Foremost and leaning from her golden cloud
The venerable Margret see!

"Welcome, my noble Son, (she cries aloud,)

To this, thy kindred train, and me:
Pleas'd in thy lineaments we trace
A Tudor's fire, a Beaufort's grace.
Thy lib'ral heart, thy judging eye,
The flower unheeded shall descry,
And bid it round heav'n's altars shed
The fragrance of its blushing head:
Shall raise from earth the latent gem
To glitter on the diadem.

Lo! Granta waits to lead her blooming band,
Not obvious, not obtrusive, she

No vulgar praise, no venal incense flings;
Nor dares with courtly tongue refin'd

Profane thy inborn royalty of mind:

She reveres herself and thee.

With modest pride to grace thy youthful brow
The laureate wreath, that Cecil wore, she brings,
And to thy just, thy gentle hand

Submits the fasces of her sway,

While Spirits blest above and Men below

Join with glad voice the loud symphoniaus lay."

Mr. Gray will not be suspected of a disposition to flatter, by those who knew the independence of his mind.

The Duke for many years past has been occupied in collecting books, with more assiduity than almost any nobleman of his time. His library is

* The Countess was a Beaufort, and married to a Tudor: hence the application of this line to the DUKE of GRAFTON, who claims descent from both these families.

copious,"

copious, splendid, and well chosen; and is particularly valuable for many incomparable copies of the scarcest and most esteemed classic authors in their earliest editions, which the liberality of their owner renders accessible to all students who wish to consult and use them, in the true spirit of one, who loves, and promotes, and patronizes, literature.* We will venture to assert, without fear of con tradiction, or any imputation of exaggeration and servility, that none of the Duke's contemporaries, under similar circumstances of situation, with a very numerous and expensive family, can boast such instances of spontaneous generosity and disinterested service to learned men, whether by relieving their embarassments, or encouraging their works.

The Duke is the reputed author of a wellwritten and judicious pamphlet, published about ten years ago, on the subject of the ChurchLiturgy and Subscriptions, which was favourably

Among numerous instances, a recent one may be instanced, relative to the new edition of GRIESBACH'S New Testament.His Grace offered to print a new edition in England, at his own expense; but, as Griesbach had been employed for many years in the improvement of his work, it was judged more expedient, that it should be re-printed on the continent, under the author's own inspection, upon paper sent from England by the Duke. This was done, and his Grace has since distributed a great number of copies. Others he has put on sale at a low charge, for the general convenience of the public.

received

1

received by the public, and has passed through several editions.*

In religion, he is understood to be friendly to Socinian or Unitarian doctrines, and he frequently attends the Unitarian chapel, in Essex-Street, of which Dr. DISNEY, since the resignation of Mr. LINDSEY, is become the officiating pastor. His Grace is said to have printed, for private circulation, a very interesting tract, containing his own private sentiments in matters of religion.

In person, the Duke of Grafton is of the middle size, but slender, with a countenance shrewd and intelligent, and thought to resemble that of his royal progenitors. His manners are highly agreeable and fascinating; his dress is remarkable for great plainness and neatness. As a parliamentary orator, he is very animated, and speaks with great dignity and interest; his style is strong and classical, and he always engages the respectful attention of his auditors. He has been admitted, even by his enemies, to be a nobleman of great talents and learning. Lord Chatham evinced his high opinion of him, by placing him at the head of his own administration; and Mr. Wilkes, and even Junius, have acknowledged, that he possesses the most elevated powers of mind.

His Grace is ranger of Whittlebury-Forest, his Majesty's game-keeper at Newmarket, receiver

* Entitled, "Hints submitted to the Serious Attention of the Clergy, Nobility, and Gentry, newly associated.”

general

general of the profits of the seals in the King's Bench and Common Pleas, and of the prizage on wines, chancellor of the University of Cambridge, high-steward of Dartmouth, recorder of Thetford and Coventry, a governor of the Charter-House, and a knight of the garter. May he long live the blessing of his family, and the ornament and hope of his country!

A. D.

MR. SECRETARY COOKE.

NOTWITHSTANDING the vehement opposition made by the people of Ireland to a closer union with Great Britain, yet that country almost ever has been, and it is likely ever will be, governed, even internally, by the counsels and advice of Englishmen.

Among those who have for some years past guided the affairs of Ireland, Mr. Cooke is not the least conspicuous. He is the son of the late Dr. Cooke, of King's College, Cambridge, who died two years since at Bath, a man distinguished for his high literary attainments.

Mr. Cooke, at an early age, was placed upon the King's foundation at Eton-School, where he received a classical education, and, when qualified, was sent to King's College, Cambridge, of which college his father was then provost.

In the year 1777, the late Earl of Buckinghamshire was appointed lord-lieutenant of Ireland, and the present Sir Richard Heron, who was then an eminent conveyancer, was appointed chief secretary to that nobleman's administration.

Sir Richard was not long in this situation, before he found that the duties of his office made it necessary for him to call in the assistance of some confidential person, who, to use his own phrase at the time, would be "a faithful drudge," in the character of a confidential clerk. Accordingly, Sir Richard applied to some of his friends, then at Dublin-Castle, to recommend him some young man of this description, who might be found at either of the English universities, possessing sufficient talents, and whose circumstances in life would render such a situation an object worthy his attention and acceptance.

By these friends, Mr. Cooke was recommended to Sir Richard. Upon being applied to, he gladly embraced the situation, and was appointed chief clerk, or, to use the more palatable expression, private secretary to the chief secretary, at a salary of 200 l. per annum.

Mr. Cooke continued for some time in this si tuation, in addition to which, he farther made himself useful to government, by supporting administration in many of their periodical publications, and by performing the duties of a certain non-descript office, which, though it wants a name, is ne

vertheless