The reader of John Evelyn's History of Sabatai Sevi, The Pretended Messiah of the Jewes or of the History of the Three Late Famous Impostors (1669) in which it is the most significant part, discovers a fascinating, if unoriginal, addition to the work of the great diarist and dilettante, the amateur student of engraving and trees—and smoke. Evelyn's work was almost totally derived from the account of Sir Paul Rycaut, who was from 1661 secretary (and later consul) for the Levant mercantile company

[1] Michael Fixler, Milton and the Kingdoms of God (London, 1964), p. 244. [2] Joseph Kastein, The Messiah of Ismir , trans. Huntley Paterson (New York, 1931), p. 323. [3] For an account of the events leading to the extra-judicial opinion of Glyn and Steele, see Samuel R. Gardiner, History of the Commonwealth and Protectorate, 1649-1660 , III (London, 1901), 216-222. [4] Milton and the Kingdoms of God (London, 1964), especially pp. 237-249. [5] Heinrich Graetz, History of the Jews , V (Philadelp

he Great Scaliger was wont commonly to say, Omnis Historia bona , that all History was good ; meaning, that it was worthy of notice , so it were true , and matter of fact , though the Subject of it were never so trivial . This , though but a Pamphlet in bulke, is very considerable for the Matters it containes, and for that it endeavours to informe, and disabuse the World of a current Error , which has mingled, and spread it selfe into divers grave Relations that have been Printed , and confident

ccording to the Predictions of several Christian Writers, especially of such who Comment on the Apocalyps , or Revelations, this Year of 1666 was to prove a Year of Wonders, of strange Revolutions in the World, and particularly of Blessing to the Jewes , either in respect of their Conversion to the Christian Faith, or of their Restoration to their Temporal Kingdome: This Opinion was so dilated, and fixt in the Countreys of the Reformed Religion, and in the Heads of Phanatical Enthusiasts , who D

16. Henry Nevil Payne, The Fatal Jealousie (1673). 18. Anonymous, "Of Genius," in The Occasional Paper , Vol. III, No. 10 (1719), and Aaron Hill, Preface to The Creation (1720). 19. Susanna Centlivre, The Busie Body (1709). 20. Lewis Theobald, Preface to the Works of Shakespeare (1734). 22. Samuel Johnson, The Vanity of Human Wishes (1749), and two Rambler papers (1750). 23. John Dryden, His Majesties Declaration Defended (1681). 26. Charles Macklin, The Man of the World (1792). 31. Thomas Gray,