The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-22
THE EcTURE SEAS ON
Life and Times or John Milton.


lecture was delivered on Friday evening at the
stuyyesant Institute by Mr.. Charles Matthews, OF
Cincinnati, on the above subject There were about
dozen persons present. The lecturer began by
somewhat detailed account of the poets life. Born
in zoos, he was the son of a scrivener Of London,
who, anxious TO afford his son liberal education,
sent him, AFTER his primary studies al st. Psus
school, TO Chiist's College, Cambridge, where he
took his degree in arts. On his return not having
an inclination for the Church, for which calling his
parents had designed him, he settled at Horton, in
Buchinghamshre, where II Penseroso,n "Comus.r
and "Lycdas," were written. Passing lightly over
Miltons tour through France and Italy, in 1885, the
lecturer dwelt particularly on the memorable strug-
gle between King and Parliament, and affirmed that
greater influence than had generally been sup
posed. His marriage in 1913, and it's unhap
py termination, were referred to, and the sub
sequent reconciliation between the parties The
even after the execution of the King On the latter
event the lecturer dwelt at some length. 1t was
fearful hour for the English people when they were
about to commit an act almost unprecedented in the
nointed king. Those were cruel words, too, of the
executioner when he held the CORY head in view Of
the people, and CRIED :" THIS is the head of
traitor" because the lips of the dead were unable
in his Tenure OF Kings and Magistrates" after the
publication of which he was appointed one Of the
secretaries to the new Council OF state His ab0rs
this department, and the vigorous use which he
made of his talents in the furtherance OF the
cause of the people, were then referred to. The
speaker then spoke more particularly of the
masterpiece of the poet-the Paradise Lost.
Owing partly to natural weakness, but much more
to his intense devotion to study, Milton was entirely
deprived Of his sight before the completion OF his
great task. When told by friend that such unre-
hitting study would injure him physically, the noble
old man replied that duty was superior to glory-an
admission not to be lightly thought Of but to be
taken into serious consideration. Certainly these
remarkable words to fall from the lips of one who
has attained through the immortal productions of mis-
pen undyng glory. In reference to the literary merit
of the Paradise Lost, the lecturer said it work
much praised and little read. 1t would be unfash-
iOnabe to decry its merits, but generally it was too
often allowed to repose upon the upper shelf Of the
library, covered with dust, while volumes unworthy
even place beside it were eagerly read. In his
opinion 1t was no easy matter to comprehend the
sublime imagery of that grand poem; aud fany book
required thorough explanation Il was certainly the
one OF which he was speaking. Not long ago he,
Che ectIer0 while on visit to certain refined
and intellectual city, about hundred miles from
ibis, heard young mana pert and concelted
youDgster-express an opinion in society on the
merits of the Paradise Lost which was meant to be
very profound. The speaker subsequently met this
fippant person, and heard him boast thaS he had
read ten books of the poem in railroad car And
this the spirit of the present times Everything
was done at railroad speed aud there was no time
for earnest investigation Of really profound works
In conclusion the lecturer said that ne had adver
tised to deliver of lectures of the Paradise
Lost, but the audience there assembled was a'suif
cient indication OF the success which such course
would meet with. The lectures would not, in all
probability, be resumed The audience then dispersed