[CXVII.] The burghesses give a schoolmaster X li. per annum out of their....
[CXVIII.] Aubrey queries—'Will not this give offence?'—Anthony Wood replies—'Perhaps no.'—MS. Aubr. 9, fol. 42v.
<Controversy with Dr. John Fell.>
[1674[1390]. Anno[1391] Domini 1674 Mr. Anthony à Wood sett forth an elaborate worke of eleven[1392] yeares study, intituled the History and Antiquities of the University of Oxford, wherin, in every respective Colledge and Hall, he mentions the writers there educated and what bookes they wrote. The deane of Christ Church having plenipotentiary[1393] power of the presse there], perused every sheet before 'twas to be sent to the presse[1394]; and maugre the author and to his[1395] sore displeasure did expunge and inserted what he pleased. Among other authors[CXIX.], he made divers alterations in Mr. Wood's copie in the account he gives of Mr. T. Hobbes of Malmesbury's life, in pag. 444, 445[1396], Lib. II—
[CXIX.] Memorandum—bishop John Fell did not only expunge and insert what he pleased in Mr. Hobbes' life; but also in the lives of other very learned men, to their disparagement, particularly of Dr. John Prideaux, afterwards bishop of Worcester, and in the life of Dr. <William> Twiss.—MS. Aubr. 9, fol. 48v.
'Vir sane de quo (inter tot prosperae et adversae famae qui de eo sparguntur hominum sermones) hoc verissime pronuntiare fas est, animum ipsi obtigisse, uti omnis scientiae capacissimum et infertum, ita divitiarum, saeculi, et invidiae negligentissimum; erga cognatos et alios pium et beneficum; inter eos quibuscum vixit, hilarem et apertum, et sermone libero; apud exteros in summa semper veneratione habitum,' &c.; this and much more was quite dashed out of the author's copie by the sayd deane.
[1397]These[CXX.] additions and expunctions being made by the sayd deane of Christ Church, without[1398] the knowledge or advice of the authour and quite contrary to his mind, he told him it was fitt Mr. Hobbes should know it[1399], because that his name being set to the booke and all people knowing it to be his, he should be liable to an answer, and so consequently be in perpetuall controversie. To this the deane replied, 'Yea, in God's name; and great reason it was that he should know what he had done, and what he had donne he would answer for,' etc.
[CXX.] Me thinkes[1400] page [15] might be something extracted and abridged; but doe you consider of it.
1674. Hereupon[1401], the author acquaints[1402]J. A., Mr. Hobbes's correspondent, with all that had passed; J. A. acquaints Mr. Hobbes. Mr. Hobbes takeing it ill, was resolved to vindicate himselfe in an Epistle to the Author. Accordingly an epistle, dated Apr. 20, 1674, was sent to the author in MS., with an intention to publish it when the History of Oxford was to be published. Upon the reciept of Mr. Hobbes's Epistle by Anthony à Wood, he forthwith repaired, very honestly and without any guile, to the dean of Christ Church to communicate it to him[1403]. The deane read it over carelesly, and not without scorne, and when he had donne, bid Mr. Wood tell Mr. Hobbes, 'that he was an old man, had one foote in the grave, that he should mind his latter end, and not trouble the world any more with his papers,' etc., or to that effect.