Only young Nicholas and his tutor remained.
In 1857 he became tutor and his fame as a scholar grew rapidly.
Soon afterwards he was chosen fellow and tutor of his college; in 1676 he became chaplain to the bishop of Oxford, and in 1681 he obtained the rectory of Bletchington, Oxfordshire, and was made chaplain to Charles II.
He was prepared for college by a private tutor, studied for two years at the Farmers' College, near Cincinnati, and in 1852 graduated from Miami University, at that time the leading educational institution in the State of Ohio.
From 1864 to 1866 he was fellow and tutor of Merton College.