she came to the King’s Bench, where the Lord there was imprisoned, the outward door stood wide open:  none speaking a word unto her, she went up stairs, no body molesting her; she found the Lord’s chamber door wide open:  he in bed, not a servant to be heard or seen, so she was pleased.  Three days after she came to acquaint me with her success, and then drew out of her pocket a paper full of ratsbane, which, had she not had admission unto him that day I appointed, she would in a pint of white wine have drank at the stair’s foot where the Lord lodged.  The like misfortune befell her after that; when the Lord was out of prison:  then I ordered her such a day to go and see a play at Salisbury-Court; which she did, and within one quarter of an hour the Lord came into the same box wherein she was.  But I grew weary of such employments, and since have burned my books which instructed these curiosities:  for after that I became melancholy, very much afflicted with the hypochondriack, growing lean and spare, and every day worse; so that in the year 1635 my infirmity continuing, and my acquaintance increasing, I resolved to live in the country, and in March and April 1636 removed my goods unto Hersham, where I now live; and in May my person, where I continued until 1641, no notice being taken who, or what I was.

In the years 1637 and 1638, I had great lawsuits both in the Exchequer and Chancery, about a lease I had of the annual value of eighty pounds:  I got the victory.

In the year 1640 I instructed John Humphreys, master of that art, in the study of astrology:  upon this occasion, being at London, by accident in Fleet-Street, I met Dr. Percival Willoughby of Derby; we were of old acquaintance, and he but by great chance lately come to town, we went to the Mitre-Tavern in Fleet-Street, where I sent for old Will Poole the astrologer, living then in Ram-Alley:  being come to us, the Doctor produced a bill, set forth by a master of arts in Cambridge, intimating his abilities for resolving of all manner of questions astrologically.  The bill was shewed, and I wondering at it Poole made answer, he knew the man, and that he was a silly fool; ‘I,’ quoth he, ’can do more than he; he sees me every day, he will be here by and by;’ and indeed he came into our room presently:  Poole had, just as we came to him, set a figure, and then shewed it me, desiring my judgement; which I refused, but desired the master of arts to judge first; he denied, so I gave mine, to the very great liking of Humphreys, who presently enquired, if I would teach him, and for what?  I told him I was willing to teach, but would have one hundred pounds.  I heard Poole, whilst I was judging the figure, whisper in-Humphrey’s ear, and swear I was the best in England.  Staying three or four days in town, at last we contracted for forty pounds, for I could never be quiet from his solicitations; he invited me to supper, and before I had shewed him any thing, paid me thirty-five pounds.