virtuous deed, than all they can enjoy from the works of poetry and wit." Having a desire to take the degree of bachelor of divinity, he entered himself, in 1760, at Clare Hall, where he wrote the poenis on the accession and marriage of his present majesty, which are now published in the tale of "Solyman and Almena.” As, by the statutes of the university of Cambridge, a person may take his degrees without being compelled to become a resident, Mr. Langhorne was enabled to continue in the family of Mr. Cracroft, where, from a congeniality of sentiment, an attachment of the most tender nature originated between him and Miss Ann, the second daughter of that gentleman. This young lady was very accomplished, and, by her love for study, formed a striking contrast to the generality of modern females. She devoted much attention to the cultivation of the elegant arts, and, under the tuition of Mr. Langhorne, she became proficient in the Italian language. It also appears, that she peculiarly excelled in that delightful, that heavenly science, which --can soften steel and stone, Make tigers tame, and huge leviathans And this being her favourite study, our readers will readily conceive the impression it must have made on a heart of far less sensibility than that of Mr. Langhorne; for justly has it been observed, that "The man who hath no music in his soul, Is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils." The situation, however, in which this gentleman was placed can only be conceived, to its full extent, by those who have been in a similar predicament. Such can form a just idea of the feelings of our author, who, although possessed of all the facility of eloquence and gentlemanly manners which result from a liberal education and a mind of sensibility, although he found his heart overflowing with the sub limest sensation, yet it was long ere he could acquire sufficient resolution to make a declaration of his passion to her, who was the favourite daughter of his opulent employer. At length, however, he made known his feelings, and the result was a strong, though secret, attachment on the part of his pupil, who, from prudential motives and an apprehension, probably well founded, that the great disproportion of their circumstances would preclude the consent of her family to such a union, at first gave a direct refusal to his solicitations. Mr. Langhorne, however, by addressing to her some odes, elegies, and amatory expostulations, happily kept up the flame which he had elicited, and she remained "Constant as courage to the brave in battle, Constant as martyrs burning for their gods." But the disappointment which he had experienced rendering his situation at Hackthorn insupportable, he, in 1761, removed to Dagenham, in Essex, where he officiated as a curate, and though, like most men of talents and genius, he was obliged to depend on his exertions for support, yet he devoted a considerable portion of time to cultivate the friendship of the Muses, who had already adopted him as their favoured pupil. In 1759, he wrote the "Death of Adonis, a Pastoral Elegy, from Bion*," which, I think, though I have never observed it particularly noticed in any criticism on his works, is one of the most charming of his poetical compositions. For instance, what can be prettier than the frantic address of Venus to the already dead Adonis. "Yet stay, lov'd youth, a moment, ere we part, A little moment, dear Adonis, stay And kiss thy Venus, ere those lips are clay. It was my intention to contrast some passages of this Elegy with extracts from a very elegant prose translation of Bion, by Edward du Bois, Esq. published in 1799, but the limits in which this memoir must be confined frustrates my ine? nation. Let those dear lips by mine once more be prest, Till thy last breath expire into my breast; Then, when life's ebbing pulse scarce, scarce can move, I'll catch thy soul, and drink thy dying love; That last-left pledge shall sooth my tortur'd breast, &c." The "Tears of Music," in memory of Handel, he wrote in 1760; the "Hymn to Hope," in 1761; and the "Viceroy and Visions of Fancy," in 1762. It appears, that Lord Halifax, the lord lieutenant of Ireland, to whom the "Viceroy" was addressed, did not even thank the author for the compliment. In the "Visions of Fancy," which is one of his most celebrated pieces, we perceive the state of his mind at that period; a state of love almost subdued by despair, yet relying for relief on hope. These elegies, particularly the first and third, are extremely elegant and harmonious. In the same year he composed his "Letters on Religious Retirement, Melancholy, and Enthusiasm;" and "Solyman and Almena;" and having dedicated the former to Bishop Warburton, he soon gained the attention of that prelate. It was in consequence of the notice he received from him, that he wrote the "Letters supposed to have passed between Theodosius and Constantia," which are highly esteemed for the purity of their style and elegance of their doctrine. Having, in the year 1764, obtained the appointment of curate and lecturer of St. John's, Clerkenwell, he removed to the metropolis, and shortly afterwards published two volumes of "Sermons," which, however, had enemies as well as admirers. The "Tracts on Religious Philosophy" are likewise sound, elegant, and useful discourses, which strongly exhibit the pleasures arising from the practice of virtue, exclusive of the interposition of Divine will. About this period he formed a connection with the proprietor of the Monthly Review, which continued, with little intermission, till his decease; and those who can form an idea of the duties of such an engagement, when they are discharged with independence, will conceive that the doctor must have acquired by it many friends, and not a few enemies. Amongst the latter was Hugh Kelly, who published a poem which contained a very illiberal invective against him; particularly the accusation of damning, in the Review, all works of excellence, and praising his own. It is proper, however, that the public should know (and I have been assured of the fact on undisputed authority) that, in all the established Reviews, no author is suffered to write an account of his own work. On the contrary, if he furnish sketches, or hints, of his own publication, they are rigidly examined, and corrected by the editor with the strictest impartiality. But to return to the subject of our memoir: in the year 1765, he was appointed by Dr. Hurd, the present bishop of Worcester, assistant preacher at Lincoln's Inn; and, in the same year, he published his "Letters on the Eloquence of the Pulpit." They were followed by a poem in favour of the Scotch, called "Genius and Valour," which, by opposing the "Prophecy of Famine" of Churchill, drew upon him the enmity of that satyrist; the attack, however, did not deprive him of any portion of his credit. On the contrary, he was rewarded, in 1766, by the university of Edinburgh, with the degree of doctor in divinity. At length, in 1767, the doctor was united to Miss Ann Cracroft, with whom, for five years, he had kept up an incessant correspondence; and the letters were, after her decease, and by her particular request, published under the title of "Letters to Eleonora." Soon after his marriage a living was purchased at Blagdon, Somersetshire, to which the doctor retired with his beloved companion. But his happiness was of short duration; for, at the end of eighteen months, Mrs. Laughorne, in the most awful trial to which a female is exposed, forfeited her existence, leaving an infant son, now the Rev. J. T. Langhorne, already mentioned. The impression which the loss of such an accomplished partner made upon the mind of the doctor was extreme; and in order to bury the recollection of past felicity, he retired to Folkstone, and resided with his elder brother, the Rev. W. Langhorne: here he published his poem, entitled "The Enlargement of the Mind," which is in praise of paternal affection. It was in this retirement that he succeeded, with the assistance of his brother, in making a complete translation of the "Lives of Plutarch;" an undertaking evidently executed with consummate ability, and which will render any other translation superfluous. He employed the first years of his widowhood in lamentations for the loss of his accomplished lady, by composing some interesting verses written at Sandgate Castle: he also wrote some beautiful stanzas to the late Mr. Scott, of Amwell, who had experienced a similar domestic misfortune; and this brought on an intimacy between the two gentlemen, which continued during their lives. About this time he published the "Letters supposed to have passed between St. Evremond and Waller;" and "Frederic and Pharamond;" while, in the same year, 1771, he completely established his reputation as a poet, by the publication of those charming "Fables" which form the subject of the present volume. The plan of the fable, according to the just explanation given by the author himself, "is here enlarged, and the province so far extended, that the original narrative and moral may be accompanied with imagery, description, and sentiment. The scenery is formed in a department of nature, adapted to the genius and disposition of poetry, where she finds new objects, interests, and connections to exercise her fancy and her powers." In addition to this statement, all readers of taste will concur in the justice of the following remarks by Mr. Langhorne, junior: "The rural imagery on which the fables are grounded, had not been before adapted to that species of poetry; and the moral is so naturally interwoven with the narrative, that its effect is more forcible and more pleasing than when unconnected with the relation. Impersonation may certainly be applied, with as much reason, to the vegetable as to the animal creation, if the characteristic attributes of each plant or flower are faithfully marked, and the unity of the fable is maintained. The |