Miscellanies upon Various Subjects | Page 2

and many other writers. While Wood was preparing his Athenae Oxonienses, this manuscript was lent to him, as appears from many queries in his handwriting in the margin; and his account of Milton, with whom Aubrey was intimately acquainted, is (as has been observed by Mr. Warton) literally transcribed from thence." After alluding to the quarrel between Wood and Aubrey, he continues, "But whatever Wood in a peevish humour may have said or thought of Mr. Aubrey, by whose labours he has highly profited, or however fantastical Aubrey may have been on the subject of chemistry and ghosts, his character for veracity has never been impeached, and as a very diligent Antiquary, his testimony is worthy of attention. Mr. Toland, who was well acquainted with him, and certainly a better judge of men than Wood, gives this character of him: 'Though he was extremely superstitious, or seemed to be so, yet he was a very honest man, and most accurate in his account of matter of fact. But the facts he knew, not the reflections he made, were what I wanted.'"
Aubrey preserved, amidst all his troubles, an intimacy with the men of Science and Letters of his day, and with them formed the nucleus of the Royal Society. Some of the principal incidents of his life are briefly detailed in the following autobiographical memoranda, entitled
ACCIDENTS OF JOHN AUBREY.
Born at Easton-Piers, March 1625,6, about sun-rising; very weak and like to Dye, & therefore christned that morning before Prayer. I think I have heard my mother say I had an Ague shortly after I was born.
1629. About three or four years old I had a grievous ague, I can remember it. I got not health till eleven or twelve, but had sickness of Vomiting for 12 hours every fortnight for years, then it came monthly for then quarterly & then half yearly, the last was in June 1642. This sickness nipt my strength in the bud.
1633. At eight years old I had an issue (naturall) in the coronall sutor of my head, which continued running till 21.
1634. October, I had a violent fevor, it was like to have carried me off 'twas the most dangerous sickness that ever I had,
1639. About 1639 or 1643 I had the measills, but that was nothing, I was hardly sick. Monday after Easter week my Uncle's Nag ranne away with me & gave me a very dangerous fall.
1642 May 3. Entered at Trinity College.
1643 April and May, the Small Pox at Oxon; after left that ingeniouse place & for three years led a sad life in the Country.
1646. April - Admitted of the M. Temple, but my fathers sickness and business never permitted me to make any settlement to my study.
1651. About the 16 or 18 of April I saw that incomparable good conditioned gentlewoman Mrs M. Wiseman, with whom at first sight I was in love.
1652. October the 21. my father died.
1655. (I think) June 14. I had a fall at Epsam & brake one of my ribbes, and was afraid it might cause an apostumation.
1656. Sept. 1655 or rather I think 1656 I began my chargeable & tedious lawe Suite on the Entaile in Brecknockshire and Monmouthshire. This yeare and the last was a strange yeare to me. Several love and lawe suites.
1656 - Decemb {Astrological sign for conjunction} morb.
1657. Novemb 27. obiit Dna Kasker Ryves with whom I was to marry, to my great losse.
1659. March or April like to break my neck in Ely Minster; and the next day, riding a gallop there my horse tumbled over and over, and yet I thank God no hurt.
1660. July. Aug. I accompanied A. Ettrick into Ireland for a month & returning were like to be shipwrecked at Holyhead but no hurt done.
1661, 1662, 1663. About these yeares I sold my Estate in Herefordshire. Janu. I had the honour to be elected Fellow of the R. S.
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 lasio in testiculo, which was like to have been fatal. 0. R. Wiseman quod - I believe 1664.
1665. November 1. I made my first address (in an ill hour) to Joane Sumner.
1666. This yeare all my business and affairs 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.
Feb. 24 A.M. about 8 or 9 Triall with her at Sarum; Victory and #600 damaged; through devilish opposition against me.
1668. July 6. was arrested by Peter Gale's malicious contrivance the day before I was to