Bermuda, and his scheme of going thither; and was so fond of this Epode on that account, that he got Mr. Pope to translate it into English, and I have seen the translation. -Mr. R. A.

will spread very far this winter. He showed me a little tract which he designs to publish, and there your excellency will see his whole scheme of a life academico-philosophical (I shall make you remember what you were), of a college funded for Indian scholars and missionaries, where he most exorbitantly proposes a whole hundred pounds a year for himself, forty pounds for a fellow, and ten for a student. His heart will break if his deanery be not taken from him, and left to your excellency's disposal. I discouraged him by the coldness of courts and ministers, who will interpret all this as impossible, and a vision, but nothing will do: and therefore, I do humbly entreat your excellency either to use such persuasions as will keep one of the first men in the kingdom for learning and virtue quiet at home, or assist him by your credit to compass his romantic design; which, however, is very noble and generous, and directly proper for a great person of your excellent education to encourage."-Dr. Warton, says, Lord Bathurst told him," that all the members of the Scriblerus club, being met at his house at dinner, they agreed to rally Berkley, who was also his guest, on his scheme at Bermudas.-Berkley having listened to all the lively things they had to say, begged to be heard in his turn; and displayed his plan with such an astonishing and animated force of eloquence and enthusiasm, that they were struck dumb, and after some pause, rose up all together with earnestness, exclaiming "Let us all set out with him immediately."-After three years residence, and the utmost perseverance, he was obliged to abandon his project at the Bermudas, finding his plan impracticable, from the want of the promised support of government.-The following elegant poetical effusion, written when he was preparing for his expedition, contains a prophecy which is now, probably, fast hastening to fulfilment.

The Muse, disgusted at an age and clime
Barren of every glorious theme,

In distant lands now waits a better time,
Producing subjects worthy fame:

In happy climes, where from the genial sun
And virgin earth such scenes ensue :
The force of art by nature seems outdone,
And fancied beauties by the true :

In happy climes, the seat of innocence,
Where nature guides, and virtue rules;
Where men shall not impose for truth and sense,
The pedantry of courts and schools.

There shall be sung another golden age,
The rise of empire and of arts;
The good and great inspiring epic rage,
The wisest heads and noblest hearts.

Not such as Europe breeds in her decay,
Such as she bred when fresh and young,
When heavenly flame did animate her clay,
By future poets shall be sung.

Westward the course of empire takes its way:
The four first acts already past,

A fifth shall close the drama with the day:
Time's noblest offspring is the last.

END OF SECTION VI.

Editor.

SPENCE'S ANECDOTES.

SECTION VII. 1742-43.

LITTLE after Dr. Young had published his Universal Passion, the Duke of Wharton made him a present of two thousand pounds for it. When a friend of the Duke's, who was surprised at the largeness of the present, cried out on hearing it: "What! two thousand pounds for a Poem?" The Duke smiled, and said; "It was the best bargain he ever made in his life, for it was fairly worth four thousand.”Mr. Rawlinson.

When the Doctor was deeply engaged in writing one of his tragedies, that nobleman made him a very different kind of present.-He procured a human skull, fixed a candle in it, and gave it to the doctor as the most proper lamp for him to write tragedy by.-R.

The sale of a book may be hurt a great deal, by an illchosen title.-Dr. Cheyne's bookseller absolutely refused to print his book on Health, unless he would change the title, the original one designed for it was, "A Treatise on Sanity and Longevity."-Mr. Hooke.

The side Oratories at St. Paul's were added to Sir Christopher Wren's original design, by order of the Duke of York: who was willing to have them ready for the popish service; when there should be occasion.-It narrowed the building, and broke in very much upon the beauty of the design. Sir Christopher insisted so strongly on the prejudice they would be of, that he actually shed some tears in speaking of it; but it was all in vain. The duke absolutely insisted upon their being inserted, and he was obliged to comply. Mr. Harding.

Rollin has written a letter very full of compliments to Dr. Swift." Has not he affronted him by it?"-No :the doctor does not hate praise, he only dislikes it when 'tis extravagant or coarse.- -When B- told him he loved him more than all his friends and relations; the dean made him no manner of answer; but said afterwards; "the man's a fool!”—I once said to him; "There's a lady, doctor, that longs to see you, and admires you above all things.”—“ Then I despise her heartily!" said he.—Mr. Pope.

When I had filled up this Epistle, begun by Swift, I sent it to him, and thought I had hit his style exactly; for it was familiar, lively, and with odd rhymes.-The doctor had a very different opinion of it; and did not think it at all a right imitation of his style.-P.

When somebody was speaking to Mr. Addison, of Budgel's Epilogue to the Distressed Mother, and said they wondered how so silly a fellow could blunder upon so good a thing:-Addison said, "Oh, sir, it was quite another thing when first it was brought to me!”—P.

Addison seemed to value himself more upon his poetry,

than upon his prose; though he wrote the latter with such particular ease, fluency, and happiness.-P.

The Duke of Buckingham was superficial in everything; even in poetry, which was his fort.-P.

Rowe was bred first at Westminster, and then at the Temple. He had about three hundred pounds a year, and his chambers there. His father was a Sergeant at Law.— He was of a comely personage, and a very pretty sort of man.*-Mr. Lewis.

* Besides his patrimony, Rowe enjoyed in the latter part of his life several lucrative offices. When the Duke of Queensbury was Secretary of State, he made Rowe his Under Secretary, but at the death of the duke he retired. Upon the accession of George the First, he had a place given him in the Customs, and was made poet-laureate.-Besides these the Prince of Wales conferred on him the place of Clerk of his Council; and the Lord Chancellor, Parker, made him his Secretary for the Presentations. His voice was uncommonly sweet, his observations so lively, and his manners so engaging, that his friends delighted in his conversation. He died much regretted at the age of forty-five, in 1718. He was twice married, and left a son by his first wife, and a daughter by his second.-Dr. Welwood prefixed some brief memoirs of him to the posthumous publication of his translation of Lucan's Pharsalia. -The following account probably rests upon the authority of Warburton, as it is well known he supplied the materials and corrected the sheets of Ruffhead's Life of Pope, from whence I transcribe it. Rowe, in the opinion of Mr. Pope, maintained a decent character, but had no heart. Mr. Addison was justly offended with him for some behaviour which arose from that want, and estranged himself from him; which Rowe felt very severely. Mr. Pope, their common friend, knowing this, took an opportunity, at some juncture of Mr. Addison's advancement, to tell him poor Rowe was grieved at his displeasure, and what satisfaction he expressed at his good fortune; which he expressed so naturally, that he could not but think him sincere. Addison replied, I do not suspect that he feigned; but the levity of his heart is such, that