rein, he has a grandeur in the irregularities of his flight, that shews an extensive range of fancy, of which the poet may not, perhaps, have been thought capable.

Mr. Hayley now seemed determined not to linger in the career of fame, and in 1782, the literati were surprised at the publication of the "Essay on Epic Poetry." It abounds in melody of numbers and copiousness of expression, but unfortunately betrays many marks of a mind, negligent of the necessary connexion between thought and language. The most fastidious critic must allow it 'to possess numerous documents of industrious investigation and correct taste, with unquestionable proofs of a profound knowledge of the subject. But this is not sufficient; the professor who delivers lectures on the subject matter of his prospectus, should be careful not to give to his scholars an opportunity to read lectures to him in their turn. He, who undertakes the arduous task of instructing others, should be concise, luminous, and impressive. This excellence has been rarely attained by our author in his Essay on Epic Poetry. He is loose, inadequate, and careless of appropriate style. Had not Cicero, Quinctilian, and Longinus, suited their method and terms to their subjects, they would not have been raised to that pre-eminence of authority which they have se long enjoyed*.

*It must be admitted, that the notes to the Essay evince a great fund of learning, and a correct knowledge of different languages.

Of

Of his dramatic productions, we cannot speak in a very favourable manner. His rhyming comedies can only be considered as so many experiments, hazarded to gratify the curiosity of the writer. They are chaste in sentiment, and pure in language; but they do not possess a sufficient degree of wit, humour, and interest, the principal things that could recommend them to public favour.

The tragedies of Mr. Hayley furnish a striking proof that he was unacquainted with the nature of the English drama. The versification is correct, and frequently rich, but the plots are devoid of incident, and our affections are fast asleep, when the bosom should be agitated by the varied passion of the tragic That judgment must have been very erroneous, which could entertain any hopes of the success of such plays, while Julius Cæsar, Cato, and Irene, were discarded from the stage.

muse.

His miscellaneous works are both instructive and amusing, and his compositions in prose, though not distinguished for energy or grace, possess both in a degree far above mediocrity.

Mr. Hayley seems to have taken Pope for his model, not with the design of emulating, but of approaching him in a nearer degree than any of his predecessors or contemporaries. Like that great master, he has been minute in his attention to cadences, pauses, and the charms of modulation. But his sentiments are too much expanded, when they ought to be condensed. His amplification is not without magnificence; but he amplifies when a ju

dicious

dicious and striking contraction is necessary. Not satisfied with presenting a combination of ideas, in one advantageous light, he goes on enlarging, until its original vigour is impaired, and the languor of the poet and that of the reader become reciprocal.. Yet, even here, he has the merit of displaying elegance and grace in his excursions; but he is elegant without strength, and graceful without precision. Poetry too diffused, like empire too extended,

"Exchanges solid strength for feeble splendour."

His imagery is judicious and sometimes lofty, but it wants those vivifying sparks of genius that brighten into a blaze of enthusiastic admiration for the poct. He is without vehemence and impetuosity, but he is also without inequality and roughness. The creative faculty is not to be traced in his works, but he has made his muse subservient to the noblest purposes; and the name of HAYLEY will be remembered with honour, while polite literature, morality, and taste shall continue to be cultivated, prac

tised and admired.

In private life, the conduct of Hayley is entitled to the highest panegyric. From his earliest introduction into society, he has been remarkable for amenity of manners, integrity of principle, and ine dependence of mind. He has never condescended to flatter his superiors in rank, nor has he courted popularity by those unworthy means, to which genius has been known to prostitute its dignity. An uniform friend to virtue and talents, he has, in many instances, rescued

rescued innocence from distress, and merit from

penury.

The monument to the memory of Collins, the poet, in Chichester cathedral, was designed and the epitaph written by Mr. Hayley, who was a very liberal subscriber towards its erection.

No person lives in more elegant retirement than Mr. Hayley. His grounds at Eartham, have been laid out by himself, with as much taste, as if they had been superintended by Mr. Capability Brown. He now spends much of his time at Telpham, near Bognor, where he has built an elegant cottage, for the purpose of affording his son the benefit of seabathing, whose long declining state of health has unhappily involved him in great affliction.

Q.

THE COUNTESS OF DERBY.

MANY females have risen from the lowest walks of life to distinguished eminence; some on account of their personal charms, others by fortuitous circumstances, and many by adding cunning to their attractions, but few, very few, by their intrinsic merit, their superior beauty, and their virtuous deportment united.

The stage is a dangerous situation for a young woman of a lively temper and personal accomplishments, especially when her professional excellencies have stamped her a favourite with the public. To 1799-1800. Hh preserve

preserve the line of virtue amidst such various temp tations, and amidst numerous admirers possessed of -titles and affluence, evinces a strength of principle and a purity of heart that justly call for the greatest admiration. When a person in such a state, and so circumstanced, falls beneath the allurements which continually present themselves, even the virtuous are more disposed to pity than to censure, to excuse than to condemn. But when one thus placed, nobly braves every temptation, resists all the glittering attractions which are held out, and, without paternal guardianship, steers her course through the intricate quicksands, without once deserving a censorious remark from the observant multitude, it is proper to hold such an one forth as an example deserving of praise and imitation.

.

Mr. Farren, her Ladyship's father, served a regular apprenticeship to a surgeon and apothecary at Cork; and his brother rose by his merit, to the rank of captain in the 64th regiment of foot. This gentleman was a scholar and an author, and wrote an essay on taste, which was put into the hands of Dr. Hawkesworth, and met with his approbation, but we - believe it was never published.

The father of Miss Farren, after he was out of his time, set up in business for. himself at Cork, but though he was generally respected, and married the daughter of Mr. Wright, an eminent brewer at Liverpool, with whom he had some fortune; his praċtise failed, and at length he became insolvent. It - must not be concealed, that his conduct, in some re

spects,