our time a monument has been erected in Westminster Abbey "To the
Author of 'Paradise Lost,'" by Mr. Benson, who has in the
inscription bestowed more words upon himself than upon Milton.

When the inscription for the monument of Philips, in which he was
said to be soli Miltono secundus, was exhibited to Dr. Sprat, then
Dean of Westminster, he refused to admit it; the name of Milton was,
in his opinion, too detestable to be read on the wall of a building
dedicated to devotion. Atterbury, who succeeded him, being author
of the inscription, permitted its reception. "And such has been the
change of public opinion," said Dr. Gregory, from whom I heard this
account, "that I have seen erected in the church a statue of that
man, whose name I once knew considered as a pollution of its walls."

Milton has the reputation of having been in his youth eminently
beautiful, so as to have been called the lady of his college. His
hair, which was of a light brown, parted at the fore-top, and hung
down upon his shoulders, according to the picture which he has given
of Adam. He was, however, not of the heroic stature, but rather
below the middle size, according to Mr. Richardson, who mentions him
as having narrowly escaped from being "short and thick." He was
vigorous and active, and delighted in the exercise of the sword, in
which he is related to have been eminently skilful. His weapon was,
I believe, not the rapier, but the back-sword, of which he
recommends the use in his book on education.

His eyes are said never to have been bright; but, if he was a
dexterous fencer, they must have been once quick.

His domestic habits, so far as they are known, were those of a