...knowledge. But original deficience cannot be supplied. The want of human interest is always felt. Paradise Lost is one of the books which the reader admires...forgets to take up again. None ever wished it longer tbau it is. Its perusal is a duty rather than a pleasure. We read Milton for instruction, retire harassed...

...Lost,' the truth of Dr. Johnson's observation must be however to a considerable extent allowed, that it is " one of the books which the reader admires and lays down, and forgets to take up again." Much of this inattention is no doubt owing to the character of this age. Learned poetry suits us not....

...Johnson's Works, vol. vii. p. 142. In the 'Life of Milton,' •vol. vi. p. 173, he had said: '" Paradise Lost" is one of the books which the reader admires...it longer than it is. Its perusal is a duty rather thau a pleasure.' second cantos of ' Childc Harold,' he awoke and found Hlmsel'" famous. These cantos...

...Johnson's Works, vol. vii. p. 142. In the 'Life of Milton,' vol. ri. p. 173, he bad said: '"'Paradise Lost" is one of the books which the reader admires...forgets to take up again. None ever wished it longer dun it is. Its perusal is a duty rather tbau a pleasure.' second second cantos of ' Childe Harold,'...

...Johnson's Works, vol. vii. p. 142. In the "Life of Milton," vol. vi. p. 173, he had said, " ' Paradise Lost ' is one of the books which the reader admires...longer than it is. Its perusal is a duty rather than i pleasure." of us has his or her visions shadowed out." " Childe Harold," on his first appearance,...

...sympathy." " But original deficience cannot be supplied. The want of human interest is always felt. Paradise Lost is one of the books which the reader admires and lays down, and forgets to take up again. Its perusal is a duty rather than a pleasure." " Another inconvenience of Milton's design is that it...

...Johnson's Works, vol. vii. p. 142. In the " Life of Milton," vol. vi. p. 173, he says: "' Paradise Lost' is one of the books which the reader admires...is. Its perusal is a duty rather than a pleasure." denounced the devastating ambition of Napoleon, and mingled the denunciation with a sneer at the fools...

...of learning and poetry — there is truth enough in Dr. Johnson's words, where he speaks of it as " one of the books which the reader admires, and lays down, and forgets to take up again." x It is to the dogmatic features of this poem that I would call attention. Addison refrains from noticing...

...knowledge. But original deficience cannot be supplied. The want of I human interest is always felt. Paradise Lost is one of the / books which the reader admires and lays down, and forgets tof tal£e up again. None ever wished it longer than it is. Its pejrusal is a duty rather tEan a pleasure....

...of Johnson, i. 227. of of British greatness shall be obliterated1.' Yet of Paradise Lost he writes, 'None ever wished it longer than it is. Its perusal...recreation ; we desert our master, and seek for companions V This truth, if it be a truth, most men would have hidden from themselves, and all other critics would...