enlisting the passions on the side of virtue,
was successfully pursued by Richardson, in his Pamella, Clarissa, and
Grandison; a species of writing equally new and extraordinary, where,
mingled with much superfluity, we find a sublime system of ethics, an
amazing knowledge and command of human nature. Many of the Greek and
Roman classics made their appearance in English translations, which
were favourably received as works of merit; among these we place, after
Pope's Homer, Virgil by Pitt and Wharton, Horace by Francis, Polybius
by Hampton, and Sophocles by Franklin. The war introduced a variety of
military treatises, chiefly translated from the French language; and
a free country, like Great Britain, will always abound with political
tracts and lucubrations. Every literary production of merit, calculated
for amusement or instruction, that appeared in any country or language
of Christendom, was immediately imported and naturalized among the
English people. Never was the pursuit after knowledge so universal, or
literary merit more regarded, than at this juncture, by the body of the
British nation; but it was honoured by no attention from the throne, and
little indulgence from particular patrons. The reign of Queen Anne was
propitious to the fortunes of Swift and Pope, who lived in all the happy
pride of independence. Young, sequestered from courts and preferment,
possessed a moderate benefice in the country, and employed his time in
a conscientious discharge of his ecclesiastical functions. Thomson, with
the most benevolent heart that ever warmed the human breast, maintained
a perpetual war with the difficulties of a narrow fortune. He enjoyed a
place in chancery by the bounty of lord Talbot, of which he was divested
by the succeeding chancellor. He afterwards enjoyed a small pension from
Frederick prince of Wales, which was withdrawn in the sequel. About two
years before his death, he obtained, by the interest of his friend
lord Lyttleton, a comfortable place; but he did not live to taste the
blessing of easy circumstances, and died in debt.*

* However he was neglected when living, his memory has been
honoured with peculiar marks of regard, in an ample
subscription for a new edition of his works. The profits
were employed in erecting a monument to his fame in
Westminster Abbey, a subscription to which his present
majesty king George III. has liberally subscribed. The
remaining surplus