Note 131 — THE LIFE OF COWPER. PART THE FIRST. (continued 6)

The severity of Johnson's strictures on Milton, in his Lives of the Poets, awakened a keen sense of indignation in the breast of Cowper, which he has recorded in the marginal remarks, written in his own copy of that work. They are characteristic of the generous ardour of his mind, in behalf of a man whose political views, however strong, were at least sincere and conscientious; and the splendour of whose name ought to have dissipated the animosities of party feeling. From these curious and interesting comments we extract the following:—

Johnson—"I know not any of the Articles which seem to thwart his opinions, but the thoughts of obedience, whether canonical or civil, roused his indignation." Cowper—"Candid."

Johnson—"Of these Italian testimonies, poor as they are, he was proud enough to publish them before his poems; though he says he cannot be suspected but to have known that they were said, Non tam de se, quam supra se." Cowper—"He did well."

Johnson—"I have transcribed this title to show, by his contemptuous mention of Usher, that he had now adopted a puritanical savageness of manners." Cowper—"Why is it contemptuous? Especially, why is it savage?"

Johnson—"From this time it is observed, that he became an enemy to the Presbyterians, whom he had favoured before. He that changes his party by his humour, is not more virtuous than he that changes it by his interest. He loves himself rather than truth." Cowper—"You should have proved that he was influenced by his humour."

Johnson—"It were injurious to omit, that Milton afterwards received her father and her brothers in his own house, when they were distressed, with other Royalists." Cowper—"Strong proof of a temper both forgiving and liberal."

Johnson—"But, as faction seldom leaves a man honest, however it may find him, Milton is suspected of having interpolated the book called 'Ikon Basilike,' &c." Cowper—"A strange proof of your proposition!"

Johnson—"I cannot but remark a kind of respect, perhaps unconsciously paid to this great man by his biographers. Every house in which he resided is historically mentioned, as if it were an injury to neglect naming any place that he honoured by his presence." Cowper—"They have all paid him more than you."

Johnson—"If he considered the Latin Secretary as exercising any of the powers of Government, he that had showed authority either with the Parliament or with Cromwell, might have forborne to talk very loudly of his honesty." Cowper—"He might, if he acted on principle, talk as loudly as he pleased."

Johnson—"This darkness, had his eyes been better employed, had undoubtedly deserved compassion." Cowper—"Brute!"

Johnson—"That his own daughters might not break the ranks, he suffered them to be depressed by a mean and penurious education. He thought women made only for obedience, and man only for rebellion." Cowper—"And could you write this without blushing? Os hominis!"

Johnson—"Such is his malignity, that hell grows darker at his frown." Cowper—"And at THINE!"