In the meane time Mr. Hobbes meetes with the king in the Pall-mall, in St. James's parke; tells him how he had been served by the deane of Christ Church, in a booke then in the presse (scilicet the 'History' aforesayd), intituled the History and Antiquities of the Universitie of Oxon, and withall desires his majestie to be pleased to give him leave to vindicate himselfe. The king seeming to be troubled at the dealing of the deane, gave Mr. Hobbes leave, conditionally that he touch no-body but him who had abused him, neither that he should reflect upon the Universitie.
Mr. Hobbes understanding that this History would be published at the common Act at Oxon, about 11 July, the said yeare 1674, prints his Epistle[1404] at London, and sends downe divers copies to Oxon, which being dispersed at coffee-houses and stationers' shops, a copie forthwith came to the deane's hands, who upon the reading of it fretted and fumed[1405], sent[1406] for the author of the History and chid him, telling withall that he had corresponded with his enemie (Hobbes). The author replied that surely he had forgot what he had donne, for he had communicated to him before what Mr. Hobbes had sayd and written; wherupon the deane recollecting himselfe, told him that Hobbes should suddenly heare more of him[1407]; so that the last sheete[1408] of paper being then in the presse and one leafe thereof being left vacant, the deane supplied it with this answer. Both the epistle and answer I here exhibite.
[1409]Here insert the Epistle[1410] and Answer[1411].
To this angry[1412] answer the old gentleman never[1413] made any reply, but slighted[1414] the Dr's passion and forgave it. But 'tis supposed it might be the cause why Mr. Hobbes was not afterwards so indulgent, or spared the lesse to speake his opinion, concerning the Universities and how much their doctrine and method had contributed to the late troubles [e.g. in his History of the Civill Warre].
<Withdraws to Derbyshire.>
1675, mense ..., he left London cum animo nunquam revertendi, and spent the remaynder of his dayes in Derbyshire with the earl of Devonshire at Chatsworth and Hardwyck, in contemplation and study. He wrote there[1415] ... (vide vitam).
<His death and burial.>
[1416]Then[1417], <insert an account of> his sicknesse, death, buriall and place, and epitaph, which send for[1418].
[1419]Extracted out of the executor's lettre (January 16, 1679) to me:—
'To his highly honoured friend, Jo. Aubrey, esq., these.'—