CONTENTS. Milton's parents.-Born in London.-His tutors.-Incre- dible 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 per- sons of distinction.-Visits Rome and Naples.-His Pro- testant zeal.-Returns to Rome.-Danger from English Jesuits.-Visits Galileo in the Inquisition at Florence.- arrives at Venice and Geneva.-Returns to England on ac- Milton's arrival in London.-Commences schoolmaster.- 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.""t 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 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 science.--House of Lords voted to be useless.-Office of King voted to be dangerous to liberty.-Council of State.- Milton commences the History of England.-Appointed Latin Secretary to the Council.-Publishes his Eiclono- castes.-Eikon Basilike an imposture.-Milton publishes a reply to the Irish Presbyterians.-Writes a reply to Sal- masius.-Publishes his Second Defence.-Reply to Peter Du Moulin, who had reproached him on account of his blindness.-Sonnet on his blindness.-Letter on the same subject to Leonard Philarus.-Lines addressed to Cyriac Milton's Oliver Cromwell appointed Lord Protector. reason for approving Cromwell's conduct.-Sonnet on his character.-Protector's principles as to Liberty of Con- 1 science, Note.--Milton's eulogy on his character--Loss of his two wives.-Sonnet.-Publishes his Treatise of Civil Power in Ecclesiastical Causes, and Considerations to remove Hirelings, &c.-Death of Oliver Cromwell.-Publishes on the Ruptures of the Commonwealth; and the ready and safe way to establish a free Commonwealth.-Letter to The Duke of Savoy persecutes the Waldenses.-Crom- |