ote 1: The ancient seat of the Bromleys in Warwickshire.]

[Footnote 2: A famous Library burnt there.]

[Footnote 3: Vide History of Warwickshire.]

* * * * *

ELKANAH SETTLE, Son of Joseph Settle of Dunstable in Bedfordshire, was
born there; and in the 18th year of his age, 1666, was entered commoner
of Trinity College, Oxon, and put under the tuition of Mr. Abraham
Champion, fellow of that house; but he quitted the university without
taking any degree, and came to London[1], where he addicted himself to
the study of poetry, in which he lived to make no inconsiderable figure.
Finding the nation divided between the opinions of Whig and Tory, and
being sensible that a man of parts could not make any considerable
figure, unless he attached himself to one of these parties; Settle
thought proper, on his first setting out in life, to join the Whigs, who
were then, though the minor, yet a powerful party, and to support whose
interest he employed his talents.

About the year 1680, when the debates ran high concerning the exclusion
of the Duke of York from the succession, on account of his religious
principles, our author wrote a piece called the Character of a Popish
Successor, and what may be expected from such an one, humbly offered to
the consideration of both the Houses of Parliament appointed to meet at
Oxon, on March 21, 1681. This essay it seems was thought of consequence
enough to merit an answer, as at that time the Exclusion Bill employed
the general conversation. The answer to it was entitled The Character
of a Rebellion, and what England may expect from One; printed 1682. The
author of this last piece, is very severe on the character of Settle; he
represents him as an errant knave, a despicable coward, and a prophane
Atheist, and seems amazed that any party should make choice of a
champion, whose morals were so tainted; but as this is only the language
of party violence, no great credit is to be given to it.

The author of this pamphlet carries his zeal, and ill manners still
farther, and informs the world of the meanness of our author's birth,
and education, 'most of his relations (says he) are Barbers, and of the
baseness, falseness, and mutability of his nature, too many evidences
may be brought. He closed with the Whigs, contrary to the principles
he formerly professed, at a time when they took occasion to push their
cause, upon the breaking out of Oates's plot, and was rea