The Online Library of Liberty

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• Note By A. R. W.
• Life of Milton 1
• Introduction
• Analysis
• I. Introduction
• II. Origin of the Restrictions On Printing
• III. the Use of Books Generally
• IV. the Negative Argument Against the Present Order
• V. the Positive Argument Against the Order
• VI. Conclusion
• Areopagitica a Speech of Mr John Milton For the Liberty of Unlicensed Printing to the Parliament of England

Note by A. R. W.

The Commentary on Milton’s Areopagitica here printed (Introduction, Analysis and Notes) was privately printed by Sir R. C. Jebb for the use of a course of lectures given at Cambridge in the Lent Term of 1872. It is here reprinted by permission of Lady Jebb. A few trifling misprints have been corrected: otherwise, the commentary is reproduced as it was originally printed.

It may be conjectured that what attracted Sir R. C. Jebb specially to Areopagitica was its wealth of classical and historical allusions, and this, obviously, is the aspect of the treatise which received his particular attention. It was thought by the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press that the Commentary should be made accessible to students; and that it might be made more helpful, and be brought more directly into line with the other Pitt Press editions of Milton, if some notes were added on points of directly Miltonic interest, such as the language, parallel passages and so forth; and, at the request of the Syndics, Mr Verity has compiled a short appendix of comments, drawn mainly from his own editions of Milton published by the University Press, and has added the brief Life.

The text of Areopagitica has been slightly modernised in spelling and punctuation.

A. R. W.

Cambridge, May 1918