EDWARD CHURCH. EDWARD CHURCH was a native of Boston, and brother to Dr Benjamin Church already spoken of. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1759. He became known as a writer in the early part of the revolutionary contest, and at a period before this had exercised his pen to some effect; for we have been informed that he assisted his brother in the composition of many of his poems. When the federal constitution was adopted, Church, as we are given to understand, expected an office, in which hope being disappointed, he gave vent to his spleen in a satirical poem called The Dangerous Vice *******, meaning the Vice President John Adams, the person whom he imagined had hindered his advancement. His philippics however were not confined to a single object, but branched out into a harsh and bitter invective against the officers of the government generally, and the members of the Order of Cincinnati. Some years afterward he obtained the appointment of Consul for the United States at Lisbon. More of his history we are not acquainted with. The satire above referred to, is the only considerable work which he is known to have published. It shows no mean talent in that species of writing, and if we could sympathise with the excited feelings of the satirist, we should involuntarily pay him the credit of our adıniration for his eloquence. But from the motives which prompted his indignation, he fails to arouse us to any feeling correspondent with his own. His individual pique is too apparent. The satire is pointed, caustic, and spirited, but we never forget that it is vindictive and exaggerated. BEHOLD the Merchant! once with plenty bless'd, And quaff'd enjoyments from the fountain head; For equal liberty with all mankind. Behold him now! from his possessions hurl'd, See the poor soldier! maim'd and seam'd with scars, His hard-earn'd wages in his country's wars, His crazy carcase tott ring to a fall, Propt by a crutch, or by some friendly wall, Ape not the fashions of the foreign great The unthinking laugh, but all the thinking hate Retrench your board, for e'en the guests who dine, *The badge of the order of the Cincinnati. Creation on creation, ever new; An humbler roof-could Madam condescend- Το go to plays, balls, routs, in hackney coach; And as to walking 't is so vulgar now— Ladies have left it off, and scarce know how. Women, I grant, are frequent in the street, But real ladies, Sir, you'll rarely meet. But who art thou, who durst advice intrude, Take back thy niggard counsel, nor presume To take up their old trades, or dirty plough. Ye would-be titled! whom, in evil hour- Be prudent, modest, moderate, grateful, wise, Ye faithful guardians of your country's weal, But if which heaven avert !—we must have kings, With all the curses the tiara brings, Let us not frame the idol we adore, But own the monster of some distant shore, Bow to some foreign god, already grown, Would beggar all his siaves of all their store, * * * * Speak boldly then-ye wise!—and act in season, Or soon he 'll stalk a giant on the earth, Great Washington! Columbia's prop and pride, Ye chosen people of the King of kings, From whose behest your present being springs; Who stamp'd this title on your federal birth, Subjects in heaven-but citizens on earth; Who gave you to possess these happy plains Where peace and plenty dwell, and freedom reigns; Freedom! the glorious prize-should ye resign, Vengeance awaits you from the power divine; Freedom! which heroes earn'd with their best blood, And patriots bought with every other good; Freedom! which roused the Roman's honest zeal Against his friend to lift the fatal steel, Freedom! which those firm patriots deified, Who in Rome's senate stabb'd the parricide. Freedom! for fair Columbia bravely won SAMUEL EWING. SAMUEL EWING was a resident of Philadelphia. We believe he was the son of Dr John Ewing, Provost of the University of Pennsylvania. He is known as the author of the Reflections in Solitude, a poem first published in the Port Folio. He seems to have looked to Cowper for his model. His poetry was the work of his early years, and though not brilliant, has good qualities sufficient to recommend it to notice. REFLECTIONS IN SOLITUDE. To me, no heedless, listless looker on, What place, along the hedge, the op'ning rose, That nature's children breathe, as flutt'ring light From bough to bough, they make their duty, pleasure. In rural scenes, I sought and found her there. |