trees

The tall trees tremble at th' approach of Heav'n,
And bow their salutation to the Sun,

Who fosters all their foliage-These are thine,
Yes, little Shipbourne, boast that these are
thine-

And if-but oh!-and if 'tis no disgrace,
The birth of him who now records thy praise.

Nor shalt thou, Mereworth, remain unsung,
Where noble Westmorland, his country's friend,
Bids British greatness love the silent shade,
Where piles superb, in classic elegance,
Arise, and all is Roman, like his heart.

Nor Chatham, tho' it is not thine to show
The lofty forest or the verdant lawns,
Yet niggard silence shall not grudge thee praise.
The lofty forests by thy sons prepar'd
Fecomes the warlike navy, braves the floods,
And gives Sylvanus empire in the main.
Oh that Britannia, in the day of war,
Wou'd not alone Minerva's valour trust,
But also hear her wisdom! Then her oaks
Shap'd by her own mechanics, wou'd alone
Her island fortify, and fix her fame;
Nor wou'd she weep, like Rachael, for her sons,
Whose glorious blood, in mad profusion,
In foreign lands is shed-and shed in vain.

THE

HILLIAD:

AN EPIC POEM.

Pallas te hoc vulnere, Pallas
Immolat, & pœnam scelerato ex sanguine sumit.
VIRG.

A LETTER

The design and colouring of a poem, such as you have planned, are not to be executed in a hurry, but with slow and careful touches, which will give that finishing to your piece, remarkab'e in every thing that comes from your hand, and which I could wish the precipitancy of my temper would permit me to aim at upon all occa sions. I long to see you take a new flight to the regions of fame, not upon unequal wings, that sometimes rise to a degree of elevation, and then fall again, but with an uniform tenour, like the bird in Virgil,

Radit iter liquidum, celeres neque commovet alas.

I have been now for about three weeks in this scene of smoke and dust, and I think the republic of letters seems to be lamentably upon the decline in this metropolis. Attornies clerks, and raw unexperienced boys, are the chief critics we have at present. With a supercilious look and peremptory voice, which they have caught from a few of their oracles, as dark and ignorant as themselves, these striplings take upon them to decide upon fable, character, language and sen. timent.

Nescis, heu nescis dominæ fastidia Romæ ;
Crede mihi, nimium Martia turba sapit.

With regard to writers, the town swarms with them, and the aim of them all is pretty much the same, viz. to elevate and surprise, as Mr. Bays says. At the head of these still continues the Inspector. As we frequently laughed together concerning this writer, when you were last in town, I need not here give you a description of his parts and genius. I remember you expressed great amazement at the reception his essays seemed to meet with in all our coffee-houses; but you must consider that there are artifices to gain success, as well as merit to deserve it. The former of these his Inspectorship is eminently possessed of, and sooner than fail, he will not hesitate, in order to make himself talked of at any rate, to become most glaringly ridiculous. This answers the purpose of the booksellers, as well perhaps as Attic wit, and hence it results that they are willing to continue him in their pay. In the packet, which I have sent to you by the stage coach, you will find a paper called the Impertinent, written by himself. In this curious AM now to acknowledge several letters, which I piece he has not stopped at abusing his own lately received from you, without any return on dear person, which is the only subject he has my part. As I have been very much hurried of not handled with his usual malice, and the rest late with a multiplicity of affairs, I must beg of it is made a vehicle for invective against Mr. you will not only be kind enough to overlook my Fielding and me. It was ushered into the world past omission, but to indulge me for a little time in a pompous manner, as if intended to be contilonger. As soon as I am master of sufficient nued, but no second number was ever published, leisure, I will give you my sentiments without and to show you a further instance of his fallacy; reserve, concerning the affair, about which you he thence took occasion to triumph over a prehave thought proper to consult me; for the pre-tender to essay-writing, which he would fain insent I desire you will consider this as a receipt sinuate, cannot be executed by any one but him for your many favours, or a promissory note to self. discharge my debt of friendship as soon as possible.

TO A FRIEND AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.

I

Dear ***

The seat of lord Vane.

This unfair dealing, so unworthy a man, who aspires to be a member of the serene republic of letters, induced me to wave for a time the design you know I was engaged in, in order to bestow a

upon this occasion to quote a passage from the Spectator, which I think pertinent to the present subject. "Every honest man ought to look upon himself as in a natural state of war with the libeller and lampooner, and to annoy them, wherever they fall in his way. This is but re

few lines upon this scribbler, who' in my eyes is a disgrace to literature. In the first heat of my poetic fury, I formed the idea of another Dunciad, which I intended to call after the name of my hero, The Hilliad. The first book of it you will receive among other things, by the coach, and I shall be glad to be favoured with your opi-taliating upon them, and treating them as they nion of it.

If it conduces to your entertainment, I shall have gained my end; for though I have received such provocation from this man, I believe I shall never carry it any further. I really find some involuntary sensations of compassion for him, and I cannot help thinking, that, if he could keep within the bounds of decency and good manners, it would be a rare instance of what may be done by a fluency of periods, without genius, sense, or meaning. Though I am persuaded he is quite incorrigible, I am still reluctant to publish that piece, for I would rather be commended to posterity by the elegant and amiable muses, than by the satyric sister, politely called by an eminent author, the least engaging of the Nine.'—

On this account I shall proceed no further 'till you have favoured me with your opinion, by which I will absolutely determine myself. I hope therefore you will peruse it as soon as you can with convenience, and return it to me by the stage. You may show it to Jack *****, and to Mr. ****

I am, with great sincerity,
dear *****

your most obedient humble servant,
C. SMART.

London, 15th December, 1752.

DEAR SMART,

treat others."

Thus thought the polite Mr. Addison in a case where he was not immediately concerned; and can you doubt what to do, when personally attacked? As soon as the hissing of the snake is heard, some means should be devised to crush' him. The advice of Virgil is,-Cape saxa manu, cape robora pastor."

I can tell you that your friends here expect this of you, and we are all unanimous in thinking, that a man who has the honour of belonging to this learned university, and to whom the prize, for displaying with a masterly hand the attributes of his Maker, has been adjudged for three years successively, should not, on any account, suffer himself to be trifled with, by so frigid and empty a writer. I would have you reflect that you lanched into the world, with many circumstances, that raised a general expectation of you, and the early approbation of such a genius as Mr. Pope, for your elegant version of his ode, made you considered as one, who might hereafter make a figure in the literary world; and let me recommend to you, not to let the laurel, yet green upon your brow, be torn off by the prophane hands of an unhallowed hireling. This, I think, as, is observed already, you owe to yourself, and to that university, which has distinguished you with ho

nour.

Besides the motives of retaliation, which I have urged for the publication of your poem, I cannot help considering this matter in a moral light, and I must avow, that in my eyes it appears an action of very great merit. If to pull off the mask from an impostor, and detect him in his native colours to the view of a long-deTHE perusal of your poem has given me so luded public, may be looked upon as a service much pleasure, that I cannot postpone thanking to mankind (as it certainly is) a better opyou for it, by the first opportunity that has of-portunity never can offer itself. fered. I have read it to the persons you desired I should, and they approve the design in the highest manner. I cannot conceive what should make you hesitate a moment about the publication, and to be free with you, you must not by any means suppress it. When I say this, I must observe, that I should be glad to see you better employed, than in the dissection of an insect; but since the work should be done by some body, and since you have made such a progress, I must take the liberty to insist, that you will not drop this undertak-fusion of epithets, inconsistent for the most part ing.

To speak in plain terms; I look upon it to be indispensably incumbent on you to bring the miscreant to poetic justice; it is what you owe to the cause of learning in general, to your Alma Mater, this university, and, let me add, it is what you owe to yourself. The world will absolve you from any imputation of ill-nature, when it is considered that the pen is drawn in defence of your own character. Give me leave

In my opinion the cause of literature is in imminent danger of a total degeneracy, should this writer's diurnal productions meet with further encouragement. Without straining hard for it, I can perceive a corruption of taste diffusing itself, throughout the cities of London and Westminster. For a clear vein of thinking, easy natural expression, and an intelligible style, this pretender has substituted brisk question and answer, pert, unmeaning periods, ungrammatical construction, unnatural metaphors, with a pro

with the real or figurative meaning of his words, and in short, all the masculine beauties of style are likely to be banished from among us by the continuation of his papers for almost two years together.

Now, sir, I submit it to you, whether this may not lead on to a total depravity of sense and taste. Should the more sober at our coffee-houses be dazzled with false embellishment; should boys admire this unnatural flourishing; I do not in the

I am aware that you may answer to what has been premised, that the man is not of consequence enough for all this, and you may ob- These considerations, dear sir, prompt you to serve to me, that at first setting out, I myself the blow, and will justify it when given. I be called him by the figurative and typical appel- lieve, I may venture to add, never had poet so lation of an insect. But if an insect gets into inviting a subject for satire; Pope himself had the sunshine, and there blazes, shines and buzzes not so good an hero for his Dunciad. The first to the annoyance of those, who may be basking worthy who sat in that throne, viz Lewis Theos in the beams, it is time for the Muse's wing to bald of dull memory, employed himself in mat brush the thing away. In plain English, the ters of some utility, and, upon being dethroned, rapidity, with which this writer went on in his the person, who succeeded, was one, who forprogress, was so astonishing, that I really look-merly had some scattered rays of light; and in ed upon bim to be reserved for the great instrument of dulness in the completion of her work, which certainly must be accomplished, unless a speedy stop be put to that inundation of nonsense and immorality with which he has overwhelmed the nation.

most of his comedies, though whimsical and ex travagant, there are many strokes of drollery; not to mention that the Careless Husband is a finished piece.

But in the hero of the Hilliad all the requi sites seem to be united, without one single exI have mentioned immorality, nor will I re- ception. You remember, no doubt, that in the tract the word. Has he not attacked, malici- dissertation prefixed to the Dunciad the efficient ously attacked the reputations of many gentle- qualities of an hero for the little epic are men men, to whom the world has been greatly obli- tioned to be vanity, impudence and debauchery. ged? He did not brandish his goose-quill for These accomplishments, I apprehend, are glar any length of time, before he discharged a tor-ing in the person you have fixed upon. As a rent of abuse upon the reverend Mr. Francis, whose amiable character, and valuable transation of Horace, have endeared him both to

single and notable instance of the two first, has he not upon all occasions joined himself to some celebrated name, such as the right honourable

And thou, fair Justice, of immortal line,
Hear, and assist the poet's grand design,
Who aims at triumph by no common ways,
But on the stem of dulness grafts the bays.
O thou, whatever name delight thine ear,
Pimp! Poet! Puffer! 'Pothecary! Play'r!

withstanding the great incentives he has had to prompt him to this undertaking, he is not actuated by the spirit of revenge; and to check the follies of fancy and humorous invention, he further invokes the goddess Themis, to administer strict, poetic justice,

Stakes the pole.] Several cavils have been Quinbus Flestrin, raised against this passage. the unborn poet, is of opinion that it is brought in merely to eke out a verse; but though in many points I am inclined to look upon this critic as irrefragable, I must beg leave at present to appeal from his verdict; and tho' Horace lays it down as rule not to admire any thing, I cannot help enjoying so pleasing an operation of the mind upon this occasion. We are here presented with a grand idea, no less than Jupiter shaking his sides and the Heavens at the same time. The Pagan thunderer has often been said to agitate the pole with a nod, which in my mind gives too awful an image, whereas the one in question conveys an idea of him in good humour, and confirms what Mr. Orator Henley says, in his excellent tracts, that "the deity is a joyous being."

Whose baseless fame by vanity is buoy'd,
Like the huge Earth, self-center'd in the void,
Accept one part'ner thy own worth t' explore,
And in thy praise be singular no more.

Say, Muse, what deinon, foe to ease and truth,
First from the mortar dragg'd th' adventrous
youth,
[men,
And made him, 'mongst the scribbling sons of
Change peace for war, the pestle for the pen?

NOTES VARIORUM,

and Katy, but from these venerable authorities,
judicious reader, you may boldly dissent meo
periculo.
MART. MAC.
Puffer,] Of this talent take a specimen. In a
letter to himself he saith; " you have disco-
vered many of the beauties of the ancients;
they are obliged to you; we are obliged to you;
were they alive they would thank you; we who
are alive do thank you." His constant custom
of running on in this manner, occasioned the fol-
Jowing epigram,

Hill puffs himself, forbear to chide;
An insect vile and mean,

Must first, he knows, be magnify'd
Before it can be seen.
'Pothecary, Play'r,] For both these, vide
Woodward's letter, passim.

Like the huge Earth.] The allusion here seems to be taken from Ovid, who describes the Earth fixed in the air, by its own stupidity, or vis inertiæ:

Pendebat in aere tellus,
Ponderibus librata suis.-

But, reader, dilate your imagination to take in
the much greater idea our poet here presents to
you: consider the immense inanity of space, and
the comparative nothingness of the globe, and
you may attain an adequate conception of our
hero's reputation, and the mighty basis it stands
upon. It is worth observing here that our au-
thor, quasi aliud agens, displays at one touch of
his pen more knowledge of the planetary sys-
tem, than is to be found in all the volumes of the
mathematicians.

'Twas on a day (0 may that day appear
No more,
but lose its station in the year,
In the new style be not its name enroll'd
But share annihilation in the old!)
A tawny Sybil, whose alluring song,
Decoy'd the 'prentices and maiden throng,
First from the counter young Hillario charm'd,
And first his unambitious soul alarm'd —
An old strip'd curtain cross her arms was flung,
And tatter'd tap'stry o'er her shoulders hung;
Her loins with patch-work cincture were begirt,
That more than spoke diversity of dirt;
With age her back was double and awry,
Twain were her teeth, and single was her eye,
Cold palsy shook her head-she seem'd at most
A living corpse, or an untimely ghost,

NOTES VARIORUM.

at misrepresenting circumstances, for which vide all the Inspectors.

May that day appear] This seems to be wrote with an eye to a beautiful passage in a very elegant poem;

Ye gods, annihilate both space and time,
And make two lovers happy.-

The request is extremely modest, and I really
wonder it was never complied with; but it must
be said in favour of Mr. Smart, that he is still
more reasonable in his demand, and it appears
by the alteration in the style, that his scheme
may be reduced to practice though the other is
mighty fine in theory. The Inspector is of this
opinion, and so is Monsieur de Scaizau.

A tatter'd tap'stry] Our author has been extremely negligent upon this occasion, and has indolently omitted an opportunity of displaying his talent for poetic imagery. Homer has described the shield of Achilles with all the art of his imagination; Virgil has followed him in this point, and indeed both he and Ovid seem to be delighted when they have either a picture to describe, or some representation in the labours of the loom. Hence arises a double delight; we admire the work of the artificer, and the poet's account of it; and this pleasure Mr. Smart might have impressed upon his readers in this p passage, as many things were wrought into the tapestry here-mentioned. In one part our hero was administering to a patient, "and the fresh vomit Say, Muse,] Observe, gentle reader, how ten- runs for ever green," The theatre at May-fair derly our author treats his hero throughout his made a conspicuous figure in the piece—the pit whole poem; he does not here impute his ridi- seemed to rise in an uproar—the gallery opened culous conduct, and all that train of errours which its rude throats--and apples, oranges and halfhave attended his consummate vanity, to his pence flew about our hero's ears.-The Mall in own perverse inclination, but with greater can- St. James's Park was displayed in a beautiful dour insinuates that some demon, foe to Hil- vista, and you might perceive Hillario with his Jario's repose, first misled his youthful imagina-janty air waddling along.-In Mary-le-Bone tion; which is a kind of apology for his life and character. He is not the only one who has been seduced to his ruin in this manner. We read it in Pope,

This note is partly by Macularius, and partly by Mr. Jinkyns, Philomath.

Some demon whisper'd, Visto have a taste. Hence then arise our hero's misfortunes; and that the demon above-mentioned was a foe to truth, will appear from Hillario's notable talent

Fields, he was dancing round a glow worm, and
finally the Rotunda at Ranelagh filled the eye
with its magnificence, and in a corner of it stood
a handsome young fellow holding a personage,
dressed in blue silk, by the ear;
"the very
worsted still locked black and blue." There
were many other curious figures, but out of a
shameful laziness has our poet omitted them.

POLYMETIS CANTABRIGIENSIS