Mr. Dugdale to Dr. Browne [POSTHUMOUS WORKS, and Sloane MS 1911-13, f. 104.] London, 17th Nov. 1658. HONOURED SIR

Yours of the 10th instant came safe to my hands, with that learned discourse inclosed, concerning the word emunire, wherein I perceive your sense is the same with my good friends Mr. Bishe and Mr. Junius, (with both whome I have also consulted about it.) I have herewithall sent you one of the bones of that fish, which was taken up by Sir Robert Cotton, in digging a pond at the skirt of Conington Downe, desiring your opinion thereof and of what magnitude you think it was.

Mr. Ashmole presents his best service and thanks to you, for your kinde intention to send him a list of those books you have, which may be for his use.

That which you were told of my writing any thing of Norfolke was a meere story; for I never had any such thing in my thoughts, nor can I expect a life to accomplish it, if I should; or any encouragement considerable to the chardge and paynes of such an undertaking. This I mean as to the county, and not my Fenne History, which will extend thereinto. And as for Mr. Bishe, who is a greate admirer and honourer of you, and desires me to present his hearty service and thanks to you for that mention you have made of him in your learned discourse of Urnes. He says he hath no such 5 It is not in the Hydriotaphia, but the Garden of Cyrus, that Browne mentions "Upton de Studio Militari, et Johannes de Bado Aureo, cum Comm. Cl. et Doct. Bissæi -Hamper 386 MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [1658. purpose at all, nor ever bad; but that his brother-in-law Mr. Godard (the recorder of Lynne) intends something of that towne, but whether or when to make it publique he knows not.

And now, sir, that you have been pleas'd to give me leave to be thus bold with you in interrupting your better studies, I shall crave leave to make a request or two more to you. First, that you will let me know where in Leland you finde that expression concerning such buriall of the Saxons, as you mention in your former discourse concerning those raysed heaps of earth, which you lately sent me; for all that I have seene extant of his in manuscript, is those volumes of his Collectanea and Itineraryes, now in the Bodleyan Library at Oxford, of which I have exact copies in the country. The next is, to entreat you to speake with one Mr. Haward (heir and executor to Mr. Haward lately deceased, who was an executor to Mr. Selden) who now lives in Norwich, as I am told, and was a sheritfe of that city the last yeare: and to desire a letter from him to Sir John Trevor, speedily to joyne with Justice Hales and the rest of Mr. Selden's executors, in opening the library in White Friars', for the sight of a manuscript of Landaffe, which may be usefull to me in those additions I intend to the second volume of the Monasticon, now in the presse; for Sir John Trevor tells me, that he cannot without expresse order from him, do it: the rest of the executors of Mr. Selden being very desirous to pleasure me therein. If you can get such a letter from him for Sir John Trevor, I pray you enclose it to me, and I will deliver it, for their are 3 keys besides.

And lastly, if at your leisure, through your vast reading, you can point me out what authors do speake of those improvements which have been made by banking and drayning in Italy, France, or any part of the Netherlands, you will do me a very high favour.

From Strabo and Herodotus I have what they say of Ægypt, and so likewise what is sayd by Natalis Comes of Note in the Posthumous Works. 7 William Heyward, or Howard.-Blomfield 1658.] MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 387 Acarnania: but take your owne time for it, if at all you can attend it, whereby you will more oblige

Your most humble servant and honourer, William Dugdale. For my much honoured friend, Dr. Browne, &c.

Sir Thomas Browne to Elias Ashmole (Ashmolean MS 1131, f. 280; Vol. 35 of Elias Ashomole's COLLECTIONS FOR THE ORDER OF THE GARTER.) Norwich, Oct. viij, 1674. Honord Sir,

I give you late butt heartie thancks for the noble present of your most excellent booke; which, by the care of my sonne, I receaved from you. I deferred this my ·due acknowledgment in hope to have found out something more of Dr. John Dee, butt I can yett only present this paper unto 414 MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [1677-8. you written by the hand of his sonne, Dr. Arthur Dee, my old acquaintance, containing the scheme of his nativity, erected by his father, Dr. John Dee, as the title sheweth; butt the iudgment upon it was writt by one Franciscus Murrerus, before Dr. Arthur returned from Russia into England, which Murrerus was an astrologer of some account at Mosko. Sir, I take it for a great honour to have this libertie of communication with a person of your eminent merit, and shall industriously serve you upon all opportunities, who am,

Worthy good sir, Your servant most respectfully and humbly, THOMAS BROWNE. ("Recd. 24 Oct. 1674.") In the hand-writing of Ashmole.

From Dr. Browne to Mr. Elias Ashmole [Ashmole MS 1788, art. 18, f. 153.] Most Worthy Sr.

I returne you humble thancks for your courteous letter and the good newes of the hopefull recoverie of Mr. Dugdale, unto whom I shall be readie in any further service, and shall, God willing, send unto him concerning the fish bone, which I have not forgott. It can very hardly fall into my apprehension how I can afford any addition unto your worthy endeavours. Notwithstanding, I have enclosed a list of such tracts of that subject which I have by mee. Most whereof I receaved from Dr. Arthur Dee, my familiar freind, sonne unto old Dr. Dee the mathematician. He lived many yeares and dyed in Norwich, from whom I have heard many accounts agreable unto those which you have sett downe in your annotations concerning his father and Kelly. Hee was a persevering student in hermeticall philosophy, and had noe small encouragement Having seen projection made, and with the highest asseverations be confirmed unto his death, that hee had ocularly undeceavably and frequently beheld it in Bohemia, and to my knowledge, had not an accident prevented, hee had not many yeares before his death retired beyond sea, and fallen upon the solemn processe of the great worke.

Sr. if you shall desire a viewe of any of these bookes, or all, I shall find some way to send them, and you may peruse or 2 That is, Lilly's Christian Astrology modestly treated of, in three books: or, an Introduction to Astrologie, London, 1647, 4to. of which his own copy is in the Ashmolean Museum.-W. H. B. 464 MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [1658. transcribe them; butt I shall entreat the favour to have them returned. Mr. Stanley gave mee the honour of a visit some fewe yeares past, and if hee signified my mind unto you, you might have receaved them long agoe. Sir, I thinck myself much honored in your worthy acquaintance, and shall ever rest

Your very respectful freind and servant, Thomas Browne. Norwich, Jan. xxv, 1658.

A manuscript containing these tracts: 1. Take earth of earth earths mother with some explication. 2. A short worke and true-of halfe a sheet. 3. Cantilena Ripley, de L. Phil. seu de phœnice. 4. Verbum abbreviatum Rogeri Bacon a Rajmundo Galfrido explicatum-above a sheet. 5. The great worke or great Elixir of Ripley ad Solem et Lunam, with an accurtation or shortning of the great work-containing 2 sheets. 6. A Letter of Ripley, sent to a friend, subscribed by George Ripley, ch. of Bridlington, farmer and curate of F...balbergh. 7. The easiest way in practising the Philosopher's stone a sheet and half. 8. Philossium and medulla, translated out of Latin by George Higins. 9. A Concordance of the Sayings of Guido and Raymund. X. The worke of Dickinson-about a hundred verses. An ancient manuscript of Nortons ordinall. Dunstanus Epus Cantuariensis de Lapide philos-a small manuscript. Theriaca divina Benedicti MS. Lat. Anonym. A Manuscript entitled Investigation of causes, writt by a person of these parts about 50 yeares agoe. A theoreticall 3 This is MS. Sloan. 1842.-Catalogue of Sir Thomas Browne's MSS. No. 6, 4to. vol. iv, 463, &c. 4 Very illegible in MS. On reference to the MS. Sloan. 1842, I find it is thus: "Fox Bulburg Churche. 1460 vel 1476. 5 MS Sloan. 1873.-Catalogue of Browne' MSS. No. 39, 4to. vol. iv, p. 463, &c. 6 This may be MS. Sloan. No. 3757, fol. 40; or No. 1255, art. 2, fol. 12C:- probably the latter. 7 MS. Sloan. l857.-Catalogue of Browne's MSS. No. 18, 4to. vol. iv, p. 463, &c. 1674.] MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 465 piece, but relating to the Herm. philosophic and worke. An originall, and I thinck there is noe coppy of it- about 4 sheets. Ripleys emblematicall or hieroglyphicall scrowle in parchment, about 7 yards long, with many verses, somewhat differing from those in your first part next Ripleys vision. Two small pieces of Garlandus Anglus, Latin and printed. Dastini Speculum philosoph. MS. Lat. Benjamin Locks picklock unto Ripleys castle, prose and verse -about 4 or 5 sheets, MS. To my worthy and honord freind, Elias Ashmole, Esqr. in the Middle Temple, these, London. (The above direction is on the back of the latter, (ff. 153, 156,) within which is enclosed a half sheet folded in quarto,(ff. 154-5, containing the list of MSS. Close to the direction is preserved a small seal of arms, impressed in red wax.)

Sir Thomas Browne to Mr. Elias Ashmole [Asmole MS 1788, art. 17, f. 151.]

I was very well acquainted with Dr. Arthur Dee, and at one time or other hee hath given me some account of the whole course of his life: hee gave mee a catalogue of what his father Dr. John Dee had writt, and what hee intended to write, butt I think I have seen the same in some of his printed bookes, and that catalogue hee gave me in writing I cannot yet find. I never heard him saye one word of the booke of spirits, sett out by Dr. Casaubone, which if hee had knowne I make no doubt butt hee would have spoake of it unto mee, for he was very inquisitive after any manuscripts of his father's, and desirous to print as many as hee could possibly obtaine; and, therefore, understanding that Sir William Boswell, the English resident in Holland, had found out many of them, which he kept in a trunck in his howse in Holland, to my knowledge hee sent divers letters unto Sir William, humbly desiring him that hee would not lock them up from 8 MS. Sloane. 1893.Catalogue of Browne's MSS. No. 9, 8vo. vol. iv, p. 463, &c. 9 MS. Sloan. 1854.-Catalogue of MSS. &c. No. 13, 4to. 466 MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE. [1674. the world, butt suffer him to print at least some thereof. Sir William answered some of his letters, acknowledging that hee had some of his father's works not yet published, and that they were safe from being lost, and that hee was readie to showe them unto him, butt that hee had an intention to print some of them himself. Dr. Arthur Dee continued his sollicitation, butt Sir William dying I could never heare more of those manuscripts in his hand. I have heard the Dr. saye that hee lived in Bohemia with his father, both at Prague and other parts of Bohemia. That Prince or Count Rosenberg was their great patron, who delighted much in alchymie; I have often heard him affirme, and sometimes with oaths, that hee had seen projection made and transmutation of pewter dishes and flaggons into sylver, which the goldsmiths at Prague bought of them. And that Count Rosenberg playd at quaits with sylver quaits made by projection as before; that this transmutation was made by a powder they had, which was found in some old place, and a booke lying by it containing nothing butt hieroglyphicks, which booke his father bestowed much time upon: but I could not heare that he could make it out. Dee sayd also that Kelly delt not justly by his father, and that he went away with the greatest part of the powder and was afterwards imprisoned by the Emperor in a castle, from whence attempting an escape downe the wall, hee fell and broake his legge and was imprisoned agayne. That his father, Dr. John Dee, presented Queen Elizabeth with a little of the powder, who having made triall thereof attempted to get Kelly out of prison, and sent some to that purpose, who giving opium in drinck unto the keepers, layd them so faste asleepe that Kelly found opportunity to attempt an escape, and there were horses readie to carry him away; butt the buisinesse unhappily succeeded as is before declared. Hee sayd that his father was in good credit with the Emperour Rodolphus, I thinck, and that hee gave him some addition unto his coat of armes, by a mathematicall figure added, which I thincke may bee seen at Mr. Rowland Dee's howse, who had the picture and coat of armes of Dr. John Dee, which Dr. Arthur Dee left at Mr. Toley's when hee 1 His portrait is preserved in the Ashmolean Museum.-W. H. B. l672/3.] MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE. 467 dyed. Dr. Arthur Dee was a young man when he saw this projection made in Bohemia, butt hee was so inflamed therewith, that hee fell early upon that studie and read not much all his life but bookes of that subject, and two years before his death contracted with one Hunniades, or Hans Hanyar, in London, to be his operator. This Hans Hanyar having. lived long in London and growing in years, resolved to returne into Hungarie; he went first to Amsterdam where hee was to remain ten weeks, till Dr. Arthur came unto him. The Dr. to my knowledge was serious in this buisinesse, and had provided all in readinesse to goe; but suddenly hee heard that Hans Hanyar was dead. If hereafter any thing farther occurreth to my memorie I shall advertize.

(No. Signature.) (Note subscribed by Ashmole.} Recd. 29 March, 1674, 4h. P.M. from Dr. Browne, of Norwich, directed to Mr. Ashmole.

[Excerpt from vol. 2, July 1654]

July 6] I saw [my] prety boy, return’d early to Lond, & the next day, met my Wife and company at Oxford, which being on the 7th was the Eve of the Act: [July 8] Next day was spent in hearing severall exercises in the Sholes, & after dinner the Procter opened the Act at St. Maries (according to custome) & the Praevaricators their drolery, then the Doctors disputed, & so we supp’d at Waddum Coll: The 9th Dr. French preechd at St. Maries on 12: Matt: 42, advising the Students the Search after true Wisdome, not to be had in the books of Philosophers, but Scriptures: in the afternoone the famous Independent Dr. Owen, perstringing Episcopacy: he was now Cromwells Vice-Chancellor: We din'd with Dr. Ward, Mathematical Professor [since Bish: of Salisbury], & at night Supp'd in Balliol Coll: Hall, where I had once ben student & fellow Commoner, where they made me extraordinarily wellcome, but I might have spent the Evening as well.

10 On Monday I went againe to the Scholes to heare the severall faculties, & in the Afternoone tarried out the whole Act in St. Maries. The long speeches of the Proctors: The V: Chancelors, the severall Professars, Creation of Doctors, by the Cap, ring, Kisse &c: those Ceremonies not as yet wholy abolish'd, but retaining the antient Ceremonies & Institution: Dr. Kendals (now Inceptor amongst others) performing his Act incomparably well, concluded it with an excellent Oration, abating his Presbyterian animositie, which he with-held not even against that Learned & pious divine Dr. Hammond: The Act was closd, with the Spech of the V: Chancellor. There being but 4 In Theologie, 3 in Medicine, which was thought a considerable matter, the times consider'd: I din'd at on[e] Monsieur Fiats, a student at Excester Coll: & supped at a magnificent Entertainement in Waddum Hall, invited by my excellent & deare Friend Dr. Wilkins, then Warden [now Bishop of Chester]: on the Eleventh was the Latine Sermon which I could not be at, invited, being taken-up at All-Soules, where we had Music, voices & Theorbes perform’d by some ingenious Scholars, where after dinner I visited that miracle of a Youth, Mr. Christopher Wren, nephew to Bishop of Elie: then Mr. Barlow [since Bishop of Lincoln] Bibliothe[c]arius of the Bodlean Library, my most learned friend, who shewd me, together with my Wife, The rarities of that famous place, Manuscrip[t]s, Medails & other Curiosities. Amongst the MSS an old English Bible[*]It was a manuscript copy of Wycliffe's translation: 'And thei wenten doun bothe into the watir, Filip and the gelding, and Filip baptiside hym': Acts viii. 38. For the possible manuscripts see Wycliffite Versions of the Holy Bible. Ed. Josiah Forshall and Sir Frederic Madden. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1850, vol. 1, pp. xlvi-xlvii. (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 106, n. 5). wherein the Eunuch mention'd to be baptizd by Philip, is cald the Gelding, & Philip & the Gelding went down into the Water &c, also the Original Acta of the Council of Basil, 900 years since, with the Bulla or leaden Affix, which has a silken Chord, passing thro every parchment: likewise a MS: of Ven: Beades[*]Possibly Bede's Commentary on the Proverbs (MS. Bodl. 819), a ninth-century manuscript given to the library in 1602: Macray, pp. 27-8. (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 107, n. 1). of 800 years antiquity: together with the old Ritual secundum Usum Sarum,[*]The Catalogus impressorum librorum, 1674, gives three copies: fol., Paris, 1555; 4to, Rouen, 1621 (error for 1521); and a third without place or date. For the bibliography of the work see Missale ad usum ... ecclesicae Sarum, ed. F. H. Dickinson, 1883, introd. (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 107, n. 2). exceeding voluminous: Then amongst the nicer curiosities: The Proverbial Solaman written in French, by a Lady every Chapter of a severall Character, or hand, the most exquisitely imaginable[*]The manuscript is in French; it was written by Esther Inglis (Langlois), 1571-1624, wife of Bartholomew Kello. It is dated 1599 and was given to the library in 1620: Macray, p. 62. (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 107, n. 3): An Hieroglypical Table, or Carta folded up like a Map, I suppose it painted on Asses hide, extreamely rare[*]Said by Macray to be Mexican; perhaps Arch. Bodl. A. 75: Macray, pp. 109, 466. (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 107, n. 4).: but what is most illustrious, were the no lesse than 1000 MSS: in 19 Languages, espe[c]ialy Oriental, furnishing that new part of the Library, built by A: Bishop Lawd[*]The western wing (Selden end) of the library was built in 1634-40 during Laud's chancellorship of the university and was at first called 'Laud's library'; he does not appear to have contributed towards its cost, but the collection of manuscripts given by him to the library in 1635-40 (1,299 manuscripts in eighteen languages) was originally kept here with the Digby and Pembroke MSS.: Macray, pp. 81, 83-8; A. Wood, History ... of the University of Oxford, ed. Gutch, 1792-6, ii. 939-42. (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 107, n. 5): some of Sir Kenhelme Digby,[*]Digby gave 238 manuscripts to the library in 1634: Macray, pp. 78-81. (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 107, n. 6) & the Earle of Pembroch[*]William Herbert, third earl of Pembroke, 1580-1630,gave 242 Greek manuscripts (the Barocci Collection) to the library in 1629: Macray, pp. 68-72. (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 107, n. 7): In the Closset of the Tower,[*]Perhaps the 'Archive of the School Tower': J. Pointer, Oxoniensis Academia, 1749, p. 143; cf. p. 141; and 'the closett' in Wood, Life and Times, iv. 57; see also R. W. T. Gunther, Early science in Oxford, 1923, sqq., iii. 252-3. (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 107, n. 8) they shew,Josephs parti colourd Coate[*]This object is mentioned under this name by a traveller in 1638, in the library accounts for 1662, and by Monconys in 1663: Gunther, iii. 253; Macray, pp. 129, 131 (quoting Monconys, ii. 52-3). Macray identifies it as a coat of 'Tartar lamb' brought from Russia and given to the library in 1615: Macray, pp. 51, 413-4 (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 107, n. 9). A Muscovian Ladys Whip,[*]Cf. 'Russia Whips' in the 'Musaeum': Pointer, p. 159 (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 107, n. 10) some Indian Weapons, Urnes, Lamps: &c: but the rarest, is the Whole Alcoran written in one large sheete of Calico, which is made up in a Priests Vesture or Cape after the Turkish, & the Arabic Character so exquisitely written, as no printed letter comes neere it[*]A Turkish vestment of linen given by Richard Davydge in 1653 (MS. Bodl. Or. 162): Macray, p. 108. (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 108, n. 1): Also a rolle of Magical Charmes or Periapta,[*] For periapta see above, ii. 236. This roll is not traceable (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 108, n. 2) divers Talismans, some Medails: Then I led my Wife into the Convocation house finely Wainscoted; The Divinity Schole & gothic Carv’d roofe; the Physick Or Anatomie Schole,[*]This occupied the western half of the first floor of the south side of the School's quadrangle; since 1789 it has formed part of the Bodleian: Gunther, iii. 252; Macray, p. 272; for its contents c. 1680 see Gunther iii 260-3. The order of Evelyn's visits to the various parts of the School's building probably differed from that of his notices. (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 108, n. 4) adorn’d with some rarities of natural things; but nothing extraordinary, save the Skin of a Jaccal, a rarely Colour’d Jacatroo, or prodigious large Parot,[*]In former editions of the diary this word was printed 'jacatoo'. This was its only recorded ocurrence and the OED recorded suggests an error for cacatoo, cockatoo. The word as now printed is not recorded elsewhere; the resemblance to the place-name Jacatra (in Java) is perhaps worth noting. Gunther suggests macaw: iii. 261 (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 108, n. 5) two humming birds, not much bigger than our humble bee: which indeede I had not seene before that I remember. &c.

12 We went to St. Johns, saw the Library, & the 2 Skeletons, which are finely cleanse’d, & put together: observable are also the store of Mathematical Instruments, all of them chiefly given by the late A: Bishop Lawd, who built here an handsome Quadrangle: Thence we went to New-Coll: where the Chapell was in its antient garb, not withstanding the Scrupulositie of the Times: Thence to Christ-Church, in whose Library was shew'd us an Office of Hen: 8, the writing, Miniature & gilding whereof is equal if not surpassing any curiosity I had ever seene of that kind: It was given, by their founder, the Cardinal Wolsy: The Glasse Windos of the Cathedral (famous in my time) I found much abused: The ample Hall, & Columne that spreads its Capitel to sustaine the roofe as one gos up the Stayres is very remarkable: Next we walked to Magdalen Coll: where we saw the Library & Chapell, which was likewise in pontifical order, the Altar onely I think turn’d Table-wise: & there was still the double Organ, which abominations (as now esteem’d) were almost universaly demolish’d: Mr. Gibbon that famous Musitian, giving us a tast of his skill & Talent on that Instrument: Hence we went to the Physick Garden, where the Sensitive [& Humble] plant was shew’d us for a greate wonder. There Grew Canes, Olive Tres, Rhubarb, but no extraordinary curiosities, besides very good fruit, which when the Ladys had tasted, we return’d in a Coach to our Lodging.

13 We all din’d, at that most obliging & universaly Curious Dr. Wilkins's, at Waddum, who was the first who shew'd me the Transparant Apiaries,[*]One type is described by Wren in a letter dated 26 Feb. 1654/5 to Samuel Hartlib (below, p. 162), printed in The reformed commonwealth of bees. Presented in severall letters ... to Sammuel Hartlib Esq., 1655 ' pp. 50-1; diagram p. 52; another type described (by Hartlib?), p. 56. (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 110, n. 1) which he had built like Castles & Palaces & so ordered them one upon another, as to take the Hony without destroying the Bees; These were adorn'd with variety of Dials, little Statues, Vanes &c: very ornamental, & he was so aboundantly civill, as finding me pleasd with them, to present me one of these Hives, which he had empty, & which I afterwards had in my Garden at Says-Court, many Yeares after; & which his Majestie came on purpose to see & contemplate with much satisfaction[*]Charles II visited Sayes Court on 30 April 1663: notice below. Pepys saw this hive on 5 May 1665 (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 110, n. 2): He had also contrivd an hollow Statue which gave a Voice, & utterd words, by a long & conceald pipe which went to its mouth, whilst one spake thro it, at a good distance, & which at first was very Surprizing: He had above in his Gallery & Lodgings variety of Shadows, Dyals, Perspe[c]tives, places to introduce the Species,[*]This refers to Wilkins's preparatory work for his Essay towards a real character, and a philosophical language, 1668. The language was to be composed not of words but of notions; for its creation it was necessary to find out 'all the sorts of simple notions'; a 'species' similar to those used in algebra to denote quantities could then be used to designate each notion. Wilkins was at this time working under the influence of Seth Ward: [Seth Ward], Vindicicae academiarum, 1654, pp. 19-22; epistle to the reader, prefixed to Wilkins's Essay; Plot, Oxfordishire, pp. 282-5; OED., s.v. Species 8b. (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 110, n. 3) & many other artif[i]cial, mathematical, Magical curiosities: A Way-Wiser,[*]An instrument for measuring and indicating a distance travelled by road; it is one of the '20 Ingenuities' recently discovered mentioned in Samuel Hartlib, His Legacie (see above, pp. 85-6 n.); see also 0ED. A way-wiser given by Wilkins to the Royal Society is described by N. Grew, Musaeum Regalis Societatis (below, 2 April 1666, n.), pp. 360-1. (Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 110, n. 4) a Thermometer; a monstrous Magnes, Conic & other Sections, a Balance on a demie Circle, most of them of his owne & that prodigious young Scholar, Mr. Chr: Wren, who presented me with a piece of White marble he had stained with a lively red very deepe, as beautifull as if it had ben natural.[*]Wood claims the discovery of 'the paynting or stayning of marble' for an Oxford stone-cutter named William Bird (Byrd), c. 1658: Life and Times, i. 241; see also Philosophical transactions, i (1665), 125-7; and Plot, Oxford-shire, p. 277. ( Diary, ed. de Beer, vol. 3, p. 111, n. 1) Thus satisfied with the Civilities of Oxford …

And in the Anatomy School; among other Curiosities, they shew the Skeleton of a Woman, who had 10 Husbands successively, and was Hanged at 36 years of Age, for the Murther of 4 of them.

The Theatre] is a very Magnificent and curious Structure worthy of observation. It was Built at the Charge of Dr. Gilbert Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury; who left also about 50 l. per Ann. for its perpetual Reparation.

Here you have Grecian and Roman Antiquities, of great value, and other Curiosities given by Henry Howard Earl of Arundel.

Also a Repository Built by the University, where is a curious Collection of Natural and Artificial Rarities, given chiefly by Elias Ashmole Esq; who gave likewise an Excellent Collection of Manuscripts made by himself, and the Ingenious Sr. William Dugdale; you have also here a Chymical Laboratory, and a Printing-Press.