As a study of a thing that made the reputation of a writer, the "Milton"
is worth a careful reading. It is very sure that in America today there
are a hundred men who could write just as good an article, but whether
these men are Macaulays or not is quite another question. But it is not at
all probable that a writer will ever again leap into place and power on so
small a feat.

Yet the article surely shows all the dash and vigor that mark Macaulay's
literary style. There is personality in it; it reveals the red corpuscle;
and tells without question that there is a man behind the guns. It was
opportune; for literature at that particular time had reached a point
where the sciolist was in full possession, and the dead husks of learning
were being palmed off for the living thoughts of living men.

Periodicity reveals itself in all Nature, and even in the world of thought
there are years of famine and years of plenty. Dry rot gets into letters;
things are ripe for a revolution; the tinder is dry, and along comes some
Martin Luther and applies the torch.

Macaulay simply expressed himself boldly, frankly, and without thought of
favor--writing as he felt.

The article made a great stir--the first edition of the magazine was
quickly exhausted, and Macaulay awoke one morning, like Byron, and found
himself famous. All there was about it, the "Milton" revealed a man, a
strong, vivid-thinking, vigorous man, who, seeing things clearly, wrote
from his heart. Art is born of feeling: it is heart, not head, that
carries conviction home; but if you have both, as Macaulay had, it is no
special disadvantage.