by John Aubrey
Well: this Meeting continued Novemb., Dec., Jan., till Febr. 20 or 21; and then, upon the unexpected turne upon Generali Monke’s comeing-in, all these aerie modells vanished. Then ’twas not fitt, nay Treason, to have donne such; but I well remember, he severall times (at the breaking-up) sayd, Well, the King will come in. Let him come-in, and call a Parliament of the greatest Cavaliers in England, so they be men of Estates, and let them sett but 7 yeares, and they will all turn Common-wealthe’s men.
Anno Domini 1660, he was committed prisoner to the Tower; then to Portsey castle. His durance in these Prisons (he being a Gentleman of a high spirit and a hot head) was the procatractique cause of his deliration or madnesse; which was not outragious, for he would discourse rationally enough and be very facetious company, but he grew to have a phancy that his Perspiration turned to Flies, and sometimes to Bees; and he had a versatile timber house built in Mr. Hart’s garden (opposite to St. James’s parke) to try the experiment. He would turne it to the sun, and sitt towards it; then he had his foxtayles there to chase away and massacre all the Flies and Bees that were to be found there, and then shut his Chassees [window]. Now this Experiment was only to be tryed in Warme weather, and some flies would lye so close in the cranies and cloath (with which it was hung) that they would not presently shew themselves. A quarter of an hower after perhaps, a fly or two, or more, might be drawen-out of the lurking holes by the warmeth; and then he would crye out, Doe not you see it apparently that these come from me? ’Twas the strangest sort of madnes that ever I found in any one: talke of any thing els, his discourse would be very ingeniose and pleasant.
He was wont to find fault with the constitution of our Government, that ’twas by jumps, and told a story of a Cavaliero he sawe at the Carnival in Italie, who rode on an excellent managed horse that with a touch of his toe would jumpe quite round. One side of his habit was Spanish, the other French; which sudden alteration of the same person pleasantly surprized the spectators. Just so, said he, ’tis with us. When no Parliament, then absolute Monarchie; when a Parliament, then it runnes to a Commonwealth.
He was wont to say that Right Reason in Contemplation, is Vertue in Action, et vice versa. Vivere secundum naturam is to live vertuously, the Divines will not have it so; and that when the Divines would have us be an inch above Vertue, we fall an ell belowe it.
He married to his old sweet-heart Mris. Dayrell, a comely and discreete ladie. It happening so, from some private reasons, that he could not enjoy his deare in the flower and heate of his youth, he would never lye with her, but loved and admired her dearly: for she was vergentibus annis [sloping towards old age] when he maried her, and had lost her sweetenesse.
For above twenty yeares before he died (except his imprisonment) he lived in the Little-Ambry (a faire house on the left hand) which lookes into the Deanes-yard in Westminster. In the upper story he had a pretty gallery, which looked into the yard, where he commonly dined, and meditated, and tooke his Tobacco.
Henry Nevill, Esq., never forsooke him to his dyeing day. Though neer a whole yeare before he died, his memorie and discourse were taken away by a disease (’twas a sad sight to see such a sample of Mortality, in one whom I lately knew, a brisque, lively cavaliero) this Gentleman, whom I must never forget for his constant friendship, payd his visits as duly and respectfully as when his friend was in the prime of his Understanding—a true friend.
WILLIAM HARVEY
* * *
[Born 1578. Anatomist and physiologist. Educated at Caius College, Cambridge, and the University of Padua, then the most famous school of physic. His theory of the circulation of the blood was expounded to the College of Physicians in 1616, but his treatise on the subject was not published until 1628. He died in 1657.]
WILLIAM HARVEY, DR. of Physique and Chirurgery, Inventor of the Circulation of the Bloud, was borne at the house which is now the Post-house, a faire stone-built-house, which he gave to Caius college in Cambridge, with some lands there. His brother Eliab would have given any money or exchange for it, because ’twas his father’s, and they all borne there; but the Doctor (truly) thought his memory would better be preserved this way, for his brother has left noble seates, and about 3000 pounds per annum, at least.
William Harvey, was always very contemplative, and the first that I heare of that was curious in Anatomie in England. I remember I have heard him say he wrote a booke De Insectis, which he had been many yeares about, and had made dissections of Frogges, Toades, and a number of other Animals, and had made curious Observations on them, which papers, together with his goods, in his Lodgings at Whitehall, were plundered at the beginning of the Rebellion, he being for the King, and with him at Oxon; but he often sayd, That of all the losses he sustained, no griefe was so crucifying to him as the losse of these papers, which for love or money he could never retrive or obtaine.
When Charles I by reason of the Tumults left London, he attended him, and was at the fight of Edge-hill with him; and during the fight, the Prince and Duke of Yorke were committed to his care. He told me that he withdrew with them under a hedge, and tooke out of his pockett a booke and read; but he had not read very long before a Bullet of a great Gun grazed on the ground neare him, which made him remove his station.
He told me that Sir Adrian Scrope was dangerously wounded there, and left for dead amongst the dead men, stript; which happened to be the saving of his Life. It was cold, cleer weather, and a frost that night; which staunched his bleeding, and about midnight, or some houres after his hurte, he awaked, and was faine to drawe a dead body upon him for warmeth-sake.
I first sawe him at Oxford, 1642, after Edgehill fight, but was then too young to be acquainted with so great a Doctor. I remember he came severall times to Trinity College to George Bathurst, B.D., who had a Hen to hatch Egges in his chamber, which they dayly opened to discerne the progres and way of Generation. I had not the honour to be acquainted with him till 1651, being my she cosen Montague’s physitian and friend. I was at that time bound for Italy (but to my great griefe disswaded by my mother’s importunity). He was very communicative, and willing to instruct any that were modest and respectfull to him. And in order to my Journey, gave me, i.e. dictated to me, what to see, what company to keepe, what Bookes to read, how to manage my Studies: in short, he bid me goe to the Fountain head, and read Aristotle, Cicero, Avicenna, and did call the Neoteriques shitt-breeches.
He wrote a very bad hand, which (with use) I could pretty well read. He understood Greek and Latin pretty well, but was no Critique, and he wrote very bad Latin. The Circuitis Sanguinis [Circulation of the Blood] was, as I take it, donne into Latin by Sir George Ent.
At Oxford, he grew acquainted with Dr. Charles Scarborough, then a young Physitian (since by King Charles II Knighted) in whose conversation he much delighted; and wheras before, he marched up and downe with the Army, he tooke him to him and made him ly in his Chamber, and said to him, Prithee leave off thy gunning, and stay here; I will bring thee into practice.
His Majestie King Charles I gave him the Wardenship of Merton Colledge in Oxford, as a reward for his service, but the Times suffered him not to recieve or injoy any benefitt by it.
After Oxford was surrendred, which was 24 July 1646, he came to London, and lived with his brother Eliab a rich Merchant in London, who bought, about 1654, Cockaine-house, now (1680) the Excise-office, a noble house, where the Doctor was wont to contemplate on the Leads of the house, and had his severall stations, in regard of the sun, or wind.
He did delight to be in the darke, and told me he could then best contemplate. He had a house heretofore at Combe, in Surrey, a good aire and prospect, where he had Caves made in the Earth, in which in Summer time he delighted to meditate.
Ah! my old Friend Dr. Harvey—I knew him right well. He made me sitt by him 2 or 3 hours together in his meditating apartment discoursing. Why, had he been stiffe, starcht, and retired, as other formall Doctors are, he had known no more than they. From the meanest person, in some way, or
other, the learnedst man may learn something. Pride has been one of the greatest stoppers of the Advancement of Learning.
He was far from Bigotry.
He was wont to say that man was but a great, mischievous Baboon.
He had been physitian to the Lord Chancellour Bacon, whom he esteemed much for his witt and style, but would not allow him to be a great Philosopher. Said he to me, He writes Philosophy like a Lord Chancellor, speaking in derision; I have cured him.
When Doctor Harvey (one of the Physitians College in London) being a Young Man, went to Travel towards Padoa: he went to Dover (with several others) and shewed his Pass, as the rest did, to the Governor there. The Governor told him, that he must not go, but he must keep him Prisoner. The Doctor desired to know for what reason? how he has transgrest. Well it was his Will to have it so. The Pacquet Boat Hoised Sail in the Evening (which was very clear) and the Doctor’s Companions in it. There ensued a terrible Storme, and the Pacquet-Boat and all the Passengers were Drown’d: The next day the sad News was brought to Dover. The Doctor was unknown to the Governor, both by Name and Face; but the Night before, the Governor had a perfect Vision in a Dream of Doctor Harvey, who came to pass over to Calais; and that he had a Warning to stop him. This the Governor told to the Doctor the next day. The Doctor was a pious good Man, and has several times directed this Story to some of my Acquaintance.
Dr. Harvy told me, and any one if he examines himself will find it to be true, that a man could not fancy—truthfully—that he is imperfect in any part that he has, verbi gratiâ, Teeth, Eie, Tongue, Spina dorsi, etc. Natura tends to perfection, and in matters of Generation we ought to consult more with our sense and instinct, then our reason, and prudence, fashion of the country, and Interest. We see what contemptible products are of the prudent politiques; weake, fooles, and ricketty children, scandalls to nature and their country. The Heralds are fooles: tota errant via [they are on completely the wrong track], A blessing goes with a marriage for love upon a strong impulse.
He that marries a widdowe makes himself Cuckold. Exempli gratia, if a good Bitch is first warded with a Curre, let her ever after be warded with a dog of a good straine and yet she will bring curres as at first, her wombe being first infected with a Curre. So, the children will be like the first Husband (like raysing up children to your brother). So, the Adulterer, though a crime in Law, the children are like the husband.
He would say that we Europeans knew not how to order or governe our Woemen, and that the Turks were the only people used them wisely.
I remember he kept a pretty young wench to wayte on him, which I guesse he made use of for warmeth-sake as King David did, and tooke care of her in his Will, as also of his man servant.
He was very Cholerique; and in his young days wore a dagger (as the fashion then was) but this Dr. would be to apt to draw-out his dagger upon every slight occasion.
I have heard him say, that after his Booke of the Circulation of the Blood came-out, that he fell mightily in his Practize, and that ’twas beleeved by the vulgar that he was crack-brained; and all the Physitians were against his Opinion, and envyed him; many wrote against him. With much adoe at last, in about 20 or 30 yeares time, it was recieved in all the Universities in the world; and, as Mr. Hobbes sayes in his book De Corpore, he is the only man, perhaps, that ever lived to see his owne Doctrine established in his life-time.
He was Physitian, and a great Favorite of the Lord High Marshall of England, Thomas Howard Earle of Arundel and Surrey, with whom he travelled as his Physitian in his Ambassade to the Emperor at Vienna. In his Voyage, he would still be making of excursions into the Woods, makeing Observations of strange Trees, and plants, earths, etc., naturalls, and sometimes like to be lost, so that my Lord Ambassador would be really angry with him, for there was not only danger of Thieves, but also of wild beasts.
He was much and often troubled with the Gowte, and his way of Cure was thus; he would then sitt with his Legges bare, if it were a Frost, on the leads of Cockaine-house, putt them into a payle of water, till he was almost dead with cold, and betake himselfe to his Stove, and so ’twas gone.
He was hott-headed, and his thoughts working would many times keepe him from sleepinge; he told me that then his way was to rise out of his Bed and walke about his Chamber in his Shirt till he was pretty coole, i.e. till he began to have a horror, and then returne to bed, and sleepe very comfortably.
He was not tall; but of the lowest stature, round faced, olivaster complexion; little Eie, round, very black, full of spirit; his haire was black as a Raven, but quite white 20 yeares before he dyed.
I remember he was wont to drinke Coffee; which he and his brother Eliab did, before Coffee-houses were in fashion in London.
His practise was not very great towards his later end; he declined it, unlesse to a speciall friend, e.g. my Lady Howland, who had a cancer in her Breast, which he did cutt-off and seared, but at last she dyed of it. He rode on horseback with a Foot-cloath to visitt his Patients, his man following on foote, as the fashion then was, which was very decent, now quite discontinued. (The Judges rode also with their Foote-cloathes to Westminster-hall, which ended at the death of Sir Robert Hyde, Lord Chief Justice. Anthony Earl of Shafton, would have revived, but severall of the judges being old and ill horsemen would not agree to it.)
All his Profession would allow him to be an excellent Anatomist, but I never heard of any that admired his Therapeutique way. I knew severall practisers in London that would not have given 3d. for one of his Bills; and that a man could hardly tell by one of his Bills what he did aime at. (He did not care for Chymistrey, and was wont to speake against them with an undervalue.)
He had, towards his latter end, a preparation of Opium and I know not what, which he kept in his study to take, if occasion should serve, to putt him out of his paine, and which Sir Charles Scarborough promised to give him; this I beleeve to be true; but doe not at all beleeve that he really did give it him.
Not but that, had he laboured under great Paines, he had been readie enough to have donne it; I doe not deny that it was not according to his Principles upon certain occasions. But the manner of his dyeing was really, and bonâ fide, thus, viz. the morning of his death about 10 a clock, he went to speake, and found he had the dead palsey in his Tongue; then he sawe what was to become of him, he knew there was then no hopes of his recovery, so presently sends for his brother and young nephewes to come-up to him, to whom he gives one his Watch (’twas a minute watch with which he made his experiments), to another another thing, etc., as remembrances of him; made a signe to Sambroke, his Apothecary, to lett him blood in the Tongue, which did little or no good; and so ended his dayes. The Palsey did give him an easy Passe-port.
For 20 yeares before he dyed he tooke no manner of care about his worldly concernes, but his brother Eliab, who was a very wise and prudent menager, ordered all not only faithfully, but better then he could have donne himselfe. He dyed worth 20,000 pounds, which he left to his brother Eliab. In his Will he left his old friend Mr. Thomas Hobbes 10 pounds as a token of his Love.
He lies buried in a Vault at Hempsted in Essex, which his brother Eliab Harvey built; he is lapt in lead, and on his brest in great letters
DR. WILLIAM HARVEY.
I was at his Funerall, and helpt to carry him into the Vault.
EDWARD HERBERT: LORD HERBERT OF CHERBURY
* * *
[Born 1583. Philosopher and historian. At the age of sixteen, he married a kinswoman four years his senior, while he was at the University. At his coronation in 1603, James I made him a Knight of the Bath and, in 1608, he went to the Continent, where for some years he was engaged in military and diplomatic affairs, not without his share of troubles. In 1624 he was created an Irish, and a few years later an English, peer, as Baron Herbert of Cherbury. It was in 1624 also that he wrote his treatise De Veritate, in which truth is distinguished from (i) revelation, (ii) the probable, (iii) the possible and (iv) the false. This was the first purely metaphysi
cal work written by an Englishman and gave rise to much controversy. His other chief philosophical work was De Religione Gentilium (1663) which has been called the charter of the Deists, and was intended to prove that all religions recognise the same five main articles. He also wrote a Life of Henry VIII (1649) and his Autobiography, besides some poems of a metaphysical cast. On the outbreak of the Civil War he sided, though somewhat half-heartedly, with the Royalists, but in 1644 he surrendered to the Parliament, received a pension, and held various offices. Died 1648.]
I HAVE SEEN him severall times with Sir John Danvers; he was a black man.
The Castle of Montgomery was a most Romancy seate: It stood upon a high Promontory, the north side 30+ feete high. From hence is a most delightsome prospect, 4 severall wayes. Southwards, without the Castle, is Prim-rose-hill: vide Donne’s Poem:—
Upon this Prim-rose-hill,
Where, if Heaven would distill
A Showre of raine, each severall drop might goe
To his owne Prim-rose, and grow Manna so;
And where their forme, and their infinitie
Make a terrestiall Galaxie,
As the small starres doe in the Skie:
In this pleasant Solitude did this noble Lord enjoy his Muse.
This stately Castle was demolished since the late Warres at the Chardge of the Countrey.
Mr. Fludd tells me he had constantly prayers twice a day in his howse, and Sundayes would have his Chaplayne, Dr. Coote (a Cambridge scholar and a learned) read one of Smyth’s Sermons.
James Usher, Lord Primate of Ireland, was sent for by him, when in his death-bed, and he would have received the sacrament. He sayd indifferently of it that if there was good in any-thing ’twas in that, or if it did no good ’twould doe no hurt. The Primate refused it, for which many blamed him. He then turned his head to the other side and expired very serenely.