a long time; particularly in Wiltshire and most of the northern counties, where a great number of sheep and black cattle were killed, and other considerable damages incurred. About nine in the evening of August 17, this year, a very singular luminous phenomenon made its appearance at Greenwich, and was seen over great part of Europe: on the 18th of April there was a total and visible eclipse of the Moon, which continued during three hours; another total eclipse of the Moon occurred on the 10th of September, beginning at 38 minutes past 9 o'Clock in the evening and continuing 3 hours 41 minutes, which was visible in Europe, Africa, and great part of Asia and America. True, we have lost an Empire &c. (p. 61.) These lines advert, with great spirit, to the dismemberment of America from Great Britain, and undoubtedly point out the true cause of that calamity. But brighter beams, than his &c. (p. 104.) The author here alludes to the promulgation of the Gospel, in Greenland, by the Moravian Missionaries. Gentle savage! whom &c. (p. 159.) Omia, or Omai, was a native of one of the Friendly Islands, from whence, while extremely young, he was brought over to England by Captain Furneaux. After staying in this country long enough to become acquainted with the habits and luxuries of civilized life, he was embarked with Captain Cook, who returned him to his native place: he was, however, sent back so loaded with presents as greatly to attract the envy of his countrymen, many of whom, on Captain Cook's return, testified the utmost eagerness to embark with him for England. Omia, on these occasions, always reminded Cook of what Lord Sandwich had declared to him-" that no others of his countrymen were to come to England;" for Omia, notwithstanding the hatred and danger to which it had exposed him, was extremely jealous of his travelled superiority over the natives, and could not bear to think that another should acquire the same degree of importance to which he now considered himself entitled. When Cook finally quitted Omia, he was under the necessity of promising him a periodical return of ships from this country, though no such measure was ever designed to be executed; the promise, notwithstanding, was indispensable, in order to keep Omia in the observance of that conduct which had been enjoined him by the English commander, and at the same time to restrain the natives from attempting any violence against him. Mr. Cowper has made a very beautiful allusion to this circumstance, in the following lines, She tells me, too, that duly ev'ry morn For sight of ship from England. Those who may be induced to wish a more detailed account of this interesting Savage, will find themselves amply gratified by consulting the two first volumes of the quarto edition of Captain Cook's Last Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. Petronius! all the muses &c. (p. 174.) It is hardly necessary to observe, that by Petronius is here meant the very celebrated Lord Chesterfield. Yon ancient Prude &c. (p. 178.) The poet seems to have taken the hint of his prude from Hogarth. Of the original, we shall give the following account, from Fielding's History of Tom Jones, where, speaking of Miss Bridget Allworthy, he says, "I would attempt to draw her picture; but that is done already by a more able master, Mr. Hogarth himself, to whom she sat many years ago, and hath been lately exhibited by that gentleman in his print of a WINTER'S MORNING, of which she was no improper emblem; and may be seen walking (for walk she does in the print) to Covent-Garden Church, with a starved foot-boy behind carrying her prayer-book." John Gilpin was a citizen &c. (p. 218.) It is a fact but little known, that Henderson, the Actor, had the honour of introducing the poetry of Cowper into public reputation and favour. During the Lent of 1785 Mr. Henderson, who was then joined with Mr. Sheridan,* brought forward, among other pieces, in their Readings at Freemason's Hall, the History of John Gilpin; which now, for the first time, attracted universal interest and admiration, *Father of the present Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Esq. M.P. though it had been several years before published in the Newspapers. One printseller immediately sold 6000 Copies of this hitherto neglected Race; and its success was so extensive as probably induced the Author to venture his Poems before the public. He was Henderson did not long survive the brilliant career of John Gilpin; dying on the 25th of November 1785. interred in Westminster Abbey, on the 3rd. of December following, near Johnson and Garrick. His pall was supported by the Hon. Mr. Byng, Mr. Malone, Mr. Whitefoord, Mr. Steevens, Mr. Hoole, and the present Rt. Hon. W. Pitt. And Katterfelto, with his hair on end At his own wonders, wond'ring for his bread. (p. 127.) Katterfelto was celebrated for his puffing advertisements, and a large black cat; with which he contrived to allure a great concourse of people, some years ago, to his exhibitions in Piccadilly. He was always ample in promises, but meagie in performance; and may be said to have been the Merlin or Van Butchell of his day. THE END. Printed by Holt and Hage, |