ancy bear a strong
resemblance to the idea we form of inspiration.

Mr. Richardson has informed us, 'that when Milton dictated, he used to
sit leaning backwards obliquely in an easy chair, with his legs flung
over the elbows of it; that he frequently composed lying a-bed in a
morning, and that when he could not sleep, but lay awake whole nights,
he tried, but not one verse could he make; at other times flowed easy
his unpremeditated verse, with a certain Impetus as himself used to
believe; then at what hour soever, he rung for his daughter to secure
what came. I have been also told he would dictate many, perhaps 40
lines in a breath, and then reduce them to half the number.' I would
not omit, says Mr. Richardson, the least circumstance; these indeed
are trifles, but even such contract a sort of greatness, when related
to what is great.

After the work was ready for the press, it was near being suppressed
by the ignorance, or malice of the licenser, who, among other trivial
objections, imagined there was treason in that noble simile, b. i. v.
594--

--As when the sun new ris'n
Looks thro' the horizontal misty air,
Shorn of his beams; or from behind the moon,
In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds
On half the nations, and with fear of change
Perplexes monarchs.

The ignorance of this licenser, in objecting to this noble simile, has
indeed perpetuated his name, but it is with no advantage; he, no
doubt, imagined, that _Perplexes Monarchs_ was levelled against the
reigning Prince, which is, perhaps, the highest simile in our
language; how ridiculously will people talk who are blinded by
prejudice, or heated by party. But to return: After Milton had
finished this noble work of genius, which does honour to human nature,
he disposed of it to a Bookseller for the small price of fifteen
pounds; under such prejudice did he then labour, and the payment of
the fifteen pounds was to depend upon the sale of two numerous
impressions. This engagement with his Bookseller proves him extremely
ignorant of that sort of business, for he might be well assured, that
if two impressions sold, a great deal of money must be returned, and
how he could dispose of it thus conditionally for fifteen pounds,
appears strange; but while it proves Milton's ignorance, or
inattention about his interest in this affair, it, at the same time,
demonstrates the Bookseller's honesty; for he could not be ignorant
what money would be got by t