Miscellanies upon the following subjects collected by J. Aubrey, Esq.

CHAP. XII.

Miranda.

OUR English Chronicles do Record, That in the Reign of King Henry III. a Child was Born in Kent, that at Two Years old Cured all Diseases. Several Persons have been Cured of the Kings-Evil by the touching, or handling of a Seventh Son. (It must be a seventh Son, and no Daughter between, and in pure Wedlock.)

Samuel Scot, seventh Son of Mr. William Scot of Hedington in Wiltshire, did when a Child, wonderful Cures by touching only, viz. as to the Kings-evil, Wenns, &c. but as he grew to be a Man the Vertue did de∣crease, and had he Lived longer, perhaps might have been spent. A servant Boy of his Fathers was also a seventh Son; but he could do no Cures at all. I am very well satisfied of the truth of this Relation, for I knew him very well, and his Mother was my Kinswoman.

'Tis certain, the Touch of a dead Hand, hath wrought Wonderful Effects, e.g.—

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one (a Painter) of Stowel in Somersetshire near Bridgewater, had a Wenn in the inside of his Cheek, as big as a Pullets Egg, which by the advice of one was Cur'd by once or twice Touching or Rubbing with a dead Womans Hand, (è contra, to Cure a Wo∣man, a dead Man's Hand) He was directed first to say the Lord's Prayer, and to beg a Blessing. He was perfectly Cured in a few Weeks. I was at the Man's House who at∣tested it to me, as also to the Reverend Mr. Andrew Paschal, who went with me.

Mr. Davys Mell (the famous Violinist, and Clock-maker) had a Child Crook-back'd, that was Cured after the manner aforesaid, which Dr. Ridgely M. D. of the College of Physitians, averr'd in my hearing.

The Curing of the Kings-evil by the Touch of the King, does much puzzel our Philosophers: For whether our Kings were of the House of York, or Lancaster, it did the Cure (i. e.) for the most part. ('Tis true indeed at the Touching there are Prayers Read, but perhaps, neither the King attends them nor his Chaplains.)

In Somersetshire, 'tis confidently reported, that some were Cured of the Kings-evil, by the Touch of the Duke of Monmouth: The Lord Chancellor Bacon saith,

That Imagi∣nation is next Kin to Miracle-working Faith.

When King Charles I. was Prisoner at Carisbrook Castle, there was a Woman Touched by him, who had the Kings-evil in her Eye, and had not seen in a Fortnight before, her Eye-lids being glued together: As they were at Prayers (after the Touch∣ing) the Womans Eyes opened. Mr. Sey∣mer Bowman, with many others were Eye∣witnesses of this.

At Stretton in Herefordshire in Anno. 1648. when King Charles I. was Prisoner, the Tenant of the Mannor-house there, sold excellent Cider to Gentlemen of the Neigh∣bourhood; where they met privately, and could Discourse freely, and be merry, in those Days so troublesome to the Loyal Par∣ty. Among others that met, there was old Mr. Hill B. D. Parson of the Parish, Quondam Fellow of Brason-nose College in Oxford: This Venerable good old Man, one Day (after his accustomed fashion) stand∣ing up, with his Head uncover'd to Drink his Majesties Health, saying, God bless our gracious Sovereign, as he was going to put the Cup to his Lips, a Swallow flew in at the Window, and pitched on the brim of the little Earthen-cup (not half a Pint) and sipt, and so flew out again. This was in the presence of the aforesaid Parson Hill, Major Gwillim, and two or three more, that I knew very well then, my Neighbours, and whose joint Testimony of it I have had more

than once, in that very Room. It was in the Bay-window in the Parlour there; Mr. Hill's Back was next to the Window. I cannot doubt of the veracity of the Witnesses. This is Printed in some Book that I have seen, I think in Dr. Fuller's Worthies. The Cup is preserved there still, as a Rarity.

In Dr. Bolton's Sermons is an Account of the Lady Honywood, who despaired of her Salvation. Dr. Bolton endeavour'd to com∣fort her: Said she, (holding a Venice-glass in her Hand) I shall as certainly be Damned, as this Glass will be broken: And at that word, threw it hard on the Ground; and the Glass remained sound; which did give her great comfort. The Glass is yet pre∣served among the Cimelia of the Family. This Lady lived to see Descended from her (I think) Ninety, which is mentioned by Dr. Bolton.

William Backhouse of Swallowfield in Berk∣shire Esq had an ugly Scab that grew on the middle of his Forehead, which had been there for some Years, and he could not be Cured; it became so nauseous, that he would see none but his intimate Friends: He was a Learned Gentleman, a Chimist and Antiquary: His custom was, once eve∣ry Summer to Travel to see Cathedrals, Ab∣beys, Castles, &c. In his Journey, being come to Peterborough, he dreamt there, that he was in a Church and saw a Hearse, and

that one did bid him wet his Scab, with the drops of the Marble. The next Day he went to Morning-Service, and afterwards going about the Church, saw the very Hearse (which was of Black Say, for Queen Katharine, Wife to King Henry VIII.) and the Marble Grave-Stone by. He found drops on the Marble, and there were some Cavi∣ties wherein he dip'd his Finger, and wet∣ted the Scab: In Seven Days it was per∣fectly Cured. This accurate and certain Information, I had from my worthy Friend Elias Ashmole Esq who called Mr. Backhouse Father, and had this Account from his own Mouth. (May Dew is a great Dis∣solvent.)

Arise Evans had a fungous Nose, and said, it was reveal'd to him, that the King's Hand would Cure him: And at the first coming of King Charles II. into St. Iames's Park he Kiss'd the King's Hand, and rubb'd his Nose with it; which disturb'd the King, but Cured him. Mr. Ashmole told me.

An Advertisement.

A true Relation of the Wonderful Cure of Mary Maillard (Lame almost ever since she was Born) on Sunday the 26th of No∣vember 1693.

With the Affidavits and Certificats of the Girle, and several other credible and worthy Persons, who knew her both before and since her being Cured. To which is added, A

Letter from Dr. Wellwood, to the Right Ho∣nourable the Lady Mayoress, upon that Sub∣ject. London, Printed for Richard Baldwin, near the Oxford-Arms in Warwick-lane. 1694.

A Narrative of the late extraordinary Cure, wrought in an instant upon Mrs. Eliz. Savage (Lame from her Birth) with∣out the using of any Natural means.

With the Affidavits which were made be∣fore the Right Honourable the Lord Major; and the Certificates of several Credible Per∣sons, who knew her both before and since her Cure.

Enquired into with all its Circum∣stances, by Noted Divines, both of the Church of England, and others: And by Eminent Physitians of the College: And many Persons of Quality, who have ex∣pressed their full satisfaction.

With an Appendix, attempting to prove, that Miracles are not ceased. London, Prin∣ted for Iohn Dunton at the Raven, and Iohn Harris at the Harrow in the Poultry. 1694.