[339] This anecdote deserves preservation. I have drawn it from the
MSS. of Bishop KENNET.

"In the Epitaph on JOHN PHILIPS occurs this line on his metre,
that

'Uni in hoc laudis genere Miltono secundus,
Primoque pene par.'

These lines were ordered to be razed out of the monument by
Dr. Sprat, Bishop of Rochester. The word Miltono being, as he
said, not fit to be in a Christian church; but they have since
been restored by Dr. ATTERBURY, who succeeded him as Bishop of
Rochester, and who wrote the epitaph jointly with Dr.
FREIND."--Lansdowne MSS., No. 908, p. 162.

The anecdote has appeared, but without any authority. Dr.
SYMMONS, in his "Life of Milton," observing on what he calls
Dr. Johnson's "biographical libel on Milton," that Dr. Johnson
has mentioned this fact, seems to suspect its authenticity;
for, if true, "it would cover the respectable name of Sprat
with eternal dishonour." Of its truth the above gives
sufficient authority; but at all events the prejudices of
Sprat must be pardoned, while I am showing that minds far
greater than his have shared in the same unhappy feeling. Dr.
Symmons himself bears no light stain for his slanderous
criticism on the genius of THOMAS WARTON, from the motive we
are discussing; though Warton, as my text shows, was too a
sinner! I recollect in my youth a more extraordinary instance
than any other which relates to Milton. A woman of no
education, who had retired from the business of life, became a
very extraordinary reader; accident had thrown into her way a
large library composed of authors who wrote in the reigns of
the two Charleses. She turned out one of the _malignant_
party, and an abhorrer of the Commonwealth's men. Her opinion
of CROMWELL and MILTON may be given. She told me it was no
wonder that the rebel who had been secretary to the usurper
should have been able to have drawn so finished a character of
SATAN, and that the Pandaemonium, with all the oratorical
devils, was only such as he had himself viewed at Oliver's
council-board.

[340] I throw into this note several curious notices respecting
BURNET, and chiefly from contemporaries.

Burnet