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MATTHEW SMITH, Esquire.

_(The following Account of this Gentleman came to our Hands too late
to be inserted in the Chronological Series.)_

This gentleman was the son of John Smith, an eminent Merchant at
Knaresborough in the county of York, and descended from an ancient
family of that name, seated at West-Herrington and Moreton House in
the county pal. of Durham. Vide Philpot's Visitation of Durham, in the
Heralds Office, page 141.

He was a Barrister at Law, of the Inner-Temple, and appointed one of
the council in the North, the fifteenth of King Charles I. he being a
Loyalist, and in great esteem for his eminence and learning in his
profession; as still further appears by his valuable Annotations on
Littleton's Tenures he left behind him in manuscript. He also wrote
some pieces of poetry, and is the author of two dramatical
performances.

1. The Country Squire, or the Merry Mountebank, a Ballad Opera of one
Act.

2. The Masquerade du Ciel, a Masque, which was published the year that
he died, 1640, by John Smith of Knaresborough, Esq; (eldest son and
heir to this Matthew, by Anne his wife, daughter of Henry Roundell,
esq; who dedicated it to the Queen. He was a person of the greatest
loyalty, and very early addicted to arms, which made him extreamly
zealous and active during the civil wars, in joining with the
Royalists, particularly at the battle of Marston-Moor 1644, when he
personally served under Prince Rupert, for which he and his family
were plundered and sequestered. He also fined twice for Sheriff, to
avoid the oaths in those days.)

* * * * *

THOMAS OTWAY.

This excellent poet was not more remarkable for moving the tender
passions, than for the variety of fortune, to which he was subjected.
We have some where read an observation, that the poets have ever been
the least philosophers, and were always unhappy in a want of firmness
of temper, and steadiness of resolution: of the truth of this remark,
poor Mr. Otway is a lively instance; he never could sufficiently
combat his appetite of extravagance and profusion, to live one year in
a comfortable competence, but was either rioting in luxurious
indulgence, or shivering with want, and exposed to the insolence and
contempt of the world. He was the son of Mr. Humphry Otway, rector of
Wolbeding