The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
AUBREY'S 'BRIEF LIVES'
ANDREW CLARK
VOL. II.
HENRY FROWDE, M.A.
PUBLISHER TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
LONDON, EDINBURGH, AND NEW YORK
AUBREY'S BOOK-PLATE
From MS. Aubrey 6, fol. 11v
'Brief Lives,' chiefly of Contemporaries, set down by John Aubrey, between
the Years 1669 & 1696
EDITED FROM THE AUTHOR'S MSS.
BY
ANDREW CLARK
M.A., LINCOLN COLLEGE, OXFORD; M.A. AND LL.D., ST. ANDREWS
WITH FACSIMILES
VOLUME II. (I-Y)
Oxford
AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
1898
Oxford
PRINTED AT THE CLARENDON PRESS
BY HORACE HART, M.A.
PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY
AUBREY'S 'BRIEF LIVES'
... Ingelbert.
[A]Mr. Ingelbert was the first inventer or projector of bringing the water from Ware to London[1] called Middleton's water. He was a poore-man, but Sir Hugh Middleton[2], alderman of London, moneyed the businesse; undertooke it; and gott the profit and also the credit of that most usefull invention, for which there[3] ought to have been erected a statue for the memory of this poore-man from the city of London.—From my honoured and learned friend Mr. Fabian Philips, filiser of London, etc., who was in commission about this water.
Notes.
[A] In MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 1v, Aubrey has this note:—'In Pond's Almanack, 1647, thus—"Since the river from Ware to London began by Edward Pond, Jan. 2, 35 yeares. 'Twas finished, Sept. 20, 34 yeares"—.'
John Innocent (14— -1545).
[4]At Doctors Commons is 'argent on gules a mayd stark naked with a chaplet in her hand dexter.' The name I could never learn, till by chance, in Hampshire, by a courtier. It is the coate of Dr. Innocent, deane of Paule's and master of St. Crosses, tempore Henrici VII. Borne at Barkehamsted, Hertfordshire; where he built a free-schole, where this coat is in severall places. 'Tis endowed with 500li. per annum for 120 scholars from any part of England. The Visitor is the Warden of All Soules, Oxon.
Henry Isaacson (1581-1654).
[5]Mr. Henry Isaacson was secretary to Lancelot Andrews, lord bishop of Winton. Was borne in this parish (of St. Katharine Coleman) anno Domini 1581; christned—ex registro[I.]—Septemb. 17th; and buried in this church. He died about the 7th of December, 1654. He had severall children: four sonnes still living, one is a minister at Stoke neer Ipswych in Suffolk.
[I.] St. Catherine Coleman, 1581—'Sept. 17, Henry Isackson baptised.'—MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 89v.
In the chancell here[6] I find this inscription, on a marble grave-stone, viz.:
'Here lyeth the body of Richard Isaacson, esq., Eastland merchant, and free of the Paynters Stayners of this citie of London, who having lived in this parish 58 yeares, slept in the Lord 19 January, Anno Domini 1620. [II.]Henricus filius et haeres hoc memorabile posuit pietatis ergo.'
[II.] Scil. Henricus praedictus.
[7]Memorandum:—
[III.] 'Twas presented in an ill hower. An astrologer would give something to know that day and hower. He wanted a good election.
[8]Concerning Henry Isaacson[9].
Sir,
I find that my grandfather dyed in St. Cathrin Coleman's parish London, the 19e January, 1620, and to my best rememberance upon his gravestone in the chancell it was ingraven that hee had lived in the said parrish 58 yeares. He
My father died in St. Cathrin Coleman's parrish above-said about the 7e of December, 1654, which is neare 34 years after my grandfather's death. I calculate from the tyme of his birth to my grandfather's death to bee 39 yeares: ad[10] the 34 yeares after my grandfather's death to the 39 before: 39 + 34 makes 73 yeares his age—which all the familie agree that hee was seaventy three yeares of age when hee died, soe that hee was borne in anno 1581. Borne in anno 1581, dyed aged 73, makes 1654 the yeare when he dyed. And in all probabillity hee was borne in St. Kathrin Coleman's parrish, my grandfather having lived soe long tyme there: the church booke, if extant, will soone resolve yow—I never heard any thing to the contrary.
My brother William Isaacson could more exactly give you an account of the degrees he tooke, if any, but the University was Cambriege and the College Pembrooke-Hall. I thinke I have heard hee was Mr. of Arts standing, but am somthing uncertayne of this.
Rand. Isaacson.
Fifeild,
the 21e Aprill 1681.
[11]In the table of benefactors in the Church of St. Catherine Colman, viz.—
'1620: Mr. Richard Isaacson'—the chronologer[12]—'2 li. 12s. per annum to the poor.'
James I (1566-1625).
'Pray search that booke[13], and see if you can find the ballad, or verses, on the coronation of king James— And at the erse of them marched the Scotish peeres [14]Dr. Jaquinto: physitian to pope ..., then to king James[15]. He went into the marshes of Essex, where they putt their sheep to cure them of the rott, where he lived sometime purposely to observe what plants the sheep did eat, of which herbs he made his medicine for the consumption, which Mr. E. W.[16] haz. [17]Judge Jenkins, prisoner in the Tower of London, Windsor, etc., He was of very good courage. Rode in the lord Gerard's army in Pembrokeshire, in the forlorne-hope, with his long rapier drawne holding it on-end. Obiit Dec. 3, anno Domini 1663; sepult. at Cowbridge church in the south aisle in Glamorganshire. No remembrance yet (1682) set up for him. [Quaere[19] Sir Robert Thomas whereabout in the church or chancell.] [20]David Jenkins hath writt a learned treatise of the lawe, in folio, of cases twice judged (quaere nomen); and an 'opusculum' (Lex terrae, etc.) in 16mo. Borne at ... in Glamorganshire. He was of Edmund Hall. Afterwards of Graye's inne. One of the judges[21] in South Wales. Imprisoned a long time in the Tower, Newgate, and Windsore. Was the only man that never complied. Dyed about 1665, at Cowbridge in Glamorganshire. He marryed Sir John Aubrey's sister. [22]David Jenkins, judge, was borne at Hensol, the place where he lived, in the parish of Pendeylwyn in com. Glamorgan. He was reciting this verse out of Ausonius, not long before he dyed, to Sir Llewellin Jenkins:— Et baculo innitens, in qua reptabat arena. Scripsit Opuscula, contayning severall little treatises, viz. Lex terrae, etc.; Rerum judicatarum censurae octo, in folio; praeter alias ejusdem naturae ineditas. He was one of the judges of the Carmarthen, Cardigan, and Pembrokeshire circuit before the wars. In the warres he was taken prisoner at Hereford. Long time prisoner in the Tower, Newgate, Wallingford, and Windsore. Never submitted to the usurping power (I thinke, the only man). All his estate was confiscated; and was always excepted by the parliament in the first ranke of delinquents. In his circuit in Wales at the beginning of the warres, he caused to be indicted severall men of those parts (that were parliament, etc. engaged against the king) for highe treason; and the grand jury indicted them. Afterwards, when he was prisoner in Newgate, some of these grandees came to him to triumph over him, and told him that if they had been thus in his power, he would have hanged them. 'God forbid els!' replied he—which undaunted returne they much admired. The parliament intended to have hanged him; and he expected no lesse, but resolved to be hangd with the Bible under one arme and Magna Charta under the other. And hangd he had been, had not Harry Martyn told them in the house that Sanguis martyrum est semen ecclesiae, and that that way would doe them more mischiefe. So his life was saved, and they removed him out of the way to Wallingford Castle. He dyed upwards (something[23]) of fowrscore yeares of age at Cowbridge in the county of Glamorgan,[24] on St. Nicholas day, November[25] the sixth, 1663; and in that church lyes buried, yet without a monument, but I thinke my cosen intends one. 'Tis pitty he was not made one of the judges of Westminster-hall for his long sufferings; and he might have been, he told me, if he would have given money to the Chancellor—but he scornd it. He needed it not, for he had his estate againe (1500 li. per annum), and being old and carceribus confractus. Mr. T. H., Malmesburiensis, told him one day at dinner that 'that hereafter would not shew well for somebodie's honour in history.' [26]Sir Llewellin Jenkins remembers himself kindly to you. He hath made a very fine inscription (which is an abstract of his life) in laxe Iambiques for judge David Jenkins. I would have him send it to you, but he is too modest. [27]Sir Lleuellin Jenkins, knight, was borne at Llantrithid in the countie of Glamorgan, anno domini.... His father (whom I knew) was a good plaine countreyman, a coppyholder of Sir John Aubrey, knight and baronet (eldest son of Sir Thomas), whose mannour it is. He went to schoole at Cowbridge, not far off. David Jenkins, that was prisoner in the Tower (maried a sister of Sir John Aubrey), was some remote kin to him; and, looking on him as a boy towardly, diligent, and good, he contributed something towards his education. Anno Domini 164<1>, he was matriculated of Jesus College in Oxford, where he stayed till (I thinke) he tooke his degree of Bac. Artium. About that time Sir John Aubrey sent for him home to enforme his eldest sonne Lewis Aubrey (since deceased, 1659) in grammar; and that he might take his learning the better, he was taught in the church-house where severall boyes came to schoole, and there were 6 or 7 gentlemen's sonnes (Sir Francis Maunsell, bart.; Mr. Edmund Thomas; Mr. ... ...) boarded in the towne. The young gentlemen were all neer of an age, and ripe for the University together; and to Oxford they all went under Mr. Jenkins' care about anno 1649 or 50, but by reason of the disturbances of those times, Sir John would not have his sonne of any college. But they all studyed at Mr. (now Sir) Sampson White's house, a grocer, opposite to University College. Here he stayed with my cosen about 3 yeares or better, and then, in anno 165- (vide Mr. Hobbes' de Corpore, 'twas that yeare), he travelled with my cosen and two or 3 of the other gentlemen into France, where they stayd about 3 yeares and made themselves masters of that language. He first began[28] the Civill lawe, viz., bought When he brought home Mr. Lewis Aubrey, he returned to Jesus College (quaere, if he was of the foundation). After his majestie's restauration Dr. Gilbert Sheldon, archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir John Aubrey were co-etanei, and contracted a great friendship at Oxon in their youth, which continued to their deaths. In the troublesome times after Dr. Sheldon was expelled, he was a yeare (I thinke) or two with Sir John at Llantrithid, where he tooke notice of the vertue and assiduity of the young man Mr. Jenkins. After the king's restauration Sir John Aubrey recommended Mr. Jenkins to him; made him. Anno <1668> he was archbishop of Canterbury: Sir Anno ... he had the honour of knighthood. Anno 1673, Anno 167- sent ambassador to ..., from whence he returned anno 16[79/80]. March 25, 1680, he was made Principall Secretary of Estate.—When I came to wayte on him to congratulate for the honour his majestie had been pleased to bestowe on him, he recieved me with his usuall courtesie, and sayd that 'it had pleased God to rayse-up a poore worme to doe his majestie humble service.' He haz a strong body for study, indefatigable, temperate and vertuous. God blesse him. When Mary the queen-mother dyed at Paris, the king of Fraunce caused her jewells and treasures to be locked up and sealed. His majestie of Great Britaine sent Sir Llewellin (which is Leoline in Latin) to Paris concerning the administration [1668[30]]. [31]It pleased God at Whitsuntide last to bereave me of a deare, usefull, and faithfull friend Mr. Johnson who had the reversion of the place of Master of the Rolles; who generously, for friendship and neighbourhood sake (we were borne the same weeke and within 4 miles and educated together), gave me the graunt to be one of his secretaries—which place is worth 500 li. per annum. He was a strong lustie man and died of a malignant fever, infected by the earl of Abington's brother, making of his will. It was such an opportunity that I shall never have the like again. [B]George Johnson, esq., borne at Bowdon parke, March the sixth 1625/6; respondet that he remembers his mother sayed 'twas just at noone. His mother was three dayes in labour with him. Fever at Bowdon about 1669; quaere R. Wiseman. Fever, most dangerous, at London Nov. and Dec, 1677. Burghesse of Devises, 166-; made one of the judges of Ludlow, ...; maried about 1660; reader of the Middle Temple,.... Mr. Vere Bertie[32] was his chamber-fellowe in anno 1655, the wintertime, which was his rise. My honoured and kind friend George Johnson, esq., died at his house at Bowdon-lodge, of an ague and feaver on the 28th of May[33] at 10h A.M., being Whit-munday, cujus animae propitietur Deus. His death is an extraordinary losse to me, for that had he lived to have been Master of the Rolles I had been one of his secretarys, worth 600 li. +:—sed fiat voluntas Domini. He went from London the Monday before; came home Tuesday; ill that night. Thursday pretty well. Fell ill again of an intermitting fever and died. [B] Anthony Wood notes:—'you do not set downe the yeare that Mr. Johnson died.' In 1683 Whitmonday fell on May 28. The reversion of the Mastership of the Rolls was granted to Johnson Aug. 15, 1667, but Sir Harbottle Grimston, appointed Nov. 3, 1660, did not die till Jan. 2, 1684/5. [34]Inigo Jones' monument[C]—this tombe is on the north side of the church, but his bodie lies in the chancell about the middle. The inscription mentions that he built the banquetting howse and the portico at St. Paule's.—Mr. Marshall in Fetter lane tooke away the bust, etc. here to his howse, which see. Quaere Mr. Oliver + de hoc. [35]Inigo Jones: vide epitaph at Mr. Marshall's. Mr. Memorandum:—Mr. Emanuel Decretz (serjeant painter to King Charles 1st) told me in 1649, that the catafalco of King James at his funerall (which is a kind of bed of state erected in Westminster abbey, as Robert, earl of Essex, had, Oliver Cromwell, and general Monke) was very ingeniosely designed by Mr. Inigo Jones, and that he made the 4 heades of the Cariatides (which bore up the canopie) of playster of Paris, and made the drapery of them of white callico, which was very handsome and very cheap, and shewed as well as if they had been cutt out of white marble. [C] Aubrey gives a drawing of the monument. It is a rectangular stone, having the inscription on the front; at one end 'the banquetting-howse at Whitehall in bas relieve,' at the other 'west end of St. Paule's in bas relieve.' On the top, his bust, in the middle, and at each end a pinnacle. In MS. Wood F. 39, fol. 163, on Jan. 27, 1671/2, Aubrey notes that the inscription is 'yet legible, notwithstanding the fire.' [36]... Jones, B.D., obiit at the house of [38]Mr. Benjamin Johnson[D], Poet Laureat;—I remember when I was a scholar at Trin. Coll. Oxon. 1646, I heard Dr. Ralph Bathurst[E] (now deane of Wells) say that Ben Johnson was a Warwyckshire man—sed quaere. 'Tis agreed that his father was a minister; and by his epistle dedicat.[IV.] of 'Every Man ...' to Mr. William Camden that he was a Westminster scholar and that Mr. W. Camden was his school-master. [IV.] In his dedication of his play called Every man in his humour to Mr. Camden, Clarenceaux:—'Since I am none of those that can suffer the benefits confer'd upon my youth to perish with my age. It is a fraile memorie that remembers but present things.'—MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 55. [Anthony[39] Wood in his Hist. His mother, after his father's death, maried a brick-layer; and 'tis generally sayd that he wrought sometime with his father-in-lawe[40] (and particularly on the garden-wall of Lincoln's Inne next to Chancery-lane—from old parson Then he went into the Lowe-countreys, and spent some time (not very long) in the armie[41], not to the disgrace of ..., as you may find in his Epigrammes. Then he came over into England, and acted and wrote, but both ill, at the Green Curtaine, a kind of nursery or obscure playhouse, somewhere in the suburbes (I thinke towards Shoreditch or Clarkenwell)—from J. Greenhill. Then he undertooke againe to write a playe, and did hitt it admirably well, viz. 'Every man ...' which was his first good one. Serjeant John Hoskins, of Herefordshire, was his father. I remember his sonne (Sir Bennet Hoskins, baronet, who was something poeticall in his youth) told me, that when he desired to be adopted his son: 'No,' sayd he, ''tis honour enough for me to be your brother; I am your father's son, 'twas he that polished me, I doe acknowledge it.' He was (or rather had been) of a clear and faire skin; his habit was very plaine. I have heard Mr. Lacy, the player, say that he was wont to weare a coate like a coach-man's coate, with slitts under the arme-pitts. He would many times exceed in drinke (Canarie was his beloved liquour): then he would tumble home to bed, and, when he had thoroughly perspired, then to studie. I have seen his studyeing chaire, which was of strawe, such as old woemen used, and as Aulus Gellius is drawen in. When I was in Oxon, bishop Skinner (of Oxford), who lay at our College, was wont to say that he understood an author as well as any man in England. He mentions in his Epigrammes a sonne that he had, and his epitaph. Long since, in King James' time, I have heard my uncle Danvers say (who knew him), that he lived without Temple Barre, at a combe-maker's shop, about the Elephant and Castle. In his later time he lived in Westminster, in the house under which you passe as you goe out of the churchyard into the old palace; where he dyed. He lies buryed[V.] in the north aisle in the path of square stone (the rest is lozenge), opposite to the scutcheon[42] of Robertus de Ros, with this inscription only on him, in a pavement square, of blew marble, about 14 inches square, O RARE BENN IOHNSON which was donne at the chardge of Jack Young (afterwards knighted) who, walking there when the grave was covering,[43] gave the fellow eighteen pence to cutt it. [V.] Ben Johnson lyes buryed in the north aisle of Westminster Abbey, just opposite to the scutcheon of Robertus de Ros, under the middle walke or path of square stones, on one of which is wrote O RARE BEN JOHNSON[44] [four yards from the pillar].—MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 55. His motto before his (bought) bookes was, Tanquam Explorator. I remember 'tis in Seneca's Epistles. He was a favourite of the Lord Chancellor Egerton, as appeares by severall verses to him. In one he begges his lordship to doe a friend of his a favour. 'Twas an ingeniose remarque of my lady Hoskins, that B. J. never writes of love, or if he does, does it not naturally. He killed Mr. ... Marlow, the poet, on Bunhill, comeing from the Green-Curtain play-house.—From Sir Edward Shirburn. [45]Ben Johnson:—Ben Jonson had 50 li. per annum for ... yeares together to keepe off Sir W. Wiseman of Essex from being sheriff. At last king James prickt him, and Ben came to his majestie and told him he 'had prickt him to the heart' and then explaynd himselfe (innuendo Sir W. W. being prickt sheriff) and got him struck off. Vide his Execration against Vulcan. Vide None-such-Charles. When B. J. was dyeing king Charles sent him but X li. Quaere T. Shadwell pro notes of B. J. from the duke of Newcastle; and also quaere Thomas Henshawe (as also de saxis in Hibernia). Quaere my lord Clifford of the gentleman that cutt the grasse under Ben Jonson's feet, of whom he sayd 'Ungratefull man! I showed him Juvenal.' [46]B. Jonson; one eye[47] lower then t'other and bigger. He tooke a catalogue from Mr. Lacy of the Yorkshire words[48]—his hint to Tale of a Tub for the clownery. [49]Ben Johnson had one eie lower than t'other, and bigger, like Clun, the player: perhaps he begott Clun. He tooke a catalogue from Mr. Lacy (the player) of the Yorkshire dialect[50]. 'Twas his hint for clownery to his comoedy called The Tale of a Tub. This I had from Mr. Lacy. [51]King James made him write against the Puritans, who began to be troublesome in his time. A Grace by Ben Johnson, extempore, before King James. Our King and Queen, the Lord-God blesse, The king was mighty enquisitive to know who this Raph was. Ben told him 'twas the drawer at the Swanne tavernne, by Charing-crosse, who drew him good Canarie. For this drollery his majestie gave him an hundred poundes. [52]This account[F] I received from Mr. Isaac Walton (who wrote Dr. John Donne's &c. Life), Decemb. 2, 1680, he being then eighty-seaven years of age. This is his owne hand writing. [53]Ffor yor ffriend's que. this: I only knew Ben Johnson: but my lord of Winton knew him very well, and says he was in the 6º, that is the vpermost fforme in Westminster scole. At which time his father dyed, and his mother marryed a brickelayer, who made him (much against his will) to help him in his trade. But in a short time, his scole maister, Mr. Camden, got him a better imployment, which was to atend or accompany a son of Sir Walter Rauleyes in his travills. Within a short time after their returne, they parted (I think not in cole bloud) and with a loue sutable to what they had in their travills (not to be comended); and then, Ben began to set up for himselfe in the trade by which he got his subsistance and fame. Of which I nede not giue any account. He got in time to haue a 100 li. a yeare from the king, also a pention from the Cittie, and the like from many of the nobilitie, and some of the gentry, wh was well payd for loue or fere of his raling in verse or prose, or boeth. My lord of Winton told me, he told him he was (in his long retyrement, and sicknes, when he saw him, which was often) much aflickted that hee had profain'd the scripture, in his playes; and lamented it with horror; yet, that at that time of his long retyrement, his pentions (so much as came yn) was giuen to a woman that gouern'd him, with whome he liud and dyed nere the Abie in West mimster; and that nether he nor she tooke much care for next weike, and wood be sure not to want wine; of which he vsually tooke too much before he went to bed, if not oftner and soner. My lord tells me, he knowes not, but thinks he was borne in Westminster. The question may be put to Mr. Wood very easily vpon what grownds he is positiue as to his being borne their? he is a friendly man and will resolue it. So much for brave Ben. You will not think the rest so tedyus, as I doe this. Ffor yor 2 and 3º que. of Mr. Hill and Bilingsley, I doe nether know, nor can learn any thing worth teling you. [54]For yr two remaining que. of Mr. Warner and Mr. Harriott, this:—Mr. Warner did long and constantly lodg nere the water-stares or market in Woolstable (Woolstable is a place or lane not far from Charing Crosse, and nerer to Northumberland howse). My lord of Winchester tells me he knew him, and that he saide he first fownd out the cerculation of the blood, and discover'd it Mr. Harriott; my lord tells me, he knew him also: that he was a more gentile man, then Warner. That he had 120 li. a yeare pention from the said earle (who was a louer of ther studyes) and his lodging in Syon howse, where he thinks, or beliues, he dyed. This is all I know or can learne for yor friend; which I wish may be worth the time and treble of reading it. J. W. I forgot to tell, that I heard the sermon preacht for the lady Danuers, and have it: but thanke yr ffriend. [D] An anecdote of Ben Jonson (possibly from some Book of Jests) is communicated to me by Professor York Powell as still current in Oxford in oral tradition:— 'One day as Ben Jonson was working at his first trade a fine lady passed and greeted him— "A line and a trowel answered the poet.' [E] Aubrey, writing Aug. 7, 1680, in Wood MS. F. 39, fol. 343, says:—'Pray ask the deane of Welles what countreyman Ben Johnson was. To my best remembrance I heard him say (1648) Warwickshire; and I have heard some say that he was of Trinity College Cambridge.' [F] This is an autograph letter by Izaak Walton, with a heading (here in italic) added by Aubrey. [55]John Kersey, borne at Bodicot in Oxfordshire neer Banbury, anno domini 1616. Scripsit;—Arithmetique, 8vo; and two volumes of Algebra, folio. Obiit in Shandos street, London, neer St. Martin's lane, anno domini 167-. He died of a consumption. He did survey. [56]Ralph Kettle, D.D., praeses Coll. Trin. Oxon., was borne at The lady Elizabeth Pope brought him in to be a scholar of the house at eleaven yeares of age[G] (as I have heard Dr. Ralph Bathurst say). I have heard Dr. Whistler[57] say that he wrote good Latin, and Dr. Ralph Bathurst (whose grandmother, ... Villers, he maried), that he scolded the best in Latin of any one that ever he knew. He was of an admirable healthy constitution. He dyed a yeare + after I came to the Colledge, and he was then a good deale above 80 (quaere aetatem), and he had then a fresh ruddy complexion. He was a very tall well growne man. His gowne and surplice and hood being on, he had a terrible gigantique aspect, with his sharp gray eies. The ordinary gowne he wore was a russet cloath gowne. He was, they say, white[58] very soon; he had a very venerable presence, and was an excellent governour. One of his maximes of governing was to keepe-downe the juvenilis impetus[VI.]. He was chosen President anno Domini <1598/9> the second after the foundation of the College. [VI.] 'Tis Seneca's expression. He was a right Church of England man, and every Tuesday, in terme time, in the morning, the undergraduates (I have forgott if baccalaurs) were to come into the chapell and heare him expound on the 36 Articles[59] of the Church of England. I remember he was wont to talke much of the rood-loft, and of the wafers: he remembred those times. On these dayes, if any one had committed a fault, he should be sure to heare of it in the chapell before his fellow collegiates.
With lowzie shirts, and mangie wrists, went pricking-up their eares.'>
... Jaquinto.
David Jenkins (1586-1663).
Sir Leoline Jenkins (1623-1685).
George Johnson (1625/6-1683).
Note.
Inigo Jones (1573-1652).
Note.
Thomas Jones (16— -1682).
Ben Jonson (1574-1637).
The Paltzgrave, and the Lady Besse,
And God blesse every living thing
That lives, and breath's, and loves the King.
God bless the Councell of Estate,
And Buckingham, the fortunate.
God blesse them all, and keepe them safe,
And God blesse me, and God blesse Raph.
Nouer. 22, 80.Notes.
Guide many a fool:
Good morning, Ben!"
—"In silk and scarlet
Walks many a harlot:
Good morning, Madam!"
John Kersey (1616-167-?).
Ralph Kettell (1563-1643).
He sawe how the factious in religion in those dayes drew, and he kept himselfe unconcerned. W. Laud, archbishop of Canterbury, sent him one time a servant of his with venison, which the old Dr. with much earnestnes refused, and sayd that he was an old man, and his stomach weake, and he had not eaten of such meate in a long time, and by no meanes would accept of it; but the servant was as much pressing it on him on the other side, and told the President that he durst not carry it back[64] againe. Well, seing there was no avoyding it, the President asked the servant seriously, if the archbishop of Canterbury intended to putt in any scholars or fellowes[65] into his College?
Mr. ... ... one of the fellowes (in Mr. Francis Potter's time) was wont to say, that Dr. Kettel's braine was like a hasty-pudding, where there was memorie, judgement, and phancy all stirred together. He had all these faculties in great measure, but they were all just so jumbled together. If you had to doe with him, taking him for a foole, you would have found in him great subtilty and reach: è contra, if you treated with him as a wise man, you would have mistaken him for a foole. A neighbour of mine (Mr. La
He had two wives, if not three, but no child (quaere). His second wife was a Villiers, or rather (I thinke) the widowe of ... Villers, esq., who had two beautifull daughters, co-heires. The eldest, whom severall of good estate[67] would gladly have wedded, he would needs dispose of himselfe, and he thought nobody so fitt a husband for this angelique creature as one Mr. Bathurst, of the College, a second brother, and of about 300 li. per annum, but an indifferent scholar, red fac'd, not at all handsome.
But the Doctor's fashion was to goe up and down the college, and peepe in at the key-holes to see whether the boyes did follow their books or no. He seldome found Bathurst minding of his booke, but mending of his old doublet or breeches. He was very thrifty and penurious, and upon this reason he caried away this curious creature. But she was very happy in her issue; all her children were ingeniose and prosperous[68] in the world, and most of them beautifull.
About ... (neer 70 yeares since, I suppose,) one Mr. Isham (elder brother to Sir Justinian Isham), a gentleman-commoner of this howse, dyed of the small pox. He was a very fine gentleman, and very well beloved by all the colledge, and severall of the fellowes would have preacht his funerall sermon, but Dr. Kettle would not permitt it, but would doe it himselfe; which the fellowes were sorry for, for they knew he would make a ridiculous piece of worke of it. But preach the Dr. did: takes a text and preaches on it a little while; and then takes another text, for the satisfaction of the young gentleman's mother; and anon he takes another text, for the satisfaction of the young gentleman's grandmother. When he came to the panegyrique, sayd he, 'He was the finest, swet[69] young gentleman; it did doe my heart good to see him walke along the quadrangle. Wee have an old proverbe that Hungry dogges will eate dirty puddings; but I must needes say for this young gentleman, that he always loved[VII.] sweet'—he spake it with a squeaking voice—'things,'—and there was an end.
[VII.] They were wont to mock me with this[70].
He observed that the howses that had the smallest beer had most drunkards, for it forced them to goe into the town to comfort their stomachs; wherfore Dr. Kettle alwayes had in his College excellent beer, not better to be had in Oxon; so that we could not goe to any other place but for the worse, and we had the fewest drunkards of any howse in Oxford.
He was constantly at lectures and exercises in the hall to observe them, and brought along with him his hower-glasse; and one time, being offended at the boyes, he threatned them, that if they would not doe their exercise better he 'would bring an hower-glass two howers long.'
He was irreconcileable to long haire; called them hairy scalpes, and as for periwigges (which were then very rarely worne) he beleeved[71] them to be the scalpes of men cutt off after they were hang'd, and so tanned and dressed for use. When he observed the scolars' haire longer then ordinary (especially if they were scholars of the howse), he would bring a paire of cizers in his muffe (which he commonly wore), and woe be to them that sate on the outside of the table[I]. I remember he cutt Mr. Radford's[72] haire with the knife that chipps the bread on the buttery-hatch, and then he sang (this is in the old play—Henry VIII<'s time>—of Grammar[73] Gurton's needle)
'And was not Grim the collier finely trimm'd?
Tonedi, Tonedi.'
'Mr.[J] Lydall,' sayd he, 'how doe you decline tondeo? Tondeo, tondes, tonedi?'
One time walking by the table where the Logick lecture was read, where the reader was telling the boyes that a syllogisme might be true quoad formam, but not quoad materiam; said the President (who would putt-in sometimes), 'There was a fox had spyed a crowe upon a tree, and he had a great mind to have him[74], and so getts under the tree in a hope, and layes out his tayle crooked like a horne, thinking the crowe might come and peck at it, and then he would seise him. Now come we' (this[75] was his word), 'I say the foxe's tayle is a horne: is this a true proposition or no?' (to one of the boyes). 'Yes,' sayd he (the Dr. expected he should have sayd No; for it putt him out of his designe); 'Why then,' said he, 'take him and toot him'; and away he went.
He dragg'd with one (i.e. right[76]) foot a little, by which he gave warning (like the rattlesnake) of his comeing. Will. Egerton (Major-Generall Egerton's younger brother), a good witt and mimick, would goe so like him, that sometime he would make the whole chapell rise up, imagining he had been entring in.
As they were reading of inscribing and circumscribing figures, sayd he,'I will shew you how to inscribe a triangle in a quadrangle. Bring a pig into the quadrangle, and I will sett the colledge dog at him, and he will take the pig by the eare; then come I and take the dog by the tayle, and the hog by the tayle, and so there you have a triangle in a quadrangle; quod erat faciendum.'
He preach't every Sunday at his parsonage at Garsington (about 5 miles off). He rode on his bay gelding, with his boy Ralph before him, with a leg of mutton (commonly) and some colledge bread. He did not care for the countrey revells, because they tended to debauchery. Sayd he, at Garsington revell, 'Here is Hey for Garsington! and Hey for Cuddesdon! and Hey Hockly! but here's nobody cries, Hey for God Almighty!'
Upon Trinity Sunday (our festival day) he would commonly preach at the Colledge, whither a number of the scholars of other howses would come, to laugh at him. In his prayer (where he was of course to remember Sir Thomas Pope, our founder, and the lady Elizabeth his wife, deceasd), he would many times make a willfull mistake, and say, 'Sir Thomas Pope our Confounder[77],' but then presently recall himselfe.
He was a person of great charity. In his college, where he observed diligent boyes that he ghessed had but a slender exhibition from their friends, he would many times putt money in at their windowes; that his right hand did not know what his left did.[78]Servitors that wrote good hands he would sett on worke to transcribe for him and reward them generosely, and give them good advise. Mris. Howe, of Grendon, sent him a present of hippocris, and some fine cheese-cakes, by a plain countrey fellow, her servant. The Dr. tastes the wine:—'What,' sayd he, 'didst thou take this drinke[79] out of a ditch?' and when he saw the cheese-cakes:—'What have we here, crinkum, crankum?' The poor fellow stared on him, and wondered at such a rough reception of such a handsome present; but he shortly made him amends with a good dinner and halfe-a-crowne. The parsonage of Garsington (which belongs to the college) is worth ... per annum, and this good old Doctor, when one of his parish[80], that was an honest industrious man, happened by any accident to be in decay and lowe in the world, would let his parsonage to him for a yeare, two, or three, fourty pounds a yeare under value.
In his younger yeares he had been chaplain to
In August, 1642, the lord viscount Say and Seale came (by order of the Parliament) to visit the colleges, to see what of new Popery they could discover in the chapells. In our chapell, on the backside of the skreen, had been two altars (of painting well enough for those times, and the colours were admirably fresh and lively). That on the right hand as you enter the chapell was dedicated to St. Katharine, that on the left was of the taking our Saviour off from the crosse. My lord Say sawe that this was donne of old time, and Dr. Kettle told his lordship 'Truly, my Lord, we regard them no more then a dirty dish-clout'; so they remained untoucht, till Harris's time[81], and then were coloured over with green. The windowes of the chapell were good Gothique painting, in every columne a figure;—e.g. St. Cuthbert, St. Leonard, St. Oswald. I have forgott the rest. 'Tis pitty they should be lost. I have a note of all the scutcheons in glasse about the house. 'Twas pitty Dr. Bathurst tooke the old painted glasse out of the library. Anciently, in the chapell, was a little organ over the dore of the skreen. The pipes were, in my time, in the bursery.
[82]Memorandum:—till Oxford was surrendred we sang the reading psalmes on Sundayes, holy-dayes, and holy-day eves; and one of the scholars of the house sang the ghospell for the day in the hall, at the latter end of dinner, and concluded, Sic desinit Evangelium secundum beatum Johannem (or etc.): tu autem, Domine, miserere nostri.
He
[83]Memorandum:—there was in my time a rich pall[84] to lay on a coffin, of crimson velvet, with a large plaine crosse on it of white silke or sattin.
[85]'Tis probable this venerable Dr. might have lived some yeares longer, and finisht his century, had not those civill warres come on: which much grieved him, that was wont to be absolute in the colledge, to be affronted and disrespected by rude soldiers. I remember, being at the Rhetorique lecture in the hall, a foot-soldier came in and[86] brake his hower-glasse. The Dr. indeed was just stept out, but Jack Dowch[L] pointed at it. Our grove was the Daphne for the ladies and their gallants to walke in, and many times my lady Isabella Thynne[VIII.] would make her entrey with a theorbo or lute played before her. I have heard her play on it in the grove myselfe, which she did rarely; for which Mr. Edmund Waller hath in his Poems for ever made her famous. One may say of her as Tacitus sayd of Agrippina, Cuncta alia illi adfuere, praeter animum honestum. She was most beautifull, most humble, charitable, etc. but she could not subdue one thing. I remember one time this lady and fine Mris. Fenshawe[IX.] (her great and intimate friend, who lay at our college), would have a frolick to make a visitt to the President. The old Dr. quickly perceived that they came to abuse him; he addresses his discourse to Mris. Fenshawe, saying, 'Madam, your husband[M] and father I bred up here, and I knew your grandfather; I know you to be a gentlewoman, I will not say you are a whore; but gett you gonne for a very woman.' The dissolutenesse of the times, as I have sayd, grieving the good old Doctor, his dayes were shortned, and dyed
[VIII.]
[IX.] She was wont, and my lady Thynne, to come to our Chapell, mornings, halfe dressd, like angells.
Seneca's scholar Nero found fault with his style, saying 'twas arena sine calce: now Dr. Kettle was wont to say that 'Seneca writes, as a boare does pisse,' scilicet, by jirkes.
I cannot forget a story that Robert Skinner, lord bishop of Oxford, haz told us:—one Slymaker[N], a fellow of this College long since, a fellow of great impudence, and little learning—the fashion was in those dayes to goe, every Satterday night (I thinke), to Joseph Barnes' shop, the bookeseller (opposite to the west end of St. Mary's), where the newes was brought from London, etc.—this impudent clowne would alwayes be hearkning to people's whisperings and overlooking their letters, that he was much taken notice of. Sir Isaac Wake, who was a very witty man, was resolved he would putt a trick upon him, and understood that such a Sunday Slymaker was to preach at St. Mary's. So Sir Isaac, the Saterday before, reades a very formall lettre to some person of quality, that cardinal Baronius was turned Protestant, and was marching with an army of 40,000 men against the Pope. Slymaker hearkned with greedy eares, and the next day in his prayer before his sermon[O], beseeched God[87]'of his infinite mercy and goodnesse to give a blessing to the army of cardinall Baronius, who was turnd Protestant, and now marching with an army of forty thousand men,' and so runnes on: he had a Stentorian voice, and thunderd it out. The auditors all stared and were amazed: ... Abbot (afterwards bishop of Sarum[88]) was then Vice-cancellor, and when Slymaker came out of the pulpit, sends for him, and asked his name: 'Slymaker,' sayd he; 'No,' sayd the Vice-canc., ''tis Lyemaker.'
Dr. Kettle, when he scolded at the idle young boies of his colledge, he used these names, viz. Turds, Tarrarags (these were the worst sort, rude rakells), Rascal-Jacks, Blindcinques, Scobberlotchers (these did no hurt, were sober, but went idleing about the grove with their hands in their pocketts, and telling the number of the trees there, or so).
[89]To make you merry I'le tell you a story that Dr. Henry Birket[90] told us tother day at his cosen
Notes.
[G] It is difficult to decide whether these personal traditions are accurate or not. By the College records it appears that 'Ralph Kettell, Hertfordshire, aged sixteen, was elected scholar of Trinity 16 June 1579.' But he may have been in residence earlier. He was elected fellow May 30, 1583; and admitted third president Feb. 12, 1598/9. He died in July, 1643.
[H] Laurence Saintloe was B.A. from Exeter College Nov. 14, 1623: probably of the Saintlowes of Wiltshire.
[I] In College halls, till modern increase of numbers brought in more tables to block the floor, there were only the high table on the daïs, and side-tables along the walls of the body of the hall. The inner seats for these were often part of the wainscotting, and in any case there would be no passage behind them.
[J] John Lydall, scholar of Trinity College, June 4, 1640: Aubrey's particular friend, died Oct. 12, 1657 (Clark's Wood's Life and Times, i. 229). Aubrey often refers to him in his letters, generally with some expression of deep sorrow.
[K] John Hoskins of Rampisham, Dorset, elected Scholar of Trinity, May 28, 1635, aged 16; Fellow June 4, 1640.
[L] John Douch, matric. at Trin. July 5, 1639, aged 16: afterwards rector of Stalbridge, Dorset.
[M] John Fanshawe of Dagenham, Essex, matric. at Trin. Coll. Feb. 9, 1637/8, aged 18.
[N] Henry Slymaker, of Oxford city, aged 18, elected Scholar of Trin. May 26, 1592; Fellow June 13, 1598.
[O] It would be interesting to know when the 'bidding prayer' became a form, as it now is, and ceased to be composed for the occasion. See a notice of this prayer being habitually used to express personal opinions in 1637, in Clark's Wood's Life and Times, ii. 238.
Ludolph van Keulen (1554?-1610).
[91]Ludolphus van Ceulin was first, by profession, a fencing-master; but becomeing deafe, he betooke himselfe to the studie of the mathematiques wherin he became famous.
He wrote a learned booke, printed at ... in 4to of the proportion of the diameter of a circle to the peripherie: before which is his picture, and round about it in the compartiment are swords and bucklers and holberts, etc.,—weapons: the reason wherof I understood not till Dr. John Pell gave the aforesaid account, who had it from Sir Francis Godolphin, who had been his scholar as to fencing and boarded in his house.
He dyed at Leyden anno ..., aetat. 56, as I remember (vide); and on his monument, according to his last will, is engraved the proportion abovesayd, which is....
Richard Kitson.
[92]My lodging is at the George Inne in Little Drury lane, very early or late, or at other times at Mr. Samuell Eyres his chamber at Lincolne's Inne or at Mr. John Hancock's chamber in the Middle Temple—Ric. Kitson.
Direct your letter in the country to me at my house in Amesbury neere Salisbury, Wiltes.
I use to be at Salisbury Tuesdayes and Saturdayes weekely—R. K.
Richard Knolles (154- -1610).
[93]
The lord Burleigh, when he read
My lord hunted after him, and traced him from place to place, and at last to Newgate. He was hanged but a 14 night before. He unluckily lost a good opportunity of being preferred—
John Lacy (16— -1681).
[95]John Lacy, player, of the King's house, borne at ... neer Doncaster in Yorkshire. Came to London to the ... playhouse, 1631. His master was.... Apprentice (as were also ... and Isaac) to Mr. John Ogilby.
B. Jonson tooke a note of his Yorkshire words and proverbes for his Tale of a Tub, several 'Gad kettlepinns!'
1642 vel 3, lievetenant and quartermaster to the lord Gerard[96]. Vide Dr. Earles' Character of a Player.
He was of an elegant shape, and fine[97] complexion.
His majestie (Charles IId) haz severall pictures of this famous comoedian at Windsore and Hampton Court in the postures of severall parts that he acted, e.g., Teag, Lord Vaux, the Puritan.
He dyed of.... He made his exit on Saturday September 17th 1681, and was buryed in the farther churchyard of St. Martyn's in the fields on the Monday following, aged....
Scripsit these comoedies: that is to say,
...
...
Edward Lane (1605-1685).
[98]Edward Lane, who wrote against ... Du Moulin[P]: the title of his booke is ..., London, printed for W. Crooke, A.D....
In a letter from him to Mr. Crooke, thus, viz.:—
'As to the postscript of your letter, wherein I am desired to give an account of my academicall education, etc., know that in the yeare 1622, after I had been brought up to some learning in Paule's Schoole, London, I was admitted into St. John's Colledge, in Cambridge, where the president was my tutor; and after I had duely performed all that was required of me both in College and Schooles, I tooke my degree there of Master in Arts in the yeare 1629. And ten yeares after that, viz. in the yeare 1639, I was admitted ad eundem gradum in the university of Oxford. In the yeare 1630, my Lord Keeper Coventrey gave
Good sir,
I am your true friend and servant,
Edward Lane.'
Sparsholt, Hants.
Novemb. 16, 1681.
Note.
[P] In 1680 Lewis du Moulin published a pamphlet, 'Moral reflections upon the number of the elect, proving ... that ... probably not one in a million from Adam down to our time shall be saved.' Lane's answer appeared in the same year:—'Mercy triumphant: the kingdom of Christ enlarged beyond the narrow bounds which have been put to it by Dr. L. du Moulin....'
Sir Henry Lee (1530-1610/1).
Sir Henry Lee (15— -1631).
[99]Sir Henry Lee of Ditchley in com. Oxon was a gentleman of a good estate, and a strong and valiant person.
He was raunger of Woodstocke parke, and (I have heard my old cosen Whitney say) would many times in his younger yeares walke at nights in the parke with his keepers.
Sir Gerard Fleetwood succeeded him in this place[X.]; as his nephew Sir William Fleetwood did him, and him the earl of Rochester.
[X.] J. S. on the heroicall epistles of Michael Drayton—'In Rosamund's time, one Vaughan.'
This Sir Henry Lee's nephew and heire (whom I remember very well; he often came to Sir John Danvers') was called Whip-and-away. The occasion of it was thus:—this old hero declining in his strength by age and so not being able to be a righter of his owne wronges as heretofore—
Labitur occiduae per iter declive senectae.
Subruit haec aevi demoliturque prioris
Robora. Fletque Milo senior cum spectat inanes
Illos, qui fuerant solidorum more tororum
Herculeis similes, fluidos pendere lacertos.
Ovid. Metamorp. lib. xv, fab. 3
some person of quality had affronted him. So he spake to Sir Henry Lee his heire to lie in wayte for him about the Bell Inne in the Strand with halfe a dozen or more lustie fellowes at his back and as the partie passed along to give him a good blow with his cane and whip and away, the tall fellowes should finish the revenge. Whether 'twere nicety of conscience or cowardice, but Sir Henry the younger absolutely refused it. For which he was disinherited, and
He was never maried, but kept woemen to reade to him when he was a bed. One of his readers was parson Jones[101] his wife of Wotton. I have heard her daughter (who had no more witt) glory what a brave reader her mother was and how Sir Harry's worship much delighted to heare her. But his dearest deare was Mris. Anne Vavasour. He erected a noble altar monument of marble (☞ see it) wheron his effigies in armour lay; at the feet was the effigies of his mistresse Mris. Anne Vavasour. Which occasioned these verses:—
Here lies good old knight Sir Harry,
Who loved well, but would not marry[102]....
Memorandum: some bishop did threaten to have this monument defaced (at least to remove Mris. A. Vavasour's effigies).
<Pedigree of the Lees of Ditchley.>
[103](1) Old Sir Henry Lee[104] of Ditchley, com. Oxon.
(2) Sir Henry Lee, whom they called Whip-and-away, was cosen-german to the other Sir Henry; he dyed a batchelor, sine prole.
(3) Sir Henry Lee[105], m. Elenor Wortley, whose
with one eie, a | mother was countesse
keeper's son, | of Dover.
adopted by old |
Sir Henry. |
|
Harry[106] Lee m.
| of Sir John St. John, of Lydiard
| Tregoze, Wilts; now countess
| of Rochester.
|
Harry Lee[107] m. Anne Danvers, second daughter of
| Sir John Danvers, brother and
| heire of Henry, earl of Danby.
+-------------------------------+-------+
| |
| of Ricot, since earl son of the lord
| of Abingdon. Wharton.
|
+--------+------+-------+---+---+
| | | | |
1. Montagu, now 2. James. 3 4 5
lord Norris.
Old Sir Henry Lee, knight of the Garter, and was supposed brother of queen Elizabeth. He ordered that all his family should be christned Harry's.
This account I take from my lady Elizabeth viscountesse Purbec, the eldest daughter of Sir John Danvers, sister to the lady Anne Lee.
[108]One-eied Lee[109] m.
| |
|
|
... m.
| |
earl of Litchfield[110]. +-----+--------+
| |
Lady Norris. Lady Wharton.
William Lee (15— -1610).
[111]Mr. William Lee, A.M., was of Oxon[112] (I thinke, Magdalen Hall[Q]). He was the first inventor of the weaving of stockings by an engine of his contrivance. He was a Sussex man borne, or els lived there. He was a poor curate, and, observing how much paines his wife tooke in knitting a payre of stockings, he bought a stocking and a halfe, and observed the contrivance of the stitch, which he designed in his loome, which (though some of the appendent instruments of the engine be altered) keepes the same to this day. He went into France, and there dyed before his loome was made there. So the art was, not long since, in no part of the world but England. Oliver Protector made an act that it should be felonie to transport this engine. Vide Stowe's Chronicle and Baker's Chronicle, if any mention of it. This information I tooke from a weaver (by this engine) in Pear-poole lane, 1656. Sir John Hoskyns, Mr. Stafford Tyndale, and I, went purposely to see it.
Note.
[Q] In MS. Aubr. 8. fol. 4, Anthony Wood notes:—'11 Nov. 1681:—"John Lee, Surrey, son of Thomas Lee, of London, gent., aet. 17, 1624"