were wiser and more public spirited should they, |spect for the living and the dead, by prefixing to with part of those sums of money spent that way, the first part of "Liberty" an address which should send persons of genius in architecture, painting, commemorate their worth and his esteem. Mr. and sculpture, to study those arts abroad, and im- Talbot died in his twenty-fourth year, and Thomport them into England. Did they but once take son's eulogy of him is marked by simplicity and root here, how they might flourish in such a gene- tenderness. rous and wealthy country! The nature of the Though the most laboured, and in its author's great painter, architect, and statuary, is the same opinion the best of his productions, “Liberty" was she ever was; and is no doubt as profuse of beauty, never popular, and perhaps most persons have proportion, lovely forms, and real genius, as former- found it as difficult to read to an end as Dr. Johnly she was to the sunny realms of Greece, did we son did, who eagerly avails himself of the neglect but study the one and exert the other. In England, with which it was treated to indulge in one of those if we can not reach the gracefully superfluous, yet sneers which render his account of Thomson a I hope we shall never lose the substantial, neces- memorial of his want of candour and injustice. It sary, and vital arts of life; such as depend on la- was inscribed to Frederick, Prince of Wales, and bour, liberty, and all commanding trade. For my probably enabled Mr. Lyttleton to introduce him part, I, who have no taste for smelling to an old to the notice of his Royal Highness. However musty stone, look upon those countries with an grieved at the coldness of the public towards his eye to poetry, in regard that the sisters reflect light favourite work, and that he felt it severely is beand images to one another, Now I mention yond a doubt, one at least of his friends gave him poetry, should you inquire after my muse, all every consolation which the most extravagant that I can answer is, that I believe she did not praises can afford. That exquisite flatterer, Aaron cross the channel with me. I know not whether Hill, whose taste and judgment gave zest to his your gardener at Eastbery has heard any thing eulogy, thus wrote to Thomson on the 17th of of her among the woods there; she has not thought February, 1734; and it is amusing to compare the fit to visit me while I have been in this once poetic opinion of a distinguished contemporary with that land, nor do I feel the least presage that she will. of posterity on the same subject. But not to lengthen out a letter that has no pretence to entertain you, give me leave only to add, that I can never lose the pleasing sense I have of your goodness to me; and it is a hope that I must flatter myself with your continuance of it upon my return to England; for which my veneration and love, I will be vain enough to say, increase every day, even to fondness and devotion." DEAR SIR, "You have lately given me two pleasures; for one of them I am indebted to fortune, who brought me near you, though not quite near enough, the other night, at the playhouse. The second I owe to a hand, I am infinitely more proud to be obliged by; for I received your beautiful present of Liberty from its author. It will be, in all Thomson returned to England in 1732, with senses; an ornament to my study. It will also, his general, information much increased, and his be such to my heart and my memory; for I shall opinion of mankind considerably enlarged. New never be able to think of a loveliness in moral, a scenes rather excited than lessened his poetic ar frankness in social, or a penetration in political dour; and no sooner was he settled than he re-life, to which you have not, in this inimitable sumed his pen, choosing for his subject "Liberty." masterpiece, both of language and genius, given It has been erroneously supposed by every bio- a force, and a delicacy, which few shall be horn grapher of Thomson, that immediately on his re- with a capacity to feel, and none ever with a caturn he obtained the sinecure situation of Secretary pacity to exceed. of Briefs in the Court of Chancery, and that soon "I do not know a pleasure I should enjoy with after he commenced his poem his young friend more pride than that of filling up the leisure of a Mr. Talbot died. The slightest attention to dates well employed year, in exerting the critic, on your will show the error of these statements. Sir Charles poem; in considering it first, with a view to the Talbot did not become Chancellor until the 29th vastness of its conception, in the general plan; of November, 1733, shortly before which time Mr. secondly, to the grandeur, the depth, the unleanTalbot died; so that in fact "Liberty" must have ing, self-supported richness of the sentiments; been nearly finished before his decease, and he did and thirdly, to the strength, the elegance, the not live to witness the service which his father music, the comprehensive living energy, and close conferred on Thomson by appointing him to the propriety of your expression. I look upon this office alluded to. The truth then appears to be, mighty work as the last stretched blaze of our exthat actuated either by gratitude to his patron, or piring genius. It is the dying effort of despairing by regard for his accomplished son, or probably by and indignant virtue, and will stand, like one of both feelings, the Poet resolved to evince his re- those immortal pyramids, which carry their mag nificence through times that wonder to see nothing casion he suggested the establishment of a tragic round them but uncomfortable desert! academy, and asked him if he thought the Prince "Yet you must give me leave, while I but ad- of Wales would give his support to the plan:-a mire your genius, to love your soul, that has such remark indicative of Thomson's being sufficiently compass of humanity! your poem is not newer connected with the Prince to be aware of his senthan your mind, nor your expression stronger timents. A letter from Hill in May 1736, proves than your virtue. Whatever school-enthusiasm that in consequence of the failure of "Liberty" as has misdreamt of Homer, that he knew all arts, a speculation, the author generously resolved to and that his works have taught their practice, secure the publisher from loss: might be almost said and proved of Mr. Thom" One of the natural growths of such a mind, son's 'Liberty,' without partiality or flattery; as we see in your writings, is the generosity of whatever has been suffered, done, or thought, your purpose, in favour of the bookseller. I am through all the revolutions of forgotten time, your in love with the humanity that inspired such a more than magic muse revokes, reacts, and ani- sentiment; but, for the sake of my country, wish mates, till we become cotemporaries of every busy it may never be carried into execution, because age, and see, and feel the changes, which they shone or sunk by. "I am pleased to hear that Mr. Pope was so yet fain would I hope, it is not in the prophetic kind as to make any inquiries concerning me. spirit of the character, that a poet, like you, as- Your good nature was justly and generously emserts, The root of this evil is too deep to be ployed in the mention you make of poor Mr. pluck'd up;'" and he then approves, with the Savage." bitterness of a disappointed author, of the ana- The remarks of Johnson on the alteration and thema which Thomson had pronounced against curtailment made by Lord Lyttelton in "Liberty," the dramatic taste of the time. On the same oc- are too just not to produce conviction, and in this edition, as well as most others, his wish to see it deputy's hands to-morrow. Petty* came here two exhibited as its author left it is realised. A letter which the Poet wrote to his friend Mr. Ross about this period displays the affection which he bore to his relations, and proves his readiness to contribute to their support. The tragedy to which he alludes was "Agamemnon." "DEAR ROSS, London, Nov. 6, 1736. or three days ago; I have not yet seen the round man of God to be. He is to be parsonified a few days hence. How a gown and cassock will become him; and with what a holy leer he will edify the devout females! There is no doubt of his having a call, for he is immediately to enter upon a tolerable living God grant him more, and as fat as himself. It rejoices me to see some one I own I have a good deal of assurance, after worthy, honest, excellent man raised, at least, to asking one favour of you, never to answer your independence. Pray make my compliments to letter till I ask another. But not to mince the my Lord President,† and all friends. I shall be matter, and all apologies apart, hearken to my glad to hear more at large from you. Just now request.-My sisters have been advised by their I am with the Alderman, who wishes you all hapfriends to set up at Edinburgh a little milliner's piness." shop; and if you can convenightly advance to them twelve pounds, on my account, it will be a particular favour. That will set them a-going, and I design from time to time to send them Hamilton: goods from hence. My whole account I will pay "I lately heard from my sisters at Edinburgh, you when you come up here, not in poetical paper that you were so good as to promise to advance credit, but in the solid money of this dirty world, to them, on my account, a trifle of money, which I will not draw upon you, in case you be not pre-I proposed to allow them yearly. The sum is pared to defend yourself; but if your purse be sixteen pounds sterling, and which I would have valiant, please to inquire for Jean or Elizabeth paid them eight pounds, sterling at Martinmas, Thomson, at the Reverend Mr. Gusthart's, and and the other eight pounds at Whitsuntide, the if this letter be not a sufficient testimony of the payment to begin from last Martinmas. So that debt, I will send you whatever you desire. the first year will be completed at Whitsunday His sisters and his forthcoming tragedy appear still to have divided his thoughts, for in February he thus wrote about both to Mr. Gavin "It is late, and I would not lose this post. Like next. Your doing this I shall look upon as a a laconic man of business, therefore, I must here particular favour, and the money shall be paid stop short; though I have several things to im- here at your order as you please to direct Please, part to you, and, through your canal, to the dear-upon receipt of this, to send to them at Mr. Gustest, truest, heartiest youth that treads on Scottish hart's and to advance to them the payment for last ground. The next letter I write you shall be Martinmas, which place to my account. * Had I washed clean from business in the Castalian foun tain. had time this post, I would have written to them to wait upon you. I have a tragedy, entitled “I am whipping and spurring to finish a tra- Agamemnon, to be represented here about three gedy for you this winter, but am still at some dis weeks hence. Please to let me know how many tance from the goal, which makes me fear being copies I shall send to you, and you shall have distanced. Remember me to all friends, and above them in fulltime. I have some thoughts of printthem all to Mr. Forbes. Though my affection to ing it for myself, but if I do not, I will take care him is not fanned by letters, yet is it as high as you shall have what copies of it you demand. If when I was his brother in the virtu, and played at I can serve you in any thing else here, I shall be chess with him in a post-chaise. I am, dear Ross, Most sincerely and affectionately yours; On the 12th of the following January, he again wrote to Ross. very glad." In 1786, he was one of the committee of managers of the Society for the Encouragement of Learning, his colleagues being either persons of high rank or of considerable literary reputation. Thomson's next work originated in gratitude. His constant and generous patron, Lord Chan"Having been entirely in the country of late, cellor Talbot, died in February 1737, and soon finishing my play, I did not receive yours till some afterwards, the beautiful poem to his memory apdays ago. It was kind in you not to draw rashly peared. Pieces of this nature, however creditable upon me, which at present had put me into danger; but very soon, that is to say about two months hence, I shall have a golden buckler, and you may draw boldly. My play is received in Drury Lane, and will be put into my Lord Chamberlain's or his "Petty," thus spoken of, was Dr. Patrick Murdoch, the oily man of God" of the "Castle of Indolence," and one of Thomson's biographers and editors. ↑ Duncan Forbes. MEMOIR OF JAMES THOMSON. the feelings may be which inspired them, must might, however, without meanness, have asked to possess extraordinary intrinsic merit to create in- retain what he already possessed, and the other terest when all remembrance of the individual might have had the urbanity to offer to continue whom they celebrate has passed away. This that which it was ungenerous to take away; but claim is possessed by the article in question, and he who, trusting to the merit of his works, suffers the same reader who turns from the cold and for- himself to believe that they will procure him that mal, though elegant versification of "Liberty," if courtesy from rank which in England is reserved he commence the tribute to Lord Talbot, will be for those possessed of wealth, birth, or political ininduced to go on; and should he not think himself fluence, will find himself fatally mistaken, and like repaid by any other passage, he will be amply Thomson will have cause to deplore his error. gratified by the description of the delicate species of patronage which it is fit for wealth or greatness to bestow. "Let learning, arts, let universal worth, The gracious stream that cheers the lettered world, The opportunity is also taken to defend Bishop per dressed in the place they were in, he had orRundle, his early patron and the confidential dered it from an adjacent tavern, and as a prelude friend of the chancellor, who incurred the suspicion of heresy, and it is not too much to say, that whilst this piece does honour to the virtues of his heart, it elevates his character as a poet. His motive for perpetuating the fame of Lord Talbot was wholly disinterested: it was, indeed, a pure offering to that setting sun on whose rays depended all the brightness of his own prospects. a With the chancellor he lost the situation which rendered him independent; and though Lord Hardwicke, Talbot's successor, is said to have kept The most valuable acquaintance which Thomthe office open in expectation that Thomson would apply for it, he failed to do so, and it was given to son ever formed was with Mr., afterwards the celeanother. From what this neglect of his interests brated Lord Lyttelton, whom Pope has described arose must be left to conjecture. It is said that he as being was listless and indifferent: but he may perhaps have fancied that his eminence was sufficiently great to have induced the new chancellor to offer but the precise time or manner of its commencewhat his lordship imagined would have been ment is no where mentioned. Murdoch says sought, and possibly the Poet was deprived of the Lyttelton presented him to the Prince of Wales office from a mistaken pride on both sides. He before he was personally known to him; and John son states that this occurred after he lost his situa- acts and scenes, proper turns of passion and sention of Secretary of Briefs, which was early in timents pointed out to him, and the distress made 1737. On being introduced, his Royal Highness as touching and important, as new, and interestinquired into the state of his affairs, and Thomson ing, and regular, as any that was ever introduced having answered that "they were in a more poeti- on the stage at Athens, for the instruction of that cal posture than formerly," the prince granted him polite nation. But, perhaps the delicacy of the a pension of 100l. a year, but of which he lived to subject, and the judgment required in saying bold be deprived. truths, whose boldness should not make them deIn 1738 Agamemnon appeared, but its reception generate into offensiveness, deterred him. His was far from favourable; and a ludicrous story is present story is the death of Agamemnon. An told of Thomson's agony at witnessing the repre adulteress, who murders her husband, is but an sentation, on the first night, being so great, as to odd example to be presented before, and admonish oblige him to excuse his delay in meeting the the beauties of Great Britain. However, if he will friends with whom he had promised to sup, saying be advised, it shall not be a shocking, though it that his wig had been so disordered by perspiration can not be a noble story. He will enrich it with that he could not appear until he had submitted to a profusion of worthy sentiments and high poetry, the hands of the hair-dresser. It is said, too, that but it will be written in a rough, harsh style, and such was his excitement upon the occasion, that in numbers great, but careless. He wants that he audibly accompanied the actors in their recita- neatness and simplicity of diction which is so nation, until a friend reminded him of the indiscre- tural in dialogue. He can not throw the light of tion. Pope was present at its appearance, and was an elegant ease on his thoughts, which will make honoured by the audience with a general clap, a the sublimest turns of art appear the genuine unmark of approbation which, though not uncommon premeditated dictates of the heart of the speaker. in other countries, is rarely evinced by an English But with all his faults, he will have a thousand audience to a man who is merely a poet. Aga- masterly strokes of a great genius seen in all he memnon was inscribed to the Princess of Wales, writes; and he will be applauded by those who in a dedication which is good because it is short, most censure him." and free from the fulsome panegyrics common to In the ensuing year, 1739, his play entitled Edsuch addresses. The prologue was furnished by ward and Eleanora was offered to the stage, but Mallet; the epilogue, which from not being as was prohibited from being represented. To unsigned to any other author, may in its present form derstand this measure, it is necessary to allude to be considered Thomson's own, is remarkable for the politics of the period. The heir apparent, Frebeing altered after the first representation; and in derick, Prince of Wales, lived in open hostility to all the editions of the play a note occurs, stating his father George the Second; his house was the that the whole, excepting the six lines with which rendezvous of the opposition, and as the advocate it commences, "being very justly disliked by the of liberal opinions he was the idol of the whigs and audience, another was substituted in its place." other dicontented persons. The plot of Edward Whether the original epilogue was written by him and Eleanora is derived from the well known story is doubtful, and it would seem from the substituted of Eleanor of Castile, the wife of King Edward lines, that those which gave place to it were ob- the First, having preserved her husband's life in noxious from their indelicacy. With much tact the Holy Land by sucking the poison from his he hails their rejection as an indication of a better wound.. As Edward was then heir apparent to taste: "Thus he began:-And you approved the strain;. and he concluded with congratulating them on the Shortly before Agamemnon was produced, Dr. Rundle thus wrote to Mrs. Sandys, whence it appears that that lady had suggested a subject for a play to him, which he once intended to adopt. "My friend Thomson, the poet, is bringing another untoward heroine on the stage, and has deferred writing on the subject you chose for him, though he had the whole scheme drawn out into the crown, he stood in the same position as the "Edward, return; lose not a day, an hour, |