editions in 1688 and 1695-Milton's History of England '— Artis Logicæ Plenior Institutio'-' Treatise of True Religion' Familiar Letters'-'Academical Exercises'- Decline of health-Illness-Death-Burial-Personal appear- General and miscellaneous observations-Milton's imagi- nation His great poems-Studies in Holy Scriptures- Comparison with Spenser and Shakspeare - Lesson of his life-Intellect Language - Mental and moral character- Observations on Milton's poetry continued - Era of his Recapitulation of Milton's personal character-Non-com- pliance with the ways of the world-Purity and sanctity of soul -Address to Urania-Origin of Paradise Lost'-The poet's own account of the origin-Difficulty of giving novelty to any 'Paradise Lost'-The two grand criticisms on this poem 215 Addison's Essay continued-Battle of the angels-Addi- son's sublimity-Conclusion of Addison's Essay-Remarks- Johnson's partiality for Dryden and Pope--Unfairness to Mil- Merits of Milton compared with those of other poets-Supe- riority of Milton-Character and invention-Remarks on the quality of Milton's genius-Technical critics require technical On Paradise Regained'-Critical analysis, with an inten- Task-in Cowley's works-Milton the earliest English epic writer-Southey-Scott-Byron-The epic quality of their Milton's juvenile poems-'L'Allegro' and 'Il Penseroso' considered with reference to originality—' Comus'-' Lyci- Milton's Sonnets-Suggested by Dante's-Spenser's and Shakspeare's Sonnets too much commended-Superiority of Milton's-His naked grandeur of language-His power of description and compression-Johnson's opinion of Milton's ILLUSTRATIONS. VOL. I. PORTRAIT OF MILTON in his 62nd year, from FAITHORNE'S original drawing W. C. EDWARDS. MUSTERING OF THE WARRIOR-ANGELS.-' PARADISE LOST.' Book vi. J. M. W. TURNER, R.A. ROBERT BRANDARD. "Go, Michael! of celestial armies Prince ; Gabriel, lead forth to battel these my sons; In dusky wreaths reluctant flames. *** That stood for Heaven, in mighty quadrate join'd In silence their bright legions. VOL. I. |