necessary to excel in that art. He published a Collection of such of his Works as he thought the best, in 1761, in four volumes duodecimo; and another was published since. Among these, his Satires, intitled, the Love of Fame, or, the Universal Passion, are by most considered as his principal performance. They are finely characteristic of that excessive pride, or rather folly, of following prevailing fashions, and aiming to be more than we really are, or can possibly be. They were written in early life; and if smoothness of style, brilliancy of wit, and simplicity of subject, can ensure applause, our author may demand it on this occasion. After the death of his wife, as he had never given any attention to domestic affairs, so knowing his unfitness for it, he referred the whole care and management of his family to his housekeeper; to whom he left a handsome legacy. It is observed by Dean Swift, that if Dr. Young, in his Satires, had been more merry or severe, they would have been more generally pleasing; because mankind are more apt to be pleased with ill-nature and mirth than with solid sense and instruction. It is also observed of his Night Thoughts, that though they are chiefly flights of thinking almost superhuman; such as the description of Death, from his secret stand, noting down the follies of a Bacchanalian Society; the Epitaph upon the Departed World; and the issuing of Satan from his dungeon; yet these, and a great number of other remarkable fine thoughts, are sometimes overcast with an air of gloominess and melancholy, which have a disagreeable tendency, and must be unpleasing to a • The Night Thoughts undoubtedly have their defects, as well as beauties; but 'tis generally allowed, the latter are far more numerous, and so remarkably striking and con cheerful mind; however, it must be acknowledged by all, that they evidence a singular genius, a lively fancy, an extensive knowledge of men and things, especially of the feelings of the human heart, and paint, in the strongest colours, the vanity of life, and all its fading honours and emoluments, the benefits of true piety, especially in the views of death, and the most unanswerable arguments in support of the soul's immortality, and a future state. G. W. spicuous to the discerning reader, as in his view to eclipse the failings which otherwise might be discovered therein. Dr. Young was convinced of the impropriety of writing the Night Thoughts in a style so much above the understanding of common readers; and said to a friend, a week or two before he died, that was he to publish such another Treatise (respecting subjects) it should be in less elevated language, and more suited to the capacities of all. THE Complaint. NIGHT I. ON LIFE, DEATH, AND IMMORTALITY. To the Right Hon. Arthur Onslow, Esq. Speaker of the House of Commons. TIR'D Nature's sweet restorer, balmy Sleep! From short (as usual) and disturb'd repose At random drove, her helm of reason lost. Night, sable goddess! from her ebon throne, |