Year: 1863

The above lines are inscribed on large tablet erected to the
memory of Milton in of the church edces OF London The
church itself stands the spot where Milton was baptized
in infancy.


The youthful period the poets life is full of interest When
but schooboy his close application to books and occasional
efforts with the pen for him the admiration of ALL at
age years his attracted the attention of his
instructors An instance recorded while attending ST. Paus
school in London that will illustrate this.


At public examination the scholars each appointed
read poeca compoSuo Inc meme CHOSEN was the hrs MIR
ace of aviorthe turning water into wine Each
erted himself the utmost the prize Long poems
written and handed in the subject But young Milton grasped
the sublime dea and expressed 1t style that would have done
honor to the greatest bard He only wrote his slate line


"The blushed."
said the judges looked upon each other amazed and without
hesitation awarded him the prize


Milton deyout Christian. His father having renounced
the false doctrines of Rome became warmly attached the prot
esant religion As might be expected, the poets mind
deeply impressed with the same faith He became it's earnest
advocate and through his whole life defended the with his
pen His greatest work Paradise Lost has excited the adm
prose works give evidence Of extreme piety


But there grand and mighty feeling that ever
burning in his breast 1t the ardent love Of freedom He
longed to all men exalted and equal Amid his medaons
in the retirement Of his home this passion burned within him.
Even when his ondes hopes crushed his thirst for human
freedom diminished Though afflicted with total blindness
he continually upon this avorte theme Nothing could in
duce him to desnot even the threats Of his triumphant
cmes


The Duke York as story goes expressed wish to his
brother Charles H. old Milton Of whom much said
The king had objection and the duke his way
the poets house, where on introducing himself free converse
took place these very dscordan Characters


duke asked Milton whether he did consider his blind
be judgment inflicted him for writing against the
king.


"f your hghness thinks he replied, shat the calamities
which beal here indications of the wrath Of heaven
what for the fate Of the king your
The dpeasure Of heaven must upon this supposon have
been much greater against him than against me- for have only
lost my eyes, but he lost his head


The duke, disconnected by the answer went his way and
claimed reaching the Brother you greatly


Why what the NATTER James " said the monarch; "you
seen in heat What have you seen Milton?


Yes answered James, 81 have seen him."


Wel asked the king, n what condition did you find him ?"


"Condtion ?-wly, be is very old and very poor"


"Old and poor well and he is blind too, is he not?'


Yes blind a beetle"


"Why Them observed the merry monarch, 'you fool
James to have him hanged punishment; hang him will
be doing him service will be taking him Of his mseries
If be be old poor and blind he is miserable enough in all
scous sa e let him live


Mtons bographcrs enable trace his daily life He
early had chapter in the Hebrew Bble read him. ned-
tad till till twelve he listened reading in which
poyed his daughters then took exercise and sometimes swung
in his little garden After frugal dinner, he enjoyed
sca recreation six he welcomed friends took supper eight
and then having smoked pipe and drank glass Of water he
retired 0 repose


mber 1914 his residence at Bunhlrow His funeral
attended by number Of nobemen well as by large
of the populacc In 1877 erected his
memory in Westminster Abby and few years since another
small placed in the church where he lies inferred