Page:Johnsonian Miscellanies I.djvu/503

 Milton's boasted republic ; and what Tacitus admired in theory, but despaired of enjoying, Johnson saw established in this country. He knew that it had been overturned by the rage of frantic men ; but he knew that, after the iron rod of Cromwell's usurpation,, the constitution was once more restored to its first principles. Monarchy was established, and this country was regenerated. It was regenerated a second time at the Revolu tion : the rights of men were then defined, and the blessings of good order and civil liberty have been ever since diffused through the whole community.

The peace and happiness of society were what Dr. Johnson had at heart. He knew that Milton called his Defence of the Regicides, a defence of the people of England r, but, however glossed and varnished, he thought it an apology for murder. Had the men, who, under a shew of liberty, brought their king to the scaffold, proved by their subsequent conduct, that the public good inspired their action, the end might have given some sanction to the means ; but usurpation and slavery followed. Milton undertook the office of secretary under the despotic power of Cromwell, offering the incense of adulation to his master, with the titles of Director of public Councils, the Leader of unconquered Armies^ the Father of his Country*. Milton declared, at the same time, that nothing is more pleasing to God, or more agreeable to reason, than that the highest mind should have the sovereign power*. In this strain of servile flattery

1 Milton's Works, Hi. 103. It was in Works, v. 258; vi. 435; Johnson's writing this Defence' In Liberty's Works, vii. 88.

defence, my glorious task,' that the 3 ' Nihil esse in societate hominum

poet lost his sight. This Defence magis vel Deo gratum, vel rationi

Charles Lamb describes as ' uni- consentaneum, esse in civitate nihil

formly great, and such as is be- aequius, nihil utilius, quam potiri

fitting the very mouth of a great rerum dignissimum.' ' Nothing in the

nation, speaking for itself.' Lamb's world is more pleasing to God, more

Letters, ed. 1888, i. 191. agreeable to reason, more politically

2 'Dux publici consilii, fortissi- just, or more generally useful than morum exercituum imperator, pater that the supreme power should be patriae.' ' The leader of our councils, vested in the best and the wisest of the general of our armies, and the men.' Ib.

father of your country.' Milton's

Milton

�� �