with other works, such as Earle's Philology of the English Tongue, Morris's Outlines of English Accidence, Marsh's Lectures on the English Language, &c. &c.

3. Masson's Life of Milton (to which I have already referred), Hallam's History of Literature, Warton's History of English Poetry, Scott's Critical Essays (1785), and several minor works bearing on the subjects under review.

As regards the text and various readings, I am greatly indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Aldis Wright, of Trinity College, Cambridge, who has been good enough to collate for me the MS. of Lycidas with Todd's list of readings and with the first printed editions, verifying all, and amending a few which that editor had incorrectly or insufficiently given.

I have also much pleasure in acknowledging my obligations to my friend, the Rev. James Moore, M.A., Vicar of All Saints, Liverpool, for his careful revision of the MS. while it was in progress, for his help in arranging the materials of my Introduction, and for many valuable suggestions throughout the work.

Once or twice reference has been made to a certain Epitaph, which (as many readers may remember) was found by Professor Morley written in MS. at the end of a copy of the 1645 edition of Milton's poems, preserved in the King's Library of the British Museum. Not wishing to commit myself to an opinion either way upon the authorship of this poem, I have designated it simply as the Miltonic Epitaph. The whole story of its recovery and the arguments on Professor Morley's side of the con

troversy are given in his Introduction to The King and the Commons, published in 1869. At present the question is generally supposed to be settled against the Miltonic authorship, by the decision of those experts who assert that the handwriting is not Milton's, nor the signature J. M. There is at all events no dispute as to the date, which is 1647, and I have merely cited the poem as the work of a contemporary writer, and as undoubtedly 'Miltonic' in style and expression.

The Latin paraphrase of the Lycidas, by W. Hogg, is inserted at the suggestion of Mr. F. A. Paley of Cambridge, who has recently published a translation of the same poem. In his preface he alludes to Hogg's version of 1694, but regrets that he was unable to meet with a copy of it. There is a copy, possibly unique, of this paraphrase in the Library of the British Museum, preserved in a miscellaneous collection of pieces, chiefly of the 18th century. Most of the poems are in English, but one of them is a Latin version of the First Book of the Paradise Lost, by an unknown author, dated 1685. Hogg's translation is preceded by some Latin Elegiacs, In Laudem Academiæ Cantabrigiensis, not worth preserving, with a dedication to the Earl of Mulgrave. There is also an English address to the Reader,' explaining the circumstances of King's death, and of the production of the commemoratory verses (see Introduction, p. 2). Part of this address is worth quoting on account of its quaintness. Now he [Edward King] was a Person generally beloved in his Life, which made him so much lamented at his Death; which occasioned several Students

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to pen lamentations on his Death,' among whom was this Milton and Clieveland. I was desired by others to make these two Translations, which was the occasion that I penned them. I was advised to put them in the Press, and that which encouraged me to adventure to do it was hopes that ingenious Gentlemen will communicate tokens of their kindness to me, for at this time my necessity is very great. These Poems will afford a high and innocent Recreation.' A version of Clieveland's elegy is, as the Latin title indicates, included in the volume; but I have not thought it worth while to reprint this in addition.

The English translation of the Epitaphium Damonis, by Dr. Symmons, is to be found in the Life of Milton appended to his edition of the Prose Works (1806). It is a fair specimen of the artificial literary style which prevailed during the 18th century; and it may be interesting to some readers to compare it with the version by Professor Masson, for the sake of contrast and variety.

The italics are mine.

WOODCOTE HOUSE, WINDLESHAM :

May 1874.