Greek, and Latin, without teaching them to understand these languages; and thus made them auxiliaries in his studies.

His own learning was immense. He was a perfect master of Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Italian, and Spanish. He originally followed Spenser, Shakspeare, and Cowley, as his model; but he afterwards formed a style of his own; and though he has had many imitators, he has never yet found a rival.

His political principles were strictly republican: yet England was much less a republic under Cromwell than under the latter part of Charles the First. In fact, in almost every revolution that history records, honest men are the dupes of their own sincerity; while some unprincipled demagogue artfully turns the popular phrensy to his own private interest or aggrandisement. In theology, Milton strongly inclined to arminianism; but towards the close of his life he seems to have entered into communion with no religious sect, and entertained only a certain philosophic religion of the mind, founded however on Christianity.

His demeanour was open and affable; and his conversation easy, cheerful, and instructive. The promptness of his wit qualified him to shine on every occasion; he was facctious, grave, or satirical, as the subject required; his judgment was just and profound, and his reading almost as extensive as his genius. If he had faults and defects, (and who is exempt from them?) they were either lost or diminished in the brilliancy of his attainments.

His character as an epic poet is thus admirably summed up by Dr. Johnson: The highest praise of genius is original invention. Milton cannot be said to have contrived the structure of an epic poem, and must therefore yield to that vigour and amplitude of mind to which all generations must be indebted, for the art of poetical narration, for the texture of the fable, the variation of incidents, the interposition of dialogue, and all the stratagems

that surprise and enchain attention. But of all the borrowers from Homer, Milton is perhaps the least indebted · to him. He was naturally a thinker for himself, confident of his own abilities, and disdainful of help or hind- rance; he did not refuse admission to the thoughts or images of his predecessors, but he did not seek them.From his contemporaries he neither courted nor received · support: there is, in his writings, nothing by which the pride of other authors might be gratified, or favour gained: no exchange of praise, nor solicitation of support.His great works were performed under discountenance, and in blindness: but difficulties vanished 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."

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ANDREW MARVELL.

Born 1620.-Died 1679.

From 17th James I., to 29th Charles II.

MAN who could preserve the most blameless simplicity of manners amidst the allurements of public life, and a noble spirit of independence under the occasional pressures of real want; who would neither barter his conscience for a smile, nor sell his vote for gain; who could render himself entirely beloved by his friends, and revered by those whose principles were diametrically opposite to his own; would in these days he regarded as a singular phenomenon, and infallibly must have possessed some extraordinary virtues and endowments. Such was Andrew Marvell, the son of a minister and schoolmaster at Kingston-upon-Hull.

This incorruptible patriot, and ingenious writer, discovered an attachment to letters from the earliest dawn of reason; and had made so great proficiency in classical learning, that he was admitted a student of Trinity college, Cambridge, when only thirteen years old. Such was

the promise of his genius, that he had not been long in that situation before the Jesuits, those busy agents of the " Romish church, thought him a proper subject for a proselyte, and accordingly inveigled him to London. His father, however, had the good fortune to find him in a bookseller's shop, and prevailed on him to return to col• lege; where he pursued his studies with great assiduity, and in due course took his bachelor's degree.

When about eighteen years of age, he lost his father by a singular melancholy accident; which, by as singular a series of events, paved the way to his own future fortune.

A widow lady of great respectability and virtue resided on the other side of the Humber. She had an only daughter of eminent beauty and accomplishments; who, on some festive occasion, was allowed to spend night at Mr. Marvell's house. Next day the young lady was anxious to return to her expecting parent; and though it blew such a storm that even the watermen earnestly dissuaded her from attempting the passage, she was deaf to their remonstrances, and the worthy minister determined to accompany her. Just before they put off from land Mr. Marvell threw his gold-headed cane ashore, which he desired might be given to his son if any fatal consequences should ensue. His presentiment was too just; he and his companion found a watery grave. The mother of the unfortunate young lady was long inconsolable; but in time, reflecting on the greater loss which young Marvell had sustained, she adopted him as her son, took upon her the charge of his future education, and finally made him her heir.

After leaving the university, Marvell made the tour of Europe, and began to distinguish himself as a writer as well as a scholar. He had a peculiar turn for humour and satire, and some of his first essays contain much wit. He filled for a short time the situation of secretary to the English embassy at Constantinople; and on his return to

his native country, became first a tutor to a young gentleman of fortune, and then joint Latin secretary to Cromwell with the immortal Milton.

A little before the Restoration he was chosen to represent his native town in parliament; and in this honourable character he continued till his death, with unbounded applause. So well were his constituents satisfied with his conduct, that they pressed him to accept a pension raised among themselves; a worthy mode of remuneration, once sanctioned by custom, but now grown obsolete.

Nor was it only from his townsmen that Mr. Marvell gained the highest admiration; his incorruptible integrity rendered him an object of respect to all the virtuous. By his writings and his conduct he made himself obnoxious to government, and more than once was obliged to abscond; yet the greatest men of the court, and even the sovereign himself, felt a strong esteem for him. As a speaker he was not much distinguished, but his influence was very great with the members of both houses; and prince Rupert had such respect for his judgment, that he frequently adopted his sentiments, and voted accordingly. On such occasions it was a common saying, "that the prince had been with his tutor." Indeed such was the intimacy between them, that when the indignant peu of Marveli had roused all the malice of venal courtiers, and he was forced to retire from the busy scene, the prince used to visit him in disguise, and preserved his secret inviolable.

Charles the Second himself took great delight in unbending his mind with the society of Marvell; and often. invited him to his parties, probably with a view of gain ing his support; for it has long been a maxim with politicians, "that every man has his price." But all the insinuating arts of the king, and all the violence of his ministers, could not shake the resolution, or corrupt the integrity of Marvell; he was absolutely proof against

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every temptation. One instance is particularly worthy of being preserved. After spending the evening with Charles, lord Danby was dispatched next morning to find out his lodgings; which were then up two pair of stairs, in a small court in the Strand. When the treasurer opened the door abruptly, Marvell was busily employed in writing; and, surprised at such a visit, told his lordship he supposed he had mistaken his way. "Not now I have found Mr. Marvell," answered the earl; adding that he was commissioned by his majesty to ask what he could do to serve him. “It is not in his majesty's power to serve me," replied Marvell with humour. Coming to more serious explanation, he told the treasurer that he was well acquainted with the nature of courts, having been in many; and knew that whoever is distinguished by the favour of his prince is always expected to vote in his interest. Lord Danby assured him that it was from the sense alone which his majesty entertained of his mierit, that he wished to know if any place at court would be acceptable to him. To this Marvell answered, that he I could not with honour accept the offer, since he must either be ungrateful if he voted against the king, or false to his country in supporting the measures of the court. The only favour therefore which he begged of his sovereign was, that he would be pleased to consider him as one of his most faithful subjects; and that he had done more for his interest by refusing than embracing his proffered kindness. Being at last urged to accept a thousand pounds till he could think of something permanent that would be agreeable to him, he rejected the money with the same steadiness; though as soon as the lord-treasurer was gone, he was glad to borrow a guinea of a friend.

Such disinterested virtue will be laughed at by the selfish, and scarcely copied by any one in times when luxury has deadened the moral feeling: yet to the young it furnishes a bright example; and should be kept in