professed learning, were not less learned than at any other time; but of that middle race of students who read for pleasure or accomplishment, and who buy the numerous products of modern typography, the number was then comparatively small. To prove the paucity of readers, it may be sufficient to remark, that the nation had been satisfied from 1623 to 1664, that is, forty-one years, with only two editions of the works of Shakespeare, which probably did not together make one thousand copies.

The sale of thirteen hundred copies in two years, in opposition to so much recent enmity, and to a style of versification new to all and disgusting to many, was an uncommon example of the prevalence of genius. The demand did not immediately increase; for many more readers than were supplied at first the nation did not afford. Only three thousand were sold in eleven years; for it forced its way without assistance; its admirers did not dare to publish their opinion; and the opportuni ties now given of attracting notice by advertisements were then very few; the means of proclaiming the publication of new books have been produced by that general literature which now pervades the nation through all its ranks.

But the reputation and price of the copy still advanced, till the Revolution put an end to the secrecy of love, and Paradise Lost broke into open view with sufficient security of kind reception.

Fancy can hardly forbear to conjecture with what temper Milton surveyed the silent progress of his work, and marked its reputation stealing its way, in a kind of subterraneous current, through VOL. X.

B b

fear and silence. I cannot but conceive him calm and confident, little disappointed, not at all dejected, relying on his own merit with steady consciousness, and waiting without impatience the vicissitudes of opinion, and the impartiality of a future generation.

In the mean time he continued his studies, and supplied the want of sight by a very odd expedient, of which Philips gives the following account :

Mr Philips tells us, "that though our Author "had daily about him one or other to read, some 66 persons of man's estate, who, of their own ac"cord, greedily catched at the opportunity of be

ing his readers, that they might as well reap the "benefit of what they read to him, as oblige him "by the benefit of their reading; and others of

younger years were sent by their parents to the "same end; yet excusing only the eldest daughter

by reason of her bodily infirmity and difficult "utterance of speech (which, to say truth, I "doubt was the principal cause of excusing her), "the other two were condemned to the perform"ance of reading, and exactly pronouncing of all "the languages of whatever book he should, at one " time or other, think fit to peruse, viz. the He"brew (and I think the Syriac), the Greek, the "Latin, the Italian, Spanish, and French. All "which sorts of books to be confined to read, "without understanding one word, must needs be "a trial of patience almost beyond endurance. "Yet it was endured by both for a long time, though the irksomeness of this employment "could not be always concealed, but broke out "more and more into expressions of uneasiness;

"so that at length they were all, even the eldest ❝also, sent out to learn some curious and ingenious "sorts of manufacture, that are proper for women "to learn, particularly embroideries in gold or "silver."

In this scene of misery, which this mode of intellectual labour sets before our eyes, it is hard to determine whether the daughters or the father are most to be lamented. A language not understood can never be so read as to give pleasure, and very seldom so as to convey meaning. If few men would have had resolution to write books with such embarrassments, few likewise would have wanted ability to find some better expedient.

Three years after his Paradise Lost (1667), he published his History of England, comprizing the whole fable of Geoffry of Monmouth, and conti nued to the Norman Invasion. Why he should have given the first part, which he seems not to believe, and which is universally rejected, it is difficult to conjecture. The style is harsh; but it has something of rough vigour, which perhaps may often strike, though it cannot please.

On this history the licenser again fixed his claws, and before he would transmit it to the press tore out several parts. Some censures of the Saxon monks were taken away, lest they should be applied to the modern clergy; and a character of the Long Parliament, and Assembly of Divines, was excluded; of which the author gave a copy to the Earl of Anglesea, and which, being afterwards published, has been since inserted in its proper place.

The same year were printed Paradise Regained,

and Sampson Agonistes, a tragedy written in imitation of the Ancients, and never designed by the author for the stage. As these poems were published by another bookseller, it has been asked, whether Simmons was discouraged from receiving them by the slow sale of the former. Why a writer changed his bookseller a hundred years ago, I am far from hoping to discover. Certainly, he who in two years sells thirteen hundred copies of a volume in quarto, bought for two payments of five pounds each, has no reason to repent his purchase.

When Milton shewed Paradise Regained to Elwood, "This," said he, " is owing to you; for કંડ you put it in my head by the question you put "to me at Chalfont, which otherwise I had not "thought of."

His last poetical offspring was his favourite. He could not, as Elwood relates, endure to hear Paradise Lost preferred to Paradise Regained. Many causes may vitiate a writer's judgment of his own works. On that which has cost him much labour he sets a high value, because he is unwilling to think that he has been diligent in vain; what has been produced without toilsome efforts is considered with delight, as a proof of vigorous faculties and fertile invention; and the last work, whatever it be, has necessarily most of the grace of novelty. Milton, however it happened, had this prejudice,

and had it to himself.

To that multiplicity of attainments, and extent of comprehension, that entitled this great author to our veneration, may be added a kind of humble dignity, which did not disdain the meanest services to literature. The epick poet, the controvertist,

the politician, having already descended to accom modate children with a book of rudiments, now, in the last years of his life, composed a book of Logick for the initiation of students in philosophy; and published (1672) Artis Logica plenior Institutio ad Petri Rami Methodum concinnata; that is, "A new Scheme of Logick, according to the "Method of Ramus." I know not whether, even in this book, he did not intend an act of hostility against the Universities; for Ramus was one of the first oppugners of the old philosophy, who disturbed with innovations the quiet of the schools.

His polemical disposition again revived. He had now been safe so long, that he forgot his fears, and published a Treatise of True Religion, Heresy, Schism, Toleration, and the best means to prevent the Growth of Popery.

But this little tract is modestly written, with respectful mention of the Church of England, and an appeal to the Thirty-nine Articles. His principle of toleration is, agreement in the sufficiency of the Scriptures; and he extends it to all who, whatever their opinions are, profess to derive them from the sacred books. The Papists appeal to other testimonies, and are therefore, in his opinion, not to be permitted the liberty of either publick or private worship: for though they plead conscience, we have no warrant, he says, to regard conscience which is not grounded in Scripture.

Those who are not convinced by his reasons, may be perhaps delighted with his wit. The term Roman Catholick is, he says, one of the Pope's bulls; it is particular universal, or catholick schismatick.