Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-06-10
ICOMMUNICATED
John Milton.

In the March number of Graham's
Magazine, 1852, an article made it's ap-
pearance, intended as a review of an
edition of Milton S works that had been
before the public since 1851, entitled,
Pickering's Edition Of the Prose and
Poetical Works of John Milton" with
life Of the author, by the Rev. John Nit
ford. AS far as regards this edition, We
view it in the light of the very best. It
certainly is the completest; and if not
understood, is more the fault Of John
Milton than the publisher. A greater
portion of it is, however, in Latin, and
would hence be quite tedious to our
modern readers; but as whole, it is a
very capital affair.
The life, by the Rev. John Milford, is
written in very eloquent, forcible, and
impressive style: and is more yoluminous
of matter and apparent research than the
lives that generally accompany the ordi-
nary editions of his works. But we think
that divine is but Unqualified to write
a biography, because he is too much dis
posed to forget the faults of others whilst
engaged in the peaceful slumbers of a
pious life, and in his disposition to APP
plaud the works Of a favorite: especially
when that favorite is of his own creed.
But even Mr.. Milford thinks many of his
works may be reviewed as pedantic ac-
QUESTIONS to literature; and he even goes
so far as to strongly hint that Milton
protested to complete in few years what
the old system of philosophers were just
contented to commence. But we may
say that our only objection to it in main
is, that most of the biography is COM
posed of the general preconceived opinions
Of others, rather than that of his own
imagination. When new biography Of
the same man appears, it is expected by
the public that it should instruct, not
repeat. But our objection here is de-
signed to be more an answer to the Re-
viewer and the results, than to a close
investigation Of this edition Of Millions
works.
The Reviewer seems to have been more
delighted with his style than with tie
real subject before him; and hence re-
minds us Of what was once said by no
less distinguished artist and writer than
the talented Sir Joshua Reynolds. He
was once asked why he gazed SO atten-
lively upon a painting that was then
before him, and what his opinion was Of
it. His answer suits the present case
before us: That he was in doubt how to
find out the real subject, as the painter
had paid more attention to the drapery
around it than he had to the real object
of the design. And this is the fault of
the present ReyieW-the polish obscures
and hides the * diminished head Of the
tanner and more argUlEentative portion of
it. 1t is a pity, when people write, they
lose their all
In the sentimentalibus lachrvmsa, roar'cm,
And pathos and bathos delightful to see,
And chop and change ribs, ala mode English
Drum,
And hey diddle, ho-diddle, pop tweedle- dee
But it is the fault of yaulting ambition
Overlapping itself, Or venison-smoked
baked meat-that is hatched in other
climes. In this disquieted state Of feel
ing we say the Essayist wrote, and hence
has put forth very pretty piece of elo-
qucnt composition, that does much credit
to himself; but we should not like to
subscribe to all, if any, of the doctrines of
his faith. Thus it ever is,--prick but the
side of mans intent, and thousands rise
to fill the lists that fate has left dislodged
by horl'id deeds.
Whilst we still have Judgment in these
matters, yet some heartless being returns
to plague the inventor. Lucas Hirst, the
very front of this offending, rises from
the misty clouds of night to tighten the
way the author of Milton was agoing:
but such an instrument he was motto
use Lucas Hirst has spread some pages
before Us, with a great mass of volumi-
nous research, assuming very bold and
confident ground upon Milton, his Essay
list, and his works. He certainly has
advanced a very new outline of thought
upon this subject, and placed the Essayist
IN Spartarlan position. He looks upon
the prose writings Of Milton as very
heavy, dull affair, and the Paradise Lost
as very absurd attempt at dramatizing
the Deity; and concludes with alleging
the whole to have been closely initiated
from the Italian. To which part we say,
right.
And we may go farther, and say, that
whilst some of AIilto,'c ,,oo+r-- -, 10 -