treatise of "Reformation," in two books, against the established church; and soon after one, "Of Prelatical Episcopacy," against the learned Usher, who had written a confutation of "Smectymnuus," which was intended as an answer to Bishop Hall's "Humble Remonstrance," in defence of Episcopacy. His next work was "The Reason of Church Government urged against Prelacy," 1642. In this book, says Johnson, he discovers, not with ostentatious exultation, but with calm confidence, his high opinion of his own powers; and promises to undertake something, he yet knows not what, that may be of use and honour to his country. แ This," says Milton, "is not to be obtained but by devout prayer to the Eternal Spirit that can enrich with all utterance and knowledge, and sends out his Seraphim with the hallowed fire of his altar, to touch and purify the lips of whom he pleases. To this must be added, industrious and select reading, steady observation, and insight into all seemly and generous arts and affairs; till which in some measure be compast, I refuse not to sustain this expectation." From a promise like this, adds Johnson, at once fervid, pious, and rational, might be expected the "Paradise Lost." He published the same year two more pamphlets on the same question, with which the controversy appears to have ended, and episcopacy was soon afterwards overwhelmed by the violent means for which the press had long prepared.

About the time that the town of Reading was taken by the Earl of Essex, Milton's father came to reside in his house, and his school increased. In 1643, his domestic comfort was disturbed by an incident

which he had hoped would have rather promoted it. This was his marriage to Mary, the daughter of Richard Powell, Esq., a magistrate in Oxfordshire, and a loyalist. The lady was brought to London, but did not remain above a month with her husband, when, under pretence of a visit to her relations, she wholly absented herself, and resisted his utmost and repeated importunities to return. His biographers inform us that the lady had been accustomed to the jovial hospitality of the loyalists at her father's house, and that after a month's experience of her new life, she began to sigh for the gaieties she had left, &c. Whether this will sufficiently account for her conduct, our readers may consider. Milton, however, appears to have felt the indignity, and determined to repudiate her for disobedience; and finding no court of law able to assist him, published some treatises to justify his intentions; such as "The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce;""The Judgment of Martin Bucer, concerning Divorce," &c. In these he argued the point with great ingenuity, but made few converts, and the principal notice taken of these writings came in a very unfortunate shape. The Westminster Assembly of Divines procured that the author should be called before the House of Lords, who did not, however, institute any process on the matter; but in consequence of this attack, the Presbyterian party forfeited his favour, and he ever after treated them with contempt.

As in these writings on divorce, he had convinced himself of the rectitude of his principles, his next step was to carry them into practice, by courting a

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young woman of great accomplishments, the daughter of one Dr. Davis, or Davies. This alarmed the parents of his wife, who had now another reason for wishing a reconciliation, namely, the interest of Milton with the predominant powers, to whom they had become obnoxious by their loyalty. It was contrived, therefore, that his wife should be at a house where he was expected to visit, and should surprise him with her presence and her penitence. All this was successfully arranged: the lady played her part to admiration, and Milton not only received her with his wonted affection, but extended his protection to her family in the most generous manner. He was now obliged to take a larger mansion, and removed to Barbican. In 1644, he published his "Tractate on Education," explaining the plan already mentioned, which he had attempted to carry into execution in his school. His next publication was his "Areopagitica, or a speech for the liberty of unlicensed printing;" a treatise which at least served to expose the hypocrisy of the usurping powers, during whose reign the liberty of the press was as much restrained as in any period of the monarchy, nor perhaps at any time was Milton's unbounded liberty less relished.

Though his controversial, and other engagements, had for some time suspended the exertion of his poetical talents, yet he did not suffer his character as a poet to sink into oblivion, and in 1645 he published his juvenile poems in Latin and English, including, for the first time, the "Allegro" and "Penseroso." In 1646, Milton's wife produced her first child, and in

the following year, in which his father died, the family of the Powells returned to their own mansion, and his house was resigned once more to literature. In this house, in which his second daughter Mary was born, he did not continue long, but exchanged it for one of smaller dimensions in High Holborn. He is not known to have published anything afterwards till the king's death, when, finding that measure condemned by the Presbyterians, he wrote a treatise to justify it. Of all Milton's political works this reflects least credit on his talents or his principles. Even those who have been most disposed to vindicate him against all censure, and to represent him invulnerable both as a politician and a poet, seem to shrink from the task of defending him in this instance, and candidly tell us, that they meet with an insuperable difficulty in the very title of the book: "The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates; proving, that it is lawful, and hath been held so through all ages, for any who have the power, to call to account a tyrant or wicked king: and after due conviction, to depose and put him to death, if the ordinary magistrate have neglected or denied to do it." Here, therefore, the right to punish kings belongs to any who have the power, and their having the power makes it lawful, a doctrine so monstrous as to be given up by his most zealous advocates, as "a fearful opening for mischief:" but it was, in truth, at that time, what Milton intended it to be, a justification, not of the people of England, for they had no hand in the king's murder, but of the army under Ireton and Cromwell. That Milton was also at this time under

the strong influence of party spirit, appears from his attack on the Presbyterians in this work, the avowed ground of which is their inconsistency. When, however, we examine their inconsistency, as he has been pleased to state it, it amounts to only this, that they contributed in common with the Independents and other sectaries and parties, to dethrone the king; but wished to stop short of his murder. Every species of opposition to what they considered as tyranny in the king, they could exert, but they thought it sufficient to deprive him of power, without depriving him of life.

"Observations upon the

His next publication was, Articles of Peace, which the Earl of Ormond had concluded at Kilkenny, on Jan. 17, 1648-9, in the king's name, and by his authority, with the Popish Irish rebels," &c. The purport of this also was to render the Royal cause more odious by connecting it with the Irish massacre; and that the sentiments of the nation might become yet more completely republican, he now employed himself in composing "A History of England." Of this, however, he wrote only six books, which bring it no lower down than to the battle of Hastings. It presents a perspicuous arrangement of the fabulous and less interesting part of our history; but, as he never resumed the task, it is impossible to say in what way he could have rendered the events of more recent times subservient to his purpose. His regicide performance evidently shows that his ideas of our constitution are totally at variance with the opinions of the most enlightened of our present writers; and he probably found that