The reason for this title was that Aubrey intended his Collections to be a sort of commentary on Hobbes' short Latin autobiography, which was in the press in Febr. 1679/80, and was published in Nov. 1680 (Clark's Wood's Life and Times, ii. 480, 500).
But Anthony Wood (MS. Aubr. 9, fol. 28) objected:—'What need you say Supplimentum?' sic 'pray say the life of Thomas Hobbs.' And Aubrey, in obedience to this, changed the short title on fol. 30 (see the beginning of the life); and on the parchment cover of the MS. (now fol. 1) wrote:—
'The life of
Mr. Thomas Hobbes,
of Malmsbury,
by
Mr. John Aubrey,
Fellow of the Royall Societie,
1679/80.'
Aubrey set about this Life of Hobbes immediately after Hobbes' death, partly as a tribute of respect to his friend's memory, but apparently also in fulfilment of a promise to the deceased. The preface[41] is as follows:—
'Lectori.
'Tis religion to performe the will of the dead; which I here[42] dischardge, with my promise (1667) to my old friend Mr. T<homas> H<obbes>, in publishing[43] his life and performing the last office to my old[44] friend Mr. Thomas Hobbes, whom I have had the honour to know <from> my child-hood[45], being his countreyman and borne in Malmesbury hundred and taught my grammar by his schoolmaster[46].
Since nobody knew so many particulars of his life as myselfe, he was willing[47] that if I survived him, it should be handed to posterity by my hands, which I declare and avow to do ingenuously and impartially, to prevent misreports and undecieve those who are scandalized by....
One sayes[48] that when a learned man dyes, a great deal of learning dyes with him. He was 'flumen ingenii,' never dry. The recrementa[49] of so learned a person are[50] valueable[I.]. Amongst innumerable observables of him which had deserved to be sett downe, these few (that have not scap't[51] my memory) I humbly offer[52] to the present age and posterity, tanquam tabulam naufragii[II.], and as plankes and lighter things swimme, and are preserved, where the more weighty sinke and are lost. And[53] as with the light after sun-sett—at which time, clear[54]; by and by[55], comes the crepusculum; then, totall darkenes—in like manner is it with matters of antiquitie. Men thinke, because every body remembers a memorable accident shortly after 'tis donne, 'twill never be forgotten, which for want of registring[56], at last is drowned in oblivion. Which[57] reflection haz been a hint, that by my meanes many antiquities have been reskued[58], and preserved (I myselfe now inclining[59] to be ancient[60])—or els utterly lost and forgotten.
[I.] We read that an earthen lamp of a philosopher (quaere nomen) hath been sold for....
[II.] Vide Erasmi Adagia and quaere Dr. <Richard> Bl<ackburne>.