ABSTRACT
In 1738 The Gentleman's Magazine published a lengthy article entitled 'The Apotheosis of Milton'. The author describes how in a dream he is transported to a meeting of the spirits of poets buried in Westminster Abbey who have gathered to discuss whether the great John Milton should be admitted to their company. Writersfrom Chaucer onwards arrive and areintroduced with a commentary on their characters and achievements. Suddenly there is a commotion:
Observe that lady dressed in the loose robe de chambre with her neck and breasts bare: how much fire in her eyes! What a passionate expressionin her motions! And how much assurance in her features! Observe what anindignant look she bestows onthe President,who is telling her, that none of her sex has any right to a seat there. How she throws her eyes about, to seeif she can find out any one of the assembly who inclines to take her part. No! Notone stirs. They whoare inclined in her favour areoverawed, andthe rest shake their heads; and now she flings out of the assembly. That extraordinary woman is Aphra Behn.
