Of Mr. M.'s good intentions there can be no doubt; but we beg leave to remind him that there are two opinions to be consulted. He presumes perhaps upon the poetical powers he has displayed, and considers them as irresistible: for every one must observe in how different a strain he avows his attachment now, and at the opening of the Poem. Then it was
If I give thee honour due, Mirth, admit me of thy crew!
But having, it should seem, established his pretensions; he now thinks it sufficient to give notice that he means to live with her, because he likes her.
Upon the whole, Mr. Milton seems to be possessed of some fancy and talent for rhyming; two most dangerous endowments which often unfit men for acting a useful part in life without qualifying them for that which is great and brilliant. If it be true, as we have heard, that he has declined advantageous prospects in business, for the sake of indulging his poetical humour; we hope it is not yet too late to prevail upon him to retract his resolution. With the help of Cocker and common industry, he may become a respectable Scrivener: but it is not all the Zephyrs, and Auroras, And Corydons, and Thyrsis's; aye, nor his "junketing Queen Mab" and "drudging Goblins," that will ever make him a Poet.
W. Hunneman.
Old King Cole, his life and death.
[? Written between 1830 and 1837]