'I presse not to the choire[115]...Thus devout penitents of old were wont,Some without dore, and some beneath the font. 'I presse not to the choire[115]...Thus devout penitents of old were wont,Some without dore, and some beneath the font. Mr. Thomas Carew.' Aubrey gives (fol. 3) an (incomplete) drawing of his own horoscope,
on the scheme:— 'natus 1625/6, March 11th, 17h14´ 44˝P.M....[116](tempus
verum), sub latitudine 51° 30´.' In MS. Aubr. 21, fol. 110, is Charles Snell's calculation of Aubrey's
nativity, on the scheme 'Sunday, 12 Martii 1626, 5h13´ 40˝A.M., natus Johannes Aubreius,
armiger, sub polo 51° 06´. The astrologers of the time used sometimes
the English, and sometimes the Italian, enumeration of the hours.> [117]I. A[118]. His life[119]is more remarqueable in an astrologicall respect[J]then for any advancement of learning[K], having[120]from his
birth (till of late yeares) been labouring under a crowd of
ill directions: for his escapes of many dangers[L], in journeys
both by land and water, 40 yeares. He was borne (longaevous, healthy kindred[M]) at Easton
Pierse[N], a hamlet in the parish of Kington Saint Michael
in the hundred of Malmesbury in the countie of Wilts, his
mother's[O](daughter and heir of Mr. Isaac Lyte) inheritance,
March the 12 (St. Gregorie's day[P]),A.D.1625[121],
about sun-riseing, being very weake and like to dye that
he was christned before morning prayer. I gott not strength till I was 11 or 12 yeares old; but
had sicknesse[122]of vomiting[Q], for 12 houres every fortnight
for ... yeares, then about monethly, then quarterly, and at
last once in halfe a yeare. About 12 it ceased. When a boy, bred at Eston, an[123]eremiticall solitude.
Was[124]very curious; his greatest delight to be continually
with the artificers that came there (e.g. joyners, carpenters,
coupers, masons), and understood their trades. 1634[125], was entred in his Latin grammar by Mr. R Here I recovered my health, and gott my Latin and
Greeke, best of any of my contemporaries. The[130]usher[131]had (by chance) a Cowper's Dictionary, which I had never
seen before. I was then in Terence. Percieving his
method, I read all in the booke where Terence was, and
then Cicero—which was the way[132]by which I gott my
Latin. 'Twas a wonderfull helpe to my phansie, my
reading of Ovid'sMetamorphyin English by Sandys,
which made me understand the Latin the better. Also,
I mett accidentally a booke of my mother's, Lord Bacon'sEssaies, which first opened my understanding as to moralls
(for Tullie'sOfficeswas too crabbed for my young yeares)
and the excellence[133]of the style, or hints and transitions. I[134]was alwayes enquiring[T]of my grandfather[135]of the
old time, the rood-loft, etc., ceremonies, of the priory, etc.
At 8, I was a kind of engineer; and I fell then to drawing,
beginning first with plaine outlines, e.g. in draughts of
curtaines. Then at 9 (crossed herein by father and schoolmaster),
to colours, having no body to instruct me[136];
copied pictures in the parlour in a table booke——like[U]. Blandfordiae, horis vacuis, I drew and painted Bates's ...
(quaere nomen libri[V]). I was wont (I remember) much to lament with my selfe
that I lived not in a city, e.g. Bristoll, where I might have
accesse to watchmakers, locksmiths, etc. not very
much care for grammar. apprehension enough,
but my memorie not tenacious. So that then[137]was
a promising morne enough of an inventive and philosophicall
head. musicall head, inventive, [144]My uncle Anthony Browne's bay nag threw me
dangerously the Monday after Easter[145], 1639. Just before
it I had an impulse of the briar under which I rode, which
tickled him, at the gap at the upper end of Berylane.
Deo gratias! [146]1642, May 2d, I went[W]to Oxford. Peace[147]. Lookt through Logique and some Ethiques. 1642,Religio Mediciprinted, which first opened my
understanding, which I carryed to Eston, with Sir K. D.[148] But now[149]Bellona thundered, and as a cleare skie is
sometimes suddenly overstretch In August[152]following my father sent for me home,
for feare. In February ... following, with much adoe[153]I gott my
father to lett me to beloved Oxon againe, then a garrison
pro rege. I gott Mr. Hesketh, Mr. Dobson's man, a priest, to
drawe the ruines of Osney 2 or 3 wayes before 'twas
pulld downe[X]. Now the very foundation is digged-up. In Aprill I fell sick of the small pox at Trinity College;
and when I recovered, after Trinity weeke[154], my father
sent for me into the country again: where I conversed[155]with none but servants and rustiques and soldiers quartred,
to my great griefe (Odi prophanum vulgus et arceo), for in
those dayes fathers were not acquainted with their children.
It was a most sad life to me, then in the prime of my
youth, not to have the benefitt of an ingeniose conversation
and scarce any good bookes—almost a consumption. This
sad life I did lead in the country till 1646, at which time
I gott (with much adoe) leave of my father to lett me goe
to the Middle Temple, April the 6th1646; admitted.... 24 June following, Oxon was surrendred, and then came
to London many of the king's party, with whom I[156]grew
acquainted (many of them I knew before). I loved not
debauches[157], but their martiall conversation was not so fitt
for the muses. Novemb. 6, I returned to Trinity College in Oxon
again to my great joy; was much made of by the fellowes;
had their learned conversation, lookt on bookes, musique.
Here and at Middle Temple (off and on) I (for the most
part) enjoyd the greatest felicity of my life (ingeniose
youths, as[158]rosebudds, imbibe the morning dew[159]) till
Dec. 1648 (Christmas Eve's eve) I was sent for from
Oxon home again to my sick father, who never recovered.
Where I was engaged to looke after his country businesse
and solicite a lawe-suite. Anno 165-, Octob. ..., my father dyed, leaving me
debts 1800li.and bro Quid digni feci, hîc process. viam? Truly nothing; only
umbrages, sc. Osney abbey ruines, etc., antiquities.Cos,
a wheatstone,exors ipse secandi, e.g. He began to enter into pocket memorandum bookes
philosophicall and antiquarian remarques, Anno Domini
1654, at Llantrithid. Anno 16—I began my lawe-suite on the entaile in
Brecon[Y], which lasted till ..., and it cost me 1200li. Anno —— I was to have maried Mris K. Ryves, who
died when to be maried, 2000li.+[163], besides counting care
of her brother, 1000li.per annum. Anno —— I made my will[Z]and settled my estate on
trustees, intending to have seen the antiquities of Rome
and Italy for ... Diis aliter visum est superis, my mother, to my inexpressible griefe and ruine, hindred
this[164]designe, which was[165]my ruine. [166]My estate (was of) value 100li. fere+ Brecon. Then debts and lawe-suites,opus et usus, borrowing of
money and perpetuall riding. To my prayse,
wonderfull credit in the countrey for money. Anno ...
sold manor of Bushelton in Herefordshire to Dr. T Then anno 1664, June 11, went into France. Oct. ... returned.
Then Joan Sumner. [167]Memorandum. J. Aubrey in the yeare 1666, wayting
then upon Joane Sumner to her brother at Seen in Wilts,
there made a discovery of a chalybiate waters and those
more impregnated than any waters yet heard of in
England. I sent some bottles to the Royal Society in
June 1667, which were tryed with galles before a great
assembly there. It turnes so black that you may write
legibly with it, and did there, after so long a carriage,
turne as deepe as a deepe claret. The physitians were
wonderfully surprized at it, and spake to me to recommend
it to the doctors of the Bath (from whence it is but about
10 miles) for that in some cases 'tis best to begin with
such waters and end with the Bath, and in somevice versâ.
I wrote severall times, but to no purpose, for at last I found
that, though they were satisfied of the excellency of the
waters and what the London doctors sayd was true, they
did not care to have company goe from the Bath. So
I inserted it last yeare in Mr. Lilly's almanac, and towards
the later end of summer there came so much company
that the village could not containe them, and they are now
preparing for building of houses against the next summer.
Jo [168]Then lawe-suite with her[169]. Then sold Easton-Peirse[AA],
and the farme at Broad Chalke. Lost 500li.(Fr. H.) + 200li.+ goods + timber. Absconded as a
banishd man. Then In monte Dei videbitur[170]. I was in as much affliction as a mortall could bee, and
never quiet till all was gone, Monastery[172]. I wished monastrys had not been putt downe, that the
reformers would have been more moderate as to that
point. Nay, the Turkes have monasteries. Why should
our reformers be so severe? Convenience of religious
houses—Sir Christopher Wren—fitt there should be receptacles
and provision for contemplative men; if of 500,
but one or two[173]. 'Tis compensated[174]. What a pleasure
'twould have been to have travelled from monastery to
monastery. The reformers in the Lutheran countrys were
more prudent then to destroy them (e.g. in Holsatia, etc.);
But notwithstanding all these embarasments I didpian
piano(as they occur'd) take[175]notes of antiquity; and
having a quick draught, have drawne landskips on horseback
symbolically, e.g. Anno 1671, having sold all and disappointed as aforesaid
of moneys I received, I had so strong[179]an impulse[180]to (in good part) finish my[181]Description of Wilts, two
volumes in folio, that I could not be quiet till I had donne
it, and that with danger enough, tanquam canis e Nilo,
for feare of the crocodiles, i.e. catchpolls.——And indeed
all that I have donne and that little that I have studied
have been just after that fashion, so that had I not lived
long my want of leisure would have afforded but a slender
harvest of.... A man's spirit rises and falls with his[182]⦻: makes me
lethargique. [183] ☞ A strange fate that I have laboured
under never[184]in my life to enjoy one entire
monethe[VII.]or 6 weekesotiumfor contemplation. [VII.]Once at
Chalke in my
absconding
Oct. anno ...;
at Weston[185]anno.... [VII.]Once at
Chalke in my
absconding
Oct. anno ...;
at Weston[185]anno.... My studies (geometry) were on horse back[VIII.],
and [VIII.]So I got my
Algebra,
Oughtred in my
pocket, with
some[186]information
from
Edward
Davenant, D.D.,
of Gillingham,
Dorset. [VIII.]So I got my
Algebra,
Oughtred in my
pocket, with
some[186]information
from
Edward
Davenant, D.D.,
of Gillingham,
Dorset. His[187]chiefe vertue, gratitude. Tacit. lib.IV§ xx:—Cneus Lentulus[188], outre l' honneur
du consulat et le triumphes de Getules, avoit la gloire
d'avoir vescu sans reproche dans sa pauverté, et sansorgueil dans son opulence où il estoit parvenu de puis par
de voyes legitimes. never riotous or prodigall; but (as Sir E. Leech
said) sloath and carelesnesse[189] My fancy lay most to geometrie. If ever I had been
good for anything, 'twould have been a painter, I could
fancy a thing so strongly and had so cleare an idaea
of it. When a boy, he did ever love to converse with old men,
as living histories. He cared not for play, but on play-dayes[190]he gave himselfe to drawing and painting. At 9,
a pourtraiter[191]; and soon was.... Reall character, Wheras very sickly in youth; Deo gratias, healthy
from 16. I. A. lived most at Broad-chalke in com. Wilts; sometimes
at Easton Piers; at London every terme. Much of
his time spent in journeying to South Wales (entaile[202])
and Hereff expect preferment [205]It was I. A. that did putt Mr. Hobbes upon writing his
treatiseDe Legibus, which is bound up with hisRhetoriquethat one cannot find it but by chance; no mention of it
in the first title. [206]I have writt 'an Idea of the education of the Noblessefrom the age of 10 (or 11) till 18': left with Elias Ashmole,
esquire. [207]1673[208], die Jovis[209], 5toMartii, 9h15´ +P.M.J. A.arrested [210]March 25, 1675, my nose bled at the left nostrill
about 4h.P.M.I doe not remember any event[AD]. [211]July 31, 1677, I sold my bokes to Mr. Littlebury,scilicetwhen my impostume in my heade did breake. About 50 annos [212]Captain ... Poyntz (for service that I did him to
the earle of Pembroke and the earl of Abingdon[AE]) did very
kindly make me a grant of a thousand acres of land in the
island of Tobago, anno Domini 1685/6, Febr. 2d. He advised
me to send over people to plant[AF]and to gett subscribers
to come in for a share of these 1000 acres, for 200 acres
he sayes would be enough for me. In this delicate island
islac lunae(the mother of silver). William Penn, Lord Proprietor of Pennsylvania, did, ex
mero motu et ex gratia speciali, give me, (16—) a graunt,
under his seale, of six hundred acres in Pennsylvania[AG],
without my seeking or dreaming of it. He adviseth me to
plant it with French protestants for seaven yearesgratisand afterwards [213]John Aubrey[AH], March 20, 1692/3, about 11 at night
robbed and 15 wounds in my head. January 5th, 1693/4, an apoplectick fitt, circiter 4h.P.M. Borne at Easton-Piers, March 12, 1625/6, about sun-rising:
very weake and like to dye, and therfore Christned that
morning before Prayer. I thinke I have heard my mother
say I had an ague shortly after I was borne. 1629: about 3 or 4 yeares old, I had a grievous ague. I can remember it. I gott not health till 11, or 12: but
had sicknesse of vomiting for 12 howres every fortnight for ...
yeares; then, it came monethly for ...; then,
quarterly; and then, halfe-yearly; the last was in June
1642. This sicknesse nipt my strength in the bud. 1633: 8 yeares old, I had an issue (naturall) in the
coronall suture of my head, which continued running
till 21. 1634: October[215]: I had a violent fever that was like to
have carried me off. 'Twas the most dangerous sicknesse
that ever I had. About 1639 (or 1640) I had the measills, but that was
nothing: I was hardly sick. 1639: Monday after Easter weeke my uncle's nag ranne
away with me, and gave a very dangerous fall. 1642: May 3, entred at Trinity College, Oxon. 1643: April and May, the small-pox at Oxon; and
shortly after, left that ingeniouse place; and for three
yeares led a sad life in the countrey. 1646: April ——, admitted of the Middle Temple. But
my father's sicknesse, and businesse, never permitted me
to make any settlement to my studie. 1651: about the 16 or 18 of April, I sawe that incomparable
good conditioned gentlewoman, Mris M. Wiseman,
with whom at first sight I was in love—haeret lateri[216]. 1652: October 21: my father died. 1655: (I thinke) June 14, I had a fall at Epsam, and
brake one of my ribbes and was afrayd it might cause an
apostumation. 1656: September 1655, or rather (I thinke) 1656, I
began my chargeable and taedious lawe-suite about the
entaile in Brecknockshire and Monmouthshire. This yeare, and the last, was a strange year to me, and[217]of contradictions;—scilicet love M. W.[218]and lawe-suites. 1656: December: Veneris morbus. [219]1657: Novemb. 27, obiit domina Katherina Ryves,
with whom I was to marry; to my great losse. 1658: ...[220] 1659: March or Aprill, like to breake my neck in Ely
minster, and the next day, riding a gallop there, my horse
tumbled over and over, and yet (I thanke God) no hurt. 1660: July, August, I accompanied A. Ettrick into
Ireland for a moneth; and returning were like to be ship-wrackt
at Holy-head, but no hurt donne. 1661, 1662, 1663: about these yeares I sold my estate
in Herefordshire. ...[221]: Janu., had the honour to be elected fellow of the
Royal Society. 1664: June 11, landed at Calais. In August following,
had a terrible fit of the spleen, and piles, at Orleans. I
returned in October. 1664, or 1665: Munday after Christmas, was in danger
to be spoiled by my horse, and the same day received
laesio in testiculo which was like to have been fatall.
Quaere R. Wiseman quando—I beleeve 1664. 1665: November 1; I made my first addresse (in an ill
howre) to Joane Sumner. 1666: this yeare all my businesses and affaires ran
kim kam. Nothing tooke effect, as if I had been under
an ill tongue. Treacheries and enmities in abundance
against me. 1667: December —: arrested in Chancery lane, at Mrs.
Sumner's suite. <1667/8>: Febr. 24,A.M.about 8 or 9, triall with her at
Sarum. Victory and 600li.dammage, though divelish
opposition against me. 1668: July 6, was arrested by Peter Gale's malicious
contrivance, the day before I was to goe to Winton for my
second triall, but it did not retain me above two howres;
but did not then goe to triall. 1669[222]: March 5, was my triall at Winton, from 8 to 9,the judge being exceedingly made against me, by my lady
Hungerford. But 4 of the Venue (?) appearing, and with
much adoe, gott the moëity of Sarum, verdict viz. 300li. 1669 and 1670: I sold all my estate in Wilts. From 1670, to this very day (I thanke God), I have
enjoyed a happy delitescency. 1671: danger of arrests. 1677: later end of June, an imposthume brake in my
head. Laus Deo. [223]Memorandum:—St. John's night, 1673, in danger of
being run through with a sword by a young ...[224]at Mr.
Burges' chamber in the Middle Temple. Quaere the yeare[225]that I lay at Mris Neve's; for that
time I was in great danger of being killed by a drunkard
in the street opposite Grayes-Inne gate—a gentleman
whom I never sawe before, but (Deo gratias) one of his
companions hindred his thrust. (Memorandum: horoscope....[226]) Danger of being killed by William, earl of Pembroke,
then lord Herbert, at the election of Sir William Salkeld
for New Sarum. I see Mars in ...226[226]threatnes danger to me from falls. I have been twice in danger of drowning.
Back to IndexNext