confidence, his high opinion of his own powers, and promises to
undertake something, he yet knows not what, that may be of use and
honour to his country. "This," says he, "is not to be obtained but
by devout prayer to that Eternal Spirit that can enrich with all
utterance and knowledge, and sends out His seraphim, with the
hallowed fire of His altar, to touch and purify the lips of whom He
pleases. To this must be added, industrious and select reading,
steady observation, and insight into all seemly and generous arts
and affairs till which in some measure be compassed, I refuse not to
sustain this expectation." From a promise like this, at once
fervid, pious, and rational, might be expected the "Paradise Lost."

He published the same year two more pamphlets, upon the same
question. To one of his antagonists, who affirms that he was
"vomited out of the university," he answers in general terms: "The
fellows of the college wherein I spent some years, at my parting,
after I had taken two degrees, as the manner is, signified many
times how much better it would content them that I should stay.--As
for the common approbation or dislike of that place, as now it is,
that I should esteem or disesteem myself the more for that, too
simple is the answerer, if he think to obtain with me. Of small
practice were the physician who could not judge by what she and her
sister have of long time vomited, that the worser stuff she strongly
keeps in her stomach, but the better she is ever kecking at, and is
queasy; she vomits now out of sickness; but before it will be well
with her, she must vomit with strong physic. The university, in the
time of her better health, and my younger judgment, I never greatly
admired, but now much less."

This is surely the language of a man who thinks that he has been