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the exercise of Christian sympathy and tjeuevotenee , ia this simple African ; ^ v ho see m to envy the prince of apostates the very possibility of a restoration , and who , perhaps , vvoald scarcely be reconciled to him , were Jie in reality , as well as in appearance , to be a ^ am " tram formed in fo an angel of light . " ¦
We shall close these observations upon authors , with a few remarks on the sentiments at two of the greatest of any a < j ; e and nation , MilJon iwa \ Young . Of the general merit of that " Divine Poem , " as it is emphatically styled by Jllr . Addison ' and others , Ptiradlsc Lost , there . can be but one opinion : that eminent writer hath admirably
illustrated its beauties , -and pointed out som « of it * blemishes . Our inquiry here , is only as to the consistency of some of the sentiments contained in it , with the doctrine of elenmlpumshmcid , which , in its highest possible sense , the sublime poet is commonly supposed to have adopted .
In the astonishing description of the consequences of the War in Heaven , in the 1 st book , though we behold " Cherub and Seraph , rolling in the flood , " it is " with scattered arms and
ensigns ; " and * ' the superior r lend' * is represented " with his ponderous shield , whose broad circumference hung on his shoulders like the moon , " at whose
tremendous call , the multitude of apostate spirits are aroused " from their slumber on the fiery couch , " to attend his summons . At his command , " The mighty standard" is uprearcd b y the Cherub Azazel :
— " Which full high advanced , $ hoiu like a meteor streaming to the wind , With tretns and golden lustre rich eniblaz'd , Seraphic arms and trophies : all the while Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds . " Being now arranged ** In thick array ,
Of depth immeasurable ; anon they move In perfect phalanx , to the Dorian mood Of ; flutes , and soft recorders / such its raised Toheijfht of noblest temper , keroea old Arming to battle , and instead of rage , l > elitM * rate -rulour breathed ; tirm aud un-- UK > ve < i . With drend of death , to flight or foul
ret . treat : INW wanting power , to mitigate and swage Ff'ith solemn , touches , troubled thoughts , and , chase ^ J / ig udsh a ndt douht , cuiKfft > &r , and sorrow , and prriii ' Front mortal , or immortal minds ' / ' T 1 iu& they ,
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Breathing unified force , tvltti fixed ' thought 3 fbv'd on in silence to soft pi pes / that charm ? d ' Their painful steps o ' er the burnt soil—' «* * * ¦ * Then , as to the pluce to which thev were consigned , one of the chiefs , in . the council of Pandcvmomum , employ * , thisr language :
" Ak He our darkness , caauot we HU light Imitate when we p / errse ? . This desert soil , Wants not her hidden lustre , gejns aud , gold , Nor want we skill or mt from whence to
mu ; Magnificence ; and what can Heaven shew more \" Afler , the close of the Stygian Council , the poet gives the following account o the amusements and . diversions of the fallen spirits , " till their great Chiefs return :
* ' Part on the plain , or in the air sur blime Upon the wing , or in s > vift raee contend As at the Olympic games , or Pythian fields : Part curb their fiery steeds ; or shun the goal With rapid wheels , or fronted brigades form . Others , with vast Typbaean rage , more foli , Rend up both rocks aud hills , and ride , the
air In whirlwind : Hell scarce holds the wiM uproar ! Others , more mild , Retreated in a silent valle ^ , sing With notes angelical to inaiiy a harp Their own heroic deeds , and hapless fall By doom of battle : and complain that fate Free virtue should enthral to force or
chance . Their song was partial ; but the harmony ( FJ ^ hat could it less , when spirits immortal sing ? J Suspctided Hell , and took with ravishment The thronging audience . In discount
more sweet , ( For eloquence the soul , song charms the sense , ) Others apart 9 at on a hill retir'd , Iji thoughts more elevate , and reason ed hitf h Of Providence , foreknowledge , will , and
fate - " Soon after we are told , another part proceed to explore the regiqns of the *' wide domain , who at length meet with " a frozen continent / ' whither , «« At certain revolutions , all the dainned Are brought , an 4 feel by turns the bitur
change . i ^ Of fierce extremes , extremes by ^» f ) P more'fierce , , l > „ < FrdJii beds of'ngtngVr * ,- to starve in ^
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462 Jnconsistencie * of Writers on Future Pttttishrfeiit .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1816, page 462, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2455/page/26/
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