12 AUBREY'S NATURAL, HISTORY OF WILTSHIRE. 



The astrologers and historians write that the ascendant as of Oxford is Capricornus, whose lord is 

 Saturn, a religious planet, and patron of religious men. If it be so, surely this influence runnes all 

 along through North Wilts, the vale of Glocestershire, and Somersetshire. In all changes of religions 

 they are more zealous than other ; where in the tune of the Rome-Catholique religion there were 

 more and better churches and religious houses founded than any other part of England could shew, 

 they are now the greatest fanaticks, even to spirituall madness : e. g. the multitude of enthusiastes. 

 Capt, Stokes, in his " Wiltshire Rant," printed about 1650, recites y 8 strangest extravagancies of 

 religion that were ever heard of since the time of the Gnosticks. The rich wett soile makes 

 them hypochondricall. 



" Thus wind i' th Hypochondrias pent, 

 Proves but a blast, if downwards sent ; 

 But if it upward chance to file 

 Becomes new light and prophecy." HUDIBEAS. 



[The work above referred to bears the following title: "The Wiltshire Rant, or a Narrative of the 

 Prophane Actings and Evil Speakings of Thomas Webbe, Minister of Langley Burrell, &c. By 

 Edward Stokes." 4 to. Lond. 1652. J. B.] 



The Norfolk aire is cleare and fine. Indigensc, good clear witts, subtile, and the most litigious of 

 England : they carry Littleton's Tenures at the plough taile. Sir Thorn. Browne, M. D., of Norwich, 

 told me that their eies in that countrey doe quickly decay ; which he imputes to the clearness and 

 driness ( subtleness) of the aire. Wormwood growes the most plentifully there of any part of England ; 

 which the London apothecaries doe send for. 



Memorandum. That North Wiltshire is very worme-woodish and more litigious than South 

 Wilts. 



