us, and is still able to touch the heart and charm the ear. The lyrics in "Acis and Galatea" are not unworthy their association with Handel's immortal melodies, the songs in "The Beggar's Opera" have a part in the life and fame of the sweet old tunes from which they can never be divided. HENLEY, WILLIAM ERNEST, 1890, Views and Reviews, p. 187. He had received no regular education, and had, on emerging from obscurity, been. too indolent to remedy the defect. A smattering of Latin and a smattering of French and Italian constituted all his stock as a scholar; but, if he owed little to the schools, he owed much to naturea rich vein of genial humour, wit less abundant, indeed, and less brilliant, than that of his friends Congreve and Pope, but scarcely less pleasing, native grace, and, what were rare with the poets of that age, spontaneity and simplicity. His first experiment had been made in serious poetry, and in serious poetry Gay never rises, even in his happiest moments, above mediocrity.-COLLINS, JOHN CHURTON, 1893, Jonathan Swift, p. 96. Gay's position as a poet is practically determined by his "Fables." It is their popularity and their merit that have secured for him the place in English literature which he now holds. "Trivia" and "The Shepherd's Week" are interesting mainly for the glimpses of town and country life in the eighteenth century which they afford us. Gay's lyrical gifts, which were of a high order, find full expression in "Black Eyed Susan" and similar ballads, and in the songs which form part of his operas and plays. As to his other works, the reader of the following pages will be in a position to criticise them for himself. He will probably marvel at the reputation which Gay enjoyed in his lifetime, and still more in the high position in the hierarchy of English poets that is now accorded to him. And perhaps for the first time he will recognise the force of the statement with which this Memoir begins, and will agree with the writer that time has indeed laid a gentle hand upon the literary fame of John Gay.-UNDERHILL, JOHN, 1893, ed., The Poetical Works of John Gay, vol. I, p. lxviii. He had a true vein of happy song, and "Black-eyed Susan" remains with the "Beggar's Opera" to please us still. BROOKE, STOPFORD A., 1896, English Literature, p. 187. "Black Ey'd Susan, or Sweet William's Farewell" was written by Gay, the author of the "Beggar's Opera," and is included among his published poems. The music was composed by Richard Leveridge, a genial, jovial individual, who published a collection of his songs in 1727. "Black Ey'd Susan" was not issued till 1730. Douglas Jerrold wrote his famous play of the same name in 1824 (revived 1896), it being first produced on Whit Monday of that year at the Surrey Theatre, making all the principals connected with the production, except the author, passing rich. The song is introduced into the piece, and is usually sung by Blue Peter.-FITZGERALD, S. J. ADAIR, 1898, Stories of Famous Songs, p. 224. William Lowth 1660-1732 Born at London, Sept. 11, 1661; died at Buriton, Hampshire, May 17, 1732. He was graduated at Oxford, 1683; and became chaplain to Dr. Mew, bishop of Winchester, who made him a prebendary of Winchester, 1696, and rector of Buriton and Petersfield, 1699. His own works were few in number, but weighty in value: "A Vindication of the Divine Authority and Inspiration of the Old and New Testament, in Answer to (Le Clerc's) Five Letters," Oxford, 1692, 3d. ed., 1821, (this brought him into notice); "Directions for the Profitable Reading of the Holy Scriptures," London, 1708, 7th ed., 1799; but his principal work was a "Commentary on the Prophets," London, 1714-23, 4 vols., afterwards collected in one folio volume, and incorporated with Bishop Patrick's Commentary, and frequently reprinted, in that connection, under the caption, "Patrick, Lowth, and Whitby's Commentary." Dr. Lowth was the efficient assistant upon several works which pass under other names, such as Dr. Potter's edition of "Clemens Alexandrinus," Oxford, 1715, 2 vols., enlaregd edition, Venice, 1757, 2 vols.; Hudson's "Josephus," Oxford, 1720, 2 vols.; Reading's "Historiæ Ecclesiasticæ," Cambridge, 1720, 3 vols. (reprinted Turin, 1748). A "Life" of Dr. Lowth will be found in the seventh edition of his "Directions, etc."-SCHAFF AND HERZOG, eds., 1883, Encyclopædia of Religious Knowledge, vol. II, p. 1357. GENERAL I mention with pleasure the labours of a respectable prelate, who in this, ["Translation of Isaiah"] as well as in a former work, has very happily united the most critical judgment, with the taste and spirit of poetry.-GIBBON, EDWARD, 1779, A Vindication of Some Passages in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Chapters of the History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Lowth had the amiable accomplishments of a man of parts and a scholar; but in no transcendent degree of eminence in either character.HURD, RICHARD, 1808? Commonplace Book, ed. Kilvert, p. 249. Lowth is one of the most judicious commentators on the prophets. He never prophesies himself: adheres strictly to the literal meaning of the inspired writer, and is yet generally evangelical in his interpretations. There is not much appearance of criticism; but the original text and other critical aids were doubtless closely studied by the respectable author. It is often quoted by Scott, and, along with Patrick and Whitby (with whom he is associated, though a writer of more spirituality than either), is pronounced by Bishop Watson the best commentary in the English language.―ORME, WILLIAM, 1824, Bibliotheca Biblica. His piety, his diligence, his hospitality, and his beneficence, rendered his life highly exemplary, and greatly enforced his public ministrations.-MILLS, ABRAHAM, 1851, The Literature and the Literary Men of Great Britain and Ireland, vol. 11, p. 238. Distinguished for his classical and theological attainments, and the liberality with which he communicated his stores to others. His learning is said to have been equally extensive and profound, and he accompanied all his reading with critical and philological remarks.CHAMBERS, ROBERT, 1876, Cyclopædia of English Literature, ed. Carruthers. The value of his commentary was never very great, and it has been long since entirely superseded. Its tone is pious. but cold, and he fails to appreciate the spiritual and poetical character of the prophetical writings, while he is far too eager to discover Messianic interpretations. His knowledge of Hebrew was moreover inadequate. At the same time his exegesis, if shallow, is simple, direct, and brief. The commentary has been highly praised by Bishop Richard Watson and by William Orme. Though less eminent than his son, Robert Lowth, the bishop of London, he was believed to be the profounder scholar. But he was too diffident to undertake any considerable original work, and the wide range and accuracy of his learning was chiefly shown in his contributions to the publications of others. We are told that he carefully read and annotated almost every Greek and Latin author, classical or ecclesiastical, and the stores he had thus collected he dispensed ungrudgingly.VENABLES, EDMUND, 1893, Dictionary of National Biography, vol. XXXIV, p. 217. Francis Atterbury 1662-1732 Francis Atterbury, Bishop of Rochester, was born 6th March 1662, at MiltonKeynes, near Newport-Pagnell, and educated at Westminster, whence in 1680 he passed to Christ Church, Oxford. In 1687 he answered a pseudonymous attack on Protestanism by Obadiah Walker, master of University College; and, taking orders about the same time, won such reputation as a preacher, that he was appointed lecturer of St. Bride's (1691), a royal chaplain, and minister to Bridewell Hospital. Boyle's "Examination of Bentley's Dissertations on the Epistles of Phalaris" (1698), a clever, but shallow performance, was really by Atterbury, who had been the young noblemen's tutor at Christ Church; his defence (1700) of Convocation won him the archdeaconry of Totnes, a canonry of Exeter, and the degree of D. D. In 1704 he was promoted to the deanery of Carlisle; in 1710 was chosen prolocutor of Convocation; in 1712 became Dean of Christ Church; and in 1713 was made Bishop of Rochester and Dean of Westminster. To Atterbury is ascribed, with great likelihood, Dr. Sacheverel's famous defence (1710) before the Lords; and he was author of the scarcely less famous "Representation of the State of Religion" (1711). He may well have aspired to the primacy; but the death of Queen Anne extinguished his hopes in that direction. His known character and Jacobite leanings made him no favourite with George I. In 1715 he refused to sign the bishop's declaration of fidelity, and in 1722 he was committed to the Tower. A bill of pains and penalties was brought into the House of Commons, and passed in the Lords by 83 to 43. Atterbury, who had defended himself with great ability, was deprived of all his offices, and for ever banished the kingdom. In 1723 he quitted England, and after a short stay at Brussels, settled in Paris, where he died, 15th February, 1732. He was laid in a nameless grave in Westminster Abbey. His works comprise sermons, and letters to Pope, Swift, Bolingbroke and others of his friends.-PATRICK AND GROOME, eds., 1897, Chambers's Biographical Dictionary, p. 48. PERSONAL I know not what to think of your uneasiness. It shews unlike a Christian, and savours neither of temper nor consideration. I am troubled to remember it is habitual. . You make your friends and yourself uneasy: cannot trust Providence. Do your duty and serve God in your station.ATTERBURY, LEWIS, 1690, To his Son, Nov. 1. Urim was civil, and not void of sense, Had humour, and a courteous confidence.. But see how ill mistaken parts succeed! He threw off my dominion, and would read; Engaged in controversy, wrangled well, In convocation language could excel, In volumes proved the Church without defence By nothing guarded but by Providence. -GARTH, SAMUEL, 1699-1714, The Dispensary, canto i. He has so much regard to his congregation, that he commits to his memory what he has to say to them; and has so soft and graceful a behaviour, that it must attract your attention. His person, it is to be confessed, is no small recommendation; but he is to be highly commended for not losing that advantage, and adding to the propriety of speech, which might pass the criticism of Longinus, an action. which would have been approved by Demosthenes. He has a peculiar force in his way, and has many of his audience who could not be intelligent hearers of his discourse, were there not explanation as well as grace in his action. This art of his is used with the most exact and honest skill: he never attempts your passions till he has convinced your reason. All the objections which he can form are laid open and dispersed, before he uses the least vehemence in his sermon; but when he thinks he has your head, he very soon wins your heart. and never pretends to show the beauty of holiness, till he hath convinced you of the truth of it.STEELE, RICHARD, 1709, The Tatler, No. 66, Sept. 10. "A little black man of pretty near fifty" "The same." "Ay, A good pleasant man?" "Ay, the same. "Cunning enough?" "Yes." "One that understands his own interest?" "As well as anybody." . . . "A very good face, and abundance of wit. I mean Dr. Atterbury, Dean of Carlisle."-SWIFT, JONATHAN, 1710-11, Journal to Stella, Jan. 6. While yet I can write to you, I must and will correspond with you, till the very moment that it is felony; and when I can no longer write to you, I will write of you. To tell you that my heart is full of your defence is no more than I believe, the worst enemy you have must own of his. his. You have really without a figure, had all the triumph that ancient eloquence boasts of. Their passions and consciences have done you right, though their votes will not. You have met with the fate, frequent to great and good men, to gain applause where you are denied justice. Let me take the only occasion I have had in the whole series of your misfortunes to congratulate you, and not you alone, but posterity, this noble defence. I already see in what lustre that innocence is to appear to other ages, which this has overborne and oppressed. I know perfectly well what a share of credit it will be to have appeared on your side, or to have been called your friend. I am far prouder of that word you publickly spoke of me than of anything I have yet heard of myself in my whole life.-POPE, ALEXANDER, 1723, Letter to Bishop Atterbury, May. He could hardly account for the |