184

CONTEMPORARY FAME.

66

isle," wandering from city to city, and island to island,
chaunting his heroic lay, obtained, the names of Sopho-
cles and Euripides, Virgil and Horace, at once rise
before us.
Their reputation was established ære
perennius" before their death; and so sensible were
they of it, that the last, interpreting the feelings of the
others, declared that the rewards of the ennobling lay
should mingle them with the gods, and crown their names
with immortality.* The muse of Dante, Petrarch, Tasso,
and Ariosto; of Shakspeare, Spenser, Jonson, Dryden,
and Pope; received the homage due to genius before
their spirits quitted this nether sphere; and though
exceptions have been raised in the case of Milton, it
may be proved that his is no exception. His "Paradise
Lost" and "Regained" were poems of a religious cha-
racter, and appeared at a time when the nation, sur-
feited with puritanical fanaticism, rushed into the wildest
extremes of libertinism; when, its author being marked
as the secretary of Cromwell, party-spirit could not be
* 66 Exegi monumentum ære perennius,
Regalique situ pyramidum altius ;

Quod non imber edax, non Aquilo impotens
Possit diruere, aut innumerabilis

Annorum series et fuga temporum.

Non omnis moriar."-Carmen: lib. iii. Ode 30.

The judicious favour of Augustus, the generous and dispassionate praise of Mæcenas, and the applause of his appreciating countrymen, converted this beautiful song of exultation, which might otherwise have been charged with presumptuous vanity, into the sublime strains of a conscious and confident genius.

THE CLAIMS OF MILTON.

185

tempted to listen to the voice of one who had served under the Commonwealth; and when the infidelity of the age weighed heavily against the reception of an epic, based upon the mysteries of the Christian faith. It appears, however, that within eleven years of its publication, the "Paradise Lost" had passed through two editions, that three thousand copies had been sold,that a third was preparing, and that the bookseller even then found it expedient to purchase the copyright. We have need of no further proof that the reputation of Milton was rapidly spreading.

186

THE CHILD OF DESTINY.

CHAPTER XV.

Battle of Waterloo-Public Rejoicings -Visit to the Continent - Pilgrimage to Waterloo Brussels - French History of Brazil-Detained at Aix-la-Chapelle-Companions-Ghent -Béguinages-Return-Death of his Son-Employments -Visits-Owen of Lanark.

ETAT. 41-42.

THE intelligence of the victory of the 18th of June had just reached England, and the name of Waterloo resounded throughout the length and breadth of the island.

66

Those who had watched the progress of Napoleon's arms with a dazzled admiration, and regarded this 'Child of Destiny" as invincible, as well as those who, prognosticating the ultimate issue of events, believed that no permanent peace could be expected whilst Bonaparte commanded the legions of France, now expressed the most enthusiastic sentiments of gratulation on this fresh and crowning result of British prowess. Southey, who could view Napoleon in no other light

KESWICK AND WATERLOO.

187

than as the implacable enemy of European tranquillity, as a man who was laid under the ban of humanity, and instead of being shielded by the glory which a hundred battles had wreathed round his name, should be treated as a common traitor to mankind, was amongst the most joyous upon this triumphant occasion. Looking back through the pages of history, he could fix upon no nearer epoch than the victory of Charles Martel to which to compare the results of this battle, and in the overthrow of the Moors by this prince, he imagined that he could perceive an achievement in favour of civilisation similar, if not equal, to the consequences that Waterloo would effect.

The rejoicings upon the occasion were not confined to personal or private feelings. The whole country resounded with the voice of congratulation, and every kind of public demonstration was suggested in commemoration of the great event. The vicinity of Keswick was not silent; and Southey took a joyful part in all the proceedings which were intended to express the gratitude of the Cumberland people. Monday, the 21st of August, was appointed for the public celebration of that auspicious event. With all the enthusiasm of his nature, he entered into the preparations of that triumphant occasion, and eagerly sought out whatever might give a new excitement or more brilliant effect to the display of patriotic feeling in his own neighbourhood. The romantic Skiddaw was to be the scene and witness

188

TRIUMPHS AND BONFIRES.

of their rejoicings. Thither he, his family, a party of friends, among whom were Lord and Lady Sunderland, Wordsworth, Mr. James Boswell, and several Lakers, together with a large assemblage of the people, repaired, and on its lofty summit feasted off the genuine symbols of English hospitality. Nor were the duties of that festive season forgotten. The most loyal toasts, the most national sentiments, were pledged and responded to in a capacious bowl of punch, and with the heartiest cheers. Every heart caught the spirit of the hour, and a thousand voices gave life and joyousness to the jubilee. As the evening drew on, and the shadows of night were darkening the landscape, bonfires-huge, substantial, combustible, that might have served as beacons in times of danger and tumult - were lighted, flambeaux kindled, and large blazing balls of tow and tar rolled. down the steep sides of the hill, until the surrounding country was illuminated, and the venerable mountain appeared like a pyramid of fire. These rejoicings continued to a late hour, nor were the flames of national revelry extinguished until the rising glow of the East "paled the ineffectual fires" of earth.

No sooner had the gates of the Continent been thrown open to the British nation, than many who had been prevented, by the hostility of the two nations, from visiting France and other countries of Europe, hastened over. There were few places to which a new and a painful interest had not been given. It was not