THE MILTON TERCENTENARY.

MANSION HOUSE, Dec. 9th, 1908.

From THE LONDON TELEGraph.

It is the proud boast of the City that she never fails to do honour to her citizens, whether they have joined the roll of the illustrious dead or are still among the famous living, and the banquet given at the Mansion House last night in commemoration of the tercentenary of John Milton's birth was peculiarly in accord with civic traditions. The Lord Mayor (Alderman Sir George Wyatt Truscott) presided over a company which was at once brilliant and representative, including as it did men of light and leading in all walks of life-statesmen, eminent divines, lawyers, members of the Universities, musicians, painters, and representatives of the arts and of letters generally. Among those present were :

The Italian Ambassador (the Marquis di San Giuliano), the American Ambassador (Mr. Whitelaw Reid), Viscount Goschen, the Bishop of Salisbury, the Bishop of Ripon, Lord Tennyson, Mr. Justice Darling, Mr. Yoxall, Lord Burghclere, The Right Hon. Augustine Birrell, M.P., The Right Hon. Sir Edward Fry, Mr. Alfred Austin (Poet-Laureate), the Rev. Canon Mason (Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge), the Dean of Westminster, Sir Hubert Parry (Director of the Royal College of Music), Canon Beeching, Mr. R. A. Robinson (Chairman of the London County Council), Mr. Thomas Hardy, Mr. A. W. Pinero, Sir George Chubb, Bt., Mr. Passmore Edwards, Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins, Sir Henry Craik, M.P., Sir A. C. Mackenzie (Principal, Royal College of Music), Alderman Sir Walter Vaughan Morgan (Treasurer of Christ's Hospital), Sir W. S. Gilbert, Sir William Richmond, Sir Gilbert Parker, M.P., Sir Oliver Lodge, Professor J. W. Mackail, Sir William Collins (Vice-Chancellor of the University of London), Mr. John Murray, Sir Frederick Bridge, Mr. Lionel Cust, Sir George Martin, Sir William Anson, Bt., M.P., Dr. G. K. Fortescue, the

Rev. Dr. R. T. Horton, Mr. J. H. Lile, Dr. W. Garnett, Mr. Israel Zangwill, Dr. W. H. Cummings, the Rev. Arthur W. Hutton (rector of St. Mary-le-Bow), Professor Gollancz, Mr. Sidney Lee, Mr. A. E. W. Mason, M.P., Mr. W. L. Courtney, Mr. Henry W. Lucy, the Sheriffs, and Sir William Soulsby.

After giving the toast of "The King" the LORD MAYOR said it was his first duty as Chief Magistrate of the City in which John Milton lived, and moved and had his being, to thank for their presence those who had assembled on that historic day. All were animated with the same desire of doing homage to the genius of their greatest City poet, who was born within a few yards of that spot just 300 years ago. In the presence of so many distinguished men who had made Milton's prose and verse the study of their lives, it would be impertinent in him, who in the exercise of his mayoral functions had to "scorn delights and live laborious days," to attempt any reflections on the influence and power of Milton's writings. He would only remind them that one of the most earnest of the poet's efforts at reform was in connection with the branch of industry with which he (the Lord Mayor) was most intimately connected. His Areopagitica contained one passage which seemed to have a peculiar significance that evening:

"Behold now this vast city; a city of refuge; the Mansion House of Liberty. What wants there to such a towardly and pregnant soil but wise and faithful labourers, to make a knowing people, a nation of prophets, of sages, and of worthies?" (Cheers.)

The Rev. Canon BEECHING gave "The Immortal Memory of Milton"; the ITALIAN AMBASSADOR gave "Poetry," and ALFRED AUSTIN, Poet-Laureate, replied; Mr. Justice DARLING gave "Music and the Drama," and Sir HUBERT PARRY and Mr. A. W. PINERO replied; and the AMERICAN AMBASSADOR gave "The Lord Mayor," being supported by Dr. A. W. WARD, Master of Peterhouse. Mr. WHITELAW REID said :

It has been made my duty to submit a toast arising naturally out of this commemora

tion. It is to the Chief Magistrate of the City that had the honour to give Milton to England and to the world.

Has it occurred to you to consider how narrow are the geographical limits within which the very highest literary distinction has appeared? The world counts but five or six poets of supreme genius-if so many. As to three of them there is never much question. Of those three, one came from a little island in the Mediterranean, and the other two from a not large island, shrouded by these Northern fogs. Thus in the sovereignty of poetry those two islands outweigh every continent and all archipelagos. (Cheers.) This great city of London is famous for many things, but it has no fame more widely diffused and more permanent than as the support of Shakespeare during his professional activity, and as the birthplace of Milton and his home. (Cheers.) Having said this, I might properly enough, at this late hour, close at once by proposing the toast entrusted to

me.

Still, in this spot, one of the greatest literary and publishing centres of the world, if not the greatest, a person whose own life has had something to do with the press could hardly be excused if on such an occasion he did not at least mention the universal indebtedness of mankind to the author of the 'Plea for Unlicensed Printing." (Cheers.) That was at the beginning of the long struggle for the greatest liberating and elevating influence of modern civilization, the Freedom of the Press (cheers); but even then its author was keenly alive to the insidious danger that always dogs. the steps of this freedom. You recall his phrase, “As good almost kill a man as kill a good book; who kills a man kills a reasonable creature, God's image; but he who destroys a good book kills reason itself." When you remember that, remember also that he took instant care to disclaim the remotest thought of "introducing license while he opposed licensing," and that subsequently he denounced in good set terms those

"That bawl for freedom in their senseless mood,
And still revolt when truth would set them free.
License they mean, when they cry liberty,

For who loves that must first be wise and good."

One other thing I ought to mention. This great poet's conception of ordered liberty in the press, and in all things, inspired the men with whom he acted. They were the men' that ruled England then, the men that colonised New England and helped found the Western Republic. I like to fancy that he might even then have had some premonition of coming events; and that, at any rate, later on, the old bard's sightless eyes saw in clearer outlines the wider reach and meaning in the vision of his prime. You are all familiar with it" Methinks I see in my mind a noble and puissant nation, rousing herself like a strong man after sleep, and shaking her invincible locks. Methinks I see her as an eagle, mewing her mighty youth and kindling her undazzled eyes at the full midday beam." (Cheers.)

My Lord Mayor, that was a very interesting