416], he went downe to be elected, and at Salisbury heard[417] how he was scorned and mocked at Wilton (whither he was goeing) and called _Pensioner_, etc.--

[Vendidit hic 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 to the borough where he intended to stand; but returned to London, and tooke it so to heart that he insensibly decayed and pined away; and so, December ...[XXI.], 1679, dyed at his lodgeings in Whitehall, and was buried Saturday, December 6, in St. Martyn's churchyard[XXII.] in-the-Fields, neer the church, according to his will and testament. His executors intend to sett up an inscription for him against the church wall.

[XXI.] quaere Anthony Wood to whom I writt the day of his death, which as I remember was the same day that Mr. Hobbes died.

[XXII.] His reason[418] was because he sayd they removed the bodies out of the church.

He had the art of locall memory; and his topiques were the chambers, &c., in All Soules colledge (about 100), so that for 100 errands, &c., he would easily remember.

[419]He was created Dr. of LL.; had been with the king[420]. His library was sold to Sir Robert Atkins for 200 _li._ His MSS. (chiefly copies of records) for 900 _li._

=Henry Birkhead= (1617-1696).

[421]My old acquaintance, Dr. Henry Birkhed, formerly fellow of your college[422] (but first was commoner of Trinity College Oxon) was an universally <belove>d man.

He had his schoole education under Mr. Farnary[423] 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[424] of France. Now he is dead, it may be look't-upon.

=Richard Blackbourne= (1652-17..?).

[425]Richard Blackburne, Londinensis, 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 Mathematicians_), 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).

[426]... Blake, admirall, was borne at ... in com. Somerset; was[427] 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 swannes--from H. Norborne, B.D., his contemporary there[428].

He served in the House of Commons for....[429] 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 7th'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 Anthony Wood's _Hist. <et Antiq. Oxon.>_.

=Sir Henry Blount= (1602-1682).

[430]Sir Henry Blount, Tittinghanger, natus Dec. 15, 1602, 9ʰ P.M.

[431]Sir Henry Blount obiit 9th Oct. last[432] in the morning.

[433]Sir Henry Blount[AS], 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[434], where was a great acquaintance[435] 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[AT] (the poet) and travelled--voyage into the Levant. May 7, 1634, he embarqued at Venice for Constantinople: vide his _Voyage into the 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[436] 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 Heycock's[437] ordinary, neer the Pallzgrave-head taverne, in the Strand, which was much frequented by Parliament-men and gallants. One time colonel Betridge being there (one[438] 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_s._ piece on his bald crowne, that the wenches should choose Sir Henry before Betridge; and Sir H. won the wager. E<dmund> W<yld>, esq., was one of the witnesses.

Memorandum:--there was about 164.. a pamphlet (writt by Henry Nevill, esq., ἀνονυμῶς) called _The Parliament 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[439] then with ladies of quality[440].

☞ His estate left him by his father was 500 _li._ per annum, which he sold to ... (quaere) for an annuitie of 1000 _li._ per annum in anno Domini 16..; and since his elder brother dyed.

Anno Domini 165<1/2> 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 100 _li._ 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[d]] Wase, [daughter of Christopher Wase[441]], who dyed 1679; by whom he haz two sonnes, ingeniose young gentlemen. Charles Blount (his second son) hath writt _Anima Mundi_, 8vo, 167<9> (burnt by order of the bishop of London) and of _Sacrifices_, 8vo.

I remember twenty yeares since he inveighed much 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[442] they were to unlearne againe, as a man that is buttond or laced too hard, must unbutton before he can be at his ease. Drunkennesse 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 coffee house in Fuller's rents.

☞ The first coffee house in London[XXIII.] was in St. Michael's Alley in Cornehill, opposite to the Church; which was sett up by 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, viz. to Bowman. Memorandum:--the Bagneo, in Newgate Street, was built and first opened in Decemb. 1679: built by ... (Turkish merchants).

[XXIII.] And the next was Mr. Farr's a barber, which was set up in anno....

He is a gentleman of a very clear judgement, great experience, much contemplation, not of very 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 injury, but to impose on their understanding:--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 _sham_ so gravely, rode the next day to St. Alban's to enquire: comeing 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 storys as, &c., 'Why, gentlemen,' (sayd Sir H.) 'have you been there to make 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 learne debauchery; but he did bid them goe to see the executions at Tyburne, 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.:--_Loquendum est cum vulgo, sentiendum cum sapientibus_.

He is now (1680) neer or altogether 80 yeares, his intellectualls good still, and body pretty strong.

This last weeke[443] of Sept. 1682, he was taken very ill at London, and his feet swelled; and removed to Tittinghanger.

_Notes._

[AS] Aubrey gives in colours the coats:--'or, 2 bars nebulé sable [Blount]'; and 'or, 2 bars nebulé sable [Blount]; impaling, barry of six or and gules [Wase].' Also the references (a) 'vide Anthony Wood's _<Hist. et> Antiq. Oxon._'; (b) 'vide Heralds' Office.' Aubrey, in MS. Wood F. 39, writing on April 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.'

[AT] 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= (1495-1569).

[444]Mr. Steevens[445], ... whom I mett lately accidentally, informed me thus:--that bishop Bonner was of Broadgates hall; that he came thither a poor boy, and was at first a skullion boy in the kitchin, afterwards became a servitor, and so by his industry raysed to what he was.

When he came to his greatnes, in acknowledgement from whence he had his rise, he gave[446] to the kitchin there a great brasse-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= (1601/2-1667).

[447]John Booker, astrologer, natus Manchester, March 23, 1601, 20ʰ 10´ P.M.

=James Bovey= (1622-16..).

[448]James Bovey[AU] borne at London May 7th, 1622, 6 a clock in the morning[449].

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[450] Philosophy_, (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.

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 _Assentistes_, that did furnish the Spanish and Imperiall 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 chiefe 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[451] 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[452], strait, haire exceeding black and curling at the end, a dark hazell[453] 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 temperance, and deepe thoughts, and a working head, never idle. From[454] 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 alwaies over-came. He had many lawe-suites with powerfull adversaries; one lasted 18 yeares. 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.

He has one son, and one daughter who resembles him.

From 14 he began to take notice of all prudentiall rules as came in his way, and wrote them downe, and so continued till this day, Sept. 28, 1680, being now in his 59th yeare.

For his health he never had it very well, but indifferently, alwaies a weake stomach, which proceeded from the agitation of the braine. His dyet was alwayes fine diet: much chicken[455].

He wrote a Table of all the Exchanges in Europe.

[456]He hath writt (which is in his custodie, and which I have seen, and many of them read) these treatises, viz.

1. The Characters, or Index Rerum <etc.[457]>

[458]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. 11. The Government of Power: in 2 tomes. 12. 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. 18. The Art of Buying and Selling[459]. 19. The Art of Preserving Wealth. 20. The Art of Expending Wealth. 21. The Government of Secresy. 22. The Government of Amor Conjugalis: in 2 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, vizᵗ. 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.

[460]I have desired him to give these MSS. to the library of the Royal Society.

He made it his businesse[461] to advance the trade of England, and many men have printed his conceptions.

_Note._

[AU] 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).

[462]Earl of Corke:--vide countesse of Warwick's funerall sermon, 2 or 3 shops[463] within Paul's churchyard.

[464]Earl of Corke[AV]--Thomas, earl of Strafford made him disgorge 1500 _li._ per annum, which he restored to the church--<from> Mr. ... Anderson.

Earl of Corke bought of captaine Horsey _fourtie plough__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., eâ 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[AW] without her father's consent--(quaere Secretary Fenton's Christian name[AX]).

[465]... 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, wayes, 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 Anthony Walker's Sermon._>

[466]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 all respects: great in the honour of her birth, being born 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 brother, to no other heritage than is expressed in the device and motto, which his humble gratitude inscribed on all the palaces he built,

_God'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 unspotted 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,[467] and a fifth, more than these titles speak, a soveraigne and peerlesse in a larger province,--that of universall 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 widdower), came one morning to waite on Sir Jeofry Fenton, at that time a great officer[XXIV.] of state in that kingdome of 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 Jeoffry 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,) asked him if he would stay for her? To which he frankly answered him he would, and Sir Jeoffry 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.

[XXIV.] Secretary of Estate.

Nor did she derive less honour from the collateral, than the descending 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 usefull learning and accurate pens, may attone and[468]expiate, as well as shame, the scandalous blemishes of a debauched, and the many impertinencies of a scribling, age:--

(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 Orery, 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, that profound philosopher, accomplished humanist, and excellent divine, I had almost sayd lay-bishop, as one hath stiled Sir Henry Savil; whose works alone may make a librarie[XXV.].

[XXV.] Why does he not mention ... lord Killimeke[AY]; who was slain at the great battell of Liskarrill, in Ireland?

The female branches also (if it be lawfull so to call them whose virtues were so masculine, souls knowing no difference of sex) by their honours and graces (by mutuall reflections) 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[469]that the present earle of Kildare is a mixture of blood of Fitz-Geralds and Veres;

the fifth, the lady Katharine, who was married to the lord viscount Ranelaugh[XXVI.], and mother to the present generous earle of 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_;

[XXVI.] <Arthur> Jones.

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 unmaried), was our excellent lady Mary, married to Charles, earle of Warwick; of whom, if I should use the language of my text, I should neither despair their pardon, nor fear the reproach of rudeness--_Many daughters_, all his daughters, _did virtuously but thou_--PROV. xxxi. 29, 30, 31.

----But shee[XXVII.] needed neither borrowed shades, nor reflexive lights, to set her off, being personally great in all naturall endowments and accomplishments of soul and body, wisdome, beautie, favour, and virtue;

[XXVII.] Mary, countess of Warwick.

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 Herculem_) discover by that little[XXVIII.] tast of it the world hath been happy in, the hasty fruit of one or two interrupted houres after supper, which she professed to me, with a little regret, when she was surprised with it's sliding into the world without her knowledge, or allowance, and wholly beside her expectation;

[XXVIII.] Her ladyship's _Pious Meditations_.

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._

[AV] Aubrey gives in trick the coat:--'per bend crenellée 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 tricked in the inner margin) has been cut out between fol. 14 and fol. 15 of MS. Aubr. 6. The excision was made by Aubrey himself, a line being drawn by him across the excision from fol. 14ᵛ 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.

[AW] Catherine Fenton, daughter of Sir Geoffrey Fenton, Secretary of State for Ireland 1581-1603.

[AX] Anthony Wood, in answer to this query, suggests:--'Jeffrey, quaere.'

[AY] Lewis Boyle, second son of Richard, first earl of Cork, created viscount Boyle of Kynalmeaky, 1627/8.

=Robert Boyle= (1626/7-1691).

[470]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.

[471]Mr. R. Boyle, when a boy at Eaton <was> verie sickly and pale--from Dr. <Robert> Wood, who was his schoole-fellow.

[472]The honourable Robert Boyle[AZ] esq., the <fifth> son of Richard Boyle, the first earle of Corke, was borne at Lismor[XXIX.] in the county of Corke, the <25> day of <January> anno <1626/7>.

[XXIX.] It was anciently an University, and a great towne or city. It had twenty churches. 'Twas the seate of king John.--From Elizabeth, countesse of Thanet.

He was nursed by an Irish nurse, after the Irish manner, wher they putt the child into a pendulous satchell (insted of a cradle), with a slitt for the child's head to peepe out.

He learn't his Latin.... Went 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[473] any where els.

He speakes Latin very well, and very readily, as most men I have mett with. 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 beholding to him for 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, whom I beseech God to blesse with a particular blessing, I bequeath, &c._

Mr. R. H.[474], who has seen the rentall, sayes it was 3000 _li._ 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 chymists 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[BA], 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._

[AZ] Aubrey gives in colours the Boyle coat (_supra_, p. 119), with a mullet gules 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 Anthony Walker's sermon.

[BA] The Gospels and Acts in Malay (in Arabic character), Oxford, 1677.

=William Brereton=, 3rd baron, (1631-1680).

[475]William, lord Brereton, obiit March 17, 1680[476]; buried at St. Martin's-in-the-fields: scripsit _Origines Moriens_ in Latin verse.

[477]William, lord Brereton[BB] 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 Algebrist.

He hath wrote a poem called _Origines Moriens_, a MS.

Obiit March 17, 1679/80, London, and is buried at St Martin's church in the fields.

He was an excellent musitian, and also a good composer.

_Note._

[BB] Anthony Wood adds the reference 'quaere in Coll. Exon.' Wood seems to have thought that Sir 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= (1565-1613).

[478]Mr. Edward Brerewood[BC] was borne....

He was of Brasen-nose College in Oxon. My old cosen Whitney[BD], 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 ponderibus et nummis_ (which he dedicates to his countryman, Lord Chancellor Egerton, who was no doubt his patron).

He was astronomie 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.

_Notes._

[BC] Anthony Wood added the reference 'vide A. W.'s _<Hist. et> Antiq._'; but scored it out, finding himself anticipated in the text of the notice.

[BD] James Whitney, matric. April 19, 1611 at St. Mary Hall, but took his degrees from Brasenose (Clark's _Reg. Univ. Oxon._ II. iii. 334).

=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= (1556-1630/1).

[479]Henry Briggs was borne at ... (vide Anthony Wood's _Oxon. Antiquit._: quaere his nephew who is beadle to Stationers' Hall; quaere _Vaticinium Carolinum_, an English poem).

He was first of St. John's College in Cambridge. Sir Henry Savill sent for him and made him his geometrie 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 honourable ... lord Nepier[BE] of Marcheston about making the logarithmicall tables.

☞ Looking one time on the mappe of England he observed that the[480] 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[481] easie to be digged. Then he considered the chardge of cutting between them and the convenience of making a mariage between those rivers which would be of great consequence for cheape and safe carrying of goods between London and Bristow, and though the boates[482] goe slowly and with meanders, yet considering they goe 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 the civill warres brake-out. It happened by good luck that one Mr. Matthewes of Dorset had some acquaintance with this Mr.[483] 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 encouragement of the countrey or others. Upon the restauration of King Charles II he renewed his designe and applyed himselfe to the king and counsell. His majestie 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 ( ☞ an expert mathematician and a practicall man), being sent to survey the mannor of Dantesey 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 200,000 _li._

Insert his letter to Dr. John Pell _de logarithmis_ written anno Dni 1628.

Mr. William Oughtred calls him the English Archimedes in....

An epitaph on H. Briggs among H. Burched's poems[BF].

[484]Mr. Briggs--vide and quaere Dr. Whitchcot, behind St. Lawrence Church; he knew him.----Respondet quod non.

[485]Mr. Norwood to the reader, before his Trigonometrie:--'of the construction and divers applications of Logarithmes Mr. Brigs hath written a booke called _Arithmetica Logarithmica_, and since again began another excellent worke of like nature entituled _Trigonometria Britannica_. 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.'

_Notes._

[BE] John Napier, of Merchiston, born 1550, died 1617. His son Alexander was created baron Napier in 1627.

[BF] 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 'Epitaphium D. Henrici Briggi ob mathesin et pietatem famigerati, denati 1631. Januar. ult.' The second piece is 32 Latin verses 'in bibliothecam Oxoniensem tertio amplificatam MDCXXXVI.'

=Thomas Brightman= (1562-1607).

<_A Letter from Edward Gibson about Thomas Brightman[BG]._>

[486]Hawnes, Dec. 21, <16>81.

Sir,

Since you have desired and have been put into an expectation of receiving some information concerning Mr. Brightman, tho I have litle 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. 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.

[487]For Mr. John Aubrey: leave this at Mr. Hooke's lodging in Gresham College.

_Note._

[BG] In MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 3, Anthony Wood has jotted down 'quaere Mr. Aubrey of Thomas Brightman, Dr. <William> Butler, Henry Billingsley, Sir George Wharton'--Aubrey's notes, so far, about these four having been scanty.

In MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 48ᵛ, opposite Gibson's letter Wood notes an odd omission in it:--'Quaere _in what church_ Mr. Thomas Brightman was buried?'

=Alexander Brome= (1620-1666).

[488]H. Brome assured me that his brother Alexander was in his accedence at 4 yeares old and a quarter[BH].

_Note._

[BH] This is a marginal note opposite the life of Katherine 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, 47, 48. Henry Brome was a London bookseller.

=Christopher Brookes= (16..-1665).

[489]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[490] 1649 an 8vo of about 2 sheetes, scil. 'A new quadrant of more natural easie and manifold performance than any other heretofore extant': but it was his father-in-lawe's[491] invention. I had it from his widow about 1665.

=Elizabeth Broughton.=

[492]In the Heralds' Office--Heref<ordshire>--

Edward Broughton, _m._ Isabell, daughter of of Kington, eldest | Rafe Beeston, of son, 1634 | Warwickshire. | Elizabeth.

<Arms[493]:--> '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[494], I know not, but I guesse before). At last she grew common and infamous and gott[495] the pox, of which she died.

I remember thus much of an old song of those dayes, 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[496] smock, _Libera nos, Domine_.

In Ben Johnson's execrations against Vulcan, he concludes 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 doe Thy wive's pox take thee, and _Bess Broughton's_ too.

--In the first edition in 8vo her name is thus at length.

I see that there have been famous woemen before our times.

Vixêre fortes ante Agamemnona Multi, etc.

HORACE, lib. 4, ode 9.

I doe remember her father (1646), neer 80, the handsomest shaped man that ever my eies beheld, a very wise man and of an admirable elocution. He was a committee-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).

[497]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 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[BI].

He was ... of the Navy office[BJ].

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 written by him[BK]._>

[498]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.

_Notes._

[BI] He was President, 1663, from the incorporation of the Royal Society, to 1677.

[BJ] He was a Lord of the Admiralty in 1680, and again in 1682.

[BK] 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.'

=William Browne= (1591-1645).

[499]The earle of Carnarvon does not remember Mr. Brown[BL], and I ask't his lordship lately again if any of his servants doe: he assures me _no_.

_Note._

[BL] The inquiry was made of Charles Dormer, second earl of Carnarvon. William Browne, author of _Britannia's Pastorals_, had been tutor in 1624 to Robert Dormer (created earl of Carnarvon in 1628) in Exeter College.

=Robert Burton= (1576/7-1639/40).

[500]Memorandum. Mr. Robert Hooke of Gresham College told me that he lay in the chamber in Christ Church that was Mr. Burton's, of whom 'tis whispered that, _non obstante_ all his astrologie and his booke of Melancholie, he ended his dayes in that chamber by hanging him selfe.

=Thomas Bushell= (1594-1674).

[501]Mr. Thomas Bushell was an ... shire man, borne ...: quaere Thomas Mariet, esq. [He[502] was borne at Marston in ... shire, neer him.]

He was one of the gentlemen that wayted on the Lord Chancellour Bacon. 'Twas the fashion in those dayes for gentlemen to have 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 _buttond Bushell_.

He was only an English scholar, but had a good witt and a working and contemplative head. His lord much loved him.

His genius lay most towards naturall philosophy, and particularly towards the discovery, drayning, and improvement of the silver mines in Cardiganshire[503], 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[504]