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, 17h14´ 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. Bypian pianoI might have
[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, 17h14´ 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.
[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, 17h14´ 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. Bypian pianoI might have
[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. Bypian pianoI might have
[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
[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
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 Aubreym.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, christenedA.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 11h30´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.'
[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 Aubreym.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, christenedA.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 11h30´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
[N]In MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 8, Aubrey notes:—
'John Aubrey
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'sWiltshire 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.'
[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'
[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'
[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 500li.per annum, and give a curat 100li.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
[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 500li.per annum, and give a curat 100li.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
[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 littleperson.'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.'
[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 littleperson.'
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.'
'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
[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
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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'sLife 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.'
[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'sLife 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.'
'Atque inter sylvas Academi quaerere verum.Dura sed emovere loco me tempora grato.'
'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.
[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'sFaber 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.'
[Y]In a slip at the end of MS. Aubr. 26 (Aubrey'sFaber 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 GreekeCrysostomus, 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 50s., 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.'
[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 GreekeCrysostomus, 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 50s., 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.'
[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.
[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.'
[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'sLife and Times, iii. 289, note 1.
[AD]i.e. which followed after this bleeding. Bleeding at the nose was thought ominous: see Clark's Wood'sLife 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.'
[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—
[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—
[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.'
[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.'
[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.'
[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.'