CONTENT S.

CHAPTER I.

Birth of Milton-Character of the times-His family Early education, Death of King James-Character of his courtPublic characters of Elizabeth's reign-Programme of Milton's travels-Juvenile poems—Death of a fair infant'-College verses-Rustication from college - Retirement at HortonReturn to college-Epic poem of King Arthur'-Love of the the Theatre – Anticipations of Paradise Lost' - Style of Milton's language

page 1

CHAPTER II.

Critical account of Milton's college poetry—Hymn to the Nativity'-Its sublimity and originality-Johnson's neglect of this ode-Milton's lyrical ear-Latin poetry—'In Quintum Novembris' _'In Obitum Præsulis Eliensis'--'Naturam non pati senium' - Cowper's translation Poem to his

14

In adventum Veris' - Seasons of composition – Pride of
scholarship-Superiority of his English juvenile verse to his
Latin

page 24

CHAPTER IV.

Departure from College-L’Allegro' and • Il Penseroso'-

From whence suggested— Character of these compositions-

Opinions of Warton and Johnson-Comments

33

CHAPTER V.

* Lycidas,' and 'Epitaphium Damonis'-Death of Edward

King—Dr. Jobnson's censure of Lycidas'-Analysis of his

critique-Death of Charles Deodate- Elegy--Design of an

epic poem

43

CHAPTER VI.

On Comus' Introduction of Milton to Bridgewater

family-Performance of ‘Comus' by the family—The Eger-

tons — Masks in Ben Jonson's time-Outline of Comus'-

Warton's criticism-Criticisms from Toland to Todd--Unfit-

ness of • Comus' for stage exhibition

48

CHAPTER VII.

• The Arcades '- Countess of Derby - Her family - Hare-

field-Harrington's epigram-Spenser's lines on Lady Derby

--Her peerage-book .

59

CHAPTER VIII.

Milton's foreign travels -- Reception at Florence - Rome

and Naples-Visit to Galileo-Marquis Mansom Ad Man-

sum'-Cowper's translation - Venice-GenevaJohn Deo-

date-Calvinistic prejudices-Traces of Milton's visit to Ge-

neva

page 63

CHAPTER IX.

Milton's return to England-Undertakes the tutorship of

his nephews-Johnson's remarks on this—Defence of Milton's

occupation--Commencement of his prose works-Contro-

versies-Milton's autobiography-Prayer-Preface to second

book of Reason of Church Government'

72

CHAPTER X.

Milton's marriage-Separation from his wife--Doctrine

and Discipline of Divorce'-'Tetrachordon'— Judgment of

Martin Bucer'-Colasterion'-Clamour against Milton-Re-

turn of his wife-Her death-Milton's claim on her father's

property

103

CHAPTER XI.

His various literary occupations-Publication of early

poems in 1645— Animadversions upon Remonstrants' De-

fence'-'Apology for Smectymnuus'—*Tractate of Education'

-- Areopagitica'—* Tenure of Kings and Magistrates'— Ob-

servations,' &c.—Milton's account of his · History of England'

--Eikonoclastes'-Preface to · Eikonoclastes'-- Defensio pro

Populo'-Defensio secunda’— Treatise on Civil Power'-

· Considerations,' &c.-- Letter to a Friend'- Ready and

easy Way to establish a free Commonwealth '_'Brief Notes

upon a late Sermon’ - Remarks on Milton's sectarian

writings

107
CHAPTER XII.

Milton's state appointment-Second marriage-Loss of sight

--Reduction of salary-Loss of secretaryship Cabinet coun.

cil of Raleigh'-His own description of his person-Hi

accomplishments — Reply to attack on his private cha-

racter

page 131

CHAPTER XIII.

Milton's character of Oliver Cromwell—Queries to the

people of England'—Biography resumed—Milton's knowledge

of human nature-Facts in Milton's life few and trite-John-

son's attack on the poet

140

CHAPTER XIV.

Milton's blindness-His enemies charge it as a judgment

upon him-His reply and appeal-Sonnet to Skinner-Re.

commendation of Andrew Marvell as secretary -- Milton's

salary--Commencement of the • Paradise Lost'- Visited by

foreigners of distinction Restoration of the Monarchy

Death. of Vane and other regicides – Clemency shown to

Milton-Cause not recorded--Charles's court-French school

of poetry-Dryden-Milton composing his poem in retire-

ment-Cowley—The poet's hatred of monarchy-Third mar-

riage-Plague in London-Milton retires to Buckinghamshire

-His Latin letter to Heimbach

154

CHAPTER XV.

Sale of Paradise Lost? -Johnson's remarks Contempo-
raries of Milton-Dryden's opinion of Paradise Lost'-Folio