Aldrich had recently been appointed Dean of Christchurch, in the room of the Papist Massey, whom James had, in direct violation of the laws, placed at the head of that great college.

The new Dean was a polite, though not a profound, scholar, and a jovial, hospitable gentleman.

He was the author of some theological tracts which have long been forgotten, and of a compendium of logic which is still used: but the best works which he has bequeathed to posterity are his catches.

Jane, the King's Professor of Divinity, was a graver but a less estimable man.

He had borne the chief part in framing that decree by which his University ordered the works of Milton and Buchanan to be publicly burned in the Schools.