unknown, unexplored, or misunderstood. Coeval books, which might clear fuch references, were therefore to be confulted; and a new line of commentary was to be purfued. Comparatively, the claffical annotator has here but little to do. Doctor Newton, an excellent fcholar, was unacquainted with the treasures of the Gothic library. From his more folid and rational studies, he never deviated into this idle track of reading. Milton, at least in these poems, may be reckoned an old English poet; and therefore here requires that illuftration, without which no old English poet can be well illuftrated.

Hitherto I have been speaking of the Notes to the English poems. As to thofe on the POEMATA LATINA, of which fomething has already been incidentally faid, they may have their ufe in unfolding many paffages even to the learned reader. These pieces contain several curious circumstances of Milton's early life, fituations, friendships, and connections; which are often fo tranfiently or implicitly noticed, as to need examination and enlargement. It also seemed useful to fhew, which of the antient Roman poets were here Milton's models, and how far and in what inftances they have been copied. Here a new source of criticism on Milton, and which displays him in a new light and character, was opened. That English notes are joined with a Latin text, may be cenfured as an inconsistency, or as an arbitrary departure from the customary practice. But I know not any fatisfactory reason, why books in a learned or unfamiliar

language

language should be always explained in a language equally difficult.

It was no part of my plan to add to my own the Notes of my predeceffors. Perhaps it has happened, that fome of my remarks have been anticipated by doctor Newton and others. Such coincidencies are accidental and undesigned. I have been favoured with a few Notes by Mr. Bowle, the learned and ingenious publisher of Don Quixote, extracted from his interleaved copy of Milton's fecond edition of these poems. A few others have been communicated by my brother; and I am convinced that my reader will concur with me in wishing, that his indifpenfable engagements would have permitted him to communicate many more. These valuable contributions are constantly marked with the names of their respective authors.

Although not immediately connected with its contents, it was my intention to have enriched this publication with a copy of Milton's Will. But I have been disappointed. It is not to be found in the Prerogative Office, where it had been long ago fought in vain by the industrious Oldys, and the late Mr. Hollis. But here, as Milton died poffeffed only of a small fortune in Middlesex, it never could have been properly lodged. If any where, it was to be discovered among the records of the bishoprick of London. But it does not appear in the epifcopal books, nor in the archives of the chapterhoufe of faint Paul's, nor in any registry belong

very

ing to the diocese. For this fearch, which was tedious and intricate, I acknowledge myself much obliged to the polite attention and indefatigable perfeverance of Mr. Jenner, proctor of the Commons, and commiffary of faint Paul's. The inquiry however, if unsuccessful, has afcertained one important point, which is that no fuch curiofity at prefent exifts; and it may therefore prevent the trouble of all future inquiries. Our author probably left a Will, as he is faid to have bequeathed fifteen hundred pounds to his wife and daughters, having fold his library. But in fuch profcriptive abhorrence was Milton held, a man who had been so eminently obnoxious to the interefts of the church and the regal family now newly restored to their injured rights, that when an opportunity was offered, whatever might ferve any kind or degree to perpetuate his name or memory, would naturally be treated with contempt and it is therefore probable, however unjuftifiable and uncharitable, that his Will was never allowed the privilege of admittance into a public ecclefiaftical repofitory, or, if admitted, that it was easily suffered to be fuppreffed. Coмus and the PARADISE LOST Could not on this occafion apologise for the defender of the king's murther. The violence of political prejudice, exulting in the recent recovery of the power of retaliation, was not to be foftened by the fascinations of fancy. But the jealous partifans of the Restoration little fufpected that an age would arrive, in which their old antagonist would again triumph :

in

that

that this turbulent republican, whom they had fo confidently condemned to disgrace and oblivion, would at length become the idol of univerfal veneration, that the minuteft occurrences of his life would be collected with a fond enthufiafm, that his monument would be reared amid the shrines of monarchs, and that his works would be ranked among the highest honours of his country.

I must add one or two more circumftances relating to my revifal of this volume, which, although fuperficial and extrinfic, are neceffary parts of previous information. I have found it expedient to alter or enlarge Milton's own titles, which feemed to want fulness and precifion, yet preferving their form and substance. Nor have I fcrupulously followed the order used in his own editions, which yet I have not greatly violated. In disturbing the series of the pieces, my meaning was, not to study capricious and useless novelty, but to accommodate the reader, and to introduce uniformity, by a more methodical but obvious arrangement. I have endeavoured to render the text as uncorrupt and perfpicuous as poffible, not only by examining and comparing the authentic copies published under the author's immediate inspection, but by regulating the punctuation, of which Milton appears to have been habitually careless.

CON