Towards the close of his life he was greatly troubled with the gout, which in the year 1674 caused his death. He died on the 10th of November, in the most quiet and placid manner, in his 66th year, and was buried in the chancel of St. Giles', Cripplegate, next to the grave of his father; and a tablet with an inscription has lately been placed there to his memory. A monument also was erected in Westminster Abbey ;-but he left one behind him in his works, far more durable than any that human art could erect and by no one can the line of Horace be more properly or justly claimed: "Exegi Monumentum Ære perennius." Milton when young was exceedingly handsome : the writer of this brief sketch has in his possession, a copy, from an enamel minature, taken apparently when he was about thirty. His complexion was fair and ruddy, with every appearance of health, light brown flowing hair; blue eyes, of marked expression; long eyelashes; arched eyebrows; and a beautifully formed forehead. In his habits he was strict, and in his diet particularly abstemious: he scrupulously avoided spirituous liquors, being convinced of their destructive tendency to individuals of sedentary occupations. His health having suffered by night studies in his youth, he was accustomed to retire early (seldom later than nine) to bed; and rose generally at five in summer, and six in winter. When blindness prevented his taking other exercises, he had a machine to swing on, and amused himself with playing on an organ. His deportment was erect, open, and affable; his conversation easy, cheerful, and instructive; his wit was always at command, facetious, grave, or satirical, as the subject required. His judgment was just, his apprehension quick, and his memory peculiarly retentive. Of the English poets he preferred Spenser, Shakspeare, and Cowley. On his "Paradise Lost" too much praise cannot be bestowed, Fand as Dr. Johnson justly observes, the purpose of the poem was the most useful and arduous that could be chosen; " to vindicate the works of God to man. His subject is the fate of worlds, the revolution of heaven and earth; rebellion against the supreme King, raised by the highest order of created beings; the overthrow of their host, and the punishment of their enemies, the creation of a new race of reasonable creatures; their original happiness and innocence; their forfeiture of immortality; and their restoration to hope and peace. Here is a full display of the united force of study and genius, of a greater accumulation of materials, with judgment to digest and fancy to combine them,-His large works were performed under discountenance, and in blindness; but difficulties vanish at his touch: he was born for whatever is arduous, and his work is not the greatest of heroic poems only because it is not the first." Great as is this praise bestowed by the elegant critic above named, it does not go beyond the just bounds of truth and justice. Milton with Shakspeare will descend to ages yet to come, as stars who - have brightened and adorned the literature of their - country. |