who were already exposed to the infuriate rage of a deluded rabble set on by fanatical lecturers.

Milton had imbibed a deadly hatred against the prelates, and his malignity had much of that enthusiasm in it which was the prevalent fashion of those turbulent times. He represents himself as actually under the impulse of the Divine Spirit, and, says he, "When God commands to take the trumpet and blow a dolorous and jarring blast, it is not in man's will what he shall say, or what he shall conceal."*

This is sufficiently strong, but though it might have well become such men as George Fox, James Naylor, Lodowick Muggleton, or such crack-brained illiterate zealots, it is not language that could have been expected from the author of Comus.

There was little occasion for Milton's "trumpet to blow a dolorous blast and jarring sound," when the whole nation was become mad through the preaching of the men of his party, and when the hierarchy was shaking to the foundations. But to plead the command of God for what he did, was little less than blasphemous. What manner of spirit Milton was of will appear from the following invective against the bishops, when they were enduring a severe persecution.

* Reason of Church Government.

"But

"But they," says he, "that by the impairing and diminution of the true faith, the distresses and servitude of their country, aspire to high dignity, rule and promotion here, after a shameful end in this life, (which God grant them!) shall be thrown down eternally into the darkest and deepest gulf of hell; where, under the despiteful control, the trample and spurn of all the other damned, who, in the anguish of their torture, shall have no other ease than to exercise a raving ́and bestial tyranny over them, as their slaves and negroes, they shall remain in that plight for ever, the basest, the lowermost, the most dejected, most underfoot, and trodden down vassals of perdition."* So much for the Christian charity and meekness of this celebrated genius, who could, while venting such horrible curses and impious wishes, pretend that he acted by divine commandment!

In 1643, he entered into the marriage state, with the daughter of Mr. Powel, of Forest Hill, in Oxfordshire, who was a firm royalist. In little more than a month, however, the lady, under pretence of visiting her relations, withdrew from him, and on her refusal to return, Milton formed the resolution of repudiating her, and accordingly published several treatises in defence of that resolution.

* Treatise on Reformation, in his prose works, Vol. I. page 274.

"There

"There is not perhaps," says one writer, "a more remarkable instance how submissive a slave, reason becomes sometimes to passion, than Milton has given in these books of the doctrine and discipline of Divorce; he undertakes to prove it warranted from scripture, to divorce a wife for no other reason, but only not liking her temper. He had struck up the match in great haste. It was about Whitsuntide or a little after, that he took a journey into the country, nobody about him certainly knowing the reason, or that it was any more than a journey of recreation. After a month's stay from home, he returns a married man, bringing the bride and some few of her nearest relations along with him. As soon as the feasting, which held for some days, was over, the relations returned to Forest Hill, leaving their sister behind, but probably not much to her satisfaction, as appeared by the sequel. For by that time she had for a month, or thereabout, led a philosophical life, after having been used at home' to a great house, and much company and joviality, her friends, probably incited by her own desire, made earnest suit by letter, to have her company the remaining part of the summer; which was granted, on condition of her return at the time appointed, Michaelmas, or thereabout. That time expiring without any account of her, Milton sent for her by letter. This and several others being unanswered, he dispatched a mes. senger with a letter to fetch her home. But that

was

was treated with contempt. This so incensed him that thinking it dishonourable ever to receive her again, he set himself to find out arguments to support that resolution." On this he published his books in defence of divorce, which gave such offence to the Assembly of Divines, then sitting at Westminster, that they caused the author to be summoned before the House of Lords, who dismissed him without any censure. But this conduct of the Assembly made Milton their enemy, and from this time he opposed his old friends the presbyterians, with as much virulence as he had before done the episcopal party, so little were his attachments or resentments founded upon principle.

Not content with defending every man's right to put away his wife, at his mere will and pleasure; Milton was about to assert the lawfulness of polygamy also, and he actually paid his addresses to a young lady of great accomplishments, the daughter of one Dr. Davis, but the damsel was averse to the motion, and no wonder, when she found that her suitor was a married man.

This, however, brought about a reconciliation between Milton and his wife; for the affairs of the royalists being in a very low way, her friends were desirous of regaining the favour of a man whose influence was great with the reigning fac

Biographia Britannica, Art. MILTON, Note z.

tion. Of this re-union Philips gives the following account :

"There dwelt in the lane of St. Martin's le Grand, which was hard by Milton's house, a relation of his, one Blackborough, whom it was known he often visited; and upon this occasion the visits were more narrowly observed, and possibly there might be a combination between both parties, the friends on both sides consenting to the same action. One time above the rest, making his usual visit, the wife was ready in another room, and on a sudden he was surprised with a sight of one whom he had thought never to have. scen more, making submission and begging pardon on her knees before him. He might probably, at first, make some shew of aversion and rejection, but partly his own generous nature, more inclinable to a reconciliation, than to perseverance in anger and revenge, and partly the strong intercession of friends on both sides, soon brought him to an act of oblivion, and a firm league of peace for the future. And it was at length concluded, that she should remain in St. Clement's Church-yard, at the house of one Widow Webber, whose second daughter had been married to the other brother [Sir Christopher Milton] many years before."

It is supposed by some writers, particularly Fenton, that Milton had this circumstance in his recollection when, in describing the reconcili