if possible, in a regular process, to the present times. I had executed four books, when, on the settlement of the republic, the council of state, then first established by the authority of parliament, called me most unexpectedly to its service, and wished to employ me chiefly in its foreign concerns." It has not yet, I believe, been ascertained to whom Milton was particularly indebted for a public appointment. "He was (says Wood) without any seeking of his, by the endeavours of a private acquaintance, who was a member of the new council of state, chosen Latin secretary. The new council consisted of thirty-nine members, including two persons, whom we may suppose equally inclined to promote the interest of Milton; these were Serjeant Bradshaw and Sir Henry Vane the younger: it seems probable that he owed his station of secretaty to the former, since, in his Second Defence, he mentions him as a friend entitled to his particular regard, and draws his character in colors so vivid, that the portrait may be thought worthy of preser

vation, even by those who have no esteem

for the original.

The character of a man so extraordinary, derived from personal intimacy, and delineated by a hand so powerful, can hardly fail to be interesting; yet it becomes still more so, if we consider it as a monument of Milton's gratitude to the friend who fixed him in that public station, which gave signal exercise to the energy of his mind, and first made him, as a Latin writer, the admiration of Europe.

Whatever influence gratitude might have on the description, and however different the ideas may be, that are commonly entertained of Bradshaw, the eulogy bestowed on him by Milton was certainly sincere; for though not frugal of his praise, yet such was his probity, that it may, I think, be fairly proved, he never bestowed a particle of applause where he did not think it deserved; a point that I hope to establish, by refuting, in the course of this narrative, the charge of servile flattery, which he is

falsely accused of having lavished upon Cromwell.

To praise, indeed, appears to have been occupation peculiarly suited to his spirit, which was naturally sanguine, free from the gloom of sarcastic melancholy, and ever ready to glow with affectionate enthusiasm. His character of Bradshaw may illustrate this remark; it was written with peculiar elegance and affection; the following portion of it will be sufficient to shew, not only the fervency of his friendship, but his facility and force of pencil in the de lineation of character.*

"Attulerat ad legum scientiam ingenium liberale, animum excelsum, mores integros ac nemini obnoxios;

nec tristis, nec, severus, sed comis ac placidus. In consiliis ac laboribus publicis maxime omnium indefessus, multisque par unus; domi, si quis alius, pro suis facultatibus hospitalis ac splendidus; amicus longe fidelissimus, atque in omni fortunâ certissimus; bene merentes quoscunque nemo citius aut libentius agnoscit, neque majore benevolentia prosequitur; nunc pios, nunc doctos, aut quavis ingenii laude cognitos, nunc militares etiam et fortes viros ad inopiam redactos suis opibus sublevat; iis, si non indigent, colit tamen libens

"He had, united to the knowledge of law, a liberal disposition, an elevated mind, and irreproachable integrity of morals, neither gloomy nor severe, but courteous and mild.

"In public councils and labours he is the most indefatigable of men, and alone equal to many; in his house he, if any man, may be esteemed hospitable and splendid, in proportion to his fortune; as a friend faithful in the highest degree, and most surely to be depended upon in every emergency; no man sooner or more freely acknowledges merit, wherever it may be found; no man rewards it with greater benevolence;

amplectitur; alienas laudes perpetuo prædicare, suas tacerc solitus. Quod si causa oppressi cujuspiam defendenda palam, si gratia aut vis potentiorum oppugnanda, si in quemquam benemeritum ingratitudo publica objurganda sit, tum quidem in illo viro, vel facundiam vel constantiam nemo desideret, non patronum, non amicum, vel idoneum magis et intrepidum, vel disertiorem alium quisquam sibi optet; habet, quem non minæ dimovere recto, non metus aut munera proposito bono atque officio, vultûsque, ac mentis firmissimo statu dejicere valeant."- Prose Works, vol. ii. p. 389.

he raises from indigence at his own cost, sometimes men of piety, learning, and talents, sometimes those brave military men, whose prosperity has not been equal to their valor such persons, if they are not indigent, he still honors with his regard; it is his nature to proclaim the desert of others, and to be silent on his own.

"If the cause of any one under oppression is to be openly defended, if the influence or authority of men in power is to be opposed, if the ingratitude of the public. towards any individual of merit is to be reproved, no want will be found in this man, either of eloquence or courage; nor can any sufferer wish to find, on such occasions, a patron and a friend more suited to his necessities, more resolute, or more accomplished; he already possesses such a friend, and such a patron as no menaces can drive from the line of rectitude, whom neither terrors nor bribes can divert from the duty he is pursuing, or shake from his settled firmness of mind and countenance."

A writer of sanguine imagination, who