JOHN BROWN, A. M., afterwards D.D. and author of the following Essay on Satire, is also advantageously known to the literary public by several other works, and particularly by his Essays on the Characteristics of Lord Shaftesbury, of which there have been many editions. Another work of his, which obtained still greater popularity, was his "Estimate of the Manners and Principles of the Times," where he endeavoured, by the severity of his invective against the indolence and selfishness of his countrymen, to rouse them to useful and honourable exertion, in which noble and patriotic attempt he is supposed to have had considerable success. His Tragedy of Barbarossa was brought forwards with great advantage by Garrick, and for some time kept possession of the stage. He also wrote a poem, intitled "Honour," addressed to Lord Lonsdale, and an ode intitled "The Cure of Saul," which was set to music and performed as an oratorio. The former of these may be found in the third volume of Dodsley's Collection of Poems, and the latter in the second volume of the supplemental collection of Pearch. Many other pieces of his are enumerated in the Biographia Britannica, where a further account of the circumstances of his life, and of its unhappy termination, may be found. To the character of Dr. Brown, both moral and intellectual, the following piece does great credit; and in the situation where it is now placed, it may serve as no unsuitable introduction to the Satires of Pope, as it contains sound principles and correct critical opinions, and is upon the whole one of the best imitations of the style and manner of Pope that have hitherto appeared. Or the End and Efficacy of Satire. The Love of Glory and fear of Shame universal, Ver. 29. This Passion, implanted in Man as a Spur to Virtue, is generally perverted, Ver. 41. And thus becomes the Occasion of the greatest Follies, Vices, and Miseries, Ver. 61. It is the Work of Satire to rectify this Passion, to re- duce it to its proper Channel, and to convert it into an Incentive to Wisdom and Virtue, Ver. 89. Hence it appears, that Satire Rules for the Conduct of Satire. Justice and Truth its chief and essential Property, Ver. 169. Prudence in the Application of Wit and Ridicule, whose Province is, not to explore unknown, but to enforce known Truths, Ver. 191. Proper Subjects of Sa- tire are the Manners of present Times, Ver. 239. Decency of Expression recommended, Ver. 255. The different Methods in which Folly and Vice ought to be chastised, Ver. 269. The Va- riety of Style and Manner which these two Subjects require, Ver. The Praise of Virtue may be admitted with Propriety, The History of true Satire. Roman Satirists, Lucilius, Horace, Causes of the Decay of Lite- PART 1. FATE gave the word; the cruel arrow sped; And POPE lies number'd with the mighty dead! Resign'd he fell; superior to the dart, That quench'd its rage in YOURS and BRITAIN'S heart: You mourn; but BRITAIN, lull'd in rest profound, (Unconscious BRITAIN !) slumbers o'er her wound. Exulting Dulness eyed the setting light, And flapp'd her wing, impatient for the night; And snake-hung ENVY hisses o'er his urn; But you, O WARBURTON! whose eye refined 15 page with care, And view that bright assemblage treasured there; Whose eye, not wing, his ardent flight pursues: |