SOME ACCOUNT S:4:1826 OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF JOHN MILTON, DERIVED PRINCIPALLY FROM Documents in his Majesty's State-Paper Office, NOW FIRST PUBLISHED. BY THE REV. H. J. TODD, M.A. F.S.A. & R.S.L.· CHAPLAIN IN ORDINARY TO HIS MAJESTY, AND RECTOR OF SETTRINGTON, COUNTY OF YORK. OTHE LONDON: PRINTED FOR C. AND J. RIVINGTON; J. CUTHELL; J. NUNN; J. AND W. T. 1826. PREFACE. AN Account of the Life and Writings of Milton, brief indeed, and with no other pretension than that of being drawn from authentick sources, has accompanied two editions which I have published of Milton's Poetical Works. To a third edition, now in circulation, some of that account is prefixed, greatly augmented with original documents illustrating the private and publick character of Milton, which have long been hidden among other literary curiosities, and till now have never been published. It is believed, that to many readers of the poet this enlarged biography might be acceptable in a separate volume. Of the important materials, therefore, which compose it, further information shall here be given. In his Majesty's State-Paper Office they are preserved; and my knowledge of them, in the first instance, I owe to the friendly communication of Mr. Evans, bookseller, in PallMall. It occurred some time since to the |