of angels good and evil; of man in his innocent and sinful state.

Among the angels, the virtue of Raphael is mild and placid, of easy
condescension and free communication; that of Michael is regal and
lofty, and, as may seem, attentive to the dignity of his own nature.
Abdiel and Gabriel appear occasionally, and act as every incident
requires; the solitary fidelity of Abdiel is very amiably painted.

Of the evil angels the characters are more diversified. To Satan,
as Addison observes, such sentiments are given as suit "the most
exalted and most depraved being." Milton has been censured by
Clarke, for the impiety which sometimes breaks from Satan's mouth;
for there are thoughts, as he justly remarks, which no observation
of character can justify, because no good man would willingly permit
them to pass, however transiently, through his own mind. To make
Satan speak as a rebel, without any such expression as might taint
the reader's imagination, was indeed one of the great difficulties
in Milton's undertaking; and I cannot but think that he has
extricated himself with great happiness. There is in Satan's
speeches little that can give pain to a pious ear. The language of
rebellion cannot be the same with that of obedience. The malignity
of Satan foams in haughtiness and obstinacy; but his expressions are
commonly general, and no otherwise offensive than as they are
wicked.

The other chiefs of the celestial rebellion are very judiciously
discriminated in the first and second books; and the ferocious
character of Moloch appears, both in the battle and the council,
with exact consistency.