neral Character of his Mind-His Merit as

a Dramatist-As a Lyrical Poet-As a Sa-

tirist-As a Narrative Poet-As a Philoso-

phical and Miscellaneous Poet-As a Trans-

lator-As a Prose Author-As a Critic,.

PAGE.

470

THE

LIFE

OF

JOHN DRYDEN.

SECTION I.

Preliminary Remarks on the Poetry of Englana ogure the Civil Wars-The Life of Dryden from his Birth till the Restoration-His early Poems, including the "Annus Mirabilis."

THE Life of Dryden may be said to comprehend a history of the literature of England, and its changes, during nearly half a century. While

his

great contemporary Milton was in silence and secrecy laying the foundation of that immortal fame, which no poet has so highly deserved, Dryden's labours were ever in the

eye

of