human
Found him reading the Bible in his chamber, says Aubrey, who adds that the younger Milton never was a scrivener's apprentice; but this is shown to be an error by Mr. Hyde Clarke's discovery of his admission to the Scriveners' Company in 1599, where he is stated to have been apprentice to James Colborn. Colborn himself had been only four years in business, instead of the seven which would usually be required for an apprentice to serve out his indenture--which suggests that some formalities may have been dispensed with on account of John Milton's age. A scrivener was a kind of cross between an attorney and a law stationer, whose principal business was the preparation of deeds,
gpt
and with due regard to the interests of more exalted personages.
human
Neither for haste nor covetousness I shall take upon me to make any deed whereof I have not cunning, without good advice and information of counsel. Such a calling offered excellent opportunities for investments; and John Milton, a man of strict integrity and frugality, came to possess a