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and the other, the most engaging qualities are admirably united to the moft aweful-the graceful and the tender to the grand and the sublime.

The attractions of his muse have triumphed over obloquy, and in the estimation of the world fhe is juftly thought to resemble the enchanting Eve of the poet,

Adorn'd

With what all earth or heav'n could beftow

To make her amiable.

But equal juftice has not hitherto been rendered to the perfonal virtues of the author; it has, therefore, been my chief aim, in a delineation of his life, to make Milton rather more beloved than more admired; and I may the more reasonably hope to fucceed in that idea, because, though I have never been attached to his political opinions, yet, in proportion to my researches into his character as a man, he has advanced in my esteem and my affection.

I lament that the neceffity of investigating many misrepresentations, and of correcting much asperity against him, has frequently obliged me to speak rather in the tone of an advocate, than of a common biographer; but I may say, in the words of the great Roman author, pleading the cause of a poet infinitely lefs entitled to love and admiration; Hunc ego non diligam, non admirer, non omni ratione defendendum putem? Atque fic a fummis hominibus cruditiffimisque accepimus, cæterarum rerum ftudia et doctrina, et præceptis, et arte conftare; poetam natura ipfa valere, et men

tis

tis viribus excitari, et quafi divino quodam spiritu afflari—if poetical powers may ever deferve to be regarded as heavenly inspiration, such undoubtedly were those of Milton, and the ufe to which he applied them was worthy of the fountain whence they flowed. He is pre-eminent in that class of poets, very happily defcribed in the two following verfes by the amiable lord Falkland;

Who, while of heav'n the glories they recite,

Find it within, and feel the joys they write.

It is by the epic compofitions of Milton alone that England may esteem herself as a rival to antiquity in the highest province of literature; and it appears therefore juft, that the memory of the man, to whom she is indebted for the pureft, the most extenfive, and permanent glory, should for ever excite her affectionate veneration.

CONJECTURES

ΟΝ ΤΗΕ

ORIGIN

OF THE

PARADISE LOST.

CONJECTURES, &c.

CONJECTURES, FANCIES BUILT ON NOTHING FIRM!

MILTON.

T

O write an Epic Poem was the prime object of MILTON's ambition at an early period of life; a paffionate attachment to his country made him first think of celebrating its ancient heroes; but in the long interval between the dawn of fuch a project in his thoughts, and the commencement of his work, a new train of images got poffeffion of his fancy; Arthur yielded to Adam, and England to Paradise.

To confider what various causes might confpire to produce this revolution in the ideas of the great poet may be a pleafing fpeculation, if it is purfued with due refpect to the noble mind that it afpires to examine.

An investigation of a fimilar nature was undertaken fome years ago, upon very different principles, when a fingular attempt was made to annihilate the poetical glory of Milton, by proving him a plagiary. This attempt was fo extraordinary in its nature, and in its end fo honourable H h

to

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