regicides took away; so that they were at least the publishers of
this prayer; and Dr. Birch, who had examined the question with great
care, was inclined to think them the forgers. The use of it by
adaptation was innocent, and they who could so noisily censure it,
with a little extension of their malice could contrive what they
wanted to accuse.

King Charles the Second, being now sheltered in Holland, employed
Salmasius, professor of polite learning at Leyden, to write a
defence of his father and of monarchy; and, to excite his industry,
gave him, as was reported, a hundred Jacobuses. Salmasius was a man
of skill in languages, knowledge of antiquity, and sagacity of
emendatory criticism, almost exceeding all hope of human attainment;
and having, by excessive praises, been confirmed in great confidence
of himself, though he probably had not much considered the
principles of society or the right of government, undertook the
employment without distrust of his own qualifications; and, as his
expedition in writing was wonderful, in 1649 published "Defensio
Regis."

To this Milton was required to write a sufficient answer; which he
performed (1651) in such a manner, that Hobbes declared himself
unable to decide whose language was best, or whose arguments were
worst. In my opinion, Milton's periods are smoother, neater, and
more pointed; but he delights himself with teasing his adversary as
much as with confuting him. He makes a foolish allusion of
Salmasius, whose doctrine he considers as servile and unmanly, to
the stream of Salmasius, which, whoever entered, left half his
virility behind him. Salmasius was a Frenchman, and was unhappily
married to a scold. Tu es Gallus, says Milton, et, ut aiunt, nimium