teftants had then an univerfity, and continued his ftudies under Bochart. 4.

Young Dillon, who was fent to study under Bochart, and who is reprefented as having already made great proficiency in literature, could not be more than nine years old, Strafford went to govern Ireland in 1633, and was put to death eight years afterwards. That he was fent to Caen is certain; that he was a great fcholar may be doubted.

At Caen he is faid to have had fome preternatural intelligence of his father's death.

"The lord Rofcommon, being a boy "of ten years of age, at Caen in Nor"mandy, one day was, as it were, mad

getting over the tables, boards, &¢. "He was wont to be fober enough; "they faid, God grant this bodes no ill"" luck to him. In the heat of this ex"travagant fit, he cries out, My father "is dead. A fortnight after news came "from Ireland that his father was dead. "This account I had from Mr. Knolles, "who was his governor, and then with

66

him,-fince secretary to the earl of "Strafford; and I have heard his lord"ship's relations confirm the fame." Aubrey's Mifcellany.

The prefent age is very little inclined to favour any accounts of this kind, nor will the name of Aubrey much recommend it to credit: it ought not, however, to be omitted, becaufe better evi

dence

dence of a fact cannot eafily be found than is here offered, and it must be by preferving fuch relations that we may

at laft judge how much they are to be regarded. If we stay to examine this account, we fhall fee difficulties on both fides here is a relation of a fact given by a man who had no intereft to deceive, and who could not be deceived himfelf; and here is, on the other hand, a miracle which produces no effect; the order of nature is interrupted to difcover not a future, but only a diftant event, the knowledge of which is of no ufe to him to whom it is revealed. Between these difficulties, what way fhall be found? Is reafon or teftimony to be rejected? I believe what Ofborne fays

of an appearance of fanctity, may be applied to fuch impulfes or anticipations as this: Do not wholly flight them, be cause they may be true; but do not eafily trust them, because they may be falfe.

The ftate both of England and Ireland was at this time fuch, that he who was abfent from either country had very. little temptation to return: and therefore Rofcommon, when he left Caen, 'travelled into Italy, and amused himself with its antiquities, and particularly with medals, in which he acquired uncommon fkill.

At the Restoration, with the other friends of monarchy, he came to England, was made captain of the band of penfioners, and learned fo much of

the

the diffolutenefs of the court, that he addicted himself immoderately to gaming, by which he was engaged in frequent quarrels, and which undoubtedly brought upon him its ufual concomitants, extravagance and diftrefs.

After fome time a difpute about part of his eftate forced him into Ireland,. where he was made by the duke of Ormond captain of the guards, and met with an adventure. thus related by Fen-

ton:

"He was at Dublin as much as ever

diftempered with the fame fatal affec. "tion for play, which engaged him in one "adventure that well deferves to be re"lated. As he returned to his lodgings "from a gaming table, he was attacked.