1 tions with the university. This, however, was deferred, upon his promising to explain himself in such a manner, as, if possible, would remove every stumbling block of offence. This he attempted to do, in "Some Remarks on Dr. Pearce's second Reply," &c. wherein the author's sentiments, as to all the principal points in dispute, are fully and clearly explained in the manner that has been promised; and he, at least, effected so much, by this piece, that he was suffered to be quiet, and to remain in statu quo; though he was esteemed ever after as a very indifferent believer, and reproached by many of the clergy as a downright apostate. During this terrible conflict, he was, in 1731, appointed Woodwardian professor, and, in 1732, published his inauguration speech. It is easy to suppose, that the reading of lectures upon fossils was not an employment suited either to his taste, or to the turn of his studies; and, therefore, we cannot wonder, that he resigned in two years after his appointment. In 1741, came out his great work, entitled, "The History of the Life of M. Tullius Cicero," 2 vols. 4to. This is, indeed, a very fine performance, whether we regard the materials or the language; and will probably be read as long as taste and polite literature shall continue to prevail amongst us. It is written in the most correct and elegant style, and abounds with every thing that can instruct and entertain, that can inform the understanding, and polish the taste: the author has, nevertheless, fallen into the common error of biographers, who often give panegyrics, instead of history. In 1743, he published "The Epistles of M. T. Cicero to M. Brutus; and of Brutus to Cicero; with the Latin text on the opposite page, and English notes to each epistle, together with a prefatory dissertation," &c. This was succeeded by some other works; but, in 1747, he had another terrible controversy with the clergy, occasioned by a publication, entitled, " A free enquiry into the mira culous powers, which are supposed to have subsisted in the Christian Church, from the earliest ages, through several succeeding ages; tending to shew, that we have no sufficient reason to believe, upon the authority of the primitive fathers, that any such powers were continued to the Church, after the days of the apostles," &c. He was now attacked from all quarters; but before he took notice of his antagonists, he surprized the public with," An Examination of the Bishop of London's Discourses, concerning the use and intent of Prophecy," &c. Thus Dr. Middleton continued to display talents and learning, which were highly esteemed by men of a deistical turn of mind, but by no means, in a method calculated to invite promotion in the church. If he rose not, however, to ecclesiastical dignities, his writings were so well received, that he arrived at easy, if not independent circumstances, and died at an estate of his own purchasing in Cambridgeshire in 1750. All his works except the life of Cicero, were collected in 4 vols. 4to. in 1752. MILTON, (JOHN) a most illustrious English poet, and famous also for his politics, was descended from a respectable family, at Milton, near Abingdon, in Oxfordshire. His grand-father, Mr. John Milton, was a zealous catholic; and his father, whose name was likewise John, having embraced the protestant religion, was, on that account, disinherited. Upon this, he went to London, where he followed with great success the business of a scrivener. Here, his oldest son, John, the subject of this memoir, was born Dec. 9, 1606, and was trained up with great care, from his infancy, by his parents. He had first a pri vate tutor at home; afterwards he was put to St. Paul's school, where he applied so intensely to books, that he hurt his constitution, which was none of the VOL. III. No. 22. Tt strongest. He, however, made an extraordinary progress in his studies, & gave some early specimens, both in Latin and English, of an admirable genius for poetry. We are informed by a MS. of M. Aubrey, in the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford, that his father was, likewise, possessed of a poetical genius, he having composed a song of fourscore parts, for the Landgrave of Hesse, for which his highness sent him a medal of gold, and a valuable present. The same MS. likewise, informs us, that when Milton was very young, he was a remarkably hard student, that he sat up very late, commonly till twelve or one o'clock, and that even, at those years, he composed many verses, which might well have become a riper age. In 1625, he was admitted of Christ College, in Cambridge, and, in 1628, proceeded bachelor of arts, having, during the time of continuance at the university, pursued his studies with unremitting ardour, and neglected no part of academical learning, although his chief pleasure lay in cultivating his poetical talent. His father designed him for the church, nor had he himself entertained any other intentions for some time; but afterwards growing out of humour with the public administration of ecclesiastical affairs, and from thence becoming dissatisfied with the established form of church government, he dropped all thoughts of that kind. After he had taken the degree of Master of Arts, in 1652, he left the university, and returned to his father, who, having acquired a competency of fortune, had quitted business, and settled himself at Horton, in Buckinghamshire. During a retirement of five years here, he enriched his mind with the choicest stores of Grecian and Roman learning, drawn from the best authors in each language, constantly keeping his attention fixed upon poetry, for the sake and service of which chiefly these treasures were collected; and the poems entitled "Comus,"" L'Allegro," " II Penserosa," and "Lycidas," all written within this period, |