HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. [183 



was doubtless misled by the belief in judicial astrology, so preva- 

 lent in that age. His skill as a mathematician induced the vulgar 

 to suspect him of practising the art of magic; and the author of a 

 book entitled " Leicester's Commonwealth," accused him of exer- 

 cising his necromantic art to promote the Earl of Leicester's am- 

 bitious schemes, and effect a match between that nobleman and 

 Queen Elizabeth. This absurd assertion doubtless originated in 

 the well-known confidence which existed between Mr. Allen and 

 his patron, between whom a constant correspondence was kept up ; 

 insomuch, that nothing important respecting the State was trans- 

 acted without the cognizance of the philosopher, who, in return, in- 

 formed the Earl of what passed in the University. 



From the uniformity of a collegian's life, few interesting inci- 

 dents are to be expected; and Mr. Allen was content with the es- 

 teem of a few select friends in preference to emolument or fame. 

 He was highly respected by several celebrated contemporaries, 

 particularly Mr. Camden, Sir Thomas Bodley, Sir Henry Savile, 

 Sir Robert Cotton, Sir Henry Spelman, and Mr. Selden. 



Mr. Allen died at Gloucester-hall, Sept. 30, 1632, in the ninetieth 

 year of his age, and was interred with great solemnity. Mr. Burton, 

 who delivered a funeral oration on that occasion, called him " not 

 only the Coryphanis, but the very soul and sun of all the mathe- 

 maticians of his time ;" and Mr. Selden, who was his intimate 

 friend, mentions him as " a person of most extensive learning and 

 consummate judgment, the brightest ornament of the University of 

 Oxford." Camden says, " he was skilled in most of the best arts 

 and sciences." These high panegyrics from such distinguished 

 men are certainly honourable memorials of the learning of Mr. 

 Allen, yet he does not seem to have been ambitious of transmitting 

 his name to posterity by any literary production, which might have 

 promoted the progress of science. In fact, it has long been the 

 practice of the learned to compliment each other most hyperboli- 

 cally; and in the ardour of their admiration, and wish to shine as 

 encomiasts, they overpraise the abilities and attainments of men of 

 real merit. 



The following sketch of Mr. Allen's character is from a manu- 

 script in the library of Trinity College, Oxford: "He studied 

 polite literature with great application, he was strictly tenacious 

 of academic discipline, always highly esteemed both by foreigners, 

 and those of the University, and by all of the highest stations in 

 the Church of England, and the University of Oxford." Yet with 



