Milton's retirement from the arena of active controversy-His de- votion to his studies and the duties of his office-Raleigh's "Cabinet Council"-Verses to Christiana, Queen of Sweden- His literary projects-Commences "Paradise Lost"-His stu- diousness-The state letters and papers-Cromwell's interces- sion in behalf of the persecuted Vaudois-Sketch of the facts which occasioned it-Milton's sonnet-His connection with the intercession-Character of his letters thereon to the various con- The death of Oliver Cromwell-Chaotic state of the nation-Rich- ard Cromwell appointed Protector-His abdication-Parliament convened-Renewed ascendency of the Presbyterians-Milton's reappearance as a political writer-The treatise on the "Civil Power in Ecclesiastical Matters "- Treatise on the Removal of Hirelings out of the Church "-Effect of these writings upon Milton's old republican admirers-Continued and increasing demoralization of the Commonwealth-Milton's treatise on the "Ready and Easy Way to Establish a Free Commonwealth" Extracts Monk's treachery-The restoration of the monarchy- 229 Milton's safe asylum-His prosecution decreed by the Parliament- Two of his pamphlets burned by the common hangman-His mock funeral-Milton's powerful friends at court-The govern- ment afraid to punish him-The act of oblivion-Animadver- sions upon the clemency of Charles II.-Milton summoned be- fore the House of Commons-His speedy release-His various residences-Milton's third marriage-Character of his wife- Anedotes of her husband-Habits-The unkindness of his children-His wife rescues him from their tyranny-Milton in- vited by the king to reassume the office of Latin Secretary of State-Anecdote of his refusal to accept that position--- 248 Milton resumes his epic pen-His acquaintance with the Quaker, "Paradise Lost," and "Paradise Regained"-Remarks upon them-Milton's poem barely escapes the suspicious scrutiny of the licenser-Various criticisms upon these two great epics, 261 Milton still held in great respect and veneration-His letter to Pe- ter Heimbach-Publication of the "Paradise Regained," and "Samson Agonistes"-Character of the latter poem-Milton's literary condescension-His scheme of logic-His ardor of com- position undimmed by age-His pamphlet against Popery, and in favor of a closer union among the evangelical sects-The danger which Milton seeks to avert, necessitates the revolution of 1688-Close of Milton's literary career-Feels the approach Résumé of Milton's character-His daily habits-His size and appearance-Personal qualities-Habits of composition-His domestic character-His religious tenets-His property-Re- marks upon his position after the Restoration-Dryden's esti- mate of Milton-Milton's intellectual qualities-Temper, grav- ity-Dignity-His candor and kindness-His ready and ardent defence of his principles-Milton's erudition-Favorite au- thors-His preference of the Bible before all other books-His influence upon his own time, and upon posterity-His influence upon the English language-His influence upon the British THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOHN MILTON. CHAPTER. I. JOHN MILTON, one of the grandest names in letters, statesmanship, and Christian philosophy, had his nativity cast, by the blessing of God, in one of those transition ages when great and positive intellects are enabled, through the crumbling of old ideas and principles, to new-model their own generation, and to mould the future to a grander destiny. His remarkable genius found ample scope for its exercise in the stirring days of the most momentous epoch in English history. And broadcast in the furrows of the time, lay scattered the seed of a growth destined to be pro digiously effective both for good and evil in the world. It was preeminently a period of interesting and instructive import, and singularly productive of famous men. In 1608, the year of Milton's birth, Spenser had been less than ten years dead, and Shakspeare still wrote. So nearly contemporary was this august trinity of poets. The Elizabethan era, fascinatingly gallant and romantic, had already produced Lord Bacon, who wedded religion to the profoundest philosophy in his intellectual theory if not in his daily life, the chivalric Raleigh, and the gentle Sydney, who could write upon his frontlet, and with equal truth, the motto of the French knight Bayard, "Without fear and without reproach," and who fell a martyr to Protestantism while fighting for the religious independence of the Netherlands. Elizabeth's whole reign had been full of that adventure which captivates the imagination, and was also distinguished for that learning and religious enthusiasm which elevates the mind and in spires the heart. Witnessing the meeting shock between nascent Protestantism and the Roman see armed cap-à-pie for the tilt, it saw Catholicism completely unhorsed in England. At the commencement of the seventeenth century, the Reformation, triumphant in that island, had broken rank into innumerable independent sects, busied mainly in acrimonious controversy concerning doctrinal points not of vital consequence, and united only in claiming from the state larger civil and religious liberty. The Roman-catholic party, still numerous and intriguing, though outnumbered and ostracised at court, recognized the essential agreement of the despotic principles of the then reigning house of Stuart with their own tenets, and therefore yielded an unwavering support to the arbitrary acts of James First, the most pedantic and weak of sovereigns; and of Charles First, the most treacherous and stubborn. The Catholics were still further confirmed in this course by perceiving that the Puritans were constantly drifting into greater hostility to the court, and they reasoned, rightly as the sequel showed, that when the clash came and the king required support, he would look for it to that party which had |