Johnson—"I have transcribed this title to show, by his contemptuous mention of Usher, that he had now adopted a puritanical savageness of manners." Cowper—"Why is it contemptuous? Especially, why is it savage?"
Johnson—"From this time it is observed, that he became an enemy to the Presbyterians, whom he had favoured before. He that changes his party by his humour, is not more virtuous than he that changes it by his interest. He loves himself rather than truth." Cowper—"You should have proved that he was influenced by his humour."
Johnson—"It were injurious to omit, that Milton afterwards received her father and her brothers in his own house, when they were distressed, with other Royalists." Cowper—"Strong proof of a temper both forgiving and liberal."
Johnson—"But, as faction seldom leaves a man honest, however it may find him, Milton is suspected of having interpolated the book called 'Ikon Basilike,' &c." Cowper—"A strange proof of your proposition!"
Johnson—"I cannot but remark a kind of respect, perhaps unconsciously paid to this great man by his biographers. Every house in which he resided is historically mentioned, as if it were an injury to neglect naming any place that he honoured by his presence." Cowper—"They have all paid him more than you."
Johnson—"If he considered the Latin Secretary as exercising any of the powers of Government, he that had showed authority either with the Parliament or with Cromwell, might have forborne to talk very loudly of his honesty." Cowper—"He might, if he acted on principle, talk as loudly as he pleased."
Johnson—"This darkness, had his eyes been better employed, had undoubtedly deserved compassion." Cowper—"Brute!"
Johnson—"That his own daughters might not break the ranks, he suffered them to be depressed by a mean and penurious education. He thought women made only for obedience, and man only for rebellion." Cowper—"And could you write this without blushing? Os hominis!"
Johnson—"Such is his malignity, that hell grows darker at his frown." Cowper—"And at THINE!"
[132] See Murphy's "Essay on the Genius of Dr. Johnson."