He died about 1651, or 1652, at St. Mary Overy's in Southwark; and this
was part of his last will.

'Item; I give to Dr. Ardee all my books, and one manuscript of my own,
worth one hundred of Lilly's Introduction.'

'Item; If Dr. Ardee give my wife any thing that is mine, I wish the
devil may fetch him body and soul.' The Doctor, terrified with this
curse, gave me all the books and his goods which I presently gave to his
widow.---_Interdum seria jocis_.

Now also lived this Dr. Ardee, but his true name was Richard Delahay,
formerly an Attorney; he studied astrology and physick, being in
necessity, and forced from Derbyshire, where he had lived, by the old
Countess of Shrewsbury; he was of moderate judgment, both in astrology
and physick. He had formerly been well acquainted with Charles Sledd,[4]
an apothecary, who used the crystal, and had a very perfect sight. This
Dr. Ardee hath many times affirmed unto me, (_esto fides_) that an
angel, one time, appeared unto him, and offered him a lease of his life
for one thousand years; he died about the age of fourscore years; left
his widow, who married into Kent,[5] worth two or three thousand pounds,
and William Poole's estate came to four or five pounds.

[Footnote 4: Of this Charles Sledd, there is mention made in Dr.
Dee's book of his discourse with spirits, set forth by Dr.
Casaubon.]

[Footnote 5: To one Moreland.]

In the years 1632 and 1633, John Booker became famous for a prediction