[AK] The first draft, in MS. Aubr. 7, fol. 20, runs:—
'His father was then a prisoner at the King's bench; by the advantage of his son's industry, raysed a small some of money, which he adventured in the lottery (in such a yeare ...—since 1600—quaere annum) for the advancement of the plantation in Virginia: but he gott out of prison by this meanes. His motto was
I am a poor prisoner, God wott:
God send me a good lott[460]
I'le come out of prison and pay all my debt.
It so happened that he had a very good lott, that pay<d> all his debt.'
[AL] Aubrey came near being employed on this survey. Writing on Aug. 12, 1672, MS. Wood F. 39, fol. 181, he says:—
'I had gone sooner into Kent, but Dr. Wren, my deare friend, without my knowledge contrived an employment for me, which he referred to me to consider of it. So I shall till Michaelmas terme.
'Tis this.—Mr. Ogilby is writing the history of all England: the map is mending already. Now the Dr. told him if that were all, it would be no very great matter. He was pleased to tell him that he could not meet with a fitter man for that turne then J. A. Now it's true it suites well enough with my genius; but he is a cunning Scott, and I must deale warily with him, with the advice of my friends. It will be February next before I begin, and then between that and November followeing I must <s>curry over all England and Wales.... The king will give me protection and letters to make any inquiries, or etc.'