ns, was by the providence of God soon
detested; and his lordship drew up, and published an account of it,
under this title, A Relation of the Wicked Contrivance of Stephen
Blackhead, and Robert Young, against the Lives of several Persons, by
forging an Association under their Hands. In two parts. The first being
a Relation of what passed at the three Examinations of his Lordship, by
a Committee of Lords of the Privy-Council. The second, being an Account
of the two Authors of the Forgery; printed in quarto, in the year 1692.

His lordship was honourably acquitted; and he ever after looked upon
this escape, as one of the most remarkable blessings of his life. 'In
such 'critical times (says he) how little evidence would have sufficed
to ruin any man, that had been accused with the least probability of
truth? I do therefore, most solemnly oblige myself, and all mine, to
keep the grateful remembrance of my deliverance, perpetual and sacred.'

Hitherto, we have considered Dr. Sprat in his episcopal, and public
character; in which if he fell into some errors, he has a right to our
candour, as they seem rather to have proceeded from misinformation, and
excess of good-nature, than any malevolent, or selfish principle: We
shall now take a view of him as an author.

His first appearance in that sphere, was in the year 1659, when in
concert with Mr. Waller, and Mr. Dryden, he printed a Pindarique Ode,
to the Memory of the most renowned Prince, Oliver, Lord Protector, &c.
printed in quarto, which he dedicated to the reverend Mr. Wilkin's, then
warden of Wadham-College; by whose approbation and request, it was made
public, as the author designed it only for a private amusement. This was
an unfavourable circumstance for our author, as it more particularly
shews the fickleness of his disposition in state-matters, and gave him
less credit with those parties he afterwards espoused.

His next production in poetry, was an Ode on the Plague of Athens; which
happened in the second year of the Pelopponesian war, first described
by Thucydides, afterwards by Lucretius: This Mr. Sprat dedicated to his
worthy and learned friend, Dr. Walter Pope. The performance stood the
test of the severest critics; and in the opinion of the best judges, the
manner of his great original was judiciously imitated. Soon after this,
he proceeded to give the public a specimen of his abilities in
another kind, and succeeded with the greatest applause; which was his