As a work of merit, it was well suited to the times in which it was first published; but, as his own biographer remarks, " it is defective in arrangement, inelegant in diction, with a few exceptions showing little profundity of argument, no facility of remark, no extent of research, and no classical allusion, and cannot be appealed to as authority on government." Its popularity was owing entirely to the critical juncture of the times.

He afterwards published his " Crisis." In 1777 he was elected secretary to the Committee of Foreign Affairs, from which office he was dismissed, in 1779, for a scandalous breach of trust; and this was decreed by the assembled wisdom of the States. About this period, the State of New York presented the farm which he afterwards occupied.

In 1787 he formed the design of producing a revolution in England, his native country. At this time the infidels of France were ripening their plots in Paris ; Paine joined with them, and viewed with rapture the rising revolution in England. His infidel and revolutionary principles were opposed by the powerful and eloquent Burke, who, with other noble-mmded coadjutors, crushed the revolution in that country, and sentenced Paine as an outlaw.

693 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF 'WESTCHESTER.

To promote the "revolution of the world,"" he published his "Age of Reason," well entitled a complete piece of ribaldry.

As a companion of the blood-thirsty Robespierre, we find him next sitting on the trial of the innocent Louis.