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constant, judicious, and religious preacher," a "zealous Puritan." There were young men, afterwards high in the church, who made it a point never to miss one of his sermons. In one essential part of a pastor's duty, that of interesting the young, he had a peculiar faculty. Indeed his influence over the entire parish was extraordinary; and the fruit of his labors, "in converting many and confirming more in religion," was abundantly to be seen.

Then one of the elder Milton's coparishioners and nearest neighbors was Humphrey Lownes, a printer and publisher, residing at the sign of the "Star," in Bread-street, one of a family then and since well known in the literary world, and himself a man of worth and ingenuity. With Lownes, Milton struck a great friendship; and the publisher, perceiving the boy's wondrous precocity and appetite for reading, loaned him from time to time such books as he desired. In this manner he first read Spenser's works and the poems of that quaint old pedant Sylvester, for whom Milton then entertained a profound admiration, much modified however in mature life.

Among the frequenters of the Spread-eagle at that time there was also at least one author, John Lane, whom Milton's nephew, Philips, calls "a fine old queen Elizabeth gentleman," the author of several poems, but who has now passed from remembrance.

If Mr. Stocke, Humphrey Lownes, and John Lane met in an evening at the hospitable hearth of the scrivener, there were other interesting topics besides Stocke's theology, Lownes' books, Lane's poetry, and Milton's music to invite conversation. Undoubtedly the talk would often drift upon the gloomy state of national affairs. Ever since the famous Hampton Court conference, held in 1603-4, at which both the great Protestant parties had appeared before the king, James First, to plead their views and enlist his sympathies, the hopes entertained by the Puritan party had been more and more disappointed. The Scottish sovereign had become, as decidedly as his predecessor, the supporter of prelacy in the church, and the maintainer of the most ultra notions of the royal prerogative in the state. In an English household like that of the elder

Milton, it is certain that this state of things must have provoked frequent and aggrieved comment-comment which the mature and inquiring mind of the boyish poet must have easily understood and treasured up.

The

Such were some of the scenes amid which John Milton was reared-such some of the early influences which surrounded him-such some of his first associates. It was at this period of his life, as it may be supposed, that he imbibed that spirit of devotion which actuated his bosom to his latest moment upon earth. We need not extend our search beyond his own hearthstone for the influences which moulded his life and anchored it to truth. warm religious sentiments there communicated to his mind were strengthened by the precepts and practice of his preceptor, Thomas Young, in whom religion was exalted into enthusiasm, and who submitted, as we have seen, to exile upon the requisition of his conscience. But whatever may have been the source of his fervid spirit, its action upon Milton's mind was from the outset powerfully marked; it seemed to enlarge his mental capacity, and to give his

faculties direction and emphasis. Invigorating and elevating, we are unquestionably indebted to devotion not merely for the subject, but in large part for the sublimity of the "Paradise Lost."

CHAPTER III.

It is not known precisely why the elder Milton selected Cambridge for his son, especially as he may be supposed to have been somewhat prejudiced in favor of the rival university, Oxford, where he had himself studied. In the absence of all authoritative data, speculation only is possible. The real cause of the choice may have been in the reputation which Christ College, the special department of Cambridge to which Milton was dispatched, had acquired as the seat not only of sound learning, but also of vital and evangelical piety. "It may without flattery be said of this house,' says old Fuller, "many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all,' if we consider the many divines who in so short a time have here had their education." A number of distinguished prelates had indeed in the preceding century been graduated there, while the genius of the college pointed proudly to

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