As a work of merit, it was well suited to the times in which it was first publisha^l ; 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 entirely owing 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 disaiissed. 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, liis 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-minded coadjutors, crushed the revolution in that country, and sentenced Paine as an outlaw.

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

» Tho " Revolution of the World'' was a toeiat given by Paine at a public meeting in London.

COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 443

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