its reputation. Mr. Wood, the antiquarian,
observes, that this Eugenia was the mistress of Walsh; but for this
he produces no proof, neither is it in the lead material whether the
circumstance is true or no. Mr. Walslh is likewise author of several
occasional poems, printed 1749, amongst the works of the Minor Poets,
and which he first published in the year 1692, with some letters
amorous, and gallant, to which is prefixed the following address to the
public.

Go, little book, and to the world impart
The faithful image of an amorous heart;
Those who love's dear deluding pains have known,
May in my fatal sorrows read their own:
Those who have lived from all its torments free,
May find the things they never, felt by me.
Perhaps advis'd avoid the gilded bait,
And warn'd by my example shun my fate.
Whilst with calm joy, safe landed on the coast
I view the waves, on which I once was tost.
Love is a medley of endearments, jars,
Suspicions, quarrels, reconcilements, wars;
Then peace again. O would it not be best,
To chase the fatal poison from our breast?
But since, so few can live from passion free,
Happy the man, and only happy he,
Who with such lucky stars begins his love,
That his cool judgment does his choice approve.
Ill grounded passions quickly wear away;
What's built upon esteem can ne'er decay.

Mr. Walsh was of an amorous complexion, and in one of his letters
mentions three of his amours, in pretty singular terms. 'I valued (says
he) one mistress, after I left loving her; I loved another after I left
valuing her; I love and value the third, after having lost all hopes of
her; and according to the course of my passions, I should love the next
after having obtained her. However, from this time forward, upon what
follies soever you fall, be pleased, for my sake, to spare those of
love; being very well satisfied there is not one folly of that kind
(excepting marriage) which I have not already committed. I have been,
without raillery, in love with the beauty of a woman whom I have never
seen; with the wit of one whom I never heard speak, nor seen any thing
she has written, and with the heroic virtues of a woman, without knowing
any one action of her, that could make me think; she had any; Cupid will
have it so, and what can weak mortals do against so potent a god?' Such
were the sentiments of our author when he was about 30 years of age.

Queen Anne constituted Mr. Wals