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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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In some of the eariikyr aumbers of the First Series of the Monthly Repository many inter «< Jt «^ p % xtracts were introduced , by its ingenious Editor , from the prose works of Milton in illustration of his style . The following passages hajfllKbeen collected from his writings for the purpose of exhibiting the purity ^ his sentiments , and the elevation of his character . The life of Milton waSi ^ ifideed , a clear reflection of the noble virtues of his soul , and
the aspersions that were unjustly thrown upon him by his adversaries passed away like evanescent breath from the surface of a polished mirror , on the brightness of which they might throw a momentary dimness , but could not leave any permanent tarnish . The worth of the great and good , though for a time it may be concealed by the mists which prejudice , or envy , has thrown around them , eventually shines forth the more illustrious from temporary obscurity . In the religious and political controversies in which
Milton was engaged , charges of the most opprobrious nature were brought against him by his opponents , in the refutation of which he was led to state many particulars respecting his feelings , studies , and travels . The passages , scattered through his works , containing tjiese personal narratives are here collected together , under the hope that they will be interesting to readers in general , since they form a sort of autobiography of this great man , whose life was as pure and patriotic as his thoughts were noble and sublime .
Milton ' s secret consciousness of possessing superior powers , and aspiring hope of producing some great work . —His destination for the church , and reason for not entering it . " After I had , for my first years , by the ceaseless diligence and care of my father , ( whom Got ! recompense !) been exercised to the tongues and some sciences , as my age would suffer , by sundry masters and teachers , both at home and at the schools , it was found , that whether aught was imposed me
by them that had the overlooking " , or betaken to of mine own choice in English or other tongue , prosing or versing , but chiefly this latter , the style by certain vital signs it had , was likely to live . But much latelier in the private academies of Italy , whither I was favoured to resort , perceiving' that some trifles which I had in memory , composed at under tvveniy ^ or thereabout , ( for the manner is that every one must give some prooi or his wit and reading there , ) met with acceptance above what was looked for ; and other things which I had shifted in scarcity of books , and conveniences to patch
up amongst them , were received with written encomiums , which the Italian is not forward to bestow on men of this side the Alps ; I began thus far to assent both to them and divers of my friends here at home , and not less to aa inward prompting which now grew daily upon me , that by labour and intense study , ( which I take to be my portion in this life , ) joined with the strong propensity of nature , I I might , perhaps , leave something ao written to strong propensity of nature , might , perhajjs , leave something ao written to
after times , as they should not willingly let it die . These thoughts at once possessed me , and these other ; that if I were certain to write as men buy leases for three lives and downward , there ought no regard be sooner had than to God ' s glory , by the honour and instruction of iny country . For which cause , and not only for that I knew it would be hard to arrive at the second rank among the Latins , I applied myself to that resolution , which Arioato followed against the persuasions of Bembo , to fix all the industry and art I could unite Co the adorning of my native tongue ; not to make verbal
curiosities the end ( that were a toilsome vanity ) , but to be an interpreter and relater of the best and sagest things , among mine own citizens through , out this island in the mother dialect . That what the greatest and choicest
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ANECDOTES OF MILTON , DESCRIPTIVE OF HIS FEELINGS AND CONDUCT , RELATED BY HIMSELF .
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VOL . IV . 3 B
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1830, page 673, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2589/page/17/
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