editions in 1688 and 1695-Milton's History of England '—
Paradise Regained' - -Samson Agonistes'- Milton unfor-

tunate in his family-His studies and privations-Analysis of

his character, &c.

page 168

CHAPTER XVI.

Artis Logicæ Plenior Institutio'-' Treatise of True

Religion' Familiar Letters'-'Academical Exercises'-

Decline of health-Illness-Death-Burial-Personal appear-

ance-Temper-Religious tenets-Family-Sir Christopher

Milton-The poet's nephews

179

CHAPTER XVII.

General and miscellaneous observations-Milton's imagi-

nation His great poems-Studies in Holy Scriptures-

Comparison with Spenser and Shakspeare - Lesson of his

life-Intellect Language - Mental and moral character-

Comparison with Gray-Early Latin poems

ercises, &c.

College ex-

183

CHAPTER XVIII.

Observations on Milton's poetry continued - Era of his
writings-State of literature in Elizabeth's reign-Milton's
inventiveness-His devotion to the Muse-Spenser-Dante-
Idealism of Comus '-Grandeur of Paradise Lost'-The
study of Milton's poetry a duty-Milton's precocious talents,
&c.
195

CHAPTER XIX.

Recapitulation of Milton's personal character-Non-com-

pliance with the ways of the world-Purity and sanctity of soul

-Address to Urania-Origin of Paradise Lost'-The poet's

own account of the origin-Difficulty of giving novelty to any

new biography of Milton-Johnson's Life-Warton-Hayley

-Newton-Bentley and Warburton

page 206

CHAPTER XX.

'Paradise Lost'-The two grand criticisms on this poem
by Addison and Johnson-Observations on these criticisms-
Johnson's copied from Addison-Superiority of Addison's cri-
tique-Johnson's wilful detraction-Extracts from Addison's
Essay on Paradise Lost'

215

CHAPTER XXI.

Addison's Essay continued-Battle of the angels-Addi-

son's sublimity-Conclusion of Addison's Essay-Remarks-

Johnson's partiality for Dryden and Pope--Unfairness to Mil-

ton-Appearance of his 'Life'-Injury to the national taste-

Johnson's want of imagination

226

CHAPTER XXII.

Merits of Milton compared with those of other poets-Supe-

riority of Milton-Character and invention-Remarks on the

quality of Milton's genius-Technical critics require technical

excellences-Addison's rules of criticism

238

CHAPTER XXIII.

On Paradise Regained'-Critical analysis, with an inten-
tion to prove that it is not inferior in genius and excellence
to 'Paradise Lost,' but in fable-Want of fable in 'Cowper's

Task-in Cowley's works-Milton the earliest English epic

writer-Southey-Scott-Byron-The epic quality of their

poems-Remarks- Paradise Regained' much less encum-

bered with abstruse learning than Paradise Lost' page 248

CHAPTER XXIV.

Milton's juvenile poems-'L'Allegro' and 'Il Penseroso'

considered with reference to originality—' Comus'-' Lyci-

das-Johnson's censure of Lycidas'-His overbearing pe-

dantry-Opinions of Johnson's contemporaries on his life of

Milton

་

254

CHAPTER XXV.

Milton's Sonnets-Suggested by Dante's-Spenser's and

Shakspeare's Sonnets too much commended-Superiority of

Milton's-His naked grandeur of language-His power of

description and compression-Johnson's opinion of Milton's

sonnets-its malignity-Necessity of counteracting Johnson's

opinions

259

CHAPTER XXVI.

On Samson Agonistes'-Written after the model of the

ancient Greek tragedies-Sublimity of Samson's endurance--

Third place of excellence in Milton's works ought to be

assigned to Samson '-What ought to be brought to the read-

ing of Milton-Remarks ..

265

Conclusion

CHAPTER XXVII.

. 271

APPENDIX.

I. Memoranda relating to the family of Powell, of Forest-

hill, Oxfordshire

page 277

II. Descendants of Milton

280

III. Milton's Agreement with Mr. Symons for Paradise

Lost'

283

IV. Cowley's Preface to his Poems, 1656

V. Selected Encomiastic Lines

286

292

ILLUSTRATIONS.

VOL. I.

PORTRAIT OF MILTON in his 62nd year, from FAITHORNE'S original drawing W. C. EDWARDS.

MUSTERING OF THE WARRIOR-ANGELS.-' PARADISE LOST.' Book vi. J. M. W. TURNER, R.A. ROBERT BRANDARD.

"Go, Michael! of celestial armies Prince ;
And thou, in military prowess next,

Gabriel, lead forth to battel these my sons;
By thousands and by millions ranged for fight.'
-So spake the Sovereign voice; and clouds began
To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll

In dusky wreaths reluctant flames. ***
At which command the powers militant

That stood for Heaven, in mighty quadrate join'd
Of union irresistible, moved on

In silence their bright legions.

VOL. I.