English literature -- England -- Lancashire; Legends -- England -- Lancashire
The doctor and his companion afterwards found an asylum in the Castle of
Trebona, belonging to Count William, of Rosenberg, where they lived in
great splendour for a considerable time. It was said that Kelly had
succeeded in procuring the powder of projection, by which they were
furnished with money in profusion; but on referring to the doctor's
diary, we find the miserable tricks and shifts they resorted to for the
purpose of keeping up appearances. Kelly, however, it seems, learned
many secrets from the German chemists, which he did not communicate to
his patron; and the heart-burnings and jealousies that arose between
them at length ended in an absolute rupture.
The fame of their adventures was noised through Europe, and Elizabeth,
in consequence, invited Dee home. He was now separated from Kelly, and
on the 1st of May 1589, he set out on his return to England. He
travelled with great pomp, was attended by a guard of horse, and
besides waggons for his goods, had no less than three coaches for the
use of his family. He landed at Gravesend on the 23d of November, and on
the 9th of December was graciously received at Richmond by the Queen. He
found his house at Mortlake had been pillaged, but he collected the
scattered remains of his library, and was so successful, by the
assistance of his friends, as to recover about three-fourths of his
books, estimating his loss at about L400, He had many friends, and
received great presents, but was always craving and in want. The Queen
sent him money from time to time, promising him two hundred angels at
Christmas. One-half he received, but he gave a broad hint that the Queen
and himself were defrauded of the rest. He now resolved to apply for
some settled subsistence, and sent a memorial by the Countess of Warwick
to her Majesty, earnestly requesting that commissioners might be
appointed to hear his pretensions and decide upon his claims. Two
commissioners were accordingly sent to Mortlake, where Dee showed them a
book containing a distinct account of all the memorable transactions of
his life, except those which occurred in his Jast journey abroad. He
detailed to them the injuries, damages, and indignities which he had
suffered, and humbly supplicated reparation at their hands. The Queen,
in consequence, sent 100 marks to Mrs Dee, and promises to her husband.
At length, on December 8th, 1594, he obtained a grant of the
chancellorship of St Paul's. But this did not answer his expectations,
upon which he applied to Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury, giving an
account of all the books he had either written or published. This, with
other applications, led to his being presented with the wardenship of
Manchester College, vacant by the removal of Dr William Chaderton to the
see of Chester. On the 14th of February 1596, he arrived with his family
in that town, and on the 20th he was installed in his new charge. He
continued here about seven years, passing his time in a very turbulent
and unquiet manner.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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