HOW TO GET STRONG
or something very much like one. The boots would do all right—but he could omit the lace at the knees—likely would before the end of the first half.
MILTON (1608–1674)
Born in London, Milton was sent to St. Paul's School, London, and afterwards to Christ's College, Cambridge; giving up the idea of following divinity or law, he went to his father's house at Horton, in Buckinghamshire, and in the next five years, reading Greek and Latin poets; he composed "Comus," "Lycidas," "Arcades," "L'Allegro," and "Il Penseroso." Then in Italy he became acquainted with Grotius and Galileo, returned, took an active part to the controversies of the times; writing many treatises, till at the execution of Charles I. he was appointed Latin Secretary to the Council of State. "In his new position his pen was as terrible as Cromwell's sword"; overwhelming his enemies with such a storm of abuse that one of them, Saumaise, was believed to have lost his life through chagrin; at least Milton flattered himself with having "killed his man." In 1643 he married Mary Powell; who left him in a few weeks, which led to his four treatises on divorce, although he afterwards became reconciled to her. Unceasing study had affected his eyesight, and at forty-six he became totally blind. After the Restoration he retired from affairs; married his third wife, removed to London, and wrote "Paradise Lost," which he thought first of treating as a drama, but finally resolved to write an epic. For this poem he received £5, and promise of another £5 when 1300 copies should have been sold; at sixty-four he published his History of England, and next year "Paradise Regained," and "Samson Agonistes." He was buried in St. Giles's Church.
"Milton was nicknamed the 'lady' at college, from his delicate complexion and slight make. He was, however, a good fencer; and thought himself a match for any one.… The elder nephew now came to board with him also; and the household became an 'example of hard study and spare diet.'… He devoted himself to carrying out the system of education described in his treatise of that subject—(Letters to Hart-
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