AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF JOHN SELDEN, Efq. Ir T is commonly said, that the life of a good writer is best read in his works; which can scarce fail to receive a peculiar tincture from his temper, manners, and habits; the distinguishing character of his mind, his ruling passion, at least, will there appear undisguised. Joan Selden, an English gentleman of most extensive knowledge, and prodigious learning, was descended from a good family, and born at Salvington in Sussex, in the year 1584. He was educated at the free school at Chichester; whence he was sent to Hart Hall in the University of Oxford, where he staid four years. In 1612, he entered himself in Clifford's Inn, in order to study the law; and about two years after remoyed to the Inner Temple, where he soon acquired great reputation by his learning. He had already published several of his works: and this year wrote verses in Latin, Greek, and English, upon Mr. William Browne's Britannia's Paftorals. In 1614, he published his Titles of Honour; and in 1616, his Notes on Sir John Fortescue's book, De Laudibus Legum Angliæ. In 1618, he published his History of Tythes; which gave great offence to the clergy, and was animad animadverted upon by several writers; by Montague, afterwards Bishop of Norwich in particular; and for that book he was called before some lords of the high commission, and also of the privy council, and obliged to make a public acknowledgment of his sorrow for having published a book, which against his intention had given offence, yet without recanting any thing in it, which he never did. In 1621, being fent for by the Parliament, though he was not then a member of that house, and giving his opinion very strongly in favour of their privileges in opposition to the court, King James being displeased with the Parliament, having imprisoned several members, ordered Selden likewise to be committed to the custody of the Sheriff of London; however by the interest of Andrews, Bishop of Winchester, he, with the other gentlemen were set at liberty, after five weeks confinement. In 1623, he was chosen Burgess for Lancaster ; but, amidst all the divisions of the nation, kept himself neuter, prosecuting his studies: |