Item 9 (Commentary, Compilation, Dream, Prophecy, Vision), fols. 10r-17r

A compilation of records of prophetic dreams and visions from diverse sources, and commentary on them, including reference to Katherine Austen's own dreams and visions.

[Written on versos only except fols. 10v and 12v (see items 9.2 and 9.6).]

Item 9.1 (Commentary, Dream, Prophecy), fols. 10r-11r (not 10v)

Henry Hammond's prophetic dream of his preservation in royalist service, 1643.

Doc. Hammond 's Dream.

About the beginning of the troubles, 1643, when ministers was put out of their livings

...

He heard the King proclaimed, and then died a while after.

[See Fell 1661, pages 27-28.]

Item 9.2 (Compilation, Dream, Prophecy), fol. 10v

Records of four further prophetic dreams and visions, apparently known through family members, acquaintances and hearsay.

[The four dream records on fol. 10v have been added at later dates. Item 9.1 runs continuously on the rectos of fols 10 and 11; also, item 9.2.4 is dated 1682.]

Item 9.2.1 (Dream, Prophecy), fol. 10v

See the dream of Lady Burton's cousin

...

and she married at The Hague a Lord, and did so. In book of brown paper.

[Lady Frances Burton was the aunt of Austen's husband, Thomas Austen (see the wills of Thomas Austen and his brother John, PRO, PROB 11/285 and PRO, PROB 11/296).]

Item 9.2.4 (Dream, Prophecy), fol. 10v

1682 Sr Edward Thurland dreamt, or rather he thought an apparition of Judge Hales came to him

...

This Thurland told one that told us. He lived in Surrey.

[The date of this item indicates that Austen continued to add to Book M, probably until her death. Sir Edward Thurland and three others were given a warrant in March 1670 to investigate the misappropriation of Highbury and other crown lands (CSPD 1670, p. 101). Judge Hales is likely to be Sir Matthew Hale, 1609-1676.]

Item 9.4 (Dream, Prophecy), fols. 11r-12r (fol. 11v is blank)

Two prophetic dreams experienced by members of the Wotton family, drawn from Izaak Walton, The Life of Sir Henry Wotton (1651).

Many eminent dreams has been observed of the family of the Wottons.

...

by his sending a letter to the college [Eton College] to know whether the coll. was not robbed by such parties which they could not discover but by the intimation of the dream.

Item 9.5 (Commentary, Compilation, Dream, Prophecy), fols. 12r-13r (not 12v; see item 9.6)

Records of 'diverse other dreams' (as described in Austen's contents page, fol. 3r) and prophetic experiences, including those of 'Henry a German Prince' and Archbishop Laud, compared to Katherine Austen's own experience.

Henry a German prince was admonished by revelation to search for a writing in an old wall which should nearly concern him.

...

Whose name was the Boar he was chosen Roman Emperor. See.

Item 9.6 (Commentary, Compilation, Dream, Prophecy), fol. 12v

Further records of two prophetic dreams, experienced by Lady Diana Holland [not identified] and by an unnamed apothecary at Westminster 'about 1663'.

The Lady Diana Holland dreamed, a while after the death of her mother, the Countess of Holland

...

He had a second fit of sickness a while after, and then he died. It being a summons to him indeed.

[These records on fol. 12v have been added at a later date; item 9.5 runs continuously on the rectos of fols. 12 and 13.]

Item 9.7.4 (Commentary, Dream, Meditation, Religious writing, Vision), fols. 14r-15r (fol. 14v is blank)

A discussion of prophetic visions and miracles, compared to revelation by God's word.

If any had told Socrates that he saw a divine vision, he presently esteemed him vain and proud.

...

Yet we are not to conclude God in his Law, as that he should have no prerogative, nor so to bind him up in his ordinances, as that he never can, or never does work by an extraordinary way of Revelation.

Item 13 (Commentary, Dream, Meditation, Religious writing), fols. 21r-22r (rectos only; fol. 21v blank)

Katherine Austen's meditation and commentary on her own 'dream of monition'

Observation on my Dream of Monition.

Certainly I may have an expectation, a dependence of something extraordinary, to befall me

...

Yet my God hath sweetened those bitterness, else the gall would have been impossible to take.

Item 19 (Commentary, Compilation, Dream, Prophecy), fols. 32r-32v

A reflection on the dangers of wishing to interpret dreams, drawing on the examples of Henry IV and an unnamed Pope.

Though many dreams have come to pass

...

But men had need take heed of curiosity to know things to come, which is one of the kernels of the forbidden fruit.

Item 20 (Commentary, Compilation, Dream, Prophecy), fol. 33r

A reflection on dreams' value as portents and prophecies, drawing on examples including Lady Margaret Beaufort and Socrates.

Some dreams are not to be slighted

...

and within that time both died. See B. J. [Book J] pag. 260 of dreams and of prophesies.

[For a prophetic dream of Lady Margaret, Henry VII's mother, Austen gives as a source 'end History. H. 7. L. Herbert'. This would seem most likely to be a reference to Edward, Lord Herbert of Cherbury's History of Henry VII, but I have not been able to locate the passage in that volume.]

Item 48 (Commentary, Dream, Family record, Meditation, Religious writing), fol. 54r

On the death of Mr Francis Duffield, my husband's cousin germane. Died De. [December] 18 1664 of smallpox, aged 35 [or 33; difficult to read] at Medenham.

How many young persons are dead since I had my dream gave me intimation of mine.

...

I may not shrink by fear, but learn to render up myself to the Almighty's pleasure.

Item 67 (Autobiography, Dream), fols. 60v-61r

My Dream on 2nd of Jan. 1664 [January 1664/5]

I dreamed I was going to a wedding and took my leave of my mother

...

And by my Husband sitting at the upper end of the table, as if he would be his judge.

Item 76 (Verse, Autobiography, Commentary, Dream, Religious writing), fols. 63v-64r

Upon my dream, the 20th Oct. 1664, when I dreamt I saw 4 moons in a clear sky. Meditation.

Will four moons more my fate declare?

...

To stand the shock of thy command.

[This poem is numbered '9' in the left hand margin.]

Item 77 (Autobiography, Commentary, Dream), fol. 64r

I dreamt I think it was about the 20th August 1664

...

That troublesome business might well be compared to a game at cards, wherein my Father Aus. [Austen] and all of us have been concerned in the taking care of and defending. Feb. 64.

[This meditation ends with three and a half lines of a heavy, circular strikethrough, rendering the words beneath illegible. 'Feb. 64' appears in the second line of this strikethrough, but has been left uncovered.]

Item 78 (Autobiography, Commentary, Dream), fol. 64v

Our adversaries do see our cause is so apparently right

...

now at this time which I am in Law with by my Sis. Austen.

Item 98 (Autobiography, Commentary, Dream, Meditation, Religious writing), fol. 73r

What shall I say of my foregoeing felicities.

...

And let that blessing on a dying nation take all that I can offer.

Item 139 (Autobiography, Biography, Commentary, Dream), fols. 96v-97r

A description of Austen's suitor's dream, the night before he died.

He was one that much observed dreams.

...

says he, I had rather go to the King of Heaven, and I hope he is, who departed the next day.

Item 140 (Autobiography, Biography, Commentary, Dream), fols. 97r-98r

A biographical description of Austen's suitor, concluding with a description of her own dream forseeing his death. (Austen refers, for a full description of this dream, to Book K, page 213.)

His eminence in learning and in all the accomplishments of a gentleman for his prudence and parts might well make him arrive at high places

...

He found his death in that country [Essex]. And I was nigh meeting with mine there also, at that time he had lain about 5 days ill.

Item 48 (Verse, Dream), fols. 72r-73v

A dream, Of the cattacumens Elisium.

Methought I passed through that Elisium plain,

...

And grieved to think, these ne'er must see their god.

[fol. 73 verso blank]

Item 49 (Verse, Dream, Religious writing, Political writing), fols. 74r-75v

The lovers' Elisium, Or fools' Paradise: a dream.

Sleeping by the river Glen, methought I found,

...

And still methinks I can the words repeat.

Item 50 (Verse, Dream), fols. 76r-77v

The contract with the muses writ on the bark of a shady ash tree,

Methinks these shades, strange thoughts suggest,

...

That I awaked and glad it proved a dream.

[This item is not identified as a separate poem in Barker's own index but is treated as part of Item 49.]

[fol. 77 verso blank]

Item 51 (Verse, Dream, Political writing), fols. 78r-80v

The Virgins paradise a dream.

As I upon a bank of lilies lay,

...

That I awaked, and so lost all the rest.

Item 65 (Verse, Dream), fols. 98r-99v

on the Death of my dear friend and play-fellow, mrs ED, having dreamed the night before, that I lost a pearl.

I dreamed I lost a pearl, and so it proved,

...

Ah,: poor repair, for loss of such a friend.

[fol. 99 verso blank]

Item 8 (Dream, Meditation), pp.196-197

Finding here an empty place I cannot but insert a dream which I found in a loose paper that I had writ the next day after; (the dream was upon August the 19th 1651 that night)

I thought I was praying alone in my closet and a young man was before me who like Elihu to Job .33.6. offered himself instead of God to answer my requests

...

Lord make my soul fit for mercy and then shew it when and how thou pleases

[Entry not paginated by Halkett; added later into a blank page and a half.]

Item 40 (Dream, Prayer), p. 123

the Last Night I had a dream

...

freely Revelations the 22nd & the 27 verse

[Brief mention of a dream with a prayer to God.]