'Then,[1323] when I see the gentlemen of Gresham Colledge apply themselves to the doctrine of motion (as Mr. Hobbes has done, and will be ready to helpe them in it, if they please, and so long as they use him civilly), I will looke to know some causes of naturall events from them, and their register, and not before; for nature does nothing but by motion.
'The reason given by him, why the drop of glasse so much wondred at shivers into so many pieces by breaking only one small part of it, is approved for probable by the Royall Societie and registred in their colledge:[CV.] but he has no reason to take it for a favour, because hereafter the invention may be taken, by that means, not for his, but theirs.'—p. [55].
[CV.] This clause I leave to your judgment, if not fitt to be left out.—MS. Aubr. 9, fol. 38v.
'As for his selfe-prayse[CVI.], they can have very little skill in morality, that cannot see the justice of commending a man's selfe, as well as of any thing else, in his own defence.'—p. [57].
[CVI.] Should these excerpts of his moralls come in here, or rather be cast-after to another place?—MS. Aubr. 9, fol. 38v.
'Then for his morosity and peevishnesse, with which some asperse him, all that know him familiarly, know the contrary. 'Tis true that when vain and ignorant young scholars, unknowne to him before, come to him on purpose to argue with him, and fall into undiscreet and uncivill expressions, and he then appeare not well contented, 'twas not his morosity, but their vanity, which should be blamed.'—<Mr. Hobbes considered> p. [59].
<Residence in Paris.>
[1324]During his stay at Paris he went through a course of chymistry with Dr. ... Davison; and he there also studied Vesalius's Anatomie. This I am sure was before 1648; for that Sir William Petty (then Dr. Petty, physitian) studyed and dissected with him. Vide pag. 18b. A. W.[1325]
<Return to England.>
[1326]Anno 165-[CVII.], he returned into England, and lived most part[CVIII.] in London, in Fetter lane, where he writt, or finished, his booke De Corpore, ...[1327], in Latin and then in English; and writt his lessons against the two Savillian professors at Oxon[1328], etc.; vide the anno Domini when printed. (Puto 1655 or 56.)