ings, we are told by Whitelocke, were sold at very low prices, and enriched all the collections in Europe; and, but for the tact and management of Selden, the library and medals of Saint James's would have been put up to auction, in order to pay the arrears of some regiments of Cavalry, quartered near London. Poets, and other literary men, were not only disturbed in their studies by the clang of arms, but many of them exchanged the pen for the sword, and mingled actively in the contest which raged around them.

Still, the most stirring and turbulent times are not the most unfavorable to the productions of Poetry. The Muse catches inspiration from the storm, and Genius rides upon the whirlwind, while perhaps it would only slumber during the calm. Chaucer wrote amidst all the irritation and fury excited by the progress of the Reformation; Spenser and Shakspeare, while the nation was contending for its very existence against the colossal power of Spain; and it was during the political and religious frenzy of the times of which we are now speaking, that Milton stored his mind with those sublime imaginings, which afterwards expanded into

that vast masterpiece of human genius, the "Paradise Lost." There can be but little doubt that when this illustrious Poet, a man so accomplished in mind and manners, joined the Parliamentary party, he made many sacrifices of taste and feeling, for what he considered-whether correctly or not, it is not now my province to enquire the cause of civil and religious liberty. Neither, vulgar and tasteless as was the mass of that party, was he without associates of whom even he had reason to be proud :

"Great men have been among us, hands that penn'd, And tongues that utter'd wisdom: better none; The later Sydney, Marvell, Harrington,

Young Vane, and others, who call'd Milton friend." In early life he published his charming "Comus," "L'Allegro," "Il Penseroso," "Lycidas," and others of his minor Poems. During the war, his active engagements, as Latin Secretary to the Protector, and generally as a political partisan, occupied him almost exclusively; although he has himself told us, that even then his mind was brooding over the production of something "which the world should not willingly let die.” It was not, however, until "fallen on evil days, and evil tongues," when the once celebrated Latin Secretary, and the future Poet of "all

time," was only known as the blind old Schoolmaster of Artillery-walk, that he produced his immortal Epic.

I

The present Introductory Lecture being, as I have already stated, rather historical than critical, I shall not here enter into any examination of the merits of "Paradise Lost." would, however, say a few words as to its effects upon the Literature of the time. It is a very common error to suppose that it fell almost still-born from the press; or, at least, that it was generally received with extraordinary coolness and neglect. That it was not at first acknowledged to be entitled to occupy that proud station on the British Parnassus, which is now universally conceded to it, is unquestionable; but it is equally certain, that when first published, it was hailed with admiration and delight by men of the highest talent; and that even throughout the nation at large, the circumstances of the Author, and the spirit of the times considered, it was far more successful than could have been reasonably expected. The Author was a democrat and a dissenter, and the age was ultra-loyal and ultra-orthodox: the Poem was thoroughly imbued with a reli

gious feeling and sentiment, and the public to which it was addressed, was more profligate and irreligious than it had been known to have ever been before. "Paradise Lost" was moreover written in blank verse; a new, and strange, and to many ears, an unpleasing style of metre, and the purity and severity of taste which reigned throughout it, was opposed to the popular admiration of the far-fetched conceits and the tawdry ornaments of Cowley, and the Metaphysical School. Notwithstanding all these disadvantages, the Poem received extraordinary homage, both from the learned and the public. Andrew Marvell and Dr. Barrow addressed eulogistic verses to the Author; and Dryden, the Laureate, and the favourite Poet of the day, when Milton's Epic was first introduced to his notice by the Earl of Dorset, exclaimed, "This man cuts us all out, and the ancients too." He also complimented Milton with the well known Epigram, beginning "Three Poets, in three distant ages born;" and afterwards, with his consent, constructed a Drama, called "The State of Innocence; or, the Fall of Man," founded upon "Paradise Lost." "Fit audience let me find, though few," says Milton, and his wish was more than

gratified; for above 1300 copies-a very great number in those days of his Poem were sold in less than two years; and 3000 more in less than nine years afterwards. It was not, however, until the celebrated critique of Addison appeared in the "Spectator," that the English nation at large became aware that it possessed a native Poet "above all Greek, above all Roman fame," and that it fully rendered him the honours which were so unquestionably his due.

The publication of “Paradise Lost" was soon followed by that of "Paradise Regained," and "Sampson Agonistes." Neither of the latter

works can be said to have advanced the fame of the Author of the former; but for any other author they would have assuredly won the wreath of immortality. They do not appear to have had any decided influence upon the taste and spirit of the time. The favourite Poets were Butler, Otway, and Dryden: and, if we can once forget the sin of overlooking Milton, we must admit that the judgment of the age cannot be very severely arraigned for its choice of favourites. The matchless Wit of the first, notwithstanding his occasional grossnesses, and his too