The following Jue d'Esprit, is the production of the prefent DEAN of DERRY, Dr Barnard, who advanced in converfation with Sir Joshua Reynolds and other wits, that he thought no man could improve when he was paft the age of forty-five." Johnson (Samuel) who was in company, with his ufual elegance and polished graces, immediately turned round to the facetious Dean, and told him that he was an inftance to the contrary, for that there was great room for improvement in him (the Dean) and wifhed he'd fet about it; upon which, the Dean the next day fent the following elegant bagatelle to Sir Joshua Reynolds and the fame company. то Sir JOSHUA REYNOLDS, I And Co. by the DEAN OF DERRY.. LATELY thought no man alive, The obfervation was not new, But feem'd to me so just and true, That none could controvert it. "No, Sir," fays Johnson, " 'tis not fo, Encourag'd thus to mend my faults, Then come my friends, and try your skill, You can inform me if you will, (My books are at a distance) With you I'll live and learn, and then, * Dear Knight of Plympton, teach me how To fuffer with unruffled brow, And fmile ferene like thine; The jeft uncouth, or truth fevere, To fuch I'll turn my deafeft ear, And calmly drink my wine. Thou fay'ft, not only skill is gain'd, Thy temper mild, thy genius fine, *Sir Joshua Reynolds. The art of pleafing, teach me Garrick, Oh! cou'd we read thee backwards too, If I have thoughts, and can't exprefs 'em . Jones teach me modesty and Greek, Let Johnfon teach me how to place, Copy his clear familiar style, * Mr Garrick being asked to read Mr Cumberland's Odes, laughed immoderately, and affirmed, that fuch ftuff might as well be read backwards as forwards; and the witty Rofcius accordingly read them in that manner, and wonderful to relate! produced the fame good fenfe and poetry as the fentimental author ever had genius to write. DOR IN D A, TOWN ECLOGUE. By Mr. FITZPATRICK. N that fad feafon when the hapless belle IN With fleps reluctant bids the town farewell: And, deaf to pity, from their much lov'd town To difmal fhades, through lonely groves to ftray, |