by an author who suffered his ultra-toryism and bigotry so to blind his understanding as to use his pen for distorting the features of a character which he was incapable of delineating. The writer would not have considered these remarks to have been required so long after the death of the calumniator, had not the obnoxious work formed part of that standard publication, “The Lives of the British Poets." The amiable poet, Cowper, has justly designated Johnson's Life of MILTON as "unmerciful treatment."* Again, "In the last leaf of Murphy's Essay," says Hayley, "on the Life and Genius of Johnson, he wrote the following most deliberate censure: 'Let all that is said against MILTON in the conclusion of this book pass undisputed, and Johnson's is a most malignant life of MILTON."" The writer has also taken the liberty to copy into the Appendix, from the Rev. Mr. Todd's Sketch of the Life of Cowper, prefixed to his posthumous poems. p. xxxiii. † Latin and Italian Poems of MILTON, translated by Cowper. Preface and Notes by W. Hayley, Esq. "Account of MILTON," &c. published in 1828, the Extracts from the Council Book while MILTON was Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and which will throw considerable light upon several events connected with his history. Imploring the blessing of the Great Head of the Church to rest upon this humble effort to subserve His glory, by causing it to promote the cause of truth and righteousness, the writer, with much respect, dedicates it to the rising generation in Britain; earnestly praying they may prove themselves a superior race to their most distinguished progenitors, whether of genuine patriots, unsophisticated Protestants, or real Chrisians, and thus contribute towards promoting the prosperity of their country in its highest and most essential interests a country respecting which, in many respects, it might be said, as it is of ancient Israel, "THE LORD HATH NOT DEALT SO WITH ANY PEOPLE." 51, Devonshire Street, Queen Square, Dec. 21st, 1832. J. I. ERRATA. Page 202, for Monk, read, Milton. 315, for Archbishop, read, Bishop of Oxford, Archdeacon of Canterbury. or CONTENTS. CHAPTER 1. 1608-1640. Milton's parents.-Born in London.-His tutors.-Incredible advances in learning.-Sent to Cambridge.-Early productions. Obtains a degree.-Leaves the University.— Returns to his father's house.-Publishes a Latin Elegy.— His Comus and Lycidas published.-Loses his mother.Resolves to make the tour of Europe.-Introduced to persons of distinction.-Visits Rome and Naples.-His Protestant zeal.-Returns to Rome.-Danger from English Jesuits.-Visits Galileo in the Inquisition at Florence.arrives at Venice and Geneva.-Returns to England on account of the Civil War.-State of the Church under Laud, and persecution of the Puritans. Page-1-13. CHAPTER II. 1640-1644. Milton's arrival in London.-Commences schoolmaster.— Reproached on that account.-Vindicated by Toland.-Inconsolable because of the death of Diodati.-Writes against the Bishops. Two Books on the Reformation from Popery. -Prayer to the Trinity in Unity.-Declaration of his motives in writing.-Conduct of the Bishops.-Admiration of the Reformation.-Appeal to the united English and Scotch nations.-Origin of Antichrist.-Publishes on Prelatical Episcopacy against Usher.-Reason of Church Government urged against Prelacy.-Animadversions on a work of Bishop Hall. Sentiments respecting Liturgies.-Church corrupted by Constantine.-His opinion of the Fathers-and of Tithes. Smollett's* Account of the origin of the Civil War.— A different Account by Mrs. Lucy Hutchinson.-State of the Prelates.-Origin of Congregational Churches in Lon- don.-Notes.-Dispute between the Houses of Lords and Commons respecting the Prelates.-Bishops excluded from their seats in Parliament.-Milton publishes his Areopagi- tica.-Charged with printing scandalous books.-Persecut- ing spirit of Presbyterian Assembly.-Eloquent description of the Liberty of the Press. He is married.-Left by his wife.-Publishes four Tracts on Divorce. They are recon- ciled. Remarks on his conduct and principles.-Bishop Hall's opinion.-Note.-Milton belonged to the Baptist Denomination.-Sonnet.-Death of his father.-Revives his Presbyterians oppose the execution of the King.-Tes- • The writer, by mistake, has in this Chapter used the name of |