PREFACE.

To present to the young men of England a compendious Digest of the Life, Writings, and Character of the noblest and sublimest of their countrymen, is the object of the Editor of this volume.

No book upon this illustrious man has appeared hitherto so condensed, yet so full and various as this; the true opinions of England's greatest son are presented, without the veilings and trammellings of sectarianism; and it has been compiled under the feeling that this hoary and blind old Man of God, should be the darling, the Eikon Basilike of all young men.

Love and reverence might have expanded the volume to a heavier bulk and price; but in this case, the main intention of the Compiler would have been defeated, which was to furnish as good a copy of the venerable portrait as he could, for the sum of one shilling and sixpence.

Fulford, York.

E. P. H.

JOHN MILTON.

CHAPTER I.

FIRST EFFORTS OF A GREAT LIFE.

How little is known of the personal histories of the Fathers of English Poetry! Rude outlines, alone, are preserved to us of the biographies of Chaucer, Spenser, and Shakspeare. Of the men whose writings exercise most influence over our minds, only two or three doubtful anecdotes, and unquestionable notes, have been ascertained; while those whose talents were perverted to destroy their fellows, or whose lives were frittered away in a round of petty pursuits, not worth the name of occupations, are drawn at full length-their witless words all carefully jotted down, and their objectless movements

B