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and after residing some months in his house, he left it in disgust, and with a few shillings in his pocket proceeded southwards. He travelled on foot, and such was the effect of his vexation and fatigue, that when he reached his mother's house he fell into a severe fit of illness.

"He became, on his recovery, a copyingclerk in a solicitor's, and afterwards in a sheriff-clerk's office, and began to contribute to Ruddiman's Weekly Magazine.' We remember in boyhood reading some odd volumes of this production, the general matter in which was inconceivably poor, relieved only by Fergusson's racy little Scottish poems. His evenings were spent chiefly in the tavern, amidst the gay and dissipated youth of the metropolis, to whom he was the 'wit, songster, and mimic. That his convivial powers were extraordinary, is proved by the fact of one of his contemporaries, who survived to be a correspondent of Burns, doubting if even he equalled the fascination of Fergusson's converse. Dissipation gradually stole in upon him, in spite of resolutions dictated by remorse. In 1773, he collected his poems into a volume, which was warmly received, but brought him, it is believed, little pecuniary benefit. At last, under the pressure of poverty, toil, and intemperance, his reason gave way, and he was by a stratagem removed to an asylum. Here, when he found himself and became aware of his situation, he uttered a dismal shriek, and cast a wild and startled look around his cell. The history of his confinement was very similar to that of Nat Lee and Christopher Smart. For instance, a story is told of him which is an exact duplicate of one recorded of Lee. He was

writing by the light of the moon, when a thin cloud crossed its disc. 'Jupiter, snuff the moon!' roared the impatient poet. The cloud thickened, and entirely darkened the light. 'Thou stupid god!' he exclaimed, 'thou hast snuffed it out.' By and by he became calmer, and had some affecting interviews with his mother and sister. A removal to his mother's house was even contemplated, but his constitution was exhausted, and on the 16th of October, 1774, poor Fergusson breathed his last. It is interesting to know that the New Testament was his favourite companion in his cell. A little after his death arrived a letter from an old friend, a Mr. Burnet, who had made a fortune in the East Indies, wishing him to come out to India, and enclosing a remittance of £100 to defray the expenses of the journey.

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Thus, in his twenty-fourth year, perished Robert Fergusson. He was buried in the Canongate churchyard, where Burns afterwards erected a monument to his memory, with an inscription which is familiar to most of our readers.

"Burns in one of his poems attributes to Fergusson glorious pairts.' He was cer

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tainly a youth of remarkable powers, although 'pairts' rather than high genius seems to express his calibre. He can hardly be said to sing, and he never soars. His best poems, such as The Farmer's Ingle,' are just lively daguerreotypes of the life he saw around him -there is nothing ideal or lofty in any of them. His Ingle-bleeze' burns low compared to that which in The Cottar's Saturday Night' springs up aloft to heaven, like the tongue of an altar-fire. He stuffs his poems, too, with Scotch to a degree which renders them too rich for even a Scotchman's taste, and as repulsive as a haggis to that of an Englishman. On the whole, Fergusson's best claim to fame arises from the influence he exerted on the far higher genius of Burns, who seems, strangely enough, to have preferred him to Allan Ramsay."-Gilfillan's "Less-known Brit. Poets," vol. iii. pp. 206-8. See Allibone's "Crit. Dict. Eng. Lit.'

EDWARD THOMPSON.

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"Edward Thompson, born 1738, died 1786, was a native of Hull, and went to sea so early in life as to be precluded from the advantages of a liberal education. At the age of nineteen, he acted as lieutenant on board the Jason, in the engagement off Ushant, between Hawke and Conflans. Coming to London, after the peace, he resided, for some time, in Kew-lane, where he wrote some light pieces for the stage, and some licentious poems, the titles of which need not be revived. At the breaking out of the American war, Garrick's interest obtained promotion for him in his own profession; and he was appointed to the command of the Hyæna frigate, and made his fortune by the single capture of a French East IndiaHe was afterwards in Rodney's action off Cape St. Vincent, and brought home the tidings of the victory. His death was occasioned by a fever, which he caught on board the Grampus, while he commanded that vessel, off the coast of Africa. Though a dissolute man, he had the character of an able and humane commander. A few of his sea songs are entitled to remembrance."Campbell's "Specimens."

man.

HENRY HEADLEY.

"Henry Headley, born 1766, died 1788, whose uncommon talents were lost to the world at the age of twenty-two, was born a Irstead, in Norfolk. He received his education at the grammar school of Norwich, under Dr. Parr; and at the age of sixteen was admitted a member of Trinity College, Oxford. There the example of Thomas Warton, the senior of his college, led him to explore the beauties of our elder poets. About the age of

twenty he published some pieces of verse, which exhibit no very remarkable promise; but his 'Select Beauties of the Ancient English Poets,' which appeared in the following year, were accompanied with critical observations, that showed an unparalleled ripeness of mind for his years. On leaving

the university, after a residence of four years, he married, and retired to Matlock, in Derbyshire. His matrimonial choice is said to have been hastily formed, amidst the anguish of disappointment in a previous attachment. But short as his life was, he survived the lady whom he married.

"The symptoms of consumption having appeared in his constitution, he was advised to try the benefit of a warmer climate; and he took the resolution of repairing to Lisbon, unattended by a single friend. On landing at Lisbon, far from feeling any relief from the climate, he found himself oppressed by its sultriness; and in this forlorn state, was on the point of expiring, when Mr. De Vismes, to whom he had received a letter of introduction from the late Mr. Windham conveyed him to his healthful villa, near Cintra, allotted spacious apartments for his use, procured for him the ablest medical assistance, and treated him with every kindness and amusement that could console his sickly existence. But his malady proved incurable; and, returning to England at the end of a few months, he expired at Norwich."-Campbell's "Specimens." Lit."

See Allibone's "Crit. Dict. Eng.

1751, Lord Lyttelton, in concert with Dodsley, projected the paper of the World,' of which it was agreed that Moore should enjoy the profits, whether the numbers were written by himself or by volunteer contributors. Lyttelton's interest soon enlisted many accomplished coadjutors, such as Cambridge, Jenyns, Lord Chesterfield, and H. Walpole. Moore himself wrote sixty-one of the papers. In the last number of the World' the conclusion is made to depend on a fictitious incident which had occasioned the death of the author. When the papers were collected into volumes, Moore, who superintended the publication, realized this jocular fiction by his own death, whilst the last number was in the press." Campbell's "Specimens."

THOMAS RUSSELL.

"Thomas Russell, born 1762, died 1788, was the son of an attorney at Bridport, and one of Joseph Warton's wonderful boys at Winchester School. He became fellow of New College, Oxford, and died of consumption at Bristol Hot-Wells in his twenty-sixth year.

"His poems were posthumous. The sonnet on Philoctetes is very fine; and of our young writers, mature rather in genius than in years, Russell holds no humble place. Mr. Southey has numbered five, aud Russell is among them-Chatterton, Bruce, Russell, Bampfylde, and Kirke White."-Campbell's 'Specimens."

EDWARD MOORE.

"Edward Moore, born 1712, died 1757, was the son of a dissenting clergyman at Abingdon, in Berkshire, and was bred to the business of a linendraper, which he pursued, however, both in London and Ireland, with so little success, that he embraced the literary life (according to his own account) more from necessity than inclination. His 'Fables' (in 1744) first brought him into notice. The Right Honourable Mr. Pelham was one of his earliest friends; and his Trial of Selim' gained him the friendship of Lord Lyttelton. Of three works which he produced for the stage, his two comedies, the Foundling' and 'Gil Blas,' were unsuccessful; but he was fully indemnified by the profits and reputation of the Gamester.' Moore himself acknowledges that he owed to Garrick many popular passages of his drama; and Davies, the biographer of Garrick, ascribes to the great actor the whole scene between Lewson and Stukely, in the fourth act; but Davies's authority is not oracular. About the year

EARL NUGENT.

"Robert Craggs, afterwards created Lord Nugent, was an Irishman, a younger son of Michael Nugent, by the daughter of Robert, Lord Trimlestown, and born in 1709. He was, in 1741, elected M.P. for St. Mawes, in Cornwall, and became, in 1747, comptroller to the Prince of Wales' household. He afterwards made peace with the Court, and received various promotions and marks of favour besides the peerage. In 1739, he published anonymously a volume of poems possessing considerable merit. He was converted from Popery, and wrote some vigorous verses on the occasion. Unfortunately, however, he relapsed, and again celebrated the event in a very weak poem, entitled 'Faith.' He died in 1788. Although a man of decided talent, as his 'Ode to Mankind' proves, Nugent does not stand very high either in the catalogue of Irish patriots or of royal and noble authors.' -Gilfillan's "Less-known Brit. Poets," vol. iii. p. 261. See Campbell's "Specimens."

SIXTH PERIOD.

840.-REMORSE.

From 1727 to 1780.

Is chance a guilt, that my disastrous heart,

For mischief never meant, must ever smart? Can self-defence be sin? Ah, plead no more! What though no purposed malice stained thee o'er ?

Had heaven befriended thy unhappy side, Thou hadst not been provoked-or thou hadst died.

Far be the guilt of homeshed blood from

all

On whom, unsought, embroiling dangers fall! Still the pale dead revives, and lives to me, To me through Pity's eye condemned to see. Remembrance veils his rage, but swells his fate;

Grieved I forgive; and am grown cool too late.

Young and unthoughtful then; who knows, one day,

What ripening virtues might have made their way!

He might have lived till folly died in shame,
Till kindling wisdom felt a thirst for fame.
He might perhaps his country's friend have
proved;

Both happy, generous, candid, and beloved; He might have saved some worth, now doomed to fall,

And I, perchance, in him, have murdered all.
O fate of late repentance! always vain :
Thy remedies but lull undying pain.
Where shall my hope find rest? No mother's

care

Shielded my infant innocence with prayer: No father's guardian hand my youth maintained,

Called forth my virtues, or from vice restrained;

Is it not thine to snatch some powerful arm, First to advance, then screen from future harm?

Am I returned from death to live in pain?
Or would imperial pity save in vain ?
Distrust it not. What blame can mercy find,
Which gives at once a life, and rears a mind?
Mother, miscalled, farewell-of sonl severe,
This sad reflexion yet may force one tear :

All I was wretched by to you I owed;
Alone from strangers every comfort flowed!

Lost to the life you gave, your son no more,
And now adopted, who was doomed before,
New born, I may a nobler mother claim,
But dare not whisper her immortal name;
Supremely lovely, and serenely great,
Majestic mother of a kneeling state:
Queen of people's heart, who ne'er before
Agreed-yet now with one consent adore!
One contest yet remains in this desire,
Who most shall give applause where all
admire.

Richard Savage.-Born 1698, Died 1743.

841.-THE WANDERER.

Yon mansion, made by beaming tapers gay, Drowns the dim night, and counterfeits the day;

From lumined windows glancing on the eye,
Around, athwart, the frisking shadows fly.
There midnight riot spreads illusive joys,
And fortune, health, and dearer time destroys.
Soon death's dark agent to luxuriant ease
Shall wake sharp warnings in some fierce
disease.

O man! thy fabric's like a well-formed state;

Thy thoughts, first ranked, were sure designed the great;

Passions plebeians are, which faction raise; Wine, like poured oil, excites the raging

blaze;

Then giddy anarchy's rude triumphs rise:
Then sovereign Reason from her empire flies:
That ruler once deposed, wisdom and wit,
To noise and folly place and power submit:
Like a frail bark thy weakened mind is tost,
Unsteered, unbalanced, till its wealth is lost.

The miser-spirit eyes the spendthrift heir,
And mourns, too late, effects of sordid care.
His treasures fly to cloy each fawning slave,
Yet grudge a stone to dignify his grave.
For this, low-thoughted craft his life em-
ployed;

For this, though wealthy, he no wealth enjoyed;

For this, he griped the poor, and alms denied,

Unfriended lived, and unlamented died. Yet smile, grieved shade! when that unprosperous store

Fast lessens, when gay hours return no

more;

Smile at thy heir, beholding, in his fall,
Men once obliged, like him, ungrateful all!
Then thought-inspiring woe his heart shall
mend,

And prove his only wise, unflattering friend.
Folly exhibits thus unmanly sport,
While plotting mischief keeps reserved her
court.

Lo! from that mount, in blasting sulphur broke,

Stream flames voluminous, enwrapped with smoke!

In chariot-shape they whirl up yonder tower, Lean on its brow, and like destruction lower! From the black depth a fiery legion springs; Each bold bad spectre claps her sounding wings:

And straight beneath a summoned, traitorous band,

On horror bent, in dark convention stand: From each fiend's mouth a ruddy vapour flows,

Glides through the roof, and o'er the council

glows:

The villains, close beneath the infection pent, Feel, all possessed, their rising galls ferment; And burn with faction, hate, and vengeful ire,

For rapine, blood, and devastation dire! But justice marks their ways: she waves in air

The sword, high-threatening, like a comet's glare.

While here dark villany herself deceives, There studious honesty our view relieves. A feeble taper from yon lonesome room, Scattering thin rays, just glimmers through

the gloom.

There sits the sapient bard in museful mood, And glows impassioned for his country's good!

All the bright spirits of the just combined, Inform, refine, and prompt his towering mind!

Richard Savage.-Born 1698, Died 1743.

842.-THE GRAVE.

Whilst some affect the sun, and some the shade,

Some flee the city, some the hermitage;
Their aims as various, as the roads they take
In journeying through life;-the task be
mine

To paint the gloomy horrors of the tomb;
Th' appointed place of rendezvous, where all

These travellers meet.--Thy succours I implore,

Eternal king! whose potent arm sustains The keys of hell and death.--The Gravedread thing!

Men shiver when thou'rt named: Nature, appall'd,

Shakes off her wonted firmness.--Ah! how dark

Thy long-extended realms, and rueful wastes! Where nought but silence reigns, and night, dark night,

Dark as was chaos, ere the infant sun
Was roll'd together, or had tried his beams
Athwart the gloom profound.--The sickly
taper,

By glimm'ring through thy low-brow'd misty vaults

(Furr'd round with mouldy damps, and ropy slime),

Lets fall a supernumerary horror,

And only serves to make thy night more irksome.

Well do I know thee by thy trusty yew, Cheerless, unsocial plant! that loves to dwell 'Midst skulls and coffins, epitaphs and

worms:

Where light-heel'd ghosts, and visionary shades,

Beneath the wan cold moon (as fame reports) Embodied, thick, perform their mystic rounds. No other merriment, dull tree, is thine.

See yonder hallow'd fane ;-the pious work Of names once famed, now dubious or forgot, And buried 'midst the wreck of things which

were;

There lie interr'd the more illustrious dead. The wind is up: hark! how it howls! Methinks

Till now I never heard a sound so dreary : Doors creak, and windows clap, and night's

foul bird,

Rook'd in the spire, screams loud: the gloomy aisles

Black plaster'd, and hung round with shreds of 'scutcheons

And tatter'd coats of arms, send back the sound

Laden with heavier airs, from the low vaults, The mansions of the dead.-Roused from their slumbers,

In grim array the grisly spectres rise,
Grin horrible, and, obstinately sullen,
Pass and repass, hush'd as the foot of Night.
Again the screech-owl shrieks: ungracious
sound!

I'll hear no more; it makes one's blood run chill.

Quite round the pile, a row of reverend elms

(Coeval near with that) all ragged show, Long lash'd by the rude winds. Some rift half down

Their branchless trunks; others so thin a-top, That scarce two crows could lodge in the same tree.

Strange things, the neighbours say, have happen'd here:

Wild shrieks have issued from the hollow tombs:

Dead men have come again, and walk'd about;

And the great bell has toll'd, unrung, untouch'd,

(Such tales their cheer at wake or gossiping, When it draws near to witching time of night.)

Oft, in the lone churchyard at night I've

seen,

By glimpse of moonshine chequering through the trees,

The schoolboy, with his satchel in his hand, Whistling aloud to bear his courage up, And lightly tripping o'er the long flat stones (With nettles skirted, and with moss o'ergrown),

That tell in homely phrase who lie below. Sudden he starts, and hears, or thinks he hears,

The sound of something purring at his heels; Full fast he flies, and dares not look behind him,

Till out of breath he overtakes his fellows:
Who gather round, and wonder at the tale
Of horrid apparition, tall and ghastly,

That walks at dead of night, or takes his stand

O'er some new-open'd grave; and (strange to tell!)

Evanishes at crowing of the cock.

Robert Blair.-Born 1699, Died 1746.

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Here the lank-sided miser, worst of felons, Who meanly stole (discreditable shift!) From back, and belly too, their proper cheer, Eased of a tax it irk'd the wretch to pay To his own carcase, now lies cheaply lodged, By clamorous appetites no longer teased, Nor tedious bills of charges and repairs. But, ah! where are his rents, his comingsin ?

Ay now you've made the rich man poor indeed;

Robb'd of his gods, what has he left behind?
O cursed lust of gold! when for thy sake
The fool throws up his interest in both
worlds;

First starved in this, then damn'd in that to

come.

Robert Blair.-Born 1699, Died 1746.

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845.-UNPREPARED FOR DEATH. How shocking must thy summons be, O Death!

To him that is at ease in his possessions; Who, counting on long years of pleasure here,

Is quite unfurnish'd for that world to come!
In that dread moment, how the frantic soul
Raves round the walls of her clay tenement,
Runs to each avenue, and shrieks for help,
But shrieks in vain -How wishfully she
looks

On all she's leaving, now no longer hers!
A little longer, yet a little longer,

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