Now also lived this Dr. Ardee, but his true name was Richard Delahay, formerly an Attorney; he studied astrology and physick, being in necessity, and forced from Derbyshire, where he had lived, by the old Countess of Shrewsbury; he was of moderate judgment, both in astrology and physick.  He had formerly been well acquainted with Charles Sledd,[4] an apothecary, who used the crystal, and had a very perfect sight.  This Dr. Ardee hath many times affirmed unto me, (esto fides) that an angel, one time, appeared unto him, and offered him a lease of his life for one thousand years; he died about the age of fourscore years; left his widow, who married into Kent,[5] worth two or three thousand pounds, and William Poole’s estate came to four or five pounds.

    [Footnote 4:  Of this Charles Sledd, there is mention made in Dr.
    Dee’s book of his discourse with spirits, set forth by Dr.
    Casaubon.]

    [Footnote 5:  To one Moreland.]

In the years 1632 and 1633, John Booker became famous for a prediction of his upon a solar eclipse in the 19th degree of Aries 1663, taken out of Leovitius de magnis conjunctionibus, viz. Oh Reges et Principes &c. Both the King of Bohemia, and Gustavus King of Sweden, dying during the effects of that eclipse.

John Booker was born in Manchester, of good parentage, in the year 1601; was in his youth well instructed in the Latin tongue, which he understood very well.  He seemed from his infancy to be designed for astrology; for from the time he had any understanding, he would be always poring on, and studying almanacks.  He came to London at fitting years, and served an apprenticeship to an haberdasher in Laurence-Lane, London; but either wanting stock to setup, or disliking the calling, he left his trade, and taught to write at Hadley in Middlesex several scholars in that school:  he wrote singularly well both Secretary and Roman.  In process of time he served Sir Christopher Clethero, Knight, Alderman of London, as his clerk, being a city Justice of Peace:  he also was clerk to Sir Hugh Hammersley, Alderman of London, both which he served with great credit and estimation; and by that means became not only well known, but as well respected of the most eminent citizens of London, even to his dying day.

He was an excellent proficient in astrology, whose excellent verses upon the twelve months, framed according to the configurations of each month, being blessed with success according to his predictions, procured him much reputation all over England:  he was a very honest man, abhorred any deceit in the art he studied; had a curious fancy in judging of thefts, and as successful in resolving love-questions:  he was no mean proficient in astronomy; he understood much of physick; was a great admirer of the antimonial cup; not unlearned in chymistry, which he loved well, but did not practise.  He was inclined to a diabetes; and in the last three years of his life was afflicted with a dysentery, which at last consumed him to nothing:  he died of good fame in 1667.  Since his decease I have seen one nativity of his performance exactly directed, and judged with as much learning as from astrology can be expected.