8


MY DEAR ANTONY,

Milton, of whom I wrote in my last letter, was five years older than
Jeremy Taylor, of whom I am going to write to-day. The latter's
writings differ very much from Milton's, although they were
contemporaries for the whole of the former's life.

From the grave and august periods of Milton to the sweet beauty of
Jeremy Taylor is as the passing from out the austere halls of Justice to
lovely fields full of flowers.

Your and my great kinsman, Coleridge, pronounced Jeremy Taylor to be
the most eloquent of all divines; and Coleridge was a great critic.

Indeed, there seems to dwell permanently in Jeremy Taylor's mind a
compelling sweetness and serenity.

His parables, though sometimes perhaps almost of set purpose fanciful,
are always full of beauty.

How can anyone withhold sympathy and affection from the writer of
such a passage as this:--

"But as, when the sun approaches towards the gates of the morning,