nius led him to the mathem. and he was wont to be reading of Clavius upon Euclid. The old Dr. had found in the title: ...... e Societate Jesu; and was much scandalized at it: sayd he, " By all meanes leave off this author, and read Protestant Mathematicall bookes." One sent this Doctor a pidgeon-pye, from New-market, or thereabout, and he asked the bearer, whether it was hott or cold? He did out-doe Dr. Kettle.

P

"TIS religion to performe the will of the dead. I therefore dischardge my promise, performing the last office to my hond friend Mr. T. H. Since nobody knew so many particulars of his life as myselfe, he desired that if I survived him, it should be handed to posterity by my hands, wch I declare and avow to doe ingenuously and impartially. One sayes that when a learned man dyes,

* [As this Life is much longer than any of the rest, and in the original is written in a separate book, it was thought advisable in this publication, to let it stand by itself, and not in alphabetical order among the preceding Lives, in which it would otherwise have appeared. EDIT.]

VOL. II.

a great deale of learning dyes with him. He was flumen ingenii, never dry. Amongst innumerable observations which deserved to be sett downe, these few that have not escaped my memory, I humbly offer to the present age and posterity, tanquam tabulam naufragii; as plankes and lighter things swimme, and are preserved, whereas the more weighty sinke and are lost. And as with the light after sun-sett, at which time it is clear, by and by comes the crepuscule, then totall darkness; in like manner is it with matters of antiquitie. Men thinke, because every body remembers a memorable accident shortly after it is done, 'twill never be forgotten, web for want of entering, at last is drowned in oblivion. This reflection has been a hint, that by my meanes many antiquities have been rescued from oblivion and preserved, I myselfe now inclining to be ancient.

For that I am so minute, I declare I never intended it, but setting downe in my rude draught every thing, with purpose, upon review, to retrench what was superfluous and triviall, I shewed it to some friends of mine (who also were of Mr. Hobbes's acquaintance) whose judgements I much value; who gave their opinion, and 'twas clearly their judgement, to let all stand; for though to some at present it might appeare too triviall; yet hereafter 'twould not be slighted, but passe for antiquity. And besides I have pre

cedents of reverend writers to plead, who have in some lives veiled things as triviall, nay, the sayings and actions of good woemen. I am also to beg pardon of the Reader, for a long digression, viz. Malmesbury and Gorambery, but this also was advised, as the only way to preserve them. I hope its novelty and pleasantness will make compensation for its length.

Yours,

J. A.

It was usual with the writers of the lives of the ancient philosophers, in the first place, to speake of their lineage; and they tell us that in processe of time severall illustrious families accounted it their glory to be derived from such or such a Sapiens. Why now should that method be omitted in this Historiola of our Malmesbury Philosopher, who though but of plebeian extraction, his renowne has and will give brightnesse to his name and familie, which hereafter may arise and flourish in riches, and may justly take it an honour to be of kin to this worthy person, so famous for his learning, both at home and abroad.

THOMAS HOBBES, whose life I write, was second son of Mr. Thomas Hobbes, vicar of Charlton and Westport, juxta Malmesbury.Thomas, the father, was one of the ignorant S ૨૨2

Johns of Q. Elizabeth's time, could only read the prayers of the church, and the homilies; and valued not learning, as not knowing the sweetness of it. He had an elder brother whose name was Francis, a wealthy man, and alderman of the borough; by profession a glover, which is a great trade here, and in times past much greater. Having no child, he contributed much to, or rather altogether maintained, his nephew Thomas, at Magdalen-hall, in Oxon; and when he dyed gave him agellum, a pasture, called Gasten-t ground, lying neer to the horse-faire, worth 16 or 18 poundes per annum; the rest of his landes he gave to his nephew Edmund.

Thomas, the vicar of Westport, maried. . . . . Middleton, of Brackenborough, (of a yeomanly family) by whom he had two sonnes, and one daughter. Edmund, his eldest, was bred up to his uncle's profession of a glover. Edmund was about two yeares elder than his brother Thomas (philosopher), whose life I now write, and something resembled him in face, but fell much short

* Alderman is the title of the chief magistrate here. + In Hexham's Dutch Dict. Gast signifies a guest,' so that Gasten-ground will be the ground for the guests;' probably to put the horses of the guests, that came to lye at the abbey, to grass. They speake broad in our country, and do pronounce guest, gast. Monasteries had their guest-halls; and it should seem, they had likewise their guest-grounds for the strangers' horses.