unexplored, or misunderstood. Coeval books, which might clear fuch references, were therefore to be confulted: and a new line of com→ mentary was to be purfued. Comparatively, the claffical annotator has here but liitle to do. Doctor Newton, an excellent fcholar, was unacquainted with the treasures of the Gothic library. From his more folid and rational ftudies, he never deviated into this idle track of reading. Milton, at least in these poems, may be reckoned an old English poet; and therefore here requires that illustration, without which no old English poet can be well illuftrated.

Hitherto I have been speaking of the Notes to the English poems. As to those on the PoEMATA LATINA, of which fomething has already been incidentally faid, they may have their use in unfolding many paffages even to the learned reader. These pieces contain feveral curious circumftances of Milton's early life, fituations, friendships, and connections; which are often fo tranfiently or implicitly noticed, as to need examination and enlargement. It also feemed useful to fhew, which of the antient Roman poets were here Milton's models, and how far and in what inftances they have been copied. Here a new fource of criticism on Milton, and which displays him in a new light and character, was opened. That English notes are joined with a Latin text, may be cenfured as an inconfiftency,

ency, or as an arbitrary departure from the cuf tomary practice. But I know not any fatisfactory reason, why books in a learned or unfamiliar language, should be always explained in a language equally difficult.

It was no part of my plan to add to my own the Notes of my predeceffors. Perhaps it has happened, that fome of my remarks have been anticipated by doctor Newton and others. Such coincidences are accidental and undefigned. I have been favoured with a few Notes by the late Mr. Bowle, the learned and ingenious publisher of Don Quixote, extracted from his interleaved copy of Milton's fecond edition of these poems. A few others have been communicated by my brother; and I am convinced that my reader will concur with me in wishing, that his indispensable engagements would have permitted him to communicate many more. These valuable contributions are constantly marked with the names of their refpective authors: as are some observations of Bishop Warburton, and of Bishop Hurd, diftinguished by the initial letters of their names, W. and H., and which were kindly communicated to me by the latter of these two learned prelates.

I must add one or two more circumstances relating to my revifal of this volume. I have found it expedient to alter or enlarge Milton's VOL. I.

d

Own

1

own titles, which feemed to want fulness and precision, yet preferving their form and fubstance. Nor have I fcrupulously followed the order used in his own editions, which yet I have not greatly violated. In disturbing the series of the pieces, my meaning was, not to study capricious and useless novelty, but to accommodate the reader, and to introduce uniformity, by a more methodical but obvious arrangement. I have endeavoured to render the text as uncorrupt and perfpicuous as poffible, not only by examining and comparing the authentic copies published under the author's immediate inspection, but by regulating the punctuation, of which Milton appears to have been habitually careless.

THIS new edition of Milton's Poems was completely finished for the press, and delivered to the printer, with the many alterations and large additions that now appear, some months before the lamented death of the editor. Among the additions will be found Remarks on the Greek Verfes of Milton, by the learned Mr. C. Burney; and also, what the lovers of this great poet will look upon as a curiofity, his laft Will and Testament, in which will be seen, many circumftances of his Life, Manners, and Habits, not known before.

APPENDIX

APPENDIX

то THE

PREFACE.

THE

NUNCUPATIVE WILL

OF

JOHN MILTON,'

WITH

NOTES BY THE EDITOR.

Με

EMORANDUM, that JOHN MILTON, late of the parish of S. Giles Cripplegate in the Countie of Middlesex gentleman, deceased, at severall times before his death, and in particular, on or about the twentieth day of July, in the year of our Lord God 1674, being of perfect mind and memorie, declared his Will and intent as to the difpofall of his eftate after his death, in these words following, or like effect: "The portion due to me from Mr. Powell, my former wife's "father, I leave to the unkind children I had by her, having re ❝ceived no parte of it; but my meaning is, they fhall have no

a A's propounded in the Prerogative Court.

d 2

« other

"other benefit of my eftate than the faid portion, and what I "have befides done for them; they having been very unduti"full to me. All the refidue of my eftate I leave to [the] "difpofall of Elizabeth my loving wife." Which words, or to the fame effect, were spoken in the prefence of CHRISTOPHER MILTON. b

Nov. 23, 1674.*

X [Mark of] ELIZABETH FISHER.

I.

The Allegation propounding the Will, on whith Allegation the Witnesses be examined.

Negotium Teftamentariuni, five probacionis Teftamenti nuncupativi, five ultimæ Voluntatis, JOHANNIS MILTON, nuper dum vixit parochia S. Ægidii Cripplegate London generofi, defuncti, habent, &c. promotum per Elizabetham MILTON Relictam, et Legatariam principalem nominatam in Teftamento nuncupativo, five ultima Voluntate, dicti defuncti, contra Mariam, Annam, et Deboram MILTON, filias dicti defuncti.

THOMPSON, CLEMENTS,

Secundo Andreæ, A. D. 1674. Quo die.... Thompson, nomine, procuratione, ac ultimus procurator legitimus, dicta

b JOHN MILTON's younger brother: a ftrong royalift, and a profeffed papist. After the civil war, he made his compofition through his brother's intereft. Being a practitioner in the law, he lived to be an antient Bencher of the Inner Temple: was made a judge of the Common Pleas, and knighted by king James the fecond, but on account of his age and infirmities, he was at length difmiffed from bufinefs, and retired to Ipfwich, where he refided all the latter part of his life.

A fervant-maid of JOHN MILTON.

d Registr. Cur. Prærog. Cant. This Will was contefted by Mary, Deborah, and Anne Milton, daughters of the poet's first wife Mary, daughter of Mr. Richard Powell, of Forresthill in Oxfordshire. The caufe came to a regular sentence, which was given against the Will; and the widow, Elizabeth, was ordered to take Administration instead of a Probate. I muft add here, that this caufe, the fubject of which needed no additional luftre from great names, was tried by that upright and able statesman, Sir Leoline Jenkins, Judge of the Prerogative Court, and Secretary of State; and that the depofitions were taken in part before Dr. Trumbull, afterwards Sir William Trumbull, Secretary of State, and the celebrated friend of Pope. As a circumstantial and authentic history of this procefs, the following inftruments, which were otherwife thought too curious to be fuppreffed, are fubjoined.

e Viz. Chriftopher MILTON, and JOHN MILTON's two fervant-maids Elizabeth and Mary Fisher. Witneffes on the part of the widow.

f This was his third wife, Elizabeth Minihull, of a gentleman's family in Chefhire, He married her at the recommendation of his friend, and her relation, Dra