[1637]Hardwick, January the 16th, 1679[1638].Sir,
Three days since I receaved your letter of the 9thinstant together with one from Mr. Aubrey, and because they containe both the same particulars I thinke it unnecessary to repeat to you what I have written back to that gentleman.
All that I can add is onely this, that neither Mr. Halleley nor I have anything in either of our hands of Mr. Hobbes's writing, the very little of that kind that he left behind him being disposed of according to his own order before he removed from Chatsworth.
According to Mr. Aubrey's direction I have here inclosedmy letter to him, which I pray you present to him with my humble service as soon as you shall see him.
I am, Sir, your most humble servant,James Wheldon.[1639]To my much respected frendMr. William Crookeat the Green Dragon without TemplebarrIn London[1640].
[1641]Hardwick, January the 16th, 1679[1642].Worthy Sir,
Having been abroad about businesse for some days, I receaved, at my coming home, your letter of the third of this month, which evidences the great esteeme you have for Mr. Hobbes, for which I returne you my humble thanks, and particularly for the paines you have been pleased to take in the large account of what you your selfe, Mr. Anthony a Wood, and Sir George Ent designe for Mr. Hobbes his honour.
I am glad Mr. Crooke has receaved his Life in Prose, which was the onely thing Mr. Halleley got possession of, and sent it to him[1643]by my hand. Mr. Halleley tells me now, that Mr. Hobbes (in the time of his sicknesse) told him he had promised it to Mr. Crooke, but said he was unwilling it should ever be published as written by himselfe; and I beleeve it was some such motive, which made him burne those Latine verses Mr. Crooke sent him about that time.
For those Latine verses you mention about Ecclesiasticall Power, I remember them, for I writ them out, but know not what became of them, unlesse he presented them to judge Vaughan, or burned them, as you seem to intimate.
He fell sick about the middle[1644]October last. His disease was the strangury, and the physitians judged itincurable by reason of his great age and naturall decay. About the 20thof November, my Lord being to remove from Chatsworth to Hardwick, Mr. Hobbes would not be left behind; and therefore with a fether bed laid into the coach, upon which he lay warme clad, he was conveyed safely, and was in appearance as well after that little journey as before it. But seven or eight days after, his whole right side was taken with the dead palsy, and at the same time he was made speechlesse. He lived after this seven days, taking very little nourishment, slept well, and by intervalls endeavoured to speake, but could not. In the whole time of his sicknesse he was free from fever. He seemed therefore to dye rather for want of the fuell of life (which was spent in him) and meer weaknesse and decay, then by the power of his disease, which was thought to be onely an effect of his age and weaknesse. He was born the 5th of Aprill, in the year 1588, and died the 4th of December, 1679. He was put into a woollen shroud and coffin, which was covered with a white sheet, and upon that a black herse cloth, and so carryed upon men's shoulders, a little mile to[1645]church. The company, consisting of the family and neighbours that came to his funerall, and attended him to his grave, were very handsomely entertained with wine, burned and raw, cake, biscuit, etc. He was buried in the parish church of Hault Hucknall, close adjoining to the raile of the monument of the grandmother of the present earle of Devonshire, with the service of the Church of England by the minister of the parish. It is intended to cover his grave with a stone of black marble as soon as it can be got ready, with a plain inscription of his name, the place of his birth, and the time of that and of his death.
As to his will, it is sent up to London to be proved there, and by the copy of it, which I here send you, I beleeve you will judge it fitt to make no mention of it in[1646]what you designe to get written by way of Commentary on his life.
As for the palsey in his hands, it began in ffrance, before the year 1650, and has grown upon him by degrees eversince; but Mr. Halleley remembers not how long it has disabled him to write legibly.
Mr. Halleley never heard of a pension from the ffrench king and beleeves there was no such thing ever intended. He desires you to accept of his thanks for your favourable remembrance of him, and of the returne of his respects to you by me. And if hereafter you should want any thing which we know, that might contribute[1647]to the honour of Mr. Hobbes's memory, upon the least notice, shall readily be imparted to you.
In the mean time, with much respect, I rest,
Sir, your much obliged and humble servant,James Wheldon.
[1648]To my highly honoured frend, John Aubrey, esq., this humbly present.
The 25th day of September in the 29th year of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lord, King Charles the Second, and in the yeare of our Lord God, 1677.
I, Thomas Hobbes, of Malmesbury, in the county of Wilts, gent. make this my last Will and Testament.
First, I bequeath to Mary Tirell, daughter of my deceased brother, Edmund Hobbes, forty pounds. Item, I bequeath to Elenor Harding, daughter also of my deceased brother, Edmund Hobbes, forty pounds. Item, I bequeath to Elizabeth Alaby, the daughter of Thomas Alaby, two hundred pounds, and because she is an orphan, and committed by me to the tuition of my executor, my will is, that she should be maintained decently by my executor, till she be 16 yeares of age, and that then the said two hundred pounds be delivered into her hands, being intended for her furtherance in marriage, but let her dispose of it as she please; and if it happen that the said Elizabeth Alaby die before she come to the age of 16 yeares, then my will is, that the said 200li.be divided equally between the said Mary Tirell and Elenor Harding.
Item, whereas it hath pleased my good lord, the earle of Devonshire, to bid me oftentimes heretofore, and now at the making of this my last will, to dispose therein of one hundred pounds, to be paid by his lordship, for which I give him most humble thanks; I doe give and dispose of the same in this manner: There be five grand-children of my brother, Edmund Hobbes, to the eldest whereof, whose name is Thomas Hobbes, I have heretofore given a peece of land, which may and doth, I think, content him, and therefore to the other four that are younger, I dispose of the same 100li.the gift of my lord of Devonshire, to be divided equally amongst them, as a furtherance to bind them apprentices.
And I make and ordaine James Wheldon, servant to the earle of Devonshire, my executor, to whom I give the residue of my money and goods whatsoever; and because I would have him in some sort contented for the great service he hath done me, I would pray his majestie to what I left him to add the arreare of my pension, or as much of it as it pleases his majestie.
(His name and seale.)Sealed, signed and publishedin the presence ofJohn Ashton,Willm. Barker.
Item I give unto Mary Dell the sum of ten pounds.
I pray[1650]you keep his will private to your selfe and Mr. Hobbes's frends onely.
[1651]Chatsworth, Sept. the 7th, 1680.Honoured Sir,
Although for these three weekes, since I receaved your letter, I have made all the enquiry I can, yet allthat I hear of the death and buriall of Sir Charles Cavendish is that he was interred at Bolsover in the vault belonging to the family of the duke of Newcastle about the year 1652 or 1653. I will continue to make further inquiry, and if I can learne the day and the month of his death or buriall will give you notice of it.
I have sent you underwritten Mr. Hobbes's epitaph written by himselfe, which is but lately come to my hand from a person that copyed it from the originall.
With much respect, I rest, Sir,Your most humble and obliged servant,James Wheldon.
My lord of Devonshire has paid the hundred pounds to Mr. Hobbes's kinred, which he bid Mr. Hobbes dispose of in his will.
Condita hic sunt ossaThomae HobbesQui per multos annos servivitduobus comitibus Devoniae(patri et filio).Vir probus, et fama eruditionis.Domi forisque bene cognitusObiit Anno Domini 1679, mensis Decisdie 4º,Aetatis suae 91.
[1652]To my much honoured frend John Aubrey, esq.
To[1653]be left at Mr. William Crooke's at the Green Dragon without Temple barr, London.
[1654]Kington, June 5th, 1680.Deare brother,
I sopose I shall be here more then a week longer as ... I know not whether Mr. John Stokes or Sir John Knight have the key of the study.
Jo. Tay ... buried 16 of July 1580.
Nicholas Fauckener, vicar, buried 20 July 1612.
Richard Hine[1655]....
I shall e
I was at Malmesbury but did see
The old vicar Hobs was a good fellow and had been
at cards all Saturday night, and at church in his sleep
he cries out 'Trafells is troumps[1658]' (viz. clubs). Then quoth
the clark, 'Then, master, he tha
He
Mr. William Hobs, a great clothier (old Graye's predisessor
in the same house). He had at Cleverton 60li.or 80li.per annum, and was first or 2 cousin to the philosipher.
But his line is extinct. He was parson Stump's godfather,
and brake in his trade. He had 1000li.left and was
1000li.in debt; and at London challenged one to throw
with him one throw on the dye for 1000li., and wonn, payd
his debt, and afterwards flourished in his trade, and if therebe any inscriptions of H
[1660]Mr. William Gale of Chipnam was buried yesterday.
I was at Dracot, Wensday last; Sir J. and his lady was
writing to you. They are in mourning for the earl of
Marleborow. He died to-morrow will be three week[1661].
Sir J
To be left at Mr. Hooks lodgingsin Gresham Colledgein Bishopsgate Street, London[1662].
... Hobbes|+----------------------+----------------------+| |1. Francis Hobbesm.Katherine, daughter 2. Thomasm.... Midleton.(This Francis lived of ... Phillips, a Hobbes, |in Burnevall at phisition at vicar. |Malmsbury, and Malmsbury. She |died about 40 yeares afterwards maried Mr. |since, sine prole). Potluck of Cirencester. |+---------------------------------+--------------+| | |1. Edmundm.Frances Ludlow, 2. Thomas, Anne Hobsm.ThomasHobbes | of Shipton, com. 'of Malmsbury.' (seeinfra). Laurence.| Glocester.+-----+-------------+---------------------------+| | |1. Marym.Roger Elinorm.John Harding, Francis Hobsm.SarahHobbes | Tirell, Hobbes | of Sadlewood (seeinfra). Alexander.| of Westport. | in Glouster.| +--------------------------------++--+------+----------+------------+---------+ || | | | | |1. Roger. 2. Isaac 1. Alce[1663]. 2. Sarah. 3. Mary. |(25 years +---------+-+--------+old). | | |1. Roger, 2. James, Mary.aged 28, 23.Aprill last.Anne Hobs (supra: them.Thomas Laurence.philosopher's sister) |+------------+--------+-------+--+-------+-----------+-----------+| | | | | | |1. Thomas, 2. William. Henry, John. 1. Frances, 2. Mary 3. Annesine prole. | sine |m.RichardmariedLaurence| prole. | Dicks, a Williammaried+------+------+ | souldier of Povey, of Richard Gay| | | | the garison, Malmsbury. of Kington.1. William. | | | and now not | |2. Thomas. | | heard off. | |3. Francis. Thomas. (One daughter.) |+----------+----------+-------+--+| | | |1. Thomas. 2. Robert, 3. Richard. 4. John.(R. Wiseman'sgodson).Francis Hobs (supra: them.Sarah Alexander, ofphilosopher's nephew). Obiit | Malmsbury.May 6, 12 yeares agoe: his |estate 80li.per annum, |and more. |+--------------------------+----+-------+-----------+-----------+| | | | |1. Thomasm.Anne 2. Edmund, 3. William. 1. Sarah, 2. FrancisHobbes, a | Player, aetat. 19,m.James
It is uncertaine whether Anne Gay have any brother or sister living, but it is pitty the poor woman should have somthing if it be but 5 shillings. If you know the executor speak for her.
I was saying to Francis Hobbes's widow (who remembers her service to you) that her son should get one of Mr. Thomas Hobbes's printed pictures.
In hast,Your very affectionat brother,William Aubrey.Keep a copie of Rogers' pedegree[1664].[1665]These to my honoured freind,Mr. John Awbreypresent.
[1670]Mr. Crooke,
I thanke you for the perusall of Mr. Hobbs his tracts which wase a civility I did not expect or desire, forI wou'd not have you at any time deliver any booke to any person who comes in my name unless he then payes you for it. I did desire only to know exactly the particular price of each tract bound apart in marble'd leather, guilt on the backe and ribbed, which pray send me by the bearer by whom I returne you your booke.
I have cursorily looked over Mr. Hobbs his life in Latine which I beleeve will be a very vendible booke both here and beyond sea, for ther is noe lover of learning but will have the curiosity to be particularly informed of the life of soe eminent a person. And truly the reading of it wase very satisfactory to me, for in my apprehension it is very well writ, but I cou'd have wish'd the author had more dilated upon some particulars; and because you intimate a designe to publish it in English I shall hint to you that the author of the life in Latine hath either not taken notice of at all, or too slightingly, some things very remarkeable relating to the temper of Mr. Hobbs his mind or to the infirmity of his body, as his extraordinary timorousnes which he himself in his Latine poem doth very ingeniously confess and attributes it to the influence of his mother's dread of the Spanish invasion in 88, she being then with child of him. And I have been informed, I think by your self, that Mr. Hobbs wase for severall yeares before he died soe paralyticall that he wase scarce able to write his name, and that in the absence of his amanuensis not being able to write anything he made scrawls on a piece of paper to remind him of the conceptions of his mind he design'd to have committed to writing. But the author[1671]of his life in Latine only sath that about 60 yeares of age he wase taken with a trembling in his hands, the forerunner of the palsy; which in my apprehension deserves to be enlarg'd upon, for it is very prodigious that neither the timorousness of his nature from his infancy, nor the decay of his vital heat in the extremity of old age, accompagnied with the palsy to that violence, shou'd not have chill'd the briske fervour and vigour of his mind, which did wonderfully continue to him to his last; which is a subject fit to be discours'd on by a genious equally philosophicall with Mr. Hobbs, wase that now to be hoped for. It is soe considerable to me that I cou'd not refrayne acquainting you that in my apprehension it wase convenient you tooke notice therof in his life you are setting forth in English.
I am, your assured freind,C. Hatton.[1672]Mr. Crooke, at the Green Dragon,nere Temple-bar.
Notes.[FF](P.323.) On fol. 29vof MS. Aubr. 9, Anthony Wood notes:—'Send to
Malmsburie to take out of the register the Christian name of Mr. Hobs' father,
when Mr. Hobbs was borne, or when his said father was buried.' [On this Aubrey
notes:—'As I remember he dyed at Thistleworth; vide the register booke at
Thistleworth, where Mr. Hobbes his father lived in obscurity a reader, and
there dyed about 1630.'] Wood goes on:—'I remember when I was there'
[FF](P.323.) On fol. 29vof MS. Aubr. 9, Anthony Wood notes:—'Send to
Malmsburie to take out of the register the Christian name of Mr. Hobs' father,
when Mr. Hobbs was borne, or when his said father was buried.' [On this Aubrey
notes:—'As I remember he dyed at Thistleworth; vide the register booke at
Thistleworth, where Mr. Hobbes his father lived in obscurity a reader, and
there dyed about 1630.'] Wood goes on:—'I remember when I was there'
[FF](P.323.) On fol. 29vof MS. Aubr. 9, Anthony Wood notes:—'Send to
Malmsburie to take out of the register the Christian name of Mr. Hobs' father,
when Mr. Hobbs was borne, or when his said father was buried.' [On this Aubrey
notes:—'As I remember he dyed at Thistleworth; vide the register booke at
Thistleworth, where Mr. Hobbes his father lived in obscurity a reader, and
there dyed about 1630.'] Wood goes on:—'I remember when I was there'
[FG](P.323.) In MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 26, Aubrey puts the substance of this paragraph in a neater form:—'Mr. Hobbes' father was minister of Westport, to which Brokenborough and Charlton doe belong as chapells of ease, but all not worth above.... He was one of the clergie of Queen Elizabeth's time—a little learning went a great way with him and many other Sir Johns in those days—he read homilies.'
[FG](P.323.) In MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 26, Aubrey puts the substance of this paragraph in a neater form:—
'Mr. Hobbes' father was minister of Westport, to which Brokenborough and Charlton doe belong as chapells of ease, but all not worth above.... He was one of the clergie of Queen Elizabeth's time—a little learning went a great way with him and many other Sir Johns in those days—he read homilies.'
[FH](P.323.) On fol. 30 of MS. Aubr. 9 is another draft of this paragraph:—'He had an elder brother, Francis Hobbes, a wealthy man, and had been alderman of the borough' (dupl. with 'towne'); 'by profession a glover, which is a great trade here and was heretofore greater. He wasorbus. He contributed much, or altogether maintained his nephew Thomas at Magdalen Hall in Oxon; and when he dyed gave him anagellum(vocat. "the Gasten"), which lyes neer the horse faire: valet per annum 16li.vel 18li.'
[FH](P.323.) On fol. 30 of MS. Aubr. 9 is another draft of this paragraph:—'He had an elder brother, Francis Hobbes, a wealthy man, and had been alderman of the borough' (dupl. with 'towne'); 'by profession a glover, which is a great trade here and was heretofore greater. He wasorbus. He contributed much, or altogether maintained his nephew Thomas at Magdalen Hall in Oxon; and when he dyed gave him anagellum(vocat. "the Gasten"), which lyes neer the horse faire: valet per annum 16li.vel 18li.'
[FI](P.324.) Anthony Wood notes:—'Quaere in the register of Brakenborough when they were maried and their you'l find her Christian name.'—MS. Aubr. 9, fol. 30v.
[FI](P.324.) Anthony Wood notes:—'Quaere in the register of Brakenborough when they were maried and their you'l find her Christian name.'—MS. Aubr. 9, fol. 30v.
[FJ](P.326.) In MS. Aubr. 9, fol. 31v, Anthony Wood suggests the following paragraph for the transition from the account of Malmsbury to the life of Hobbes:—'As Malmsbury was famous in this respect that it gave death and buriall to that famous philosopher of his time Johannes ScotusaliasErigina who was stabd to death with penknives by his scholars, where there was a statue set up in memory of him (ut inHist. et Antiq. Oxon.lib. 1, pag. 16b), so much more famous in later times for the birth of that great philosopher T. H.'In MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 28, Aubrey begins his sketch of Hobbes' life thus:—'Westport juxta Malmesbury:—This place is for nothing so famous as for the birth of my honoured and learned friend and countryman, Mr. Thomas Hobbes, author ofde Corpore,de Homine,de Cive, etc.He was borne the 5th day of Aprill 1588 at his father's howse, which is the farthest on the left hand as you goe in the way or street called ..., leaving the church on the right hand.'
[FJ](P.326.) In MS. Aubr. 9, fol. 31v, Anthony Wood suggests the following paragraph for the transition from the account of Malmsbury to the life of Hobbes:—
'As Malmsbury was famous in this respect that it gave death and buriall to that famous philosopher of his time Johannes ScotusaliasErigina who was stabd to death with penknives by his scholars, where there was a statue set up in memory of him (ut inHist. et Antiq. Oxon.lib. 1, pag. 16b), so much more famous in later times for the birth of that great philosopher T. H.'
In MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 28, Aubrey begins his sketch of Hobbes' life thus:—'Westport juxta Malmesbury:—This place is for nothing so famous as for the birth of my honoured and learned friend and countryman, Mr. Thomas Hobbes, author ofde Corpore,de Homine,de Cive, etc.
He was borne the 5th day of Aprill 1588 at his father's howse, which is the farthest on the left hand as you goe in the way or street called ..., leaving the church on the right hand.'
[FK](P.326.) The verses alluded to are in Hobbes's metrical life of himself
(MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 28—'he writt his life last yeare, viz. 1673, in Latin verse').
Aubrey cites these lines, MS. Aubr. 9, fol. 31v:—'T.H.Vitain verseOppidulum parvum est; habuit sed multa relatuDigna, sed imprimis Coenobium celebre,Et castrum (melius nisi sint dua castra vocanda)Colle sita, et bino flumine cincta fere.Vide mapp'
[FK](P.326.) The verses alluded to are in Hobbes's metrical life of himself (MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 28—'he writt his life last yeare, viz. 1673, in Latin verse'). Aubrey cites these lines, MS. Aubr. 9, fol. 31v:—
'T.H.Vitain verse
Oppidulum parvum est; habuit sed multa relatuDigna, sed imprimis Coenobium celebre,Et castrum (melius nisi sint dua castra vocanda)Colle sita, et bino flumine cincta fere.
Oppidulum parvum est; habuit sed multa relatuDigna, sed imprimis Coenobium celebre,Et castrum (melius nisi sint dua castra vocanda)Colle sita, et bino flumine cincta fere.
Vide mapp'
On this Anthony Wood comments: 'See 1 vol. ofMonast. Anglican.concerning the monastery.'
[FL](P.326.) The matter of this paragraph is put a little more clearly in MS.
Aubr. 3, fol. 28: 'Westport juxta Malmesbury:—The church was dedicated to
St. Mary. Here were three aisles[1673]which tooke up the whole area. And
[FL](P.326.) The matter of this paragraph is put a little more clearly in MS.
Aubr. 3, fol. 28: 'Westport juxta Malmesbury:—The church was dedicated to
St. Mary. Here were three aisles[1673]which tooke up the whole area. And
Before the late warres here was a prettie church, where were very good windowes and a faire steeple, higher than the other, which much adorned the towne of Malmesbury. In it were five tuneable bells, which Sir William Waller or his army melted into ordinance, or rather sold. The church was pulled downe that the enimie might not shelter themselves against the garrison of Malmesbury.'
[FM](P.328.) Aubrey'sCollection of Genituresis now MS. Aubr. 23. The
place Aubrey here refers to is fol. 52vin that MS., viz.:—'Mr. Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury borne at Westport juxta Malmesbury
1588, April 5, being Good Fryday, 5h2´ mane, horâ solis'
[FM](P.328.) Aubrey'sCollection of Genituresis now MS. Aubr. 23. The place Aubrey here refers to is fol. 52vin that MS., viz.:—
'Mr. Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury borne at Westport juxta Malmesbury
1588, April 5, being Good Fryday, 5h2´ mane, horâ solis'
Aubrey in several places recurs to this point, e.g. in MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 28:—
'Mr. Thomas Hobbes told me that he was borne Apr. 5th1588 on Good Fryday, in the morning between 4 and six.'
[FN](P.328.) Aubrey took great interest in this as an example in astrology,
in which 'art' he thoroughly believed. He alludes to Hobbes's horoscope
in several places, e.g. note on fol. 32vin MS. Aubr. 9:—'Dr.
[FN](P.328.) Aubrey took great interest in this as an example in astrology, in which 'art' he thoroughly believed. He alludes to Hobbes's horoscope in several places, e.g. note on fol. 32vin MS. Aubr. 9:—
'Dr.
MS. Aubr. 9, fol. 28:—'
MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 8:—'T. Hobbes—Quaere Dr. Bernard pro his nativity: vide my Collection of Genitures ubi from his owne mouth more correct then formerly, viz. 5h2´ mane.'
This horoscope is given in MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 82, and is reproduced in facsimile at the end of this edition.
Pasted on to fol. 1vof MS. Aubr. 9 is the scheme with this note:—'This scheme was erected according to the aestimate time by Mr. Henry Coley, astrologer.—Thomas Hobbes, Malmesburiensis, borne at Westport juxta Malmesbury, 1588, April 5, being Good Fryday, 5h2´ mane, hora solis[1674]. I had the yeare and day and houre from his owne mouth.'
[FO](P.328.) In MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 26, thus:—'At fower yeer old Mr. Thomas Hobbes went to schoole in Westport church till 8—then[1675] the church was painted. At 8 he could read well and number a matter of four or five figures.After, he went to Malmesbury to parson Evans.After him, he had for his schoolemaster, Mr. Robert Latimer[CXXIX.], a good Graecian; by whom he so well profited that at 14 yeares old he went a good scholler to Magdalen Hall in Oxford.'
[FO](P.328.) In MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 26, thus:—'At fower yeer old Mr. Thomas Hobbes went to schoole in Westport church till 8—then[1675] the church was painted. At 8 he could read well and number a matter of four or five figures.
After, he went to Malmesbury to parson Evans.
After him, he had for his schoolemaster, Mr. Robert Latimer[CXXIX.], a good Graecian; by whom he so well profited that at 14 yeares old he went a good scholler to Magdalen Hall in Oxford.'
[CXXIX.]Who being a bachelor (not above 19) taught him and two or three more ingeniose laddes after supper till 9.
[CXXIX.]Who being a bachelor (not above 19) taught him and two or three more ingeniose laddes after supper till 9.
[FP](P.330.) As seen in the next paragraph, there was some
doubt as to which 'Principal of Magdalen Hall' recommended
Hobbes to the earl of Devonshire's service. In MS. Aubr. 9,
fol. 29, is the note:—'Take notice of Dr. Blackburne's altering some times and dates,'
[FP](P.330.) As seen in the next paragraph, there was some doubt as to which 'Principal of Magdalen Hall' recommended Hobbes to the earl of Devonshire's service. In MS. Aubr. 9, fol. 29, is the note:—
'Take notice of Dr. Blackburne's altering some times and dates,'
[FQ](P.331.) On fol. 34vof MS. Aubr. 9, Aubrey has the following
account of Gorhambury:—'Memorandum in my Liber B[1675]. I have sett downe an exact description of this
delicious parquet[1676], now (1656) plowed up and spoil'd. The east part of it
which extends towards Verulam-house (pulled downe, and the materialls sold by
Sir H
[FQ](P.331.) On fol. 34vof MS. Aubr. 9, Aubrey has the following account of Gorhambury:—
'Memorandum in my Liber B[1675]. I have sett downe an exact description of this
delicious parquet[1676], now (1656) plowed up and spoil'd. The east part of it
which extends towards Verulam-house (pulled downe, and the materialls sold by
Sir H
[FR](P.332.) In MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 1v, is this note:—'Dr.
[FR](P.332.) In MS. Aubr. 6, fol. 1v, is this note:—'Dr.
[FS](P.338.) In MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 26, thus:—'Memorandum:—about the time of the King's returne[CXXX.], he was makeing of a very good poëme in Latin hexameters. It was the history of the encroachment of the clergie (both Roman and Reformed) on the civill power. I sawe at least 300 verses (they were mark't). At what time there was a report the bishops would have him burn't for a heretique. So he then feared the search of his papers and burned the greatest part of these verses.'
[FS](P.338.) In MS. Aubr. 3, fol. 26, thus:—
'Memorandum:—about the time of the King's returne[CXXX.], he was makeing of a very good poëme in Latin hexameters. It was the history of the encroachment of the clergie (both Roman and Reformed) on the civill power. I sawe at least 300 verses (they were mark't). At what time there was a report the bishops would have him burn't for a heretique. So he then feared the search of his papers and burned the greatest part of these verses.'
[CXXX.]Quaere in what yeares his bookes were writ.
[CXXX.]Quaere in what yeares his bookes were writ.
[FT](P.339.) The first draft of this passage stood as follows, MS. Aubr. 9, foll. 40, 41:—'In April following was the dawning of the coming in of our gracious soveraigne, who being a great lover of curious painting I knew could not but sett for his picture to my ever honoured friend Mr. S. Cowper, who[1680]besides his art was an ingeniose person and of great humanity. In April I wrott a letter to Mr. Hobbes in Derbyshire, by all meanes desiring him to come-up and make use of the opportunity of renewing his majestie's graces to him at our friend's howse. He thanked me for'—etc.
[FT](P.339.) The first draft of this passage stood as follows, MS. Aubr. 9, foll. 40, 41:—'In April following was the dawning of the coming in of our gracious soveraigne, who being a great lover of curious painting I knew could not but sett for his picture to my ever honoured friend Mr. S. Cowper, who[1680]besides his art was an ingeniose person and of great humanity. In April I wrott a letter to Mr. Hobbes in Derbyshire, by all meanes desiring him to come-up and make use of the opportunity of renewing his majestie's graces to him at our friend's howse. He thanked me for'—etc.
[FU](P.341.) Aubrey, writing to Wood, on Feb. 3, 1672/3, enlarges on this
treatise: Wood MS. F. 39, fol. 196v:—'The old gent. (T. Hobbes) is strangely vigorous, for his understanding, still;
and every morning walkes abroad to meditate.'He haz writt a treatise concerning lawe, which 8 or 9 yeares since I much
importuned him to doe, and, in order to it, gave him the Lord Chancellor
Bacon'sMaximes of the Lawe. Now every one will doe him the right to
acknowledge he is rare for definitions, and the lawyers building on old-fashiond
maximes (some right, some wrong) must need fall into severall paralogismes.
Upon this consideration I was earnest with him to consider these things. To
which he was unwilling, telling me he doubted he should not have dayes
enough left to doe it.'He drives on, in this, the king's prerogative high. Judge
[FU](P.341.) Aubrey, writing to Wood, on Feb. 3, 1672/3, enlarges on this treatise: Wood MS. F. 39, fol. 196v:—
'The old gent. (T. Hobbes) is strangely vigorous, for his understanding, still; and every morning walkes abroad to meditate.
'He haz writt a treatise concerning lawe, which 8 or 9 yeares since I much importuned him to doe, and, in order to it, gave him the Lord Chancellor Bacon'sMaximes of the Lawe. Now every one will doe him the right to acknowledge he is rare for definitions, and the lawyers building on old-fashiond maximes (some right, some wrong) must need fall into severall paralogismes. Upon this consideration I was earnest with him to consider these things. To which he was unwilling, telling me he doubted he should not have dayes enough left to doe it.
'He drives on, in this, the king's prerogative high. Judge
[FV](P.355.) Note, however, that on some of the letters from Hobbes in MS. Aubr. 9, viz., those of date March 25, 1679 (fol. 11v, fol. 13v), and that of date Aug. 18, 1679 (fol. 15v), the seal shows a gate or portcullis, with an R turned backwards, i.e. Я, on the left side of it.James Wheldon's letter of Jan. 16, 1679/80 (fol. 17v), has a seal bearing a man's bust, with helmet and cuirass.
[FV](P.355.) Note, however, that on some of the letters from Hobbes in MS. Aubr. 9, viz., those of date March 25, 1679 (fol. 11v, fol. 13v), and that of date Aug. 18, 1679 (fol. 15v), the seal shows a gate or portcullis, with an R turned backwards, i.e. Я, on the left side of it.
James Wheldon's letter of Jan. 16, 1679/80 (fol. 17v), has a seal bearing a man's bust, with helmet and cuirass.
[FW](P.357.) In MS. Aubr. 21, p. 19, Aubrey, in his projected comedy, makes use of this verdict on the innate cruelty of some dispositions. He puts into the mouth of his country-justice this speech:—"If ye talke of skinnes, the best judgment to be made of the fineness of skinnes is at the whipping-post by the stripes. Ah! 'tis the best lechery to see 'em suffer correction. Your London aldermen take great lechery to see the poor wretches whipt at the court at Bridewell."On which Aubrey goes on to comment: 'Old Justice Hooke gave ... per lash to wenches; as also my old friend George Pott, esq. Vide Animadversions Philosophicall on that ugly kind of pleasure and of crueltie—were it not for the law there were no living; some would take delight in killing of men.'
[FW](P.357.) In MS. Aubr. 21, p. 19, Aubrey, in his projected comedy, makes use of this verdict on the innate cruelty of some dispositions. He puts into the mouth of his country-justice this speech:—
"If ye talke of skinnes, the best judgment to be made of the fineness of skinnes is at the whipping-post by the stripes. Ah! 'tis the best lechery to see 'em suffer correction. Your London aldermen take great lechery to see the poor wretches whipt at the court at Bridewell."
On which Aubrey goes on to comment: 'Old Justice Hooke gave ... per lash to wenches; as also my old friend George Pott, esq. Vide Animadversions Philosophicall on that ugly kind of pleasure and of crueltie—were it not for the law there were no living; some would take delight in killing of men.'
[FX](P.375.) The substance is:—'Hobbes brought to the investigation of facts an acute intellect and long experience, and carried on, into the next generation, the Baconian spirit.'He had been Bacon's secretary, and owed much to his master, from whom, in particular, he borrowed his comparative, i.e. inductive, methods. But he had also fine natural gifts.'He excited the fears, and therefore the hostility, of the clerical party in England, and of the Oxford mathematicians and their supporters. For this reason, Charles II compared him to a bear, worried by mastiffs.'In his political system, he insisted on the necessity of wisdom in sovereigns. In not meddling with the Creeds of the Churches and in assailing the Presbyterians and the Bishops of England, he is not to be blamed.'
[FX](P.375.) The substance is:—
'Hobbes brought to the investigation of facts an acute intellect and long experience, and carried on, into the next generation, the Baconian spirit.
'He had been Bacon's secretary, and owed much to his master, from whom, in particular, he borrowed his comparative, i.e. inductive, methods. But he had also fine natural gifts.
'He excited the fears, and therefore the hostility, of the clerical party in England, and of the Oxford mathematicians and their supporters. For this reason, Charles II compared him to a bear, worried by mastiffs.
'In his political system, he insisted on the necessity of wisdom in sovereigns. In not meddling with the Creeds of the Churches and in assailing the Presbyterians and the Bishops of England, he is not to be blamed.'