FITZSIMONS. e 141 son early instructed in the tenets of that religion; and after he had passed some years at a school in Dublin, sent him to England. In April 1583, he was matriculated as a member of Hart-hall, in the university of Oxford, where he applied himself with so much diligence to his studies, that in the following December, he appears to have been elected a student of Christ-church. His natural disposi tion, however, being strongly inclined to controversy, he devoted himself to the study of the disputed points of religion; and after a long and laborious examination, feeling himself persuaded of the truth of the Roman Catholic doctrine, he left the university, and went to Louvaine, for the purpose of entering among the Jesuits. The celebrated Lessius was appointed his tutor; and he profited so much by the instructions of that amiable man and excellent critic, that he acquired the greatest distinc tion, and was appointed to read public lectures on philo sophy. Here he continued for several years, paying the closest attention to his public duties and private studies, until he had become thoroughly acquainted with a l l the controverted articles o f faith. He then returned t o Ireland, where his unceasing exertions and convincing arguments gained many proselytes t o the religion h e professed. This course h e continued, teaching publicly, and triumph ing over the few who ventured t o oppose him, till 1599, when h e was committed t o Dublin castle, where he conti nued a prisoner for several years. The persecution and privations which had been brought upon him by his exertions did not i n the least affect his courage o r resolution. He longed anxiously for the time when h e might again b e a t liberty t o resume them; and impatient o f his imprisonment only a s i t prevented him from pursuing the course h e had s o successfully com menced, h e i s reported t o have said frequently, that h e was like a bear tied t o a stake, and that h e only wanted somebody t o bait him. This was regarded a s a challenge t o the protestants t o enter into a disputation with him; and the celebrated Usher who was then about nineteen,
