But I haften to give the reader an account of my design and conduct, and of what he is to expect, in this edition.

My volume exhibits those poems of Milton, of which a fecond edition, with fome lender additions, appeared in 1673, while the author was yet living, under the title, "Poems upon several "occafions, by Mr. John Milton. Both English "and Latin, &c. Composed at several times." In this collection our author did not include his PARADISE REGAINED and SAMSON AGONISTES, as some later editors have, perhaps improperly, done. Those two pieces, forming a fingle volume by themselves, had just before been printed together, in 1671. Milton here intended only an edition of his Juvenile Poems and to this plan the present edition is confined, except only that two or three Latin epigrams, and a few petty fragments of translation felected from the profe works, are admitted.

The chief purpose of the Notes is to explain our author's allufions, to illuftrate or to vindicate his beauties, to point out his imitations both of others and of himself, to elucidate his obfolete diction, and by the adduction and juxtapofition of parallels univerfally gleaned both from his poetry and profe, to ascertain his favourite words, and to fhew the peculiarities of his phrafeology. And thus fome of the Notes, those I mean which relate to his imitations of himself, and to his language, have a more general effect, and are applicable to all Milton's writings. Among

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Among the English poets, those readers who truft to the late commentators will be led to believe, that our author imitated Spenfer and Shakespeare only. But his ftyle, expreffion, and more extenfive combinations of diction, together with many of his thoughts, are alfo to be traced in other English poets, who were either his contemporaries or predeceffors, and of whom many are now not commonly known. Of this it has been a part of my task to produce proofs. Nor have his imitations from Spenfer and Shakespeare been hitherto fufficiently noted.

When Milton wrote these poems, many traditionary fuperftitions, not yet worn out in the popular belief, adhered to the poetry of the times. Romances and fabulous narratives were ftill in fashion, and not yet driven away by puritans and ufurpers. To ideas of this fort, and they corres ponded with the complexion of his genius, allufions often appear even in Milton's elder poetry : but it was natural that they fhould be found at leaft as largely in his early pieces, which were profeffedly written in a lighter ftrain, at a period when they more univerfally prevailed, and were more likely to be caught by a young poet. Much imagery in these poems is founded on this fource of fiction. Hence arofe obfcurities, which have been overlooked or misinterpreted and thus the force of many ftrikingly poetical paffages has been weakened or unperceived, because their origin was unknown

unknown, unexplored, or mifunderstood. Coeval books, which might clear fuch references, were therefore to be confulted; and a new line of commentary was to be purfued. Comparatively, the claffical annotator has here but little to do. Doctor Newton, an excellent fcholar, was unacquainted with the treasures of the Gothic library. From his more folid and rational studies, 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 illuftration, without which no old English poet can be well illuftrated.

Hitherto I have been speaking of the Notes to the English poems. As to thofe on the POEMATA LATINA, of which fomething has already been incidentally faid, they may have their ufe in unfolding many paffages even to the learned reader. These pieces contain several curious circumstances of Milton's early life, fituations, friendships, and connections; which are often fo tranfiently or implicitly noticed, as to need examination and enlargement. It alfo feemed ufeful 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 inconsistency, or as an arbitrary departure from the customary practice. But I know not any fatisfactory reason, why books in a learned or unfamiliar language

language fhould 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 coincidencies are accidental and undefigned. I have been favoured with a few Notes by Mr. Bowle, the learned and ingenious publifher 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 indifpenfable engagements would have permitted him to communicate many more. These valuable contributions are conftantly marked with the names of their respective authors.

Although not immediately connected with its contents, it was my intention to have enriched this publication with a copy of Milton's Will. But I have been disappointed. It is not to be found in the Prerogative Office, where it had been long ago fought in vain by the industrious Oldys, and the late Mr. Hollis. But here, as Milton died poffeffed only of a small fortune in Middlesex, it never could have been properly lodged. If any where, it, was to be discovered among the records of the bishoprick of London. But it does not appear in the epifcopal books, nor in the archives of the chapterhoufe of faint Paul's, nor in any registry belong

ing to the diocefe. For this fearch, which was very tedious and intricate, I acknowledge myself much obliged to the polite attention and indefatigable perfeverance of Mr. Jenner, proctor of the Commons, and commiffary of faint Paul's. The inquiry however, if unfuccefsful, has afcertained one important point, which is that no fuch curiofity at prefent exifts; and it may therefore prevent the trouble of all future inquiries. Our author probably left a Will, as he is faid to have bequeathed fifteen hundred pounds to his wife and daughters, having fold his library. But in fuch profcriptive abhorrence was Milton held, a man who had been so eminently obnoxious to the interests of the church and the regal family now newly restored to their injured rights, that when an opportunity was offered, whatever might serve in any kind or degree to perpetuate his name or memory, would naturally be treated with contempt and it is therefore probable, however unjuftifiable and uncharitable, that his Will was never allowed the privilege of admittance into a public ecclefiaftical repofitory, or, if admitted, that it was easily suffered to be fuppreffed. CoмUS and the PARADISE LOST could not on this occafion apologise for the defender of the king's murther. The violence of political prejudice, exulting in the recent recovery of the power of retaliation, was not to be foftened by the fafcinations of fancy. But the jealous partifans of the Reftoration little suspected that an age would arrive, in which their old antagonist would again triumph:

that