THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES vUCUBRATIONS. LUCUBRATIONS CONSISTING OF ESSAYS, REVERIES, &c. IN PROSE AND VERSE. JLAHGUESCIT By the late PETER OF PONTEFRACT. H he was under a neceffity of educating his own children ; and, in order to make fome tolerable pro- vifion for them, to undertake the edu- cation of other people's children. THE X DEDICATION. THE bodily fatigues, and, to an in- genuous mind, the more mortifying circumflances, incident to fuch an employment; from, fometimes the juft, though more frequently the ca- pricious and abfurd expectations of fond parents, rendered him incapable of perfevering in that courfe of fludy, which in his youth he had fketched out, and for fome time regularly pur- fued. " Ex ilk finer e & retrofublapfa referri " Sfes Danaum ; fraclae vires ." VlRG. From DEDICATION. XI From that time he could only amufe himfelf, in an evening, with fuch kind of reading and writing as, in an in- dolent poflure, lolling in an eafy chair, or leaning on one elbow, a man may be fuppofed to have attended to. THIS, Sir, is the true origin of thofe many flimfy productions of our late friend ; which, though they may have difappointed the expectations of his more judicious acquaintance, have ac- quired him fome degree of reputation amongft thofe who read with no other 2 view, Xli DEDICATION. view, than that which the author wrote to amufe themfelves, and to forget for a time the cares and vexa- tions of human life : of which tafte, however, as he never wrote any thing, he trufts, contrary to the religion of his country or to good manners, our friend thought it allowable fo far to avail Jiimfelf, as, for thefe ten years pafl, to have indulged himfelf in an annual vifit to the metropolis, without detriment to his family. " THERE was a time indeed (as Lord Shaftefbury obferves) when the name DEDICATION. Xlll name of Author fbood for fomething confiderable in the world j" but the times are altered. Voltaire mentions a French writer, who begat a child, and wrote a book, every year. Now, though our friend did not pretend to the former manly exploits, yet he, or any young fpinfter in the kingdom, could perform the latter, and write a took in lefs than nine months. THE Editor, therefore, hopes to fhelter himfelf from cenfure under the fafhion of the times, in giving to the public thefe Lucubrations, which, I it XIV DEDICATION. it appears, that, after fome little cor reftion, the author himfelf intende for the prefs. I am, SIR, with the greateft efteem, and fincereft attachment,' your obliged, and affe&ionate, humble fervant, y* The E D I T O I ERRATA vel MUTANDA. Page 4. 18. 19. 14. 27. 40. 5i' 53- 69. 92. "5- 120. I*S. J3 8. 142. 15*. 161. 75' 178. IJZ. 8. read, *wbicb become. 2. r. Heftor and Andromache; and the like. 6. forflouldr.may. ult. r. femiredufia. 8. dele the mark of reference. penult. " with" in italics. 1 2 and 1 3 . dele their devotees. . 10. r. a very wife. 6. r. revivification. i. for fellow fubjefls, r. brethren. penult, r. yourf elves. penult, r. amufements. . 7. r. of them. . 5. for Matius r. Mariius. dditional note to line 10, ' Anch' lo fon Pit. ' tore.' ult. for but r. her. . ult. " to tliink on me," in italics, note to 1. ii. " Mafter M gue." . 3. r. To Sir Z-~ S pie, Bart. .21. for But r. Wlen. *********+********+*****+** LUCUBRATIONS, fie. ******* ****** $* O N THE POWER OF HABIT. A PREFATORY ESSAY. ---- tenet infanabile multos Scribendi cacoe'ches. Juv, ^T^ H E influence of Habit on the a&ions * of men, cannot have efcaped the no- tice of the moft inattentive obferver : and its general tendency to produce either a vir- tuous or vicious conduct, has been fo fre- quently the fubjecl: of moral writers, that B nothing [ 2 ] nothing very new can be faid upon the oc- cafion. The effects of Habit, both en the bodies and minds of men, are indeed as mechanical, as on thofc animals which are governed by mere inftind. A fober citizen goes with the fame invariable regularity, and with as much fatisfaction, to his ufual feat in the coffee- room, as a pack-horfe to the inn where he has been ufed to feed ; and is rniferable if any bufmefs intervenes to deprive him of his evening recreation. A lady, long accuftomed to cards, fits down with as keen an appetite to the whift- table in an evening, as an epicure to a haunch of venifon : and I was not furprifed, that an old dowager, fome time fince, at Bath, fhould expire with the cards in her hand. Inftances are imnecefTary on fo trite a fubje&j yet, I cannot forbear ^mentioning one [ 3 ] one more, which fliews, that by indulging themfelves in idle habits, men may lofe all relifh for the beauties of nature, and every amufement, but that to which they have been long accuftomed. I fome years fince accompanied an old bachelor, of a genteel profeflion, in the Strand, to a gentleman's feat in St d- fhire, with whofe family he had fome con- nexion. After coffee, in the evening, we took a walk together on the lawn when the declining fun had ting'd with its golden beams the neighbouring hills, and gave a rich luftre to every objecl: -, . " Well," faid I, this place is quite an you will fay, for his appearing in public in a Hate of intoxication ? * Ah ! there's the * rub/ The apology for one's amufing one's felf in private, runs on fluently enough; but c Why then publifh ?' Pope himfelf, after many plaufible reafons for a poor d ned poers perfeverance in fcribWing, has- no^other refource, than the partial judgment of friends : " Ccngreve approved, and Swiff endur'd ' ay lays." J * The author of the following Lucubra- tions, however, has not even this x to plead ;. having, by his folitary fituation, been pre- & eluded [ II ] eluded from confulting his few furviving friends, if he had been inclined to involve their credit in the event of fuch a publica- tion : and fome of thele pieces, being on temporary fubjecls,. he has ventured into public, to take their chance, with all due fubmiffion to the candour of his readers*. For an Author to fay, that he publiihes nothing immoral^ is like Horace's Have, who plumed himfelf that he had Hole nothing ; and may expect a fimilar anfwer : " Well, " then, you ihall not be hanged in chains.'' But, " can you, Sir, inftruft the world r" I might have done fo, if I had lived when *' Valerius Maximus has perhaps hinted the tru motive for moft publications of this trivial kind, in fpeaking of Fabius Piftor's putting his name to his rude ficetches ' Sordido ftudio deditam ingenium, " qualemcunqae ilium labcrem fuum filentio obli- terari noluit." B. viii. C. 14, B 6 th the world was in its infancy. But the world is now older and wifer than I am. " Can " you then entertain the world ?" The world, Sir, can entertain itfelf, with gam- bling, horfe-races, and bruifing-matches. " What then are your pretenfions only " to amufe thofe idle people who will liften " to any thing that is new ?" Why, Sir, I have written to amufe myfelf ; and, if the world can amufe themfelves with what I have written, they will read rny book if not, wafte paper is ufeful on various occa- fions : and the printing my book has em- ployed feveral poor d Is : and the con- fumption of paper augments the revenue : fo that, fuppofing the national debt (which is now going to be paid off) to be 240 mil- lions, nineteen (hillings, and eleven pence three farthings, if my works contribute but the odd farthing towards that falutary work v I have I have a claim to the minifter's acknowledg^- ment and the thanks of the nation. Some of the following pieces, however, he- flatters himfel have at leaft the merit of ai moral tendency : and, throughout the whole, the author has been fo far from intending tcr make any one unhappy, or lefs pleafed with himfelf, that he may perhaps be cenfured for too general a ftrain of compliment and panegyric. The reader, however, is not to confider the poetical part of this mifcellaneous col- ledtion, as always exprefiive of the author's ferious opinion, or real ftate of his mind (for who will fwear to the truth of a fong ?) but, frequently, as the mere effecl: of the above-mentioned cacoetbej, or inveterate ha- bit of fcribbling and rhyming, on almoft every pofiible occurrence of human life on real or imaginary occafions. Accordingly, he [ 14 T he writes amorous verfes without being in love ; and elegies without being greatly concerned. He celebrates beauties whom he never faw r and fatyrizes coxcombs with whom he is in perfect charity ; for he feels himfelf poflefled of fo great a fhare of phi- lanthropy, or uaiverfal love of mankind (and of womankind too) that the good, the bad, and the indifferent, are almofl equally objects of his affeffton, though not of his tfewj.. " Nitfil bnmani a me alienum futo" I cannot be indifferent to any thing that concerns the good of mankind. I accord- ingly enjoy every aft of benevolence or cha- rity ; every profperous event that befals my country or my friends j and even the fight of every beautiful nymph, that exhibits her charms in the public walks. On thefe in* terefting C 15- I terefting occafions, my imagination is as me- chanically fet to work, as a windmill by a* brifk gale of wind ;, and, by celebrating a be- nevolent action, I feem to fhare the pleafure with the perfon that performs it ; I gratify, at leaft, that irrefiftible propenfity to fcrib- bling, which is the effect of that invincible Habit above defcribed.. To caution young people againft this ha- bit of rhyming? however, is the particular ufe I would make of thefe trite reflections. They may confider it as a kind of dying fpeech of an old offender ; who would ex^ hort them to beware of rhyming company and handfome women, and never to profane the fabbath by reading any other poetry on that day than Sternhold and Hopkins or fuch pious flrains as have no tendency to elevate and inflame the imagination. Let them, if they find themfelves inclined to it, try [ '6 ] try their hand at a fonnet or a ftanza on thcrr firfl love ; but by no means indulge that in- clination, unlefs they are confcious of a truly poetical genius ; in which they are very likely to be deceived. Young people, how- ever, of this turn, are like adventurers in a lottery every one fancies himfelf a favou- rite of the Mufes : and, though the world rarely beftows more than one or two, laurel crowns in an age, he flatters himfelf that his. is the fortunate ticket, yiuq y - [ 17 1 O N PORTRAIT -PAINT ING. : f I AHE learned and ingenious * author of *- Fitzofborne's Letters has expofed, with confiderable humour, and much good fenfe, the ridiculous vanity of people who* though they have done nothing to merit the notice of the prefent age, are yet ambitious of exhibiting their perfons on canvafs, for the fatisfaction of pofterity. He has alfo. propofed a more ingenious and rational me- thod of having family pictures reprefented under fome interefting hiftorical fubjec~ls > fuitable to their rank and character. As an officer, for inftance, taking leave of his * The amiable W. Melmoth, efq. lady [ i8 ] kdy and child, in the characters of Beclor, Andromache, and the like. I cannot but think, however, that this elegant writer has urged his point with too much feverity, in the former inftance ; and, in the latter, though he forefaw fome enor- mous abfurdities, which would be the pro- bable confequence of fuch a practice being generally adopted, yet methinks he has not fufBciently expatiated upon that head. As to the firft particular then, the author grants^ that fingle portraits are a very pro- per manner of perpetuating the refemblance of fuch individuals as have diftinguifhed themfelves either by their actions or by their writings, in their refpeflive genera- tions; and, that adefire of being acquainted with the petfons of fuch great men, is a na- tural and reafonable curiofit^. But furely the number of thofe extraor- dinary [ '9 7 dfinary geniufes is fo fmall, in any given pe~ riod of time, that it would be difficult to find an artift who fhould think it worth while to qualify himfelf fufSciently, in that particular branch of painting, to be able faithfully to reprefent thofe/?w, who fhould have deferved that diftinction. So that if this tafte, ridiculous as it is, had been lefs prevalent in the world 1 , the curiofity of the prefent age, for inftance, would have loft the fatisfaction of viewing the features of Newton or Loeke, Milton, Addifon, or Pope, and many other eminent characters, of the laft or prefent century. Befides, if none but perfons of diflin-. guifhed talents were to be honoured with their portraits, where muft we draw the- line ? or who fhall eftimate the precife de- gree of meritr of fuch individuals, whofe %ures are worthy to be tranfmitted to pof- ter.ity, ?; tcrity ? Not only people of different parties, but of different literary purfuits, or of dif- ferent taftes, would have their patriots, their heroes, their orators, their poets, their painters, and their fidlers, and even their preachers, whofe illuftrious phyfiognomies they would earneftly contend to have con- fecrated to immortality , each party appeal- ing from the decifions, and mutually ridi- culing the abfurd partialities of each other : fo that matters would probably foon return into their ancient channel; and, in fpite of thefneers of the fafcidious connoifleur, por- trait-painting would regain its popularity, and again become the moft lucrative branch of the profeffion. As to the many absurdities which would be the natural confequence of Sir Thomas Fitzofborne's ingenious fj ftem, of reprefent- ing common families under fome celebrated hiftoricak hiftorical fubjech, or modern characters un- der thofe of the heroic ages *, they are in* deed fo obvious, that the author probably- thought them unneceiTary to be particu- larly pointed out, or minutely infixed on. The complaifance or interefted views of fome painters, the indolence or limited ca- pacity of others, co-operating with the va- nity or ambition of the families that fate to them, would unavoidably produce the moft extravagant incongruities. I remember an itinerant performer, of the loweft rank in his profeflion (having in- deed been only a broken houfe-painter) who, hi a remote province, went about the little market-towns and villages to paint figns. By much practice, he had learned to exprefs, with great facility, a Rofe and Crown, a Red Lion, and a Black Bear ; fo that, whatever fubject his cuftomers propofed, he afligned many many unanfwerable arguments for their giving the preference to one of the three in which he excelled. If the landlord defired the Flower-de-luce, he afilired him that the Rofe and Crown, as an Englifa device, would be more lucky, and more attractive of cuftomers, than what mine hoft had pitched upon ; if another named the White Swan, he recommended the Black Bear ; if a third was ambitious of exhibiting the King's Head, he applauded his loyalty, but faid, that in this patriotic age he ran the rifle of lofing one half of his cuftomers ; and therefore exhorted him, by all means, to make choice of the Red Lion. Something fimtlar to this, would un- doubtedly be the conduct of thofe hiftorical portrait-painters, whom Fitzofborne's pro- ject is calculated to encourage ; which would certainly produce many tragt-comical de- figns, t 23 J figns, more ludicrous than the family of Or- Primrofe, in the Vicar of Wakefield ; whofe wife chofe to be drawn in the charac- ter of Venus one daughter as a Shep- herdefs, and the other as an Amazon, in a green jofeph, a cock'd hat, and a whip in her hand. A wealthy apothecary would naturally \vifh to be reprefented as perfonating a phy- fician. Accordingly, the artift goes to work, and exhibits the doctor j not in his {huff-coloured coat and grizzled wig, but in the Greek pallium and philofophic beard, feeling the pulfe of his booby fon, in the perfon of Antiochus ; whilft the old lady is complimented as a fit representative of the beautiful Stratonice *. A fifhmonger and his wife might well enough be .painted (or rather drawn) in a * See Plutarch in Demetrius Poliorcetes. chaife- ehaife-marine, under the forms of Neptune and Atnphitrite or, mine hoft of the tavern, fitting, like Jupiter, on a cloud inftead of a cufhion ; and his young wife, like Hebe, prefenting him with wine in a golden goblet : and the limner would doubtlefs explain to them the great pro- priety of fuch a reprefentation ; yet a flranger would find it difficult to reftrain his rifible mufcles, even In the prefence of the good lady of the houfe, when fhewn fo grotefque a family- piece. A fkilful artift would naturally reprefent Lady in the character of the Medi- casan Venus, like the fenfitive plaint, *Jhrink- ing front the tottcb ; yet her ladyffejp would think it as abfurd to be embarrafied even with the flight drapery of the chafte Diana, as for the pretty Mrs. , who is * Semiredoftos, OVID, ladling la/hing her fix ponies all day, and gambling all night, to be painted like the fliepherdefs of the Alps, tending her flocks, or repofing herfelf under an oak, near a fountain. We fhould fee a Pawnbroker, perhaps, giving audience to his wife, his fitter, and his grandmother, in the tent of Darius or a Brandy-merchant, like the youthful Alex- ander, taming his hired Bucephalus. But enormities of this kind would be endlefs. Not to mention the ftratagems which young coxcombs of falhion would be tempt- ed to employ, by tampering with the artift, to throw into (hade, in the back ground, their awkward or unfashionable parents- or, even to cover with a veil their venera-* ble mother, or old fquare-toes, like Aga- memnon, in the famous picture of Iphige- nia at Aulis ; or, perhaps, as was once prac- tifed on a noble peer, in a hunting-piece, C who, who, enquiring where his own pi&ure was, the painter told him (as he had been inftructed by the family) that his lordihip was con- cealed behind a tree. In fhort, though I admire the ingenuity of the author of this propofed method of reprefenting family pictures, yet I would by no means wifh to fee it become a general pra he is defervedly treated with contempt wherever he appears i and it is injurious to morality, and the interefts of fociety, that fuch a one mould meet with a more candid treatment. C 5 A man I 34 1 .A man of a liberal profeffion, afcer hav- ing in a molt fcandalous manner violated a moft facred truft, relative to a public cha- nty for which he was forced to quit his place of refidence, and ought for ever to have fecluded himfelf from fociety had the ef- frontery, in a public place, to accoft an old acquaintance with his ufual familiarity ; who faid, with great propriety (though with more fpirit than, I own, I could have affumed) " Sir, I once thought I knew you j but I " was miftaken : and I now know you too " well, to acknowledge you as an acquain- < tance." There was not the fame reafon, I truft, for the flight which- 1 fome time fmce experi- enced. An old college acquaintance took a walk> one fine fummer's morning, and dined with me at my little villa, near the metropolis. As [ 35 ] As we had not feen each other for fome years, I was happy to find he intended to dine with me. We drank a bottle together; but, in the midft of our cordial tete-a-tete, a thunder-ftorm came on, and feemed likely to continue the whole evening. *' Peter," fays my friend, " you mail fend me home " in your poft-chaife." As he was rather my fuperior in fortune, I was glad he made fo free with me and the chaife was imme- diately at the door. My poftilion, on his return, got drunk and broke a fide-glafs I comforted myfelf, however, with the thought of having obliged a refpectable friend, and indifiblubly cemented what I confidered as a creditable connection. The next day, going through the Mall, I met my dear friend; who had tacked himfelf to a party of four or five young fellows, whom a Knight of the Bath, by C 6 the t 36 ] the influence of his ftar, had attracted round him. From a motive of delicacy, I patted by them as quick as I could, left he fhould think it necefiary to acknowledge the trifling favour, which I had the preceding day con- ferred on him : but, fo far from it, he re- turned my falute with that (lately inclina- tion of the head, with which he would have returned the bow of a (hoe-maker, whom he had juft paid for a pair of boots. I could only exprefs my contempt of the flight, by turning round and fpitting acrofs the Mall, in the direction in which he and his party were walking. Even the clergy, fuch, I mean, as with a fmall degree of merit, by a concurrence of accidental circumftances, have rifen to dig- nity or great preferment, are too apt to be guilty of this haughtinefs towards their lefs fortunate brethren j particularly, if they have had [ 37 ] had the misfortune to marry an unportioned virgin, allied in the remoteft degree to a no- ble family : they muft never difgrace their wife's relations by taking notice of, much lefs by converting with (if he fliould defire it) his former acquaintance : whence he is ex- pofed to the ridicule of his equals, and per- haps held in fecret contempt by his fupe- riors. Thofe dignitaries, indeed, who are invcfted with any ecclefiaftical authority, ought to pre- ferve a decent kind of (late with regard to the inferior clergy within the fphere of their jurif- didlion -, yet there is a- degree of affability, with which every gentleman knows how to foften that fenfe of fuperiority, which can- not but be irkfome to a perfon of an ingenu- ous mind and liberal education. The few prelates of our church, with whom I have the honour to be acquainted, are eminently poflefled poffefied of this happy talent of relaxing, in fome meafurCj their authority, without vio- lating their dignity. Of this dignity, heightened by politenefs, the two Primates of this, and the Lord Primate of our fifter kingdom, exhibit a moft amiable example. An high-prieft, of a very different cha- racter, whom I remembered a fcrvitor in the Univerfity, when I was a fellow of a very refpe<5table college ; and who a few years fince pailed by me with the moft fuper- cilious referve, when I would have con- defcended to take him by the hand (for a condefcenfion I thought it) gave rife to this eflay. A man of a more irritable temper would have vented his fpleen on the perfon of fuch a fellow Plexippus would have vented it on his family and extraction my method was more peaceable, and, I truft, more in- nocent 5 [ 39 ] nocent ; who, as I trudged home in great dudgeon, only vented my wrath in the fol- lowing ftanzas. Though, I confefs, that, under the firft fenfe of the infult, I was tempted to parody Hamlet's malediction of the prieft who refufed Ophelia Chriftian burial " Itellthee, haughty priefl 9 c< A miniftring angel jh all thy curate be 9 " When thou art howling" But I ftarted with horror at fuch a fuggef- tion : and have fince lived to fee this poor creature an object of companion crippled by the gout, in confequence of high living ; and, at length, mixed with that clay from which we all originally fprung and where pride, precedence, and diftin&ion, will ceafe to torment us, ?o a HAUGHTY DIVINE. WHILE thus, with lofty airs, you try To keep us at a diflance ; We gladly with the terms comply, Who want not your affiftance. But when in filence we retire, We bow and fcrape, 'tis true ; Not that your grandeur we admire- We fee you through and through. Referve, you think, procures refpecl 5 It may but bought too dear j We all refent your proud neglect, We bate you, but not fear. That ftately mien, that dull grimace, We fcorn, you may believe : When with you, wear a ferious face, While laughing in our fleeve. Your [ 41 ] Your wealth may dazzle vulgar eyes, (Which feems your favourite plan) But not impofe upon the wife, Who only view the man* The world is long fince too difeerning Such artifice is vain j Amongft all men of fenie and learning, Equality mujl reign, [ 42 O N THE FEMALE CHARACTER. two fexes were evidently formed, hot merely for continuing the fpecies, but for the mutual folace and affiftance of each other in the duties and toils of life. They have accordingly been endowed by nature with different talents, and diftin- guifhed by different proportions of the body, and by different qualities of the mind. " For contemplation He, and valour form* d\ " Forfoftnefs She, andfweet attractive grace " Strength, [ 43 ] Strength, activity, firmnefs of body, and ourage and conflancy of mind, are the charadleriftics of the male ; foftnefs, gentle- i.jfs, and delicacy, are the ornaments of the female fex. This diftin&ion of character ought to be religioufly preferved , and cannot be vio- lated with impunity by either. The man, by foftnefs and effeminacy, lofes that autho- rity over the other fex, which was intended by nature , and the woman, by robuft and mafculine airs, lofcs her power of pleafmg, and forfeits the rights and privileges of her fex. The truth of thefe maxims every one mud have experienced. I had long entertained a tender regard for an amiable, middle-aged woman, in the mercantile line of life j but, knowing her hufband, though an honeft, worthy man, to be rather inclined to jealoufy, I never gave C 44 ] gave the fair one any other token of my attachment, than by 'buying now and then fome gingerbread nuts of her, which I never eat ; or half a dozen oranges, which I did not want : for, as fhe is no longer the object of my amorous wifhes, I will make no fecret of her place of refidence ; in fhort, fhe fells gingerbread at the foot of Black Fryars Bridge. This comely matron had fometimes dif- gufled me, by thrufting out an handfome foot and inftep, disfigured by an awkward man's flioe, at the fide of her bafket. This, however, as it raifed fome companion for her humble fituation, rather operated in her favour. But going by, earlier than ufual, one frofty morning, I faw my fair one wrapt up in a horfeman's coat, and fmoking a long pipe (a fhort one would have been lefs mafculine) which fo far difconcerted me, that [ 45 ] that the tnifts of pafiion were immediately difpelled ; and the poor woman loft both my love and my cuftom. From this trifling incident, then, I would take occafion to exhort thofe fair ladies in a higher fphere of life who, though they do not fell gingerbread, yet exhibit their charms for the approbation of the beft, or moft agreeable purchafer ; I would exhort them, by all means, to avoid every thing that is bold and mafculine, in their drefs, their air, their language, and in their whole external deportment. I am no idolizer of ancient manners ; and am rather partial to the times we live in ; yet am forry to fee the moft beautiful part of the creation disfigured by a miftaken idea of what is beautiful or becoming. They feem to confound what is agreeable to their own fancy, with what is likely to pleafe that 12 of [ 46 ] of the other fex ; whereas, in general, the very reverfe muft be the truth of the cafe. If they defpife a fribble, why flhould they imagine that we can like a virago ? If they are difgufted with a man that teems too well verfed in the myfteries of the toilet, or af- fects the airs of a lady, why mould we be pleafed with a woman whofe drefs is mafcu- line, and every motion bold and indelicate and who ambitioufly difplays her knowledge of thofe abftrufe fciences, or robufl exercifes, which feem by nature appropriated to our fex. Clarifla is a charming woman , her perfon, her features, and her manner, are truly femi- nine. She has a delicate tafte, and a good underftanding. She is thoroughly accom- plifhed in every thing that becomes her fex; plays on the harpficord, fings, and dances uncommonly well. No one decides more judicioully [ 47 ] judicioufly on the merits of our feveral dra- matic writers, or our moft celebrated novels. I was afraid to give my opinion of any new production of that kind t till I knew that of ClarifTa. But, in a mixed company, t'other day, me combated and refuted my arguments upon the late peace, and the commutation tax ; and entirely demolimed my whole fyftem of politics. She might as well have knocked me down, fworn a great oath, or tofied off a pot of porter or even have cocked a Brofely pipe in my face : I mould not have been more furprifed, or more difgufted. But I have fmce learned, that Clarifla is not content with being the prettieft woman, but is ambitious of being the beft politician, the beft hiftorian, and even the bcft divine, in the neighbourhood. This exalts her, in her [ 48 ] her own imagination ; but it diminifhes and almoft annihilates her charms in my eye, and in that of every gentleman of my ac- quaintance. Great are the privileges, and great is the power of this charming fex. Every woman, as fuch, that is not horridly deformed, or in the very decrepitude of old age, is, in fome meafure, capable of pleafing. But, when flie divefts herfelf -of every degree of female appearance ; when I fee a lady in a fcarlet coat, tofllng up her cane, and flrut- ting with a military air, inftead of ad- miring her, I cannot but fufpect that this fair Venus is imitating the graces of fome votary of Mars, who has captivated her fancy. And when I meet a ftately dowager in a horfeman's coat, and her moulders loaded with a triple cape of cumbrous broad cloth, it raifes a ftrong fufpicion that the lady [ 49 1 lady has a fecret attachment to her coach- man. It is very difficult, however, entirely to obfcure or obliterate the charms of youth and beauty. So long as a lady retains the {lender lhape and juvenile appearance of an handfome boy, (he retains at lead a pof- fibility of pleating in any drefs. But when an over-grown matron, or full-aged virgin, v/ho perhaps has unfortunately had her fea- tures enlarged by the fmall-pox, or by in- dulging her appetite inftead of giving them a foftnefs by an additional quantity of lace and gauze, or other female arts, which mo- dern refinement has invented ; when a lady of this defcription bundles herfelf up in a coarfe great coat, walks the ftreet, and flumps along with the air of a dragoon, fhe forfeits her female privileges, and is no longer entitled to our adoration : nay, D though [ 50 3 th'ough none but the moft brutal wretch of cur fex would difpute the wall, much lefs infult a woman, however difguifed ; yet, if (he afiumed the airs, in fuch a drefs, which {he might fo juflly do in a female one, I fhould not wonder if a porter or a drayman treated her as one bruifer would treat another, and perhaps give her a black eye, or otherwife disfigure the honours of her face. So powerful indeed is the feminine cha- racter and delicacy of manners to attract that attention and regard which every man is naturally ambitious of mewing to the fair fex , that the beauty, foftnefs, and fenfi- bility of Mary Queen of Scots, incline us to pity her frailties, and palliate her crimes ; while the mafculine fternnefs, and unfeeling feverity [ 5 feverity of Elizabeth, make us blind to her virtues, and even execrate her unrelenting cruelty to her captive rival. In fhort, if the ladies would fecure that love, that refpect, that adoration, which is fo juftly due to the lovelieft part, the fo- vereigns, the divinities of this lower crea- tion ; let them not exchange the charms of their perfon, the enfigns of their fovereign- ty, the attributes of their divinity, for the costrfe habiliments or the robuft accomplifh- ments of their admirers, their vaflals, their devotees, their adorers. P. S. The good fenfe of the Englifh la- dies has now almoft fuperfeded the necefiity of thefe reflections. D 2 THE * THE FEMALE PARTISAN. ^ ;53-T[ 1C " Dtlenda eft Carthago." CATO'S SPEECH. " Thefe rivals of our fovereignty muft be fubdued." .: V if OI 37Ol 3hfl3 ZJU- WHEN Heav'n firft formd the fktely creature, man, And, to complete creation's wond'rous plan, Had woman made, and plac'd in due fubjec- tion ; Heaven gave her beauty, for her fole protec- tion. Such beauty fits enthron'd in 's eyes, And wifdom, ftrength, and fovereign power fupplies, ' Each [ 53 ] Each nymph, with gentle fmiles, her point purfues, Or with foft tears the tyrant man fubdues. * But, when the fair one mounts the ftatefman's box, And zealoufly contends for P tt or F x j Whether in argument Ihe's wrong or right, Her manly air puts gentle love to flight. For politics muft counteract each charm, And party rage the brighteft eyes difarm. Her pow'r is loft amidft the furious ftrife ; And the foft maid becomes a vixen wife. Yet, fay the lady argues well 'tis certain, Her feat of empire lies behind the curtain ; There let the fair one with her fpoufe debate The rights of fubjec'b, and reform the ftate. By female graces they preferve their fway ; Their fmiles, but not their frowns, we pleas'd obey. D 3 Their C 54 ] Their grcatcft ftrength in weaknefs women find, And, by fubmiflion, triumph o'er mankind. -.'Jt DTUI Br *-~- if&< THE L 55 3 THE MODERN CESTUSj R, FRIGID ZONE. T 7 EN US, of old, to make herfelf look * fair, And give each feature a more lovely air,- Tler ceftus wore a kind of magic belt (Its force in Julia's eyes we oft have felt) : This bound beneath her breads, or round her arm, Each amorous god, nay Jove himfelf, would charm. D 4 Our E 55 ] Our modern nymphs, refolv'd to live more chafte, Have bound the zone of virtue round the waift. And thus, the fort fecur'd, do all you can, They bid defiance to th* a/Faults of man. But needlefs, fure, the zone, thus arrn'd with brafs, To guard from force the amazonian lafs j Whofc belted, butter-woman's coat mufl prove An everlafting antidote to love j For, fure, on beauty, veil'd in fuch a foape, The D-vil himfelf would ne'er attempt a rape. i:;b * 3-i'uo?- ifii*"- THE [ 57 ] . :;: :Vr v T H E VIRAGO. os 9fij <{?" T AURA, when blooming as the Queen of "^""^ Love, With female fkill your beauties you improve ; With flowing curls, with ribands, gauze, or lace, You foften each fweet feature of your face ; With fineft lawn your rifing bofom fhade ; By heavens, my Laura, you're a charming maid! But when you bind a cravat round your throat, Strut with a hat and cane, and horfeman ; s coat, D 5 Afiume [ 58 1 Aflame each bold, unblufhing, manly air, And drefs, and look, and march en militaire\ Indeed, my dear, to fay the beft we can, You're a plain woman, not an handfome man. '? guiVig " T H [ 59 ] ^r*~~* THE ORIGIN OF GALLANTRY; >>^" OR, ^ THE FIRST ADULTERER*' A REVERIE. In a letter from a young lady at Bath, to a young lady of diftindtion ; who, with a female friend, had retired to an elegant cottage, at the foot of Snow- don, in North Wales. Crtdlte pofteri ! Ho R Bath, 10 Jan. 1786. My dear Parthenia, T CANNOT forbear giving you an ac- * count of an extraordinary perfon, who has appeared lately in Bath, efpecially as you will foon have a vifit from him 5 and, D 6 as [ 60 ] as the defcription which I gave him of your romantic fituation, drew from him the fol- lowing marvellous relation; which indeed appears fo incredible, that I ihould have been almoft afhamed to repeat it, if there were not people filly enough, even in this enlightened age, to give credit to the moft ridiculous improbabilities ; of which I need mention no other inflance than that of the Cock-Lane Ghoft, which happened within our memory ; and to inveftigate the truth of which, the great Dr. Johnfon was fo- lemnly deputed. But though the perfon in queftion is fup- pofed to have come to Bath in the train of the learned pig, the travelling * tea-kettle^ and the indecent wax-work ; and to have * A tin houfe built in that fhape. fkulked fkulked behind when that whole cavalcade was expelled the city, from the jealoufy of the civil government of this place ; yet he difclaims all connection with that drolling party, and came hither upon a more laudable errand, as will appear in the fequel. He was introduced to me as a connoilTeur, by a young gentleman of fortune, who did me the honour to come and fee fome draw* ings, which a friend of mine had made of feveral views in your part of North Wales. 1 Upon my mewing him the fketch which ftie took of your cottage, and mentioning your name, and your feemingly romantic plan of life, the ftranger lifted up his eyes, with a fort of religious awe, to the cieling * e Heavens I" cries he, 4l what a jaunt mall I have !" On my expreffing my furprife at this [ 6* 1 this exclamation, he looked round the room, and feeing no one but the gentleman who introduced him, faid ; " Madam, I know you have too much fenfe to give credit to every idle tale, and I alfo know fo much of the infidelity of the prefent age, that too many will hardly believe the miracles re- corded in their Bible ; but, let them trace things up to a certain period (to the univer- fal deluge, for inftance, which every appear- ance of nature confirms) and, if they are not void of all Ihame as well as underftanding, they muft be forced to acknowledge a fu- pcrnatural interpofition. I have faid thui much upon this fubjecl, as an introduction to my hiftory. " You muft know then, Madam," con- tinued he, " that I was born in the land of Nod, Nod, fome centuries before the flood" Here, you may fuppofe, I flared, and fmiled, with a fignificant look, upon the gentleman who introduced him. u Madam," fays he, " moderate your furprife, and give me leave to proceed " I was born, I fay, in the land of Nod ; and, as my anceftor Cain was e the firft murderer,' I was the firft adulterer -, or, in modern language, the firft man of gal- lantry* who had an affair with a married woman. " Adultery, though you now make fo light of it, was then ranked in the next degree of guilt to murder j and my good friend and intimate acquaintance Mofes (the lawgiver of the Jews) many ages after, fo claffed it in the decalogue, by divine command. ! I was [ 4 ] " I was fo much abhorred and deteiled for this abominable crime (continued the ftranger) that the inhabitants of Nod, though wicked enough in other refpects, banifhed me their fociety; and folitude made my life fo mi- ferable, that I was often tempted to lay violent hands on myfelfj but was warned by a vifion not to do it, ' as fuicide was a more heinous crime than that I had been guilty of, being contrary to the firft law of nature, felf-prefervation ; and, as it could not be repented of,, it could never be for- given.' " I was farther informed, that, to pu nidi) me. for my crime, I mould be condemned to) livt as long as this world mould endure,, which was to be fix thoufand years from its creation*, that I might be a witnefs to all the- domeftic: [ 65 ] domeftic mifery which my example would bring upon mankind. Thar, as a further punifhment* I fhould be in love with every beautiful woman I faw, but never fucceed in my addrefies ; and, if i was wife, fhould never attempt to marry, for fear of a reta- liation. " That, as the only atonement I could make for the mifchief I had occafioned, I Ihould wander about the world, and do all the good in my power, particularly by warning men againft the horrid crime of which I had been guilty ; and, for that pur- pofe, take up my refidence, in the different ages of the world, in thofe countries where vices of this kind appeared to be moft pre- dominant. " You will naturally wonder," continues he, E 66 ] he, " by what means I efcaped the general deftrucYion occafioned by the flood. This," fays he, " is the moft marvellous part of my ftory ; which I will endeavour to explain. * c While Noah and his fons were building the ark, as I was generally at a lofs for amufement (the whole world being too cor- rupt to attend to my admonitions) I was admitted to be a diftant fpe&ator ; and often aflifted his fons in falling trees in a neigh- bouring foreft. *' From the impious behaviour of Ham, in ridiculing his father, after the flood, you may fuppofe he was always wickedly in- clined, and was preferved in the ark merely on account of his father's virtues. In fad, he was infected by the univerfal depravity of the times $ and, while he was abfent in purfuic purfuit of his intrigues, his amiable wife (lady Ham Noah, as you would call a woman of her diftincVion) to fcreen her hufband from the anger of his father, would fupply his place, and affift her brothers in their labo- rious employment. For the antediluvian ladies, though they had as much beauty, and real delicacy, yet were capable of more vigorous perfonal exertions than our modern ladies of falhion, ** As I could not but endeavour to alleviate the toil of this lady, it naturally produced a confiderable degree of intimacy , efpecially as her grief for the infidelity of her hufband, and my fufferings (with which every one was acquainted) created a mutual fympathy and compaffion, approaching nearly to love. " Neither the lady or myfelf, however, I am [ 68 ] am convinced, had any thing criminal in our intentions. But I thought it allowable to make ufe of her's and her brothers' partiality in my favour, to effectuate, what I was per- fuaded was the will of Providence, the pre- fervation of my own life. " For I now perceived in myfelf a drowfi- nefs, which (as I will explain to you hereafter) brought on a periodical fleep, of many months, once in about 300 years, by which I was entirely renewed, and reftored to youth and vigour. " They therefore readily came into my pro- ject, of putting me into a convenient recep- tacle, in the form of a trunk, and conveying me into a proper fituation, amongft the im- menfe quantity of provender for the various animals which were to be preferved in the This [ 69 3 " This they muft have effectually perform- ed j though I can give no farther account of myfelf, till my period of fleeping expired, which muft have been providentially prolong- ed for fome years* inftead of nine or ten months, my ufual time of revification. For, on my defcending from the mountains of Ar- menia, where I had lain in my cheft, at the bottom of the ark, which the pitch preferved for feveral ages, on my coming into the valley, on the banks of the Tygris, I found the earth covered with fruits and flowers, in the greateft profufion, and animals of every kind; birds and beads covering the plains, or fing- ing amongft the branches of the trees. " On my proceeding ftill fouthward, I found yet greater plenty of the richeft fruits ; and the fun mining in all its glory, gilded the hills hills and forefts, and all nature feemed re- ftored to its primaeval beauty. But, alas ! . I pined in abfolutc folitude for two or three years, I fuppofe, and was fufficiently pu- nifhed for the moral evil which I had con- tributed to bring into the world. When, fitting, one day, under the (hade of a palm- tree, I was agreeably furprized at the fight of three or four boys, of about 20 years old, purfuing fome kind of game amongft the woods. Roufed at this fight, I immediately proceeded in the track from whence they feemed to come, when I faw a parcel of girls, who feemed to be about 14 or 15 years old, elegantly attired, according to the fafhion of that age, and tending fome flocks of iheep and herds of cows. They were a little fur- prifed at feeing a perfon of my years, who i was [ 7 ] was a ftranger to them 5 but, on my enquiry, foon directed me to the head of their family, who was no other than my old acquaintance, Noah's fecond fon, Ham. " They received me with a mixture of furprife and joy ; yet I could not but obferve that Lady Ham was almoft pait her bloom, though I was certain me could not be much above 70 years old : but I foon found that (he was fome months advanced in her preg- nancy, after having brought near twenty children into the world ; for I now was con- vinced that my fleep had been prolonged for that number of years. " But I am running into a tedious de- tail" " Well," fays his friend, " your detail is not unamufing but pray proceed, Mr.- Ironfide." " I could " I could mention too many previous in- (lances of the fatal influence of my example, at Nineveh, Babylon, and the Perfian court; but I (hall begin with that celebrated one, the Trojan war. " I would have difTuaded Paris (whocon- fulted me upon the occafion) from giving the golden apple (which was to be given ' to the fairejl'} to Venus, and to have be- ftowed it on Minerva , whofe beauty being of a fuperior kind, had certainly a better claim to the prize. But he was obftinate, and accepted Venus's promife, of the moft beautiful woman in the world , which he could not have without the guilt of adul- tery. The confequence is too well known. " During the fiege of Troy, however, I endeavoured to prevent the deftruction of that [ 73 ] tht noble city. I ran down from the citadel with Laocoon, and would have prevailed on them not to admit the fatal wooden horfe within their walls ; but, like Cafiandra's, my advice was rarely attended to. " I was acquainted with Therfites, who accompanied the Grecian army (for I took every fhape, in order to do all the good in my power :) he was a droll fellow the very picture of Voltaire the Frenchman ; had as much wit, and knew how to abufe kings as well as Voltaire. I fet him on, in hopes of keeping up the quarrel amongft the Gre- cian chiefs ; but he only got a drubbing for his pains, as Voltaire had like to have done from Frederick the Great. "But to give you my whole hiflory, would be to give you the hiftory of the whole E world. [ 74 ] world. After refiding, for fome centuries, in the licentious Eaftern courts, I attended Alexander in his oriental expedition, and endeavoured to mitigate the horrors of war. I would have faved Tyre and Perfepolis ; but, as I told you, a great part of my pu- nimment was to labour to no purpofe. " I had not found my way to Rome till fome ages after Tarquin's adulterous rape of Lucretia but I had full employment there for feveral ages, under the emperors > and, upon the fall of the empire, pafled the Alps, and attended the feveral courts in the South of Europe. " I was at Paris (continued the ftranger) at the maflacre in 1560-, and contrived to fave the king of Navarre and D. Sully : but, though Henry the Fourth was a good Proteftant, [ 75 1 Proteftant, he was a great fornicator ; and his example encouraged every fpecies of lewdnefs. And the French court found me fufficient employment during the minority of Lewis the Thirteenth, and great part of the laft century. " But, on the reftoration of Charles the Second to the crown of England, my duty called me thither; where I remained till the death of that monarch. I (hould then have returned to France, had it not been for the revocation of the edict of Nantz the pre- ceding year, and the perfecution of the Pro- teftants which enfued -, for, as I was known to be a zealous friend to truth, and of courfe to the reformed religion, I thought myfelf much fafer in England. Here accordingly I refided, till after the Revolution -, and, E 2 having [ 76 1 having been introduced, by a particular friend, to the great earl of Devonfliire, I fpent fome time at his beautiful feat at Chatf- worth j and attended him to the county meet- ing at Derby, when he made a fpeech, which brought over a majority of the freeholders to the prince of Orange. He told them, " that to refift a king, who ruled according * c to the laws, was treafon; but, when a king " endeavoured to fubvert the laws and reli- but came into England again foon after the accefllon of George the Firft, and have continued here to this day." But, [ 77 1 But, not to tire my dear Parthenia with his general hiftory, I will come to the point, and the intention cf this long letter. " The Englilh ladies," faid he, " in this reign, though perhaps not worfe than in Tome other periods, have been lefs cautious in their conduct ; and women of acknowledged virtue, lefs fcrupulous in mixing with thofe of dubious characters j I have endeavour- ed, therefore," continued he, " by va- rious methods, to warn the innocent againft the feducing influence of vicious exam- ples. I attended," fays he, " though un- known, that beautiful and fenfible character the prefent D of D , in the ze- nith of her charms and bridal fplendor, and anxioufly watched over her in her nocturnal routs and midnight revels i to which, urged E 3 on [ 78 ] on by youthful fpirits, and the force of fa- fhion, her Grace fo intrepidly approached : but I foon found,*' faid he, " my guardian care was altogether unneceflary ; as I faw that her virtue was as impregnable, as her beauty was irrcfiftible, " I would have prevented her Grace," continued he, " from fullying the celeftial bloom of female delicacy, by randying with the mob in Covent-Garden, at the Weftmin- fler election but the impetuofity of a female partifan is more ungovernable, than the fury of a lionefs in the paroxyfm of amorous defire. " I have been pretty conftantly employ- ed," continued he, " for fome years, in your metropolis, as I faid before, in guard- ing againil the frailty of the fex ; but, upon the abdication of the late f comptroller of c your [ 79 1 ' your pleafures' at Bath, I thought it of more confequence to attend this fountain- head of gallantry i efpecially, as I heard a party was forming to reftore a late monarch, who had been banimed for the fame crime of which I fo unfortunately fet the example. I fucceeded tolerably well, in getting two gentlemen of honour elected ; though, as the chaftity of your wives and daughters is of fo much importance to the welfare of the com- munity, I would have recommended an amiable Italian, from \vhofe example there could have been no poflibility of danger." He now returned to his remarks on your retired fituation, and his intention of vifiting you. He had not a doubt, he faid, but that you had been bred up in the ftricteft principles of virtue and honour, as he could E 4 apply [ So ] apply to your's what he had heard remarked of another noble family ; ' That all the wo- c men were virtuous, and all the men were valiant.' " But," continues he, " a young lady is in more danger in fclitude, than in all the gaiety and diffipation of public life. Many a young woman," he faid, " who had withftood, or capricioufly rejected, the ad- drefles of a worthy man of her own rank, has afterwards repented, and been drawn in by fome infignificant or worthlefs object, when her fequeftered fituation has precluded her from having a better choice. In foli- tude, a lady is in danger from every male creature that comes in her way her mufic- mafter, her hair^drefier, or even her own do- medics, may prove dangerous to her vir- tuous refolutions." I looked [ Si ] I looked grave at thefe indelicate infi- nuations ; which he perceived, and, reco- vering himfelf, faid, " that his imagination had tranfported him into the Oriental and Afiatic courts, and fuggefted the flrict cau- tions and regulations of their Harams and their Seraglios." I then mentioned your manner of life and your amufements ; and mewed him your ele- gant poetical compofitions, and the exquifite productions of your pencil. He was in rap- tures of aftoniftiment; but ftill infilled, that, although thofe amufements might pleafe-for a time, yet the natural pafiions would refume their juft claims ; and, when fupprefled in youth, their proper feafon, would bud forth in the winter of life : hence we frequently fee old bachelors, in their grand climacteric, E 5 marry [ 82 ] marry their maids ; and there have been in- ftances, though very few, even of old ladies efpoufing their footmen. " In fliort," continued the ftranger, " with- out the lead apprehenfion for young ladies of fuch a character as your friends, I find myfelf impelled by mere curiofity to make them a vifit. I (hall contrive to fearch out, with discretion, their connections ; fhall at- tend them unperceived in their evening walks j enquire into their domeftic ceco- nomy ; and, if pofiible, get introduced to their converfation, and, perhaps, be entertain- ed with more of the elegant productions of their pens and their pencils." Here he paufed, and feemed wrapt in meditation. That you may be upon your guard, therefore, I muft inform you, that he has nothing [ 3 3 nothing very particular in his appearance- he looks very old, and is very thin ; but, fo far from being any ways infirm, he is not only active, but rapid in his motions ; and fays himfelf, ' that he can walk, talk, read, and write, fafter than moil men in Europe.' He dreffes very plain, much like a fena-~ tor of the laft age. I could not forbear afldng him a few obvious queftions ; par- ticularly, how he could preferve life for fo many generations? (not that I believed he had really done fo, you may be fure.) He faid, that by a ftrift regimen, and conftant exercife, begun in youth and rigidly ob- ferved, moft men might preferve their lives to one hundred years. He added, however, (as I hinted before) E 6 that [ 84 ] that about the end of every century he found himfelf gradually feized by a more than ordinary drowfinefs and tendency to doze ; upon which occafions he found a fort of divine impulfe or inftinct (like that by which the bats and beetles are probably ac- tuated) to feek fome unfrequented cave or fubterraneous recefs, where he ufually flept for nine months, and then came forth from the womb of the earth, as frefh as a young child, with a new fet of teeth, hair, &c. Here I could no longer fupprefs a loud laugh ; and, confidering him as a foreigner, " Ah ! Monfieur," cried I, in drink^ in dogs, in drefs. Hold ! hold ! quoth John zounds, Sir, d'ye think ; 3n ik ^ r ^ 29rfh'b To ftint me in my meat and drink ? I'd have you know, young man, John Bull Muft always have his belly-full ; And, though no epicure or glutton, I can't dine every day on mutton. And [ 101 ] And then my bounds I my health requires ; Sure ! I may hunt, like other 'fquires. And, why not drefs, on fit occafions? At race-time, or at quarter-fefTions. Not that on drefs I vainly doat, Sir, But I muft have a decent coat, Sir. In fliort, for money let the king come, I'll not give up my annual income : So, if you'll pay my debts, you may ; But, faith ! I'll have it my own way. I can't turn milkfop on a fudden, Or dine on garden-fluff and pudding. I'll drink flrong beer, and give up wine, And on three dimes only dine 5 And if all thefe refources fail, I'll be content, and go to jail. Well, Sir, purfue your own wife plan ; Yet ftill I'll do the beft I can, F 3 (Though [ 101 ] (Though you diflike what I am doing) To fave your family from ruin. And, fhould my projeft once fucceed (Of which I've not a doubt indeed, And that, at length, I (hall content ye) You'll live again in peace and plenty. Such are the clamours of the nation, Againft young P-tt's adminiftration. We own, that money muft be found, Yet grudge e'en fixpence in the pound. Let thofe, who ivill> the burthen bear, So we 're not forc'd to pay our fhare. E'en thofe who praife our patriot meafures, Will not confent to tax their pleasures. The gambler thinks it curfed hard, To have a tax on every card , For, fure, no burthen fhould be laid On tfoh eflential to their trade ! Is't [ 103 I Is't thus great Chatham's Ton advances The produce of the Hate's finances? The man of fortune is, unwilling. To pay a land-ta^of one (hilling : But, what he deems a great deal worfe, is To pay for fervants, coach, and horfes > And, blind to what his cook within does, Curfes the tax upon his windows > Envies the cobler in his flail* Too needy to be tax'd at all. The mercer fpruce, an efienc'd fop, Won't pay a farthing for his (hop : Augment the land-lax* if you pleafe, So he can live in pomp and eafe. The haberdafher's wife, fo frifky, On Sundays, mounted in her whifky, For our diftrefs cares not a loufe, But whirls it to her country houfer F 4 ' What io 4 J " What is the nation's debt to me ? I'll have my rout and public tea." Thus luxury, rife in every Ration, Regardlefs of a finking nation, Still thwarts each plan for reformation. Yet P-tt, unmov'd by oppofition, 'Afts like an honeft ftate phyfician ; Refolv'd and faithful to his truft, By med'cines fafe, by meafures juft, Proceeds by fteps, though flow, yet fure, To heal our wounds, and work our cure. Applauded by the virtuous few, Coiwinc'd the courfe he fteers is true, He flights the fenfelefs, clamorous crew ; And, 'fpite of all their noife and pudder, Unlefs compell'd to quit the rudder, Will manfully his foes withftand, And guide the veflel fafe to land, Faxit DeusJ Sept. 1785. TH 5 105 * * * * * * * * * > * * * * * * * **** * * * * 1' * * * * * * * **** THE CHARACTERS O F C^SAR AND CATO; Imitated from SALLUST'S Catil. War. t %u( 2~u/ksm xd rfi-' N reading of and confidering the many great atchievements of the Englilh na- tion, both at home and abroad, by fea and by land ; their wars carried on againft the moft powerful ftates ; great fleets fubdued by an inferior force ; battles fought ; great armies routed, and x victories gained, by an handful of men ; it appeared evident to me, that thefe great exploits were to be attributed F 5 to t 106 ] to the diftinguimed abilities, or extraordina- ry courage, of a few great men *. But, fince the nation has become fo cor- rupt, and enervated by luxury and indolence, the grandeur and great refources of the ftate have, in their turn, fupported it, amidft the blunders and mifmanagement of their com- manders, and their ruling powers. For, during the later period of our hiftory, England (worn out, as it were, with bearing fo numerous an offspring) has produced hardly one great man. Yet there have flou- rifhed, within my memory, two gentlemen of uncommon abilities, though of different characters 5 Mr. Charles F-x, and Mr. William P-tt j whom, as the occafion offers itfelf, I am unwilling to pafs by in filence ; * From the time of the Black Prince, by Cecil, the Duke of Marlborough, and the great Lord Chatham. but ,07 but will delineate their characters to the beft of my power, and exhibit them in as candid a light as their different manners and difpo- fitions will admit. w^P Thefe two gentlemen, then, in their fa- mily, in their age, and in their eloquence, were nearly equal. Their greatnefs of mind, their ambition, and their renown, were fimi- lar : but in other refpects, there was a con- fiderable difference between them. Mr. F-x was greatly extolled for his ge- nerous acts and munificence : Mr. P-tt, by the integrity of his life, was efteemed truly great and refpectable. The former was celebrated for his mild and compafiionate temper: The feverity of his virtue added dignity to the latter. Mr. F-x, by beftow- ing favours, by affifting his friends, and by F 6" pardoning [ io8 ] pardoning his enemies, became extremely popular: Mr. P-tt, by giving no bribes, and by granting no penfions, gained great reputation. In the one,, there was a refuge for the miferable ; in the other, Cure ven- geance on the guilty. The eafy, pliable tem- per of the former 5 the inflexible refolution of the latter, was applauded. In fhort, Mr. F-x was indefatigable, vi- gilant; intent on the fervice of his friends, and negligent of his own private affairs. He would refufe them nothing, which was worth their acceptance. Yet, he was ambitious of acquiring great power ; and wilhed for fome extraordinary emergency, where his great abilities might difplay themfelves to advan- tage. Mr. P-tt, on the other hand, was ftudioufly modeft, decent, and of a rigid csconomy [ io 9 ] ceconomy in the public adminiftration. He vied not with the rich in oftentation, or with party zealots in faction ; but with the active, in the exertion of his talents ; with the modefl, in fobriety of manners j with the uncorrupt, in juftice and integrity. He was more felicitous to be really good, than to appear fo. Thus, the lefs he feemed to aim at glory, the more effectually he ob- tained it. 20 Feb. 1786. P A R L I A- [ no } PARLIAMENTARY REFORM PROSAIC TRUTHS. "\7~ E patriots roufe ! excite a general And force a Parliamentary Reform ! Yet, in your noble project's execution, Improve, not ebtygfrOUT envied conftitution ; Whofe gradual progrefs, trac'd through diffe- rent ages, Proves it the mafter-piece of wifeft fages i So nicely balanc'd, that, what oft is feen, The flighted change may flop the whole ma- chine. Firft, [ "I ] Firft, then, ye great Utopian projectors f Reform the morals of your poor ekflors ; Teach them by induftry a fund to gain, And, by a frugal management, maintain Their future lives : nor on bafe bribes depend i For luxury foon in poverty muft end. Let no one vote, unlefs who freely fwears, He's not been feven times drunk in feven long years ; This will contract the number^ not the weight^ Of thefe unhewn fupporters of the (late. But let th' elected an example give, How they and their conftituents ought to live 5 And, if fome feftal tide the Houfe releafe From weightier cares, and public bufinefs ceafe; Like D , leave routs and gambling in the lurch, And mew your faces at your borough church; Amufe E iw J Amufe yourfelves amidfl th' untutor'd throng, Teach them what duties to their ftate be- long; Nor feed, but check, th'excefs thofe feafons bring, Teach them their God to fear to love their kin ' u Mdu 3i Reform this curfed life of diilipation,. And live a model to a fenfelefs nation 5, Like fober citizens of ancient Rome, Commence a reformation firft at home j Or Englifhmen, of former ages, " * knock " Your fervants up, and rife at fix o'clock -,** "Who're now to vice and drunkennefs a prey, While you thus watch by night, and deep by day . * Pope's Tranflation of Horace. Breakfaft [ "3 ] Breakfaft at eight ; nor blufli to hear it faicf, " The Houfe is met-," not going now to bed* No longer gratify each lawlefs paflion ; Be temperate, juft, bring Cbafiity in fafhion ; Check Vice and Luxury 5 true to Virtue's caufe j And let your lives exemplify your laws. Difcharge the ufelefs train of idle knaves, Who drain your wealth, and force you to be flaves. Nor let your fleeds, for ufei not grandeur, born^ Confume Heaven's choicefl bleffing, wholefome corn, Defign'd to feed th'induftrious, labouring poor, Who claim fubfiftence though they afk no more. Live within bounds, nor dread the power of kings 5 Places and penfions will be harmlefs things- If If perjurM members dare to bribe, dont fpare 'cm, Spare private property : nor think Old Sarum, Or P-tersfield, or Am mam, e'er fent, Lefs independent men to parliament, Than thofe more populous towns, whofc venal tribes A Nabob purchafes, and intereft bribes. In (hort, let individuals mend therr ways,. And parliaments will foon fee happier days. Thus may we hope political falvation, The Houfe will need no other reformation* A COA- A COALITION, TT 7" HAT ! more removes! already change ** thedifhes! Another fcramble for the loaves and fifties I- Ah ! where are faith and public fpirit fled ? Is all true patriotifm with Chatham dead ? Who now regards this once-refpe<5ted nation ? \Vhencecanwe hope political falvation ? No fyftem form'd, but for the prefent hour ! No plan, but how to raife ourfelves to pow'r I * " Confenfus omnium honor um." Cic. But, [ iiG J But, though eternal fquabbles vex the land, And leave all public bufmefs at a ftand ; While difcord thus the Britifh name difgraces, Yet Whigs join Tories to fecure their places. Why then not do, what you're convinced is right, To fave the realm, all honeft men unite ? Each lend a hand, to better our condition, And Heav'n (hall blefs the glorious Coalition* iigrfj JO.SY anorncnOD bnt. 39 Dec. mrnoD a 3ubn J * bns t ihftnu agnor- "io aioiusq ^3fiJ doni ^Hi sft; LIBERTY. LIBERTY. - T N thefe bleft ifles, where jocund^nymphs and fwains In peace and fafety range the rural plains ; Where all men boldly fpeak, and ad, and write, And on king, lords, and commons vent their fpite; Where all are govern'd by impartial laws, What mean thefe volunteers in freedom's caufe ? Why thus infult the nation's common fenfe, With wrongs unfelt, and " undue influence ?" To roufe the mob, thefe patriots of an hour Would level church and ftate, till they're in pow'r 5 Then [ n8 ] Then they applaud what they condemn'd be- fore : Let them be ty rants, Jlavery is no more. They to themfelves, not liberty, are friends, Would feri-e the public, for their private ends. Thus fools are fiatter*d by the craft of knaves, Our rage for liberty will make us flaves. a; ENNUIi I "9 1 . E N N U 1 3 O R, SOLITARY REFLECTIONS AT AN INN. TT 7 HAT EVER appearance of levity I may fometimes exhibit, or with whatever fports of fancy I may have endea- voured to amufe my leifure hours, I find myfdf, when alone, a prey to Ennui, or a diilaile of life ; and far from happy, at lead, in my prefent flate. I let my thoughts range abroad, to the utmoft extent of my knowledge ; but I find nothing on which they can repofe them- felves. [ 120 ] felves, as a fufficient ground of confolation. The confidential friends and fprightly com- panions of my youth are, long fince, either gone into the invifible world, or entirely feparated from me in remote parts of the kingdom. And in thofe later acquaintance, whom mere vicinity, or other accidental circumftances, have thrown in my way, I find a cold referve, or formal civility, ill calculated to fupply the place of the warm and unfufpecting opennefs of my earlier friendmips. The vifionary plans of happinefs, of learn- ing, or of fame, which dazzled my imagi- nation in the morning of life, are vanifhed, like the bafelefs fabric of a dream. My folitary amufement, or public diverfions, no longer pleafe even the (rated employment 8 of [ "I ] of my life, not having been very fuccefs- fully purfued, is irkfome on the recol- lection. If I turn my reflexions towards my do- meftic comforts the dear partner of my joys and forrows, ruffled by oeconomical concerns, and by frequent ill-health, though not lefs beloved, or lefs fludious to alle- viate my anxiety, is lefs capable of effect- ing it. , My children, whom I love beyond every thing, are yet frefh fources of my folicitude, as the profpec"l of their future fuccefs in life feems very precarious ; fome of them ap- pearing lefs attentive to procure a comfort- able eftablifhment in the world, than to grafp at every phantom of prefent pleafure ; which muft probably end in a habit of dif- G fipation, [ i" 3 (ipation, and a diflike of, and inaptitude for, any ufeful employment. Similar to mine are probably the reflec- tions of thoufands, even of the happieft part of mankind, at different periods of their lives; for which forlorn (late of things this whole world affords no adequate re- ' iburce. But is this then the necefiary lot of hu- manity ? Was the fovereign of this lower creation deftined by nature merely ta drefs and undreis j to eat, drink, and fleep, and to toil, for fixty years, and produce a race of beings, like himfelf, to fucceed to the fame toils ; or, at beft, to cultivate his fa- culties, and ftore his mind with an endlefs variety of fcience, and curious fpeculations, and then fink into eternal oblivion ? 4 My My reafon aflures me, beyond a pofUb'lity of doubt, that this world, and its inhabi- tants, were made by a wife and good being, who would not fuffer his creatures to be de- luded by fuch conftant hopes and afpirations after a more perfect and a more durable ftate of felicity, if thofe hopes were never to be gratified. Though I myfelf, then, ought to reft fa- tisfied, yet if I mould fay, that religion, and REVEALED RELIGION, alone, can afford a complete and adequate confolation for the miferies of life, I mould perhaps fpeak un- intelligibly to many of thofe unhappy gen- tlemen who, having at an early age ex- haufted the whole (lock of fenfual pleafures, are mod frequently expofed to this Ennui, this Tsedium Vitas, or difguft of life ; and G 2 have [ J24 3 "have feldom troubled themfelves about reJi- ligion, either natural or revealed. Certain it is, however, that when we con- template the Deity in a cold philofophical light, and addrefs ourfelves to him merely as the creator and governor of the univerfe, we arc loft in the immenfity of the divine nature. The imagination ranges through the houndlefs regions of fpace and time, like the dove in the univerfal deluge, and cannot find even an olive-branch to fpeak peace to the foul ; we feel nothing to intereft the heart and engage the affections, But when we confider the Deity in the light in which our facred writings reprefent him, as, "in fundry times and in divers manners," converfing with and inftructing his creatures in their duty, by his prophets, and [ '25 3 and other holy men ; particularly by his laft great prophet, the prophet of Nazareth (though, if we allow him no higher title, the Scripture certainly makes ufe of unintelli- gible language) : when, I fay, we confider God in this endearing and familiar light -, the gloom that furrounds us is immediately difperfed ; we addrefs him as a friend and benefactor ; \ve find our hopes encouraged and our love inflamed. And when we con- template the amiable character of Jefus of Nazareth ; if we give but the lowed degree of credit to his promifes and pretenfions, much more, if we firmly believe (what every careful enquirer muft believe) that he was charged with a commiffion from heaven, to proclaim the pardon of our fins, and to re- concile us to our offended Creator, by a vi- G 3 carious carious atonement for the violated laws of bis moral government ; and if we would ac- cept him as " tie captain of our faivation" to re-conduct us to the company of our loft friends and relations, and " to the fpirits of good men made more perfect," in a date of endlefs felicity fuppofing, I fay, that we think his pretenfions entitled to a fuffi- cient degree of credibility, this will do more towards a cure of our difguft of /// fuch a one may doubt * See Swift's Tale of a Tub. t I mean, after a candid and clofe examination ; for thofe who have acutenefs enough to raife objec- tions, ought to take pains to anfwer them. G 5 whether C 130 ] whether Cadar conquered Pompey at the battle of Pharfalia, created himfelf perpe- tual dictator, and was afterwards afiaffinated by Brutus and Caffius in the fenate-houfe. 5 Aug. 1772. P. S. This flight Iketch is infcrted, in hopes, that in this fuperficial age when, as Dr. Johnfon obferves (Ids juftly of Scotland than moft other nations) learning is diftri- buted like bread in a fiege, when every one has a mouthful, and no one fills his belly fome one may be tempted to inquire further into the truth of our religion *. * Since this was fent to the prefs, I fee Dr. Beattie, under the patronage of the excellent Bilhop of Chef- ter, has published two fmall volumes in izmo, which feem well calculated for this purpofe. COMPLIMENTS, COMPLIMENTS, G 6 *-+*+<#*' . < ?*<*?'<. . -*^K4-HH*^ ** ***** 3 T A T 1 M -A si?- H d.-iuQ^ "io gniiqe'fto fubqorl ,^bvol"3riT Ihliw euH? nwoj sd/lk rigrwirfi nol wsoH 3?noi Jfnwb no -ni flti9ili siinu .- is;) ^^ijfi iuov b'nieg ^vfi'd gnol [ "33 MARTIAL, B. i. Ep. 26, IMITATED.. " Ede tuot tandtm, sV." CHRISTOPHER A STY, Efq. T T O W long, my friend, fhall thus forlorn * remain The lovely, hopeful offspring of your brain ? How long through all the town thus wildly roam ? Colleft, unite them in one decent tome. They long have gain'd your native Cam's ap- plaufe, And brav'd e'en * Oxford Johnfon's rigid laws. Noltri fenes. * Fame [ '34 3 Fame {lands attendant with her wreath of bays, Proud to augment your well-earn'd meed of praife ; Why not admit the goddefs at your door ? Why wait for glory till it's heard no more ? Let your own works your own laft polifh claim, Nor truft to your executors your fame. Too late, alas ! the brighteft honours come, * Which friendfhip's hand infcribes upon our tomb. * Cineri gloria fera venit. PLATO'S [ 135 ] PLATO'S EPIGRAM on ARISTOPHANES. ATT^ H E Mufes long had fought, in various places, A fpot to build a temple to the Graces : A fbrine, where pleas'd the Graces might relide, The breaft of Ariftophanes fupplied. N 4*****************+******* + ********** ON THE %- iiaj.^ 10 i O F LESBIA's SPARROW From CATULLUS. .,>,,tf, E E P, all ye little fportive Loves ! Weep, Venus, with thy plaintive doves I . , , , , r\ -T i Each gentle foul, of feelings fine, The fad proceffion weeping join ! For ah ! my Lefbia's Sparrow's dead, All joy is with her darling Me3 ! * See an elegant print on this fubjeft, by Angelica Kauffman. Her t 37 ] Her Sparrow Lefbia wont to prize More than her own dear lovely eyes ! And fure it was the * fweetejl creature ! All love, and play, and pure good-nature. Their mutual fondnefs for each other, Surpafs'd the infant's and its mother. He never from her bofom ftray'd, But round her hopp'd, and f chirp'd and play'd. Yet now he's gone " to that dark bourne, " From which no mortal things return." Ah ! woe betide that gloomy coaft, Where all things fair and good are loft ! Thither my Lefbia's bird is flown, And me is left his fate to moan ; Her tumid eyes with weeping fore j For ah ! her darling is no more. * Mcllitus. THE ^X>C0lhi < THOMAS GAINSBOROUGH, Efq, On hie Portrait! of the Thrc * Princcffes. &!<-;*% Sxjiq wfr loi gnibnstflOD .ifiaom.g^H'^O O H A L L Art with 'Nature, then, thus boldly vie, Thus ape the glories of the Orient fky ? How dar'dft thou, mortal, impioufly prefume, To imitate, with paint, celeftial bloom ? How could'fl thou on fuch radiant beauty gaze, Uninjur'd by the fplendor of its rays ? Some angel, fure, has lent his friendly aid, To fketch the features of each royal maid. l_ * Princefs Royal, Augufta, and Elizabeth. What What fweetnefs foftens their majeftic air ! What goodnefs beams from each diftinguifh'd fair! What fpirit animates each lovely face ! And in each part what fymmetry and grace ! Such were the forms that blefs'd the Ihepherd's eves On Ida's mount, contending for the prize 5 Such the three Graces of celeftial mold, That charm'd the fculptors and the bards of old. Confummate artift ! fay, from whence you drew The precepts of your art, fo juft, fo true ? With freedom thus who bade thy pencil flow ? Such force, fuch fweetnefs in thy colours glow ? Haft thou, to give perfection to thy piece, Studied the works of ancient Rome or Greece ? Haft [ 14* 3 Haft thou furvey'd the celebrated * ruh Of ancient beauty ? Or each modern fchool With critic eye compar'd, to {lore thy mind "With all thefe wonders of a tafte refin'd ? Ah! no , thy matchlefs (kill with fcorn difclaims The fancied merit bnilt on pompous names ; Like great Gorregio, Nature's pupil, fraught With inborn genius, and by practice taught ; Who view*d e'en Raphael's works with con- r.dilJfi IfckilBV,' 3lil fcious pride, And, " I'm a painter ftill !" he nobly cried. O'er feas or alps let other artifls roam, In queft of beauties which you find at home ; Such charms our Britifh nymphs alone can boaft, And he who paints them trueft charms us moft. * The canon, or ftandard of beauty, formed from a number of fine women, by Polycletus. PUN. 34. 8* 1784- O N O N A YOUNG LADY, SINGING TO HER HARPSICORD. TT 7" HEN lovely Anna wakes th j harmo- nious firings, And in feraphic (trains the warbler lings, The rival of her mother's matchlefs tone* (Whofe (kill each polifh'd circle long has r o known) The artlefs maid, unconfcious of her charms, With thrilling raptures every bofom warms ; Each ftring, that vibrates, fpeeds the myftic dart, Whofe fympathetic force fubdues the heart : The C 144 ] The liftening throng th* electric influence prove, Catch fudden flames, and kindle into love. The young, the old, who, all attention, gaze, The minftrePs pow'r, by awful filence, praife. Such rapturous fcenes the bleft above employ, Where all is love, and harmony, and joy; 1784. T O [ 145 3 T O A YOUNG LADY, DifHrrguifhed by her Genius for Painting> Mufic, and every other Accomplifhmcnt. YY7HEN genius thus, and ardent ftudy, * * join'd, With rich ideas (lore the youthful mind ; And laudable ambition dares to foar Where the bleft few have wing'd their flight before ; When Reynolds checks the young enthufiafl's fire, And Burney guides her hand to touch the lyre ; H What 3 What luftre muft adorn thofe pleating arts, From fuch inftructors, and fuch brilliant parts ! A young * Angelica may feaft our fight ; Our cars again f Cecilia may delight : Mufic her ancient privilege may claim, Of building towns, or favage beafts to tame 5 And Painting view, on canvafs or on paper, New wonders from the pencil of Mifs R r. * Angelica Kauffnun. f St. Cecilia. T O [ 147 3 T O FLORELLA, IN A VEIL. " What means Luna in a Veil ?" REHEARSAL. TT71TH cheeks more blooming than the vernal morn, With all the charms that Beauty's Queen adorn, With eyes more brilliant than the orient light, Why will Florella veil them from our fight ? Is it, that, confcious of their dazzling blaze, You wifii to fhield us from their fcorching rays ? Alas ! their utmoft force we long to try, Though, like bold Phaeton, we burn and die. H 2 Laura, Laura, whofe features wear the olive's hue, Let her, and welcome, hide them from our view; To pleafe the fight, when waning beauties fail, They wifely fhun the world, and ta.ke the * veil. * i. e. Retire to a Nunnery. b iifii -;7?0 T O [ 149 T O MRS. L. S. IN HER NURSERY. - 4 June 1784. TT7ITH talents grac'd. in public life to " (hine ! With every charm that poets call divine ! When young Eliza, in the bloom of life, Prefers the humble duties of a wife j With tend'reft air, amidft her infant race, Adds fweet expreflion to her lovely face Attentive to each dear, domeftic call, Slights the vain fplendors of a birth-night balU How we defpife the wretches that refort H 3 T' t 150 ] T' endure the painful vigils of a court , Who 'midft the glittering, giddy circle roam, Jn cfaeft of blifs, which you enjoy at home ! Their charms (and charms perhaps they juftly boaft) Amidft th* ambitious crowd eclips'd and loft. Yet one, e'en there, Eliza, may be feen, Happy, like you I need not name the Queen, T Q To ADORN'D with every beauty, every grace, A form celeftial, and an angel's face ; "With fmiles that might a tyger's rage controulj With eyes that dart fweet tranfports to the foul : Such is fair Lucia i yet, when I dare to praife Her matchlefs beauties, or with rapture gaze, She calls it flattery , fays my love is blind, And fancies charms, where me no charms can find. No, Lucia, no ! 'tis you are blind, not I, If you no charms, / no defefts can fpy. H 4 Unconfcious Unconfcious of your merit, you difclaim Thole magie powers which every breaft in- flame ; But, wh&tyour modefty conceals from you, My throbbing heart convinces me is true, That you are more than painting can exprefs ; And, Ihould I fraife* I cannot Iove 9 you lefs. APOLOGY [ 153 ] nM^W-44-HH^ APOLOGY For pafling by a LADY in a Public Place. fTpHOUGH long I've worn love's pleafing, * flowery chains, And fix'd your image in my heart remains ; To which with rapture I, each rifing day, Of vows and fighs the facred incenfe pay ; Yet, when amidft the crowd you blefs'd my fight, Your charms appear'd fo ravilhingly bright, H 5 With t 154 ] With fhame, with pride, my levity I own, Ipafs'dyou by, as one I ne'er had known ; The image in my fancy pleas'd no more ; I did not bow, as I was wont before, But I prepared an angel to adore* 75< To [ 155 3 To Mrs. 3 On fome elegant Lines, infcribed by her in my Gothic Cell. y\ MIDST the hoary winter of my days, To vanity long dead, and deaf to praife ;. With gloomy cares and fecret griefs oppreft, Each fpark of love expiring in my breaft : When thus I fhare the kindnefs of a friend, Whofe cordial looks their focial influence lend ; When Laura's wit, and more than manly fenfe, And female chartns, a genial warmth difpenfe ; A gleam of joy lights up my evening hours, No more the fky with fancied tempefts low'rs ; H 6 I feel I feel my heart with youthful ardour burn j From fixty to fixteen at once return j My Gothic Cell with W - - b-houfe may vie, And grief and care my lonely fhades defy. . To To the Duchefs of D E, On a recent Aft of great Generofity. TT7HEN beauty (bines untainted, 'midft ^* the rage] Of lawlefs pleafure and a vicious age j When CAVENDISH, tho' like an angel fair, Yet more diftinguifh'd by a mother's care, With each domeftic virtue gilds the hours, That peaceful glide 'midft Chatfworth's bliff- ful bowers ; Th* illuftrious Datne the world's attention draws, And e'en from vice extorts deferv'd applaufe. 8 But, C 158 3 But, might the Mufe thofe generous acts re- veal, Which liberal minds with anxious care conceal ; Tell, with what grief (he learns the tale of woe, In what rich dreams fhe bids her bounty flow; What fweet companion melts her feeling heart, Where every wretched object claims a part ; Impatient to relieve conceal'd diftrefs, The fick to comfort, or the poor to blefs : Such deeds, more fit Heaven*s favour to obtain, Th* applaufe of earth-born reptiles muft dif- dain : With faded luftre Beauty's felf muft mine ; Her charms are mortal, but kind ads divine ! To [ 159 1 To Mrs. "D Y love feduc'd, a young and thoughtlefs maid, On marriage bent, a father difobey'dj The joys, but not the cares, of wedlock view'd, And the fond dictates of her heart purfu*d : Yet foon found caufe her rafhnefs to repent ; For Heav'n, in wrath, a numerous offspring lent; And, as each day their daily wants grew more, Each day diminifh'd their too (lender ftore. Their ftate to mend, the ftormy fea they crofs'd ; Their lives were fav'd but all their fubftance loft, To To you the culprits their diftrefs impart ; You, too, obey the dictates of your heart ; And, tho* 'twas plain offended Heaven decreed That poverty fhould mark the gracelefs deed, By fteahh relieve them (blufh at your offence !) And thwart the vengeful plan of Providence. 22 Dec. 1785. WITH I 161 ] WITH A BATH TOY. MOTTO, *' Think on me." A TRIBUTE TO MERIT IN OBSCURITY. Y age grown callous, though again my heart From Myra's wit has felt love's pleating (mart, Let not my wifhes too ambitious prove ; I afk her friend/hip only not her love. To your connubial vows ftill faithful be ; Yet deem it not a crime to think on me. NESTOR. LEVITIES. LEVITIES. o all Bards, Poets, or Poetafters; to wt. Harpers, Pipers, and Fidlers ; in Rhyme and Mufic, Dealers and Chapmen , THE COUNTY INFIRMARY v - Sendeth Greeting; Requefting them to exert their fkill, and reftore that harmony, amongft the Subfcribers, for finifhing the Edifice, with which it fo aufpicioufly commenced. I. TV >T US 1C has charms to calm the foul With anxious cares oppreft ; The human paffions to controul, Or tame a favage bead. II. 'Tis [ 166 ] II. 'Tis her*s to footh the pangs of love, And pleating hopes impart i The breaft to foft compaffion move, To chanty the heart. III. ANSTY, in his enchanting verfe, Could paint a fcene of woe, Which made * each churl unftring his purfe, And Hberal fums bellow. IV. Amphion {truck his founding lyre, The liftening (tones attend, When lo ! each tower and glittering fpire Of ftately Thebes afcend. * This is no poetical fiftion ; a few elegant ftanzas of that ingenious writer having raifed foroe hundreds for the Hofpital. j V. Where i6 7 ] V. Where winds the Thone * thro* fertile plains, A dome began to rife, A refuge for the fickly fwains But now negle&ed lies. VI. A copious ftream of bounty ran, This ftru&ure to fupply 5 But, ere to build they well began, The fource, alas ! was dry. VII. Tune then your fweet melodious lays, Ye votaries of Apollo ! And firft a pile of money raife ! Our building foon will follow. * Taunton. VIII. Remove, VIII. Remove, at leafl (for fure you can) This burthen from our fhoulder 5 Nor fuffer fuch a noble plan In ruins thus to moulder : IX. Left travellers, that pafs this way, Should turn it to a joke ; Should Ihake their Iicads, and taunting fay, Sure, Taunton men are broke ! X. If mufic then too feeble prove, Or facred pity's call, c, at leaft, attention move ; Roufe ! neighbours, one and all ! XI. From XI. From diflipation's fcenes retreat, Ye thoughtlefs fons of pleafure t Ye mifers ! this good work complete, And hoard in heaven your treafurct Jan. 1786, EPILOGUE EPILOGUE TO THE FOUNDLING^ A&ed by fome private Gentlemen } Spoken by Sir CHARLES RAYMOND. ' TTEY-day ! how calm I how wondrous grave " you fit ! . Have we play'd ill? or does our play want ottiiqrnufq sn wit? A Comedy, I'm told, in days of yore, Would fet the pit nay, boxes in a roar. But comic humour's banifh'd from the ftage: -\ To laugh it vulgar, in this polifh'd age ; I Pathetic fcenes, or fentiment's the rage. J And you have feeling for I faw you weep. Fm glad, at leaft, you did not fall afleep. Yet f f r t i7 ] Yet poor Fidelia might excufe your weeping, For, faith ! they almoft forc'd her into keeping. But Belmont's rakifh plot at laft mifcarried, And my poor girl got tolerably married. For virtue, ladies, is the fureft card ; And, firft or laft, will meet its full reward. Well ; but what think you of Rofetta's cafe ? 'Egad, me led her Colonel fiich a chace I- Yet ftrain'd full high the rigour of her charms j And then at once came plump into his arms. A few coquettifh airs become the Fair ; But ah ! dear ladies, take a little care : Full many a nymph, that faft and loofe has play'd, And trifled with our hearts has died a maid. As for poor Faddle that vjle, fcnfelefs calf, He feems, indeed, defign'd to make us laugh ; But when a virtuous lady's reputation He drives to blaft he moves our indignation. I 2 In [ 17* ] In lower fpheres tho* fcoundrels may abound,. -\ In bigb life are fuch wretches to be found ? > I hope friend More* was ftill on fairy ground^ J But could the gen'rous Belmont then employ Such villains, his Fidelia to deftroy ? That lovely maid, whofe innocence to fave, His fword had refcued from a treach'rous knave.' See ! then, the dire effects of lawlefs love ! - Yet, act like him, and from experience prove, How much thofe fenfual flames are o'er-paid By the chafte raptures of a virtuous maid ; And, to fecure thofe joys that laft for life, Difcard the miftrefs for a faithful wife ! * The author and of many allegorical fables. SOLILOQUY [ 173 3 SOLILOQJJY OF AN EPICURE. ' Eficuri de grege porcuf* HOR* A L* IMPROVISO. riTAO-D A Y I with Palaemon dine 5 Eat his Welch mutton drink his wine* With pine-apple, ice-cream, and jelly Regale, and alnioft buift my bcily. "When full, with gratitude I burn, To make my friend ibme flight return, But lo ! with mingled joy and forrow, I fee a roafting-pig, to-morrow, In damafk napkin, clean and neat, Trufs'd up, and fent, juil fit to eat 5 I 2 And, E 74 ] And, what by me was more regarded, With Latin diflichs interlarded. And thus, though pleas*d, I almoft fret, To find myfelf ftill more in debt 5 For fure I feel no fmall vexation, Thus overwhelm'd with obligation. To feaft on venifon, hare, or pheafant, Though fome may think it vaftly pleafant, I would not value them a fig, Compar'd wkh good Palasmon's pig. Sweet, little, fharp-nos'd, harmlefs creature ! Though death has marr'd each fprightly feature, Yet every tongue thy praife fhall utter, When, dfefs'd with currants* fage, and butter, And fpreading in a lordly dim, You gratify each favoury wifli ! Let purfe-proud aldermen look big, With fcarlet gown and pompous wig, Whilft we enjoy our dainty pig. For I '75 3 For fure the Caledonian boar, So fam'd, could not have pleas'd me more, Nor eat fo well, I'll hold a wager, Though trufs'd by valiant Meleager. Ye Gods ! how nobly we (hall dine ! Then fill the glafs with raifm-wine, And let each happy, little fpark, Drink, " All our friends at Park Nay, e'en my greyhound and fat fpaniel, Shall blefs my Lady and Mifs 'And little Will fhall dance a jig, In honour of our roafting-pig. 14 DISTICHS. I 176 |i@N D I S T I C H 8. From Martial. TT7HILE round my cheeks the tedious tonfor goes, Another beard beneath his razor grows. On a Dramatic Poetefs. OLD Cowley in his tomb has long been laid, But Mrs. Cowley carries on the trade. On a Garden Seat, ill made. ILL-FATED bench ! in every fenfe thou'rt wrong ; Though plain, not neat i though clumfy, yet not ftrong. Country Country-Houfes. SO fond are men of country-houfes grown. The town of Bath is all gone out of towru THE t 178 ] THE BACHELOR'S CLUB. To Sir Z - , Bart. A Mind enlarg'd, with virtuous precepts fraught, The fnares of vice, without experience, taught ; How can a youth of delicacy bear The fullied charms of a bought nymph to (hare ? A wife, you fay,'s expenfive ; true, my friend, Yet fure you'll find her cheapeft, in the end : And, when the days of dalliance are o'er, A faithful fpoufe is better* than a wh-re. Of this in high life you have proof full ample 5 And e'en in humbler fcenes> take one example : A gallant [ 179 3 A gallant tradefman, who, without a wife, Tailed the pleafures of a married life ; Yet liv'd by his affociates (till refpected -, A dub of jovial bachelors projected. They met talk'd politics they drank they fmok'd And on connubial joys profanely jok'd. But foon, alas ! this hopeful fcheme mifcarried, For all the members died or broke or mar- ried. /n Jngc/ ^ifea* 3^ ,rb fa *I33J3C 16 TO e*^>e2j&ms9<^^ T O AN EXTEMPORE WRITER. XT" OUR impromptu's (Lord Fanny ne'er wrote brighter) All tend to prove, that you're a ready writer. But when you give us things thus form'd io hafte, You furely flight, or mock our want of tafte. Your words muft mean, in rational conftruc- tion, |That we're impatient for your choice produc- tion< But; But, Sir, we're not. Supprefs your needlefs fears ; Take time to polifh " Keep your piece nine " years !" Nay, not to bring you thus quite out o'breath,^ We'd wait with patience, even till your death ; And, fhould you lofe your manufcript, or tear it, With Chriftian refignation we muft bear it. T [ 182 ] T O A DISAPPOINTED LOVER. YO U wonder much, it feems, the maid you love Should be a woman, and inconftant prove ; And wonder more, that, in like piteous cafe, I doggrel write, and wear a chearful face. Tou lov'd in earneft ; / but lov'd for fun : Tou'd hang or drown for love ; / rhyme and pun. The faithlefs nymph you load 'with angry curfes ; I vent my fpleen in lamentable verfes. You You hurt yourfelft and not the worthlefs jilt; / leave her to the flings of confcious guilt. Say then, my friend, who ab the lover beft ? You play the fool in earned ; I in jeft, . .:. rm/ra ' * ' '-;-.: t < SUSANNA [ 184 I SUSANNA AND THE ELDERS j Modernized from PRIOR. W O wicked elders once, we read, With the fame object fmit, agreed To force Sufanna to their arms, And feaft, by turns, upon her charms. But (he, in confcious virtue bold, Began to bite, and fcratch, and fcold r With cries and fcreams th j affrighted maid Brought all her footmen to her aid : And thus preferv'd her charms untainted ; And for her chaftity was * fainted. f In the Popifh calendar. Yet, C 185 ] Yet, haply, had the parties been Juft the reverfe of what we've feen; Had fhe been old, her lovers young^ Sufanna might have held her tongue 5 Nay, grievoufly, perhaps, refented To 've had the ravilhers prevented^ SWEET 186 "SWEET BATH!" To a young LADY, on her departing Ex- clamation. SWEET to the fight, and fweetcr to the fmell, Sweet fcene of joy, dear, lovely Bath, fare- well! abocbipl Sweet are thy groves ! but fweeter far thy rooms i Though Nature thofe, and * Warren thefe per- - fumes. Nor wonder Bath in aromatic fmells, And fweeteft odours, vulgar towns excels, A celebrated perfumer. When When P-rry, Kn-ght, and H-rton there difpenfe Each fpicy drug that's grateful to the fenfe : At every turn you meet an efienc'd fop ; And all Arabia breathes from yonder mop : There bounteous Heavens * their fweetefl blooms difplay, Sweet fmiles, fwect looks, and all the fweets of May. From Lyncomb Spa, to Bond or Ruflfel Street, From Walcot to the Crcfcent, all is fweet Save when black clouds forebode impending rain, And noifome vapours rife from every drain ; Then Lifbon's felf, or Edinburgh's fair ftreet, Ne'er fum'd the nofe with eflences lefs fweet : * Some amiable young milliners of that name. From From Styx or Acheron, black ftreams of hell, Ne'er ifiu'd forth a more infernal fmell ; [Where finks and bogs thofe various flenches join, Sublime * by Burke, by Homer call'd divine t- * See Sublime and Beautiful, Sett 33. f Homer calls any firiking objcft faint* THE THE POCKET COMPANION; OR, LITTLE POLISH COUNT. O TAN HOPE, in bulky tomes, attempt* to teach An art, which none from books could ever reach ; A fyftem of politenefs and the Graces, Through all their winding paths, with labour traces. TRUSLER, to teach young gentlemen good- breeding, Without th' expence of fuch laborious reading, Wifely 190 Wifely diminifhing his Lordfhip's plan, Contra&s th' enormous fyftem to a fpan. But, if a living image you would fee Of true politenefs in epitome See STANHOPE'S precepts by example (hewn, And make the fprightly Graces all your own The levee of the Poliih Count attend, And make the little gentleman your friend 5 Or fteal this miniature of man away, And in your pocket wear him night and day. i* H ni t -K>ffl\ 03 sulfig^ T (rflah touotn. L T O TO THE AUTHOR -;'-' O F . I .u;ai3bn9$ all* Some licentious Verfes on Mfs KN i ITTHOE'ER thou art, that fiiew'ft ,^7 want of fenfe, And not thy wit, at decency's expence ; I charge thee, rhymer, in Apollo's name, Henceforth thy flafhy Pegafus to tame ! Nor dare to mount, where charms celeftiai fhine, Left the fad fate of Phaeton be thine ! How [ 192 1 How dar'ft thou thus Belinda's frown de- fpife, Or brave the vengeful lightning of her eyes ? Though mild as Flora, and by Nature kind, She fure muft ftrike fuch bold ambition blind. But when to vulgar eyes thy mufe unveils Thofe charms, which, chafte as Dian, ftie con- ceals ; With prying eyes thus wantonly invade The fnowy bofom of the lovely maid ; Acteon's fate expect, thou faucy clown ! Converted to a brute, and hunted down ! But, bolder yet, on rhyming wildly bent, Thou rudely dar'ft thy amorous wifhes vent -, Some low-born proftitute thy fancy warms, Who, wont to fell her mercenary charms, Might gladly blefs her Grub-ftreet poet's arms. 5 May'ft [ 9S 3 May'ft thou then take the lewd * Ixion's place, And for Heaven's Queen fome dirty cloud era- brace. 20 Dec. 1784. * Who attempting the chaflity of Juno, had a cloud flipt into his arms. THE THE QJJ A K g d i'*rtftT f C E ^i b n^riw ,uorf} il l Vfc-b'd?* THE * MAN IN'4t n AW r 'CLOTHING. ; A b'iiBD nsm srfj a^fovoiq et TT THAT fpirit mov'd thee, Man in Black, Thus neighbour A fty to attack ? I tell thee, friend, thou'ft caught a tartar ; If thou art fmart, thy foe is fmarter. What tempted thee to thruft thy nofe Where thou'dft no call to interpofe ? Let the ungodly rhyme and joke ; Why fhould their mirth thy wrath provoke ? * This alludes to an unprovoked attack on a wor- thy charadler, fome time fince. Though [ '95 1 Though not invited to Batheafton, Thou haft more fpiritual joys to feaft on ; Thy bufmefs is with Holy Bible :. Deal not in vain and carnal libel. As well might'ft thou, when dreft in black, 'Gainft whited wall have rubb'd thy back ; Or had a barber run againft ye, As thus provoke the man call'd A y. Though loth to give e'en culprits pain, " He beareth not the quill in vain." And if, my friend, thy deeds are evil, Thou'lt find this lamb a very D-vil. Henceforth the ways of wit renounce, Taught to be wife by Humphry Pounce. 1 32io[ Dnjs SfriYfn ^IbognL' "nj 33^ rinim 11 3rb 'blue n nh 3m ^fa : K 2 L A M E N- HOITATK3M LAMENTATIONS, 3TTOJ^AHD or HHTJI3W d aiobd -L.-i gnol sgfimorf aii Jifisd ^m motiw oT { tijslio boog a'JBffj Ii* rooiiw fil ;ilBfiDn3 3l0flw <3vii5si33B 83, .ondijQfli ii3fij ^ oT J0'( 313rfw t tV?^l\ C 3^tf; gniiiarn bns ?qil ydur slorlW m tiBflj 3iorn rfiiw .abnaol ^oor yi bnfi E^DO! nivw slodW 0^ bbom foiiii 3rlT 4, 31 WERTER TO CHARLOTTE, (A little before his Death.) /~V Charlotte ! Charlotte ! all-accomplilh'd maid, To whom my heart its homage long has paid > In whom is center'd all that's good or fair ; Whofe fmiles attractive, vvhofe enchanting air, To every heart their influence extend, And make a lover, where you meant a friend : Whofe ruby lips and melting voice difpenfe Mellifluous founds, with more than manly fenfej Whofe waving locks and ivory neck impart The faireft model for the fculptor's art : K 4 O lovely [ 200 I lovely Charlotte ! how fhall I comroul The thrilling raptures that pofiefs my foul ? How bid my pafiion yield to Reafon's voice, When Reafon*s felf mud juftify my choice? Yet, tho' thy charms, the fource of every joy, My thoughts by day, my dreams by night em- ploy ; Tho' thy lov*d image, by gay fancy dreft, With more than youthful ardor fires my bread; Woe to the man that would thy heart beguile, And that angelic foul with guilt defile ! Who'd dare to violate the nuptial rights* (That facred bond which one to one unites). 1 lovSt but ccvef not, good Albert's wife, Nor would deftroy, my friend, thy peace for life. But when at length thofe blifsful realms we gain, Where no connubial claims our thoughts re- ftrain > Where [ 201 ] Where felfim, human laws ihall ceaie to bind. And univerfal love reigns unconfin'd ; Then, free as air, congenial fouls fhall meet. And fex, with holy rapture, fex fhall greet": Then will I match dear Charlotte to my arms, And chaftly revel in celeftial charms : Ecftatic blifs fhall grofTer love fucceed, And Charlotte make that fcenc a heav'n ia^ de d K 5 onYtmbs ; Q yfTSJ&iacfbL ; .trsi Uvasrnhq frift a: r!io c i^>b3g e : n&g- rfairfw alii lio avoi fliquf} ndlfi^i '1o TJ ASH youth, forbear ! O lay that poniard byjfiug moi^ n^rfj iwW Nor boldly thus the wrath of Heaven defy ? Contend not with thy- God, in impious flrife, But calmly bear th* allotted ills of life; Nor from thy ftation treach'roufly withdraw, AfTign'd by Heaven's inviolable law. ".With- grief, with pain, or poverty opprefi, f* No ray of hope to cheer the tortur'd bread ^ "Or C 203 ] " Or with ill -fortune, fay, the wretch has ftrove, " Neglect of friends, or pangs of flighted love -, " What law commands fucb wretches to en- dure " Thofe defperate evils, which admit no cure ?" The firft primaeval law, by Heav'n impreft, At man's creation, on the human breaft, The love of life which nothing can controul, Till lofs of reafon ftupifies the foul. Self-prefervation is God's firm decree ; Can felf-deftruRion then from guilt be free ? The fear of death the ftouteft heart appalls, Then liften to her voice 'tis Nature calls. Haft thou no offspring, no dear, faithful wife, By love, by intereft, anxious for thy life ? No aged father, or more tender mother ? No friend more dear than filter or than bro* fm*hcr ? K6 If [ 20 4 ] If thou thyfelf canfl mock the poniard's fmart, Ah ! plunge not thus the dagger in their heart f But fay then, whence thefe miferies arife ? Though men are foolifh,God is good and wife * By whofe kind plan, 'tis evident, mankind Were for a life of happinefs deftgn'd. Thy griefs then fpring from luxury and vice ;. Thy poverty, perhaps, from cards and dice. Dees love, like Werter*s, thy fond breaft infpire ? Let reafon quench, at once, th' adult' rous fire : Not think t* intrude amidft the bled above, A foul denTd with fin and guilty love. As death to murder is by Heaven decreed, Self-murder furely is a fouler deed* And death eternal muft that crime fucceed For Mercy's ftlf, though eager to relent, -Expels, at leaft> our crimes we fhoald repent ^ But :i [ "5 ] But what atonement can the wretch devife, Who wilfully affronts his God and dies ? Then yield not, coward-like, to tranfient woe, But bravely, like a Chriftian, face thy foe ; Dare to be wretched, if thou dar'ft to fin, Left, when thefe pains thou'ft ended, worfe begin. 3 3J .' 3ir ". .VI . - b BI [ 206 ] ,D fajiorn 3ni figuoirii fhi/S Mifs MARIA LIN LEY, Singing an Hymn as /he expired, u TT7 HEN languid now her fluttering breath Maria faintly drew 5 She faw, beyond the (hades of death, Heaven opening to her view. II. Regardlefs of her dying pains, Her voice Ihe ftrove to raife ; Rejoicing in feraphic ftrains To chant her Maker's praife. III. Her t 207 ] in. Her foul, in virgin luftre bright, Burft through the mortal clay, And, foaring to the realms of light, Exulting wiag'd its way. IV. Thus from her neft, with towering wings,. We view the fweet lark rife j With joy her matin notes (he fings, And warbling. mounts the fides. >H oJ 3voift.wO Efliv ^fiM.wii [ 208 ] JNkTdspafwl: ON THE ESSAYS AND POEMS - Of a LADY lately deceafed. WILT thou thefe little volumes then perufe ? Hope not to wanton with fome fportive Mufe, Or with fome fprightly Novelift to rove, Amidft the flowery labyrinths of love. No ; think fome holy Veftal tunes the lyre,. ! folemn ftrains true wifdom to infpire ; Or facred Oracles fage truths impart, To calm the pafllons, and to mend the heart. From [ 20 9 ] From fome ftrange caufe, which med'cir* ne'er could reach, JANETTA loft her faculty of fpeech* Hard fate ! though bleft with fenfc, tho* fair and young) A nymph debarred her privilege of tongue I Yet, young JANETTA fate, when pad relief, " Like patience on a tomb, and fmil'd at grief V Happy, amid ft the circle of her friends, Their converfe fweet, in filence, (he attends ; She works, reads, writcsi but all, alas! in vain, Amufement foottfd, but could not eafe her pain : Loft to the world, by various ills opprcft, At length the meek, mute fufferer funk to .jffK Bfijir; * Shakefpeare. In [ 210 ] In years tho' young, in wifdom's fchool mature, Who learn*d fucb ills with patience to endure. But lo ! her death a miracle fucceeds, Beyond the faints of legendary creeds ; " Though dead, fhe fpeaks" fuch truths as faint or fage Has rarely fpoke, in any clime or age. Check'd by her virgin diffidence no more, Her weeping friends unlock her fecret ftore : No gold or toys her cabinet difplay'd ; No tribute to her charms by lovers paid. With pious maxims, deep reflections fraught, Pour'd from a heart, by fad experience taught To pity human woes ; and warm to raife, The grateful hymn to her Creators praife. Pleas'd with her profe, enchanted with her fong, We fcarce regret the filence of her tongue ; A ma- A malady, whofe aid, in mercy given, A faint on earth, an angel form'd for heaven. As Milton painted Nature's charms, though blind, .? Y.16 Though mute, JANETTA Ihall inftrud man* kind. vfiB nl c ?jloq)' ? on 3DnsbfSib njilv isri ^d . : >hofnu sbnaiTt gniqs^v b 33nid3 13fl* 8\03 II I-JT q3b *8mixm euoiq j b^i yd f - tnsw bn ; s J ^^d o3-nmv ^ncriDna ^loiq isri Aiw basal*! T O [ 212 T O Dr. J O H ls f S O N, On his intended Tour to the Continent* - T N youth a glorious * Rambler, why this rage For rambling now, my friend, worn down with age ? Why blame the Sovereign f, who, both good and wife, The means of rambling to thy wifh denies ? G e lets his fools thro' Europe idly roam, But keeps his wife and learned men at home. His celebrated papers, fo called. f Who refufed to increafe his penfion for that purpofe. O N [ H3 3 ON THE DEATH of the late Dr. W I L S O N. ;npQ 9&1 QJ iuoT bsbnalai i: Sequlturque patrtm props pajfibut 03{l33X9 ? ELEGY ON THE DEATH of Dr. SAMUEL JOHNSON. To Sir JOSHUA REYNOLDS. 1Y /TATURE in age, with fame, with ho- now crown'd, For virtue reverenc'd, as for wit renown'd ; Whofe bofom glow'd with pureft precepts fraught , Whofe life exprefs'd each precept which he taught. Such Johnfon was but is, alas ! no more ! Let Literature herfelf the lofs deplore ; 5 With r 7 J With Piety and Virtue by her fide, In fable mourn their guardian and their prided Though life is frail, all human glories vain,, Yet Johnfun's bays unfaded (hall remain; His works furvive, to future ages dear, And lateft times his memory revere; Who firft * from fafhion's laws our language- freed (A ta?K, where none but Johnfon could fucceed 5) With genius, tafte, and erudition join'd, Each term abftrufe, each dubious phrafe de- tn'd, And fix'd the (landard of that wavering tongue* In which himfelf had written Pope had fung.. As plann'd by him, e'en dictionaries pleafe y He moral truths has taught with clailic eafe : Add, that his writings blend, thro* every page,. The chriflian hero, and the learned fage. * His Diaionary. L Our Our Poets'* works with critic (kill he weigh'd, Their faults, their beauties, and their lives dif- playU From him, to judge with freedom we may learn, And folid fenfe from empty found difcern. Himfelf correct, he hardly knew to fpare Thofe bards, who boldly vend unfinifh'd ware. Unaw'd by names, if by too rigid laws Some -f bards he judg'd, who merit juft applaufe, "With equal candour, by a gentler tefr, * He others tried, whom rival wits opprefs'd. * His Lives of oar Poets. t A new zra or fchool of poetry feems to have com- menced with Mr. Gray, as different from the fimplicity of Addifon, Pope, and Parnel, as Pindar's or Horace's Odes from Homer or Virgil ; and, as the fublimt, which is the cha-acleriftic of Gray, often borders on oi/turitj, feme paflages in his poems might, perhaps, be interpreted according to the indinaticn of the reader. E'en E'en Watts and Blackmore, whofe flat ftrains abound With pious traits, in him a patron found. But while we juftly praife what Johnfon wrote, Are then his humble charities forgot ? Himfelf not rich, he fhar'd his {lender ftore With thofe who were, but ought not to fo, poor 5 Sought modeft merit, in its dark abode, The naked cloth'd, and gave the hungry. food. Nor were his friendfliips lefs his joy or pride, With whom in friend ftiipGarrick liv'd and die