Sufficient for us that the tale exists;
though we take the liberty of telling it in our own way.
There came a thin spare man one evening to Dr Dee's residence in the
college at Manchester, where he then dwelt by permission only from the
Earl of Derby, though living there in the capacity of warden to the
church.
The college being dissolved in the first of Edward VI. (1547), the
possessions fell into the hands of that nobleman, who, however, kept
ministers at his own charge to officiate in the church. Mary refounded
the establishment, restoring the greater part of the lands, but Lord
Derby still kept the college house. In 1578 Elizabeth granted a new
foundation to the college, appointing her own wardens. Dr Dee, being the
third on the new establishment, was installed with great solemnity on
the 20th February 1596.
The visitor we have just noticed was muffled in a dark cloak, having a
wide and ample collar, which he threw over his head, as though anxious
for concealment. The Doctor, having retired into his study, was not to
be disturbed; but the stranger was urgent for admission, while Lettice
Gostwich, Dee's help-at-all-work, a pert ungracious slattern, was fully
resolved not to permit his access to her master.
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