to be of opinion, that he was too much given to
bantering, and that if he had thrown less of the buffoon or mimic into
his conversation, his wit would have been very agreeable. He is
charged by Wood with a higher failing, which ought indeed rather to be
construed one of the blackest crimes, that is, ingratitude to those
who assisted him in distress, whom, says he, he afterwards slighted.
This is a heavy charge, and, if true, not a little diminishes his
reputation, but methinks some apology may even be made for his
slighting those who assisted him in distress; we find they were such
persons as could never challenge esteem, young men in love, for whom
he wrote sonnets, and for whom he might have no friendship; it often
happens, that men of parts are so unhappy as to be obliged to such
people, with whom, were their situation otherwise, it would be beneath
them to associate; and it is no wonder when prosperity returns, that
they, in some measure, forget obligations they owed to those of a rank
so much inferior: and something must be allowed to that pride, which a
superior understanding naturally inspires.

Our author's works are

Mercurius Aulicus. Communicating the Intelligence, and the Affairs of
the Court at Oxford to the rest of the Kingdom, the first of these was
published on the 1st of January, 1642, and were carried on till about
the end of 1645, after which time they were published but now and
then. They were printed weekly in one sheet, and sometimes in more, in
4to, and contain, says Wood, a great deal of wit and buffoonery.

News from Pembroke and Montgomery, or Oxford Manchestered, &c. printed
in 1648 in one sheet 4to. It is a feigned speech, as spoken by Philip,
earl of Pembroke, in the Convocation House at Oxford, April 12, 1648,
when he came to visit, and undo the University, as Edward, Earl of
Manchester had done that of Cambridge, while he was Chancellor
thereof. It is exceeding waggish, and much imitating his Lordship's
way of speaking.

Paul's Church-yard; Libri Theologici, Politici, Historici, mundinis
Paulinis (una cum Templo) prostant venales, &c. printed in three
several sheets in 4to. Anno 1649. These Pamphlets contain feigned
Titles of Books, and Acts of Parliaments, and several Questions, all
reflecting on the Reformers, and Men in those times.

The Four Legg'd Quaker, a Ballad, to the Tune of the Dog and Elders
Maid, London 1659, in three columns in one side of a sheet of paper.

A New Bal