third edition was published in 1678; and the widow, to whom the copy was then to devolve, fold all her claims to Simmons for eight pounds, according to her receipt given Dec. 21, 1680. Simmons had already agreed to transfer the whole right to Brabazon Aylmer for twenty-five pounds; and Aylmer fold to Jacob Tonfon half, August 17, 1683, and half, March 24, 1690, at a price confiderably enlarged.

The flow fale and tardy reputation of this poem, have been always mentioned as evidences of neglected merit, and of the uncertainty of literary fame; and enquiries have been made, and conjectures offered, about the causes of its long obfcurity and late reception. But

has the cafe been truly ftated? Have not lamentation and wonder been lavifhed on an evil that was never felt?

That in the reigns of Charles and James the Paradife Loft received no publick acclamations is readily confeffed. Wit and literature were on the fide of the Court: and who that folicited favour or the fashion would venture to praife the defender of the regicides ? All that he himself could think his due, from evil tongues in evil days, was that reverential filence which was generously preferved. But it cannot be inferred that his poem was not read, or not, however unwillingly, admired.

The fale, if it be confidered, will juftify the publick. Thofe who have no

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power

power to judge of paft times but by their own, fhould always doubt their conclufions. The fale of books was not in Milton's age what it is in the prefent. To read was not then a general amufement; neither traders, nor often gentlemen, thought themfelves difgraced by ignorance. The women had not then afpired to literature, nor was every house fupplied with a clofet of books. Thofe indeed, who profeffed learning, were not lefs learned than at any other time; but of that middle race of ftudents who read for pleasure or accomplishment, and who buy the numerous products of modern typography, the number was then comparatively fmall. To prove the paucity of readers, it may be fuffi

cient to remark, that the nation had been fatisfied, 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 fale of thirteen hundred copies in two years, in oppofition to fo much recent enmity, and to a ftyle of verfification new to all and difgufting to many, was an uncommon example of the prevalence of genius. The demand did not immediately encrease; for many more readers than were fupplied at firft the nation did not afford. Only three thousand were fold in eleven years; for it forced its way without affiftance: its admirers did not dare to publish their

opinion; and the opportunities now given of attracting notice by advertisements were then very few; for 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 ftill advanced, till the Revolution. put an end to the fecrecy of love, and Paradife Loft broke into open view with fufficient fecurity of kind reception.

Fancy can hardly forbear to conjecture with what temper Milton furveyed the filent progrefs of his work, and marked his reputation ftealing its way in a kind of fubterraneous current through fear and filence, I cani 4

not