[228]Thomas Merry, esq., a great algebrist and a great Whig, dyed at Westminster Octob.... 1682, and lies in the vault of his grandfather at Waltham-Stowe in Essex.
Sir Hugh Middleton (1555-1631).
[229]From Dr. Hugh Chamberlayn, M.D.—that King James took a moiety of the profitts of the New River from Sir Hugh Middleton. Some say 'twas in consideration of money advanced by the king; but this is not certain. He did indeed reconvey this back to him and his heires, etc., for a rent of 500 li. per annum, which is duly payd, but I think graunted him from his majestie.
[230]This Sir Hugh Middleton had his picture in Gold-smyths' hall with a waterpott by him, as if he had been the sole inventor. Mr. Fabian Philips sawe Ingolbert[231] afterwards, in a poore rug-gowne like an almesman, sitting by an applewoman at the Parliament stayres.
[232]Memorandum that now (1681/2) London is growne so populous and big that the New River of Middleton can serve the pipes to private houses but twice a weeke.—quod N. B.
John Milton (1608-1674).
<This life is found in MS. Aubr. 8, foll. 63-68v. Aubrey's notes for it were at first very slight, but were increased by information afterwards obtained from Milton's widow, from his brother Christopher, and from his nephew Edward Phillips. In the life as now printed these later notes, brought in very disjointedly into the MS., have been set in their proper places.
When he first began writing his 'Lives,' Aubrey set aside fol. 103v of MS. Aubr. 6 (opposite the life of Andrew Marvell) for Milton, writing the heading 'Mr. John Milton' and in the margin drawing a wreath of laurel, for a poet. Afterwards he scored the heading out, and added the reference, 'vide part iiid.' i.e. MS. Aubr. 8. Again, in MS. Aubr. 8, he at first set aside fol. 93 for the life of 'Mr. John Milton,' but afterwards scored the heading out, and wrote there the life of Dr. John Overall.