Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-06-28

for the libel His imprisonment was brief
The first use he made of his liberty was t,
betray his former adherents He sough
an interview with the King and begged
/ pardon on bis knees. 1t was granted anC
/ he became the most plant toel of power
He contested with Bickenhead the palm O.
| loyalty. His abuse of the Puritans was
virulent and without bounds. He CALLED
them with derlsion, stung them with tests,
/ scorched them with satire. But the King
was vanquished, and the puritans triumph
| cd. Nedham' S virtue was not proof against
reverse The shame of his desertion did
not deter him from return. He became a
jealous advocate of the measures against
the King. His turncoat hate and apos-
tate malignity followed Charles to prison.
and he raised shout of exeerable glee at
the King S execution. He was a support
er Of Cromwell's reign, and his contests
with Bickenhead have allied their names
in literary fame. Bickenhead published
the Mercauy Aulicus, and Needham the
lNercpy B,lt'anicaS On the return of
Charles II, Needham f+d from England. =
The notoriety and excess of his opposition
to the King had made his pardon hopeless.
Another change would be too,deply tainted
with suspicion to secure his safety. He
sought refuge in Holland. A few years
later he returned to England, but by what
means, or by what novel act of perfdv he
obtained immunity, Is unknown He was
not one of the illustrious scoundrels, all
the details Of whose facile arts history has
consigned to immortal infamy. He was
old and he subsided into obscure poverty.
He gained poor livelihood by the prac-
tlce of physic till his death, which occur
red In 1878. have taken my account
from the gossip of Anthony Wood, strong
loyallst. l have much softened it, for I
thought his faults night have been exageer-
ated. Besides. could not find it in nv
heart to speak in the harshest terms of a
patriarch in our profession, whose vices
were also the vices of his times, vices that
be shared with Dryden and Halifax, ana
which later years have not agreed to rem
der obsolete Or to stigmatise as the most
disgraceful.
A name Of greater note than any that I
have designated was that of Roger les
TRANCE. He was distinguished scholar
his knowledge of mankind ard life was
rare and cultivated his wit was keen; his
reputation among bis cotemporaries was
high and enviable His principles were
somewhat loose : his veracity was not al
ways unquestionable. But he was tolera-
bly, consistent through many fluctuations
IN public opinion; in an office that gave
him despotic power over the English press
he exercised liberal forbearance through
twenty years of heated popular discussion
and factious turbulence. He was born in
the year 1916. He devoted himself to lit
erary studies till he was over forty years
Of age. An occasional pamphlet on politi-
cal subjects, and occasional prominence
IN political movements, were marks of his
interest in passing events. About the
time OF the close Of the civil wars he took
an active part in public life. In 1868 he
started the Public hateliigenccr His tact
was shown in giving a sensible name to a
newspaper. Before that time these publ
cations had been disfgured by some affect
ed title, like Ieycurius PragnaaLicus, or
Nerc'o'lus Brittan,cus. He made bis paper
what its name indicated A gossipping
chronicle OF the day says that he infused
INTO 1t more news entertainment and adver-
tIsements than any newspaper previous to
Qaeen Anne's reign. He discussed the
topics of the times in a bold, lively and
audaclous style. He was free with his
criticisms, attentive to the duties of his
profession, and mindful of tie stirring
course Of public affairs. He soon acquired
notoriety; popularity and patronage fol-
lowed. His able and ready pen was solici-
ted in aid of the government The COM
mon sagacity of politicians dictated the
Importance Of securing so powerful an ally.
Hitherto be had rather foated on the
changing waves of interest than attached
himself to any party. This rendered the
negotiation an easy one, The age was
corrupt Laxity Of principle was the rule
rather than the exception. Buying up an
editor was small job, when great states
nlen were always in the market, and min
isters bad their price as much as meat and
flour had. The transaction was mercena-
ry, but bis Piled ge Of fidelity was strictly
kept. He became the ablest and most
constant supporter of the measures of gov
ernment, for Bickenhead was enjoying his
pension in luxurious ease The Public
LateIldgcacer was continued two years, when
it was superseded by other publications of
the same style. Afterwards as emergen-
cies arose, he established newspapers un-
der various names till, it is possible his
professilal progeny exceed that OF Sam
Pike or Father Averill. He remained
the most distinguished writer for the press
till long after the revolution of16S8 He
was created Llcenser of the Press early
in the reign of Charles II. He scarcely,
however did an act restraining the freedom
of authors and publishers till 1852, when
he suppressed productions offensive to the
Government. He was not a great favorite
with Queen Anne, if we may judge from
an anagram into which she tortured bis
name. Some reporter of royal wit has
preserved the effort, as follows
Roger LIEstrange-
Lie Strange Roger"
He survived this stupid joke and nearly
all of the generation with which be bad
mingled He did not die till 1904, when
he was SS years of age His later life
was spent in obseurity, but not in indi
| l. L. l.