Introduction 



forbids our discussing the pros and cons here, the more so as the 

 matter is of no great importance, for even if the letters were proved 

 to be Walton's, the fact could hardly persuade one that they are 

 exciting to read. 



In 1680, however, it is certain that Walton did no great service to 

 the memory of Ben Jonson by sending the following data, or rather 

 gossip, to his friend Aubrey, the antiquary, who it would appear, had 

 applied to him for the information. 



FFOR YR FFRIENDS Q U * THIS. 



I only knew Ben Jonson : But my Lord of Winton knew him very 

 well ; and says, he was in the 6, that is, the uppermost fforme in West- 

 minster scole, at which time his father dyed, and his mother married a 

 bricklayer, who made him (much against his will) help him in his trade; 

 but in a short time, his scolemaister, Mr. Camden, got him a better 

 imployment, which was to attend or accompany a son of Sir Walter 

 Rauley's on his travills. Within a short time after their return, they 

 parted (I think not in cole bloud) and with a love sutable to what they 

 had in their travilles (not to be commended). And then Ben began to 

 set up for himself in the trade by which he got his subsistance and fame, 

 of which I need not give any account. He got in time to have a 100^ 

 a yeare from the King, also a pension from the cittie, and the like from 

 many of the nobilitie and some of the gentry, w ch was well pay'd, for 

 love or fere of his railing in verse, or prose, or boeth. My lord told me, 

 he told him he was (in his long retyrement and sickness, when he saw 

 him, which was often) much afflickted, that he had profained the 

 Scripture in his playes, and lamented it with horror : yet that, at that 

 time of his long retyrement, his pension (so much as came in) was giuen 

 to a woman that gouern'd him (with whome he liv'd and dyed near the 

 Abie in Westminster) ; and that nether he nor she tooke too much care 

 for next weike : and wood be sure not to want wine, of w ch he usually 

 tooke too much before he went to bed, if not oftener and soner. My 

 Lord tells me, he knowes not, but thinks he was born in Westminster. 

 The question may be put to Mr. Wood very easily upon what grounds 

 he is positive as to his being born their ; he is a friendly man, and will 

 resolve it. So much for braue Ben. You will not think the rest so 

 tedyous as I doe this 



I. W. 



Noil". 22, 80. 



Ivii 



