Dryden was poor and impatient of poverty.

He knew little and cared little about religion.

If any sentiment was deeply fixed in him, that sentiment was an aversion to priests of all persuasions, Levites, Augurs, Muftis, Roman Catholic divines, Presbyterian divines, divines of the Church of England.

He was not naturally a man of high spirit; and his pursuits had been by no means such as were likely to give elevation or delicacy to his mind.

He had, during many years, earned his daily bread by pandaring to the vicious taste of the pit, and by grossly flattering rich and noble patrons.