Memoir of John Aubrey, F.R.S.; embracing his autobiographical sketches, a brief review of his personal and literary merits, and an account of his works, with extracts from his correspondence, anecdotes of some of his contemporaries, and of the times in which he lived / By John Britton ... Published by the Wiltshire Topographical Society [with its 5th Annual Report, 1845].
- John Britton
- Date:
- 1845
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Memoir of John Aubrey, F.R.S.; embracing his autobiographical sketches, a brief review of his personal and literary merits, and an account of his works, with extracts from his correspondence, anecdotes of some of his contemporaries, and of the times in which he lived / By John Britton ... Published by the Wiltshire Topographical Society [with its 5th Annual Report, 1845]. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![draughts of . . « «3 then on to colours, being only my owne instructor. Copied pictures in the parlor in a table book. I was wont (I remember) much to lament with myselfe that I lived not in a city, e. g. Bristole where I might have access to watchmakers, locksmiths, &c. Not very much care for gram. Apprehensive enough, but my memorie not tenacious, so that then a boy, I was a promising morne enough, of an inventive and philosophicall head. My witt was alwaies working, but not to verse. Exceeding mild of spirit, mightily susceptible of fascination. Strong and early impulse to antiquities. Tacitus and Juvenal. Look’t through logique and some ethiques. He began to enter into pocket mdm books, philosophicall and antiquarian remarques A® D. 1654, at Llantrithid. 1642, May 2. I went to Oxford. Peace. But now did Bellona thunder, and asa cleare skie is sometimes suddenly overstretched with a dismall black cloud and thunder, so was the serene peace by the civill war, through the factions of those times. In August following my father sent for me home for feare. In Febr. following (with much importunity) I gott my father to lett me go to beloved Oxford againe (then a garrison pro Rege). I got Mr. Hesketh, a priest, Mr. Dobson’s man, to drawe the ruines of Osney 2 or 3 wayes before ’twas pulled downe ; now the very foundation is digged up. In April I fell sick of the small pox at Trin. Coll; and when I recovered, after Trin. weeke, my father sent for me into the country again, where I conversed with none but servants and rustiques, (to my great greefe, for in those days fathers were not acquainted with their children,) and soldiers quartered. Odi prophanum vulgus et arceo. It was a most sad life to me then, in the prime of my youth, not to have the benefitt of an ingeniouse conversation, and scarce any good bookes. Almost a consumption. This sad life I did lead in the country till 1646, at which time I got (with much adoe) leave of my father to let me goe to the M. Temple. April 16, 1646, admitted. 24 June following Oxon was surrendered, and there came to London many of the King’s party, with whom I grew acquainted (many of them I knew before). I loved not debauches, but their martiall conversation : was not so fit for the messe. Novemb. 6 I returned to Trin. Coll. in Oxon. again to my great joy: was much made of by the fellows, had their learned conversation, lookt on books, musique. Here and at M. T. (off and on) I (for the most part) enjoyed the greatest felicity of my life. [Ingeniouse youths, like rose budds, imbibe the morning dew.] Till Dec. 1648 (Xmas eve,) I was sent for home from Oxon again to my sick father, who never recovered, where I was engaged to look after his country business, and solicite a lawe suite. A° 165-, Octob. —, my father dyed, leaving me debts 1800 lib., and law proceed. 1000 lib. A° 16— I began my lawe suite on the entaile in Brecon, which lasted till. .... , and it cost me 1200 lib. A®.. .I was to have married Mrs. K. Ryvs, who dyed when to be married. . . . . 2000 lib., besides counting one of her brothers 1000 lib. p. ann. Ao...Imade my will, and settled my estate on trustees, intending to have seen the antiq. of Rome and Italy, and then to have returned and married; but (Diis aliter visum est superis) viz. ..... to my inexpressible griefe and ruine, hindered the designe, which was my .... cause. But notwithstanding all these embarrassments, I did . . . . (as they occurred) tooke notes of antiq., and having a quick draught, have drawn landskips on horseback symbolically, e. g. journey to Ireland in July, A° Dom. 166-.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b33522169_0036.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
