by John Aubrey
Upon the restauration of King Charles II he renewed his designe and applyed himselfe to the King and Counsell. His Majestie espoused it more (he told me) then any one els. In short, for want of management and his non-ability, it came to nothing, and he is now dead of old age. But Sir Jonas Moore (an expert Mathematician and a practicall man) being sent to survey the mannor of Dantesey in Wilts (which was forfeited to the Crowne by Sir John Danvers his foolery) went to see these Streames and distances. He told me the streames were too small, unlesse in winter; but if some prince or the Parliament would rayse money to cutt through the hill by Wotton-Basset which is not very high, then there would be water enough and streames big enough. He computed the chardge, which I have forgott, but I thinke it was about 200,000 pounds.
Mr. William Oughtred calls him the English Archimedes.
ELIZABETH BROUGHTON
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MRIS. ELIZABETH BROUGHTON was daughter of Edward Broughton of Herefordshire, an ancient Family. Her father lived at the Mannour-house at Cannon-Peon. Whether she was borne there or no, I know not; but there she lost her Mayden-head to a poor young fellow, then I beleeve handsome, but, in 1660, a pittifull poor old weaver, Clarke of the Parish. He had fine curled haire, but gray. Her father at length discovered her inclinations and locked her up in the Turret of the house, but she getts down by a rope; and away she gott to London, and did sett up for her selfe.
She was a most exquisite beautie, as finely shaped as Nature could frame; had a delicate Witt. She was soon taken notice of at London, and her price was very deare—a second Thais. Richard, Earle of Dorset, kept her (whether before or after Venetia I know not, but I guess before). At last she grew common and infamous and gott the Pox, of which she died.
I remember thus much of an old Song of those dayes, which I have seen in a Collection: ’twas by way of litanie, viz:
From the Watch at Twelve a Clock,
And from Bess Broughton’s buttond smock,
Libera nos Domine.
In Ben Johnson’s Execrations against Vulcan, he concludes thus:—
Pox take thee, Vulcan. May Pandora’s pox
And all the Ills that flew out of her Box
Light on thee. And if those plagues won’t doe,
Thy Wive’s Pox take thee, and Bess Broughton’s too.
I see that there have been famous Woemen before our times.
I doe remember her father in 1646, neer 80, the handsomest shaped man that ever my eies beheld, a very wise man, and of an admirable Elocution. He was a Committee man in Herefordshire and Glocestershire; he was Commissary to Colonel Massey. He was of the Puritan Party heretofore, had a great guift in Praying, etc. His wife (I have heard my grandmother say, who was her neighbor) had as great parts as he. He was the first that used the Improvement of Land by Soape-ashes when he lived at Bristowe, where they then threw it away, and the Haven being like to be choaked up with the Soape-ashes (for which severall Complaints and Indictments) considering that grounds were improved by Compost, he made an experiment of improving by soape-ashes, having land neer the City; and mightily emproved it. This I had from himselfe.
THOMAS BUSHELL
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[Born 1594. Speculator and Mining Engineer. Page and Seal Bearer to Francis Bacon, who imparted to him many secrets in discovering and extracting minerals. When Bacon became Lord Chancellor, Bushell accompanied him to Court, where he attracted the notice of James I by the gorgeousness of his attire. His walks and fountains at Enstone in Oxfordshire were visited by Charles I and Henrietta Maria in 1636, and though the King’s visit was unexpected, his ingenious host managed to improvise for him an entertainment of artificial thunders and lightnings, rain, hail-showers, drums beating, organs playing, birds singing, waters murmuring all sorts of tunes, &c. Farmed the Royal Mines in Wales 1636. Master of the Mint at Aberystwyth 1637, at Shrewsbury 1642, and at Oxford 1643. Held Lundy Island for the King till 1647 and then lived in concealment. Gave Parliament security for his good behaviour and leased the Crown Mines from the Protector 1652. Died 1674.]
MR. THOMAS BUSHELL was one of the Gentlemen that wayted on the Lord Chancellour Bacon. ’Twas the fashion in those dayes for Gentlemen to have their Suites of Clothes garnished with Buttons. My Lord Bacon was then in Disgrace, and his Man Bushell having more Buttons than usuall on his Cloake, etc., they sayd that his Lord’s breech made Buttons and Bushell wore them: from whence he was called Buttond Bushell.
He was only an English Scholar, but had a good witt and a working and contemplative head. His Lord much loved him.
His Genius lay most towards naturall philosophy and particularly towards the Discovery, drayning and improvement of the Silver mines in Cardiganshire, etc. He wrote a stich’t Treatise of Mines and improving the adits to them and Bellowes to drive-in Wind.
Mr. Bushell was the greatest Master of the Art of running in Debt (perhaps) in the world: and lived so long that his depts were forgott, so that they were the great-grandchildren of the creditors. He died one hundred and twenty thousand pounds in dept. He had so delicate a way of making his Projects alluring and feazible, profitable, that he drewe to his Baits not only rich men of no designe, but also the craftiest Knaves in the countrey, such who had cosened and undon others; e.g. Mr. Goodyeere, who undid Mr. Nicholas Mees’ father, etc.
He had the strangest bewitching way to drawe-in people (yea, discreet and wary men) into his projects that ever I heard of. His tongue was a Charme, and drewe in so many to be bound for him, and to be ingaged in his Designes, that he ruined a number.
As he had the art of running in dept, so sometimes he was attacqued and throwen into Prison; but he would extricate himselfe again straingely.
After his master the Lord Chancellor dyed, he maried, and lived at Enston, Oxon; where having some land lyeing on the hanging of a hill facing the South, at the foot wherof runnes a fine cleare stream which petrifies, and where is a pleasant Solitude, he spake to his servant, Jack Sydenham, to gett a Labourer to cleare some Boscage which grew on the side of the Hill, and also to dig a Cavity in the hill, to sitt and read, or contemplate. The Workman had not worked an hower before he discovers not only a Rock, but a rock of an unusuall figure with Pendants like Icecles as at Wokey Hole, Somerset, which was the occasion of making that delicate Grotto and those fine Walkes.
The Grotto belowe lookes just South; so that when it artificially raineth, upon the turning of a cock, you are enterteined with a Rainbowe. In a very little pond (no bigger then a Basin) opposite to the rock, and hard by, stood a Neptune, neatly cutt in wood, holding his Trident in his hand, and ayming with it at a Duck which perpetually turned round with him, and a Spanniel swimming after her—which was very pretty, but long since spoyled.
Here in fine weather he would walke all night. Jack Sydenham sang rarely: so did his other servant, Mr. Batty. They went very gent in cloathes, and he loved them as his children.
He did not encumber him selfe with his wife, but here enjoyed himselfe thus in this Paradise till the War brake out, and then retired to Lundy isle.
Anno 1647 or 8, he came over into England, and when he landed at Chester, and had but one Spanish three pence (this I had from some-one of Great Tew to whom he told it) and, sayd he, I could have been contented to have begged a penny like a poor man. At that time he sayd he owed, I forgett whether it was 50 or sixty thousand pounds: but he was like Sir Kenelm Digby, if he had not 4d., wherever he came he would find Respect and Credit.
He had donne something (I have now forgott what) that made him obnoxious to the Parliament or Oliver Cromwell, about 1650; would have been hang’d if taken; printed severall letters to the Parliament, etc., dated from beyond Sea, and all that time laye privately in his Howse in Lambeth marsh, where the pointed pyramis is. In the garret there is a long Gallery, which he hung all with black, and had some death’s heads and bones painted. At the end where his Couch was, was in an old Gothique Nich (like an old Monument) painted a Skeleton recumbent on a Matt. At the other end, where
was his pallet-bed, was an emaciated dead man stretched out. Here he had severall mortyfying and divine Motto’s (he imitated his Lord as much as he could) and out of his windowes a very pleasant prospect. At night he walked in the garden and orchard. Only Mr. Sydenham, and an old trusty woman, was privy to his being in England.
He was a handsome proper Gentleman when I sawe him at his house aforesayd at Lambith. He was about 70, but I should not have guessed him hardly 60. He had a perfect healthy constitution: fresh, ruddy face, hawke-nosed, and was temperate.
Mr. Edmund Wyld sayes that he tap’t the mountaine of Snowdon in Wales, which was like to have drowned all the countrey; and they were like to knock him and his men in the head.
In the time of the Civill Warres his Hermitage over the Rocks at Enston were hung with black-bayes; his bed had black Curtaines, etc., but it had no bed posts but hung by 4 Cordes covered with blak-bayes instead of bed-postes. When the Queen-mother came to Oxon to the King, she either brought (as I thinke) or somebody gave her, an entire Mummie from Egypt, a great raritie, which her Majestie gave to Mr. Bushell, but I beleeve long ere this time the dampnesse of the place haz spoyled it with mouldinesse.
SAMUEL BUTLER
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[Born 1612. Satirist. The son of a farmer. In early youth he was page to the Countess of Kent, and thereafter Clerk to various Puritan Justices. After the Restoration he became Secretary to the Lord President of Wales. At this time he married a widow of means, which however were soon dissipated. In 1663 the first part of Hudibras appeared and the other two in 1664 and 1678. Hudibras, which stands at the head of the satirical literature of England, is the most remarkable document of the reaction against Puritanism at the Restoration, and might be taken as the seamy side of The Pilgrim’s Progress, being directed not against righteousness, but against self-righteousness. This book was immensely popular and King Charles II always carried a copy with him. Nevertheless, Butler died in extreme poverty in 1680.]
HIS FATHER WAS a man but of slender fortune, and to breed him at schoole was as much education as he was able to reach to. When but a Boy he would make observations and reflections on every Thing one sayd or did, and censure it to be either well or ill. He was never at the University, for the reason alledged.
He came when a young man to be a servant to the Countesse of Kent, whom he served severall yeares: she gave her Gentlemen 20 pounds per annum a-piece. Here, besides his Study, he employed his time much in painting and drawing, and also in Musique. He was thinking once to have made painting his Profession. His love to and skill in painting made a great friendship between him and Mr. Samuel Cowper (the Prince of Limners of this Age.)
He was Secretarie to the Duke of Bucks, when he was Chancellor of Cambridge. He might have had Preferments at first; but he would not accept any but very good ones, so at last he had none at all, and dyed in want.
He then studyed the Common Lawes of England, but did not practise. He maried a good Jointuresse, the relict of one Morgan, by which meanes he lived comfortably.
John Cleveland was a fellow of St. John’s Colledge in Cambridge, where he was more taken notice of for his being an eminent Disputant, then a good Poet. Being turned out of his Fellowship for a malignant he came to Oxford, where the King’s Army was, and was much caressed by them. After the King was beaten out of the field, he came to London, and retired in Grayes Inne. He, and Sam Butler, &c. of Grayes Inne, had a Clubb every night.
In my fathers time, they had a Clubb (fustis) at the school-dore: and when they desired leave exeundi foras (two went together still) they carried the Clubbe. I have heard that this was used in my time in Country-schooles before the Warres. When Monkes or Fryars goe out of their Convent, they always are licensed by couples; to be witnesses of one anothers actions or behaviour. We use now the word Clubbe for a Sodality at a Taverne or Drinking-house.
He printed a witty Poeme called Hudibras, which tooke extremely; so that the King and Lord Chancellor Hyde (who haz his picture in his Library over the Chimney) would have him sent for, and accordingly he was sent for. They both promised him great matters, but to this day he haz got no Employment, only the King gave him 300 pounds.
After the restauration of his Majestie when the Court at Ludlowe was againe sett-up, he was then the King’s Steward at the castle there.
He haz often sayd, that way (e.g. Mr. Edmund Waller’s) of Quibling with Sence will hereafter growe as much out of fashion and be as ridicule as quibling with words.
His verses on the Jesuites, not printed:—
No Jesuite ever took in hand,
To plant a church in barren Land;
Or ever thought it worth his while
A Swede or Russe to reconcile;
For where there is not store of wealth,
Souls are not worth the charge of health.
Spaine on America had 2 designes
To sell their Ghospell for their mines;
For had the Mexicans been poore,
No Spaniard twice had landed on their shore.
’Twas Gold the Catholick Religion planted,
Which, had they wanted Gold, they still had wanted.
Satyricall Witts disoblige whom they converse with; and consequently make to themselves many Enemies and few Friends; and this was his manner and case. He was of a leonine-coloured haire, sanguino-cholerique, middle sized, strong; a severe and sound judgement, high coloured; a good fellowe. He haz been much troubled with the Gowt, and particularly 1679, he stirred not out of his chamber from October till Easter.
He dyed of a Consumption, September 25; and buried 27, according to his Appointment, in the Church-yard of Convent Garden; scil. in the north part next the church at the east end. His feet touch the wall. His grave, 2 yards distant from the Pillaster of the Dore, (by his desire) 6 foot deepe.
About 25 of his old acquaintance at his Funerall. I myself being one of the eldest, helped to carry the Pall. His coffin covered with black Bayes.
WILLIAM BUTLER
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[Born 1535. Physician. Licensed to practise medicine. He attended Henry, Prince of Wales, who died in 1612 in his eighteenth year. Died 1618.]
WILL BUTLER, PHYSITIAN; he was of Clare-hall in Cambridge, never tooke the Degree of Doctor, though he was the greatest Physitian of his time.
The occasion of his first being taken notice of was thus: About the comeing in of King James, there was a Minister a few miles from Cambridge, that was to preach before his Majestie at Newmarket. The parson heard that the King was a great Scholar, and studyed so excessively that he could not sleepe, so somebody gave him some opium, which had made him sleep his last, had not Doctor Butler used this following remedy. He was sent for by the Parson’s wife. When he came and sawe the Parson, and asked what they had donne, he told her that she was in danger to be hanged for killing her husband, and so in great choler left her. It was at that time when the Cowes came into the Backside to be milkt. He turnes back and asked whose Cowes those were. She sayd, her husband’s. Sayd he, Will you give one of those Cowes to fetch your husband to life again? That she would, with all her heart. He then causes one presently to be killed and opened, and the parson to be taken out of his Bed and putt into the Cowes warme belly, which after some time brought him to life, or els he had infallibly dyed.
He was a man of great Moodes, a humorist. One time King James sent for him to Newmarket, and when he was gonne halfe-way left the Messenger and turned back; so then the messenger made him ride before him.
I think he was never maried. He lived in an Apothecary-shop in Cambridge, Crane’s, to whom he left his estate, and he in gratitude erected the Monument for him at his own chardge, in the fashion he used. He was not greedy of money, except choice Pieces of Golde, or Rarities.
Once, on the rode from Cambridge to London, he took a fancy to a chamberlayne or tapster in his Inne, and took him with him and made him his favourite, by whom only accession was to be had to him, and thus enriched him.
He would many tim
es (I have heard say) sitt among the Boyes at St. Maries’ Church in Cambridge (and just so would the famous attorney general Noy in Lincoln’s Inne, who had many such froliques and humours).
He kept an old mayd whose name was Nell. Dr. Butler would many times go to the Taverne, but drinke by himself. About 9 or 10 at night old Nell comes for him with a candle and lanthorne, and sayes, Come you home, you drunken Beast. By and by Nell would stumble; then her Master calls her drunken beast; and so they did drunken beast one another all the way till they came home.
A Serving man brought his Master’s water to Doctor Butler, being then in his Studie (with turn’d Barres) but would not bee spoken with. After much fruitlesse importunity the man tolde the doctor he was resolved he should see his Master’s water; he would not be turned away, threw it on the Dr.’s head. This humour pleased the Dr., and he went to the Gent, and cured him.
A gent. lying a-dyeing, sent his Servant with a horse for the doctor. The horse, being exceeding dry, ducks downe his head strongly into the water, and plucks downe the Dr. over his head, who was plunged in the water over head and ears. The Dr. was madded, and would return home. The man swore he should not; drewe his sword, and gave him ever and anon (when he would returne) a little prick, and so drove him before him.
The Dr. lyeing at the Savoy in London next the water side, where there was a Balcony look’t into the Thames, a Patient came to him that was grievously tormented with an Ague. The Dr. orders a boate to be in readinesse under his windowe, and discoursed with the patient (a Gent.) in the Balcony, when, on a signall given, two or three lusty Fellowes came behind the Gentleman and threwe him a matter of 20 feete into the Thames. This surprize absolutely cured him.