Α LIST OF THE EDITIONS OF THE ARE O PAGITICA, KNOWN TO THE EDITOR, which have been published separately FROM MILTON'S PROSE-WORKS. Small Quarto, Lond. 1644; original Edition. Octavo, Lond. 1772; with a smart ironical Dedication to C. Jenkinson, Esqr. the late Earl of Liverpool. Octavo, Lond. 1792. This was edited by James Losh, Esqr. A sort of an abridgement of the AREOPAGITICA was published in 1693, small 4to, under the title of "Reasons humbly offered for the Liberty of "Unlicens'd Printing. To which is subjoin'd, the just and true Character of Edmund Bohun, the "Licenser of the Press. In a Letter from a Gen"tleman in the Country, to a Member of Parlia"ment." No other notice is taken of MILTON than by subscribing the initials I. M. It was also reprinted with the "Tractat of Education," at the end of Archdeacon Blackburne's Remarks on Johnson's Life of MILTON; 12mo, 1780; at the expense of the late Mr. Brand Hollis; and again in a Volume of Tracts, edited by Mr. Maseres, in 1809. And the celebrated Mirabeau published a Tract, sur la Liberté de la Presse, imité de l' Anglois, de MILTON. It is for the most part a translation from the AREOPAGITICA; and I have reprinted it at the end of the present Publication. It may be conducive to the honour of our Country, by leading Foreigners to a better acquaintance with all the works of the finest character England has produced. I do not say it's noblest Poet: but the truth is, that between him and Shakspeare, it is a question rather of preference than of comparison. COMMENDATORY TESTIMONIES. THIS Discourse [AREOPAGITICA] was written at the time when the Parliament was passing an Ordonance, that no Book, Pamphlet, or Paper, should be printed, unless the same was first approv'd and licens'd by such as should be thereto appointed. Upon which MILTON argues with his usual strength and boldness; &c.-The Thoughts of a Tory Author concerning the Press; p. 8, 8vo. 1712*. * I have a strong persuasion, that this anonymous piece was by Addison. The vein of easy irony which runs through it strikes me as much in his manner; though it carries palpable marks of a hasty performance, to answer a sudden call. Compare likewise what is said, in p. 2, with one of the arguments which be at the same time urged in the Spectator (No. 451) against the restrictions on the Press then recently moved in Parliament: added to which A. Baldwin, the Publisher of the Spectator, also published the Pamphlet in question. It was so very unusual for the Spectator to venture a stricture on the political occurrences of the passing day, that having deviated in this instance from his regular course is of itself a circum Our divine Authour speaks like himself in his AREOPAGITICA. I shall with pleasure transcribe two or three passages. RICHARDSON; Life of MILTON. His [MILTON'S] Apology for the Liberty of the Press is in all respects a Master-piece. WARBURTON; in a Letter to Birch; M.S. Brit. Mus. In 1644, he [MILTON] published his AREOPAGITICA, or Speech for the Liberty of unlicensed Printing to the Parliament of England. It was written at the desire of several learned Men, and is, perhaps, the best vindication, that has been published at any time or in any language, of that Liberty which is the basis and support of all other Liberties, the Liberty of the Press. Bishop NEWTON; in the Life prefixed to his Editions of MILTON'S Poetical Works. This piece, as well as that upon Education, is written with greater purity and less affectation of style, than his first works in Prose, and it is the stance sufficient to indicate that Addison was not slow to oppose every infringement on the Freedom of the Press. strongest vindication, that ever appeared in [any] age or language, of the Liberty of the Press, which is the basis of all other. BIRCH; in his revised Life of MILTON, prefixed to the Quarto Edition of the Prose-Works. This matchless Speech composed of noblest Learning, Wit, and Argument, was republished in 1738, with an excellent Preface by Thomson, Authour of Liberty, a Poem, and other Works. Thomas HOLLIS; M. S. Note to the AREopa GITICA. All Governments have an aversion to Libels. This Parliament, therefore, did by Ordinance restore the Star-Chamber practice; they recalled the Licensers, and sent forth again the Messenger. It was against the Ordinance, that MILTON wrote that famous Pamphlet called AREOPAGITICA. Lord CAMDEN; in giving Judgement in Entick v. Carrington. In November 1644, MILTON published his famous Speech, for the Liberty of unlicensed Printing, against this Ordinance: And among the |