Dr. King; and therefore he undertook to confute part, and laugh at
the rest. The controversy is now forgotten: and books of this kind
seldom live long when interest and resentment have ceased.

In 1697 he mingled in the controversy between Boyle and Bentley; and
was one of those who tried what wit could perform in opposition to
learning, on a question which learning only could decide.

In 1699 was published by him "A Journey to London," after the method
of Dr. Martin Lister, who had published "A Journey to Paris." And
in 1700 he satirised the Royal Society--at least, Sir Hans Sloane,
their president--in two dialogues, intituled "The Transactioner."

Though he was a regular advocate in the courts of civil and canon
law, he did not love his profession, nor, indeed, any kind of
business which interrupted his voluptuary dreams or forced him to
rouse from that indulgence in which only he could find delight. His
reputation as a civilian was yet maintained by his judgments in the
Courts of Delegates, and raised very high by the address and
knowledge which he discovered in 1700, when he defended the Earl of
Anglesea against his lady, afterwards Duchess of Buckinghamshire,
who sued for a divorce and obtained it.

The expense of his pleasures, and neglect of business, had now
lessened his revenues; and he was willing to accept of a settlement
in Ireland, where, about 1702, he was made Judge of the Admiralty,
Commissioner of the Prizes, Keeper of the Records in Birmingham's
Tower, and Vicar-General to Dr. Marsh, the primate.

But it is vain to put wealth within the reach of him who will not