fact, the result of unremitted labour, and one of the most valuable acquisitions of litterature. It displays occasionally likewise a vigour and a brilliancy of polish that might endure comparison with the high-wrought texture of the Muse of DARWIN. From the nature of his subject, however, this splendid mode of decoration could be us'd but with a sparing hand: and it is not one of his least merits that his diction and harmony should so admirably correspond with the scene which he has chosen." "To excel," Dr. DRAKE continues, “in rural IMAGERY, it is necessary that the Poet should diligently study Nature for himself; and not peruse her, as is but too common, through the spectacles of Books*? He should trace her in all her windings, in her deepest recesses, in all her varied forms. It was thus that LUCRETIUS and VIRgil, that THOMSON and CowPER were enabled to unfold their scenery with such distinctness and truth; and on this plan, while wandering through his native fields, attentive to each rural sight, each rural sound,' has Mr. BLOOMFIELD built his charming Poem." * The happy illustration of DRYDEN in his admirable character of SHAKESPEARE. C. L. d "It is a Work which proves how inexhaustible "the features of the World we inhabit: how from "objects which the mass of Mankind is daily ac"custom'd to pass with indifference and neglect, "GENIUS can still produce pictures the most fas"cinating, and of the most interesting tendency. "For it is not to imagery alone, though such as "here depicted might ensure the meed of Fame, "that the Farmer's Boy will owe its value with us " and with posterity. A Morality the most pathe"tic and pure, the feelings of a heart alive to "all the tenderest duties of Humanity and Religion, "consecrate its glowing Landscapes, and shed an "interest over them, a spirit of devotion, that "calm and rational delight which the Goodness "and Greatness of the Creator ought ever to 'inspire." " Dr. DRAKE confirms, by copious and very judicious Extracts from the various parts of the Poem, as they offer themselves to critical selection, in accompanying the Farmer's Boy through the Circle of his year, the Judgment which he has form'd with so much ability, taste, and feeling, and has so agreeably express'd, of the Merits of our ENGLISH GEORGIC. And he speaks in his third and last Essay on it thus: "From the review we have now taken of THE FARMER'S BOY, it will be evident, I think, that, owing to its harmony and sweetness of versification, its benevolence of sentiment, and originality of imagery, it is intitled to rank very high in the class of descriptive and pastoral Poetry." He concludes with a highly animated and feeling anticipation of that public attention to the Poem and its Author, merited in every view, and which already has manifested itself in such ex tent. In the Critical Remarks I intended I find myself so much agreeing in sentiment with Dr. Drake that I shall attempt little more than merely to offer some few observations. One of these relates to the coincidences of thought and manner in the Farmer's Boy with other writings. These, as would previously be expected from what has been said, are extremely few indeed. And almost all that are particularly of moment in appreciating the poetical excellences of the Work are most truly coincidences, and cannot be otherwise consider'd. For the first of these which I shall mention I am indebted to WILLIAM SMITH, esq. of BURY, who had largely his share of Public Admiration, when he sustain'd, for many years, with great skill and judgment, and great natural advantages, almost every character of our Drama which had been eminently favour'd by either Muse; and who now enjoys retirement with honour and merited esteem. He mention'd to me in conversation, and since by Letter, a passage very closely resembling one in the IDYLLIA of AUSONIUS. It is this in Spring, Like the torn flower the fair assemblage fly. The passage to which Mr. Smith referr'd me is this. (It is not in my Edition of Ausonius; but he sent me a Copy.) "Conquerimur, Natura, brevis quod Gratia florum est; "Ostentata oculis illico dona rapis. "Quam longa una dies ætas tam longa rosarum, "Quas pubescentes juncta senecta premit.” ID. xiv. I am favor'd with a Translation made by Mr. SMITH in his very early days. And hope that as a brother Etonian he allows me to quote it. Nature, we grieve that thou giv'st flowers so gay, In the Procession of SPRING there is a fine series of allegorical Images. Advancing SPRING profusely spreads abroad Compare now this of LUCRETIUS, I. v. 271-6. It VER, et VENUS; et Veneris prænuntius ante De NAT. RES. L. V. v. 736-9. There SPRING, and VENUS ; and her Harbinger, Or in the very words of BLOOMFIELD, Flowers of all hues with sweetest fragrance stor❜d. Flowers of all hues; and without thorn the Rose. P. L. Hope here occupies the place of Zephyrus. DELIGHT on tip-toe supporting the lucid train of Spring, the image and attitude so full of life |