Collegii Greshamensis Praelector[994] medicinae; where he lived, and had his laboratory[995] for Chymistrie. He was an admirable Chymist.
He had three or fower medicines wherwith he did all his cures: a great ingredient was _Radix Serpentaria_.--From Mr. Mich. Weekes, who looked to his stills.
He intended to have left his library and papers to the Royall Societie, had he made his will, and had not dyed so suddainly[996]. So that his bookes (a good collection) are fallen into the hands of[997] a sister's son, a scholar in Caius Coll. Camb. But his papers are in the hands of Sir John Bankes, Reg. Soc. Socius. There were his lectures at Chirurgions' hall; and two manuscripts in 4to, thicke volumnes, readie for the presse, one was a kind of Pharmacopœaia (his nephew has this). 'Tis possible his rare universall medicines aforesayd might be retrived amongst his papers. My Lord Brounker has the recipe but will not impart it.
He was fellowe of the Royall Societie, and a zealous member for the improvement of naturall knowledge amongst them. They made him their drudge, for when any curious experiment was to be donne they would lay[998] the taske on him.
He loved wine and was most curious in his wines, was hospitable, but dranke not to excesse, but it happened that comeing from his club at the Crowne taverne in Bloomesbery, a foote, 11 at night, he fell downe dead of an apoplexie in Cheapside, at Wood-street end, March 24, Anno Domini 1674/5, aetat. 56. Sepult. in the church of Great St. Helen, Londini.
[999]Sir Edmund-Bury Godfrey was of Christ's Church in Oxon, and chamber-fellowe to my cosen W<illiam> Morgan of Wells, in Peckwater, in north-east angle.
He was afterwards of Grayes Inne, and chamber-fellow to my counsell, Thomas Corbet, esq. I thinke Mr. Corbet told me he was called to the barre. But by match, or &c. he concieved he should gaine more by turning _woodmonger_.
The rest of his life and death is _lippis et tonsoribus notum_.
[Knighted[1000] for his great service done in London fire, 1666.]
[1001]... Goodwyn: he was borne in Norfolke: of the University of, I beleeve, Cambridge.
He was ... of the court of Ludlowe (in which place Jack Butts was his successor).
He maried first Barbara ... daughter of Sir W. Long, of Draycot-Cerne, in Wilts: 2d, ... Brabazon, of ... Hereffordshire; obiit sine prole.