Casaubon’s postscript and note to the reader

POSTCRIPT.

SInce this Preface was written, and almost printed, I was shewed a Book, entituled, Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum, &c. by Elias Ashmole Esq and in some Annotations there, at the end, an account concerning Dr. Dee and Edw. Kelley, (there stiled Sir Edward Kelley) out of a Diary of Dr. Dees, all written with his own hand: As I do not question the Gentlemans fidelity in this business, so I make as little question but Dr. Dee's own hand will be found to agree in all matters of Fact both here and there, if any shall take the pains to compare. And it may be the Reader may receive some further satisfaction in some particulars by his labor, which is the reason that I mention the Book here, being but lately come to my knowledge; His Judgement either concerning Dr. Dee, or Kelley, I meddle not with; and it may be, had he seen what is here to be seen, he would have been of another opinion in some things: Here is enough, I am sure, to satisfie any man that is not very much preoccupied, or otherwise engaged by particular ends. As for those Reports concerning Kelley, (some whereof concern Dr. Dee also) he tells us of; as I believe him, that he hath heard so, so I must (and may truly) profess, that I have met with far contrary, and in my judgement, and by this account here given us by Dr. Dee, much more probable: And particularly, that Kelley was put in Prison by the Emperor, for a notable Chymical cheat that he had put upon him; the particulars whereof, though they were fully related unto me, yet I will not adventure upon, lest I mistake in some terms of art, or petty circumstance of fact. And let the Reader judge by that account, Dr. Dee (who best knew) doth give us here throughout the whole Book of this Kelley, whether Wevers Story in his Funeral Monum. pag. 45, 46. of damnable Necromancy, and other Diabolical Conjuration, practised by Kelley in Lancashire, be not (besides what is there said and attested) much more probable, then any thing that hath been or can be said by others, to his justification or commendation: Which indeed doth make Doctor Dee's case altogether inexcusable, that believing and knowing the man to be such a one, he would have to do with him, and expected good by his Ministeries; but that the Doctor his Faith, and his intellectualls (through Gods just judgement, as we have said) were so much in the power and government of his Spirits, that they might perswade him to any thing, under colour of doing service unto God, yea had it been to cut his own Fathers throat, as we see in the Relation, that they perswaded him to lie with another mans Wife, and prostitute his own to a vile, and, by himself belived, Diabolical man.

Besides, I have been told by many, that Dr. Dee, very poor and every way miserable, dyed at Mortlack, here about London, which doth not seem to agree with the report in those Annotations: But enough of them: Neither indeed have I said any thing at all of purpose to oppose the Author, but to give this further satisfaction to the Reader, or rather to the truth, which I thought I was bound to do.

The passage in Wevers Funeral Monuments, pag. 45, 46. concerning Kelley, for their satisfaction that have not the Book, is this; Kelley, (otherwise called Talbot) that famous English Alchymist of our times, who flying out of his own Countrey (after he had lost both his ears at Lancaster) was entertained by Rodolph the second, and last of that Christian name, Emperor of Germany; for whom Elizabeth of famous memory, sent (very secretly) Captain Peter Gwyn, with some others, to perswade him to return back to his own Native home, which he was willing to do; and thinking to escape away in the night, by stealth, as he was clammering over a Wall in his own House in Pragne (which bears his name to this day, and sometimes was an old Sanctuary) he sell down from the Battlements, broke his leggs, and bruised his body, of which hurts within a while after, he departed this World.

Sed quorsum haec? you will say: Then thus, This Diabolical questioning of the dead, for the knowledge of future accidents, was put in practice by the said Kelley, who upon a certain Night, in the Park of Walton in le dale, in the County of Lancaster, with one Paul Waring, (his fellow-companion in such Deeds of darkness) invocated some one of the Infernal Regiment, to know certain passages in the life, as also what might be known by the Divels foresight, of the manner and time of the death of a Noble yong Gentleman, as then in Wardship. The Black Ceremonies of that Night being ended, Kelley demanded of one of the Gentlemans servants, what Corse was the last buryed in Law Church-yard, a Church thereunto adjoyning, who told him of a poor man that was buryed there but the same day: He and the said Waring, intreated this foresaid servant to go with them to the Grave of the man so lately interred, which he did; and withal, did help them to dig up the Carcase of the poor Catiff, whom by their Incantations, they made him (or rather some evil Spirit through his Organs) to speak, who delivered strange Predictions concerning the said Gentleman. I was told thus much by the said Serving-man, a Secondary Actor in that dismal abhorred business; and divers Gentlemen and others are now living in Lancashire, to whom he hath related this Story. And the Gentlemen himself (whose memory I am bound to honor) told me a little before his death, of this Conjuration by Kelley, as he had it by relation from his said Servant and Tenant, onely some circumstances excepted, which he thought not fitting to come to his Masters knowledge.

INstead of other Approbation: the Reader (besides the judgement of the late Arch-Bishop of Armagh: for his Piety and Learning so famous every where; spoken of in the Preface, first page of it: and the judgement of divers others, that read the Book Manuscript, and wished it printed:) may consider, how sollicitous the Devil hath been, when he saw his plots (God opposing) not likely to take effect; that these Mysteries (these Papers and Records) might not come to light. First, by p. 418. and p. 431. (Doctor Dee's Letter to the Popes Nuncio) and some other places of the Book, it doth appear, that they were all burnt, by command; though some afterwards (upon appearance of better hopes) strangely restored again. Again, Part II p. 21. is that horrible imprecation; whereof more in the Table. Lastly, these remaining Papers and Records, here exhibited, were under ground, God knows how long: and since that, though carefully preserved, were even at the very last, when the worthy Owner took care, and was at the cost to have them transcribed: and so at the last, (not unluckily, I hope for the publick good:) they fell into my hands.

M. C.