elonged to his age, mocks
at the predictions of judicial astrology.

In several passages he reprehends the new luxuries of the time, among
which coaches are not forgotten.

It should appear that the increasing conveniences and pleasures of a
London life had already begun to occasion the desertion of rural
mansions, and the decay of that boundless hospitality which the former
possessors had made their boast; for thus feelingly and beautifully does
the poet describe the desolation of one of these seats of antiquated
magnificence:

"Beat the broad gates, a goodly hollow sound
With double echoes doth again rebound;
But not a dog doth bark to welcome thee,
Nor churlish porter canst thou chafing see;
All dumb and silent like the dead of night,
Or dwelling of some sleepy Sybarite!
The marble pavement hid with desert weed,
With houseleek, thistle, dock, and hemlock-seed.--
Look to the towered chimneys, which should be
The windpipes of good hospitality:--
Lo there the unthankful swallow takes her rest,
And fills the tunnel with her circled nest."

The translation of the Orlando Furioso through which that singular work
of genius had just become known to the English reader, was executed by
sir John Harrington, the same who afterwards composed for Henry prince
of Wales, the Brief View of the English Church, the godson of Elizabeth,
and the child of her faithful servants James Harrington and Isabella
Markham.

After the usual course of school and college education, young
Harrington, who was born in 1561, presented himself at court, where his
wit and learning soon procured him a kind of distinction, which was not
however unattended with danger. A satirical piece was traced to him as
its author, containing certain allusions to living characters, which
gave so much offence to the courtiers, that he was threatened with the
animadversions of the star-chamber; but the secret favor of Elizabeth
towards a godson whom she loved and who amused her, saved him from this
very serious kind of retaliation. A tale which he sometime after
translated out of Ariosto proved very entertaining to the court ladies,
and soon met the eyes of the queen; who in affected displeasure at
certain indelicate passages, ordered him to appear no more at
court--till he had translated the whole poem. The command was obeyed
with alacrity; and he speedily committed his Orlando to the press, with
a dedication to he