Donne was
an extraordinary man--first a Roman Catholic, then a barrister, then a
clergyman in the Church of England, and Dean of St Paul's,--a vigorous
although rude satirist, a fine Latin versifier, the author of many
powerful sermons, and of a strange book defending suicide; altogether a
strong, eccentric, extravagant genius.
[172] 'Paul:' supposed to be Paul Benfield, Esq., M.P., who was
engaged in the jobbing transactions of that period; others fill up the
blank in the original copy with Hall--as, for instance, Croly in his
excellent edition.
[173] 'Hoadley:' Bishop, whose sentences were wire-drawn.
[174] 'Figs:' a prize-fighting academy; 'White's:' a
gaming-house, both much frequented by the young nobility.
[175] 'Deadly sins:' the room hung with old tapestry,
representing the seven deadly sins.
[176] 'Ascapart:' a giant of romance.
[177] 'Epilogue:' the first part of which was originally
published as 'One thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight.' It appeared
the same day with Johnson's 'London.'
[178] 'Bubo:' Bubb Duddington.
[179] 'Sir Billy:' Tonge.
[180] 'Huggins:' formerly jailor of the Fleet prison, enriched
himself by many exactions, for which he was tried and expelled.--P.
[181] 'Cropp'd our ears:' said to be executed by the captain of a
Spanish ship on one Jenkins, the captain of an English one.
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