[AB] In his retirement during this year at Chalk, Aubrey tried his hand at play-making. Writing to Anthony Wood on Oct. 26, 1671, MS. Wood, F. 39, fol. 141v, he says:—
'I am writing a comedy for Thomas Shadwell, which I have now almost finished since I came here, et quorum pars magna fui. And I shall fit him with another, The Countrey Revell, both humours untoucht, but of this, mum! for 'tis very satyricall against some of my mischievous enemies which I in my tumbling up and downe have collected.'
Of the first of these comedies, the autobiographical one, I have found no trace: of the second, satirizing the men and manners of Wiltshire, a very rude draft is found in MS. Aubr. 21.
[AC] In MS. Aubr. 23, fol. 113 is a note (dated 1672/3) from Henry Coley, addressed:—
'For his much honoured friend Mr. John Aubrey, at the right honourable the earle of Thanet's house at Hethfield in Kent, these present.'
The letter states that the writer has forwarded letters to and from Aubrey; and concludes: 'you are much wanted at London, and dayly expected, and therefore I hope you will not be long absent. Interest calls for your appearance.'
[AD] i.e. which followed after this bleeding. Bleeding at the nose was thought ominous: see Clark's Wood's Life and Times, iii. 289, note 1.
[AE] In MS. Aubr. 26, p. 17 is this note:—'The earle of Abington to buy of Captain Poyntz the propriety of the island of Tobago, now regnante Gulielmo III.'
[AF] Aubrey before this time had planned to retrieve his ruined fortunes by colonial schemes: e.g., MS. Aubr. 26, p. 46:—'1676: from Sir William Petty—<in> Jamaica 500 li. gives 100 per annum: take a chymist with me, for brandy, suger, etc., and goe halfe with him.'
[AG] In consequence of this grant, Aubrey seriously thought of emigrating. MS. Aubr. 26, p. 14:—