degrees.  After he had studied three years at the University, he removed to Cambridge, and from thence three years after to Lincoln’s-Inn.  About this time his father died, and left him a portion of 3000L.  He became soon distinguished at Lincoln’s-Inn, by his rapid progress in the law.  He was now eighteen years of age, and as yet had attached himself to no particular denomination of Christians, and as his relations were bigotted to the Romish faith, he was induced to examine the controversy, and to embrace publickly that which appeared to him to be best supported by the authority of the scriptures.  He relinquished the study of the law, and devoted himself entirely to that of the controverted points between the Protestants and Catholics, which ended in a thorough conviction of the truths of the reformed religion.

In the years 1596 and 1597 Mr. Donne attended the Earl of Essex in his expeditions against Cadiz and the Azores Islands, and stayed some years in Italy and Spain, and soon after his return to England he was made secretary to lord chancellor Egerton.  This probably was intended by his lordship only as an introduction to a more dignified place; for he frequently expressed a high opinion of his secretary’s abilities; and when he afterwards, by the sollicitation of his lady, parted with him, he observed that he was fitter to be a secretary to a Monarch than to him.  When he was in the lord chancellor’s family, he married privately without the consent of her father, the daughter of Sir George More, chancellor of the Garter, and lord lieutenant of the Tower, who so much resented his daughter’s marriage without his consent, that he procured our author’s dismission from the chancellor’s service, and got him committed to prison.  Sir George’s daughter lived in the lord chancellor’s family, and was niece to his lady.  Upon Sir George’s hearing that his daughter had engaged her heart to Donne, he removed her to his own house in Surry, and friends on both sides endeavoured to weaken their affection for each other, but without success; for having exchanged the most sacred promises, they found means to consummate a private marriage.  Our author was not long in obtaining his liberty, but was obliged to be at the expence of a tedious law-suit to recover the possession of his wife, who was forcibly detained from him.  At length our poet’s extraordinary merit and winning behaviour so far subdued Sir George’s resentment, that he used his interest with the Chancellor to have his son-in-law restored to his place; But this request was refused; his lordship observing, that he did not chuse to discharge and re-admit servants at the request of his passionate petitioners.  Sir George had been so far reconciled to his daughter and son, as not to deny his paternal blessing, but would contribute nothing towards their support, Mr. Donne’s fortune being greatly diminished by the expence of travels, law-suits, and the generosity of his temper; however his wants were in a great measure