merchant: he was born in the parish of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, 1666. He received a very liberal education, and at the age of nineteen was sent by his father to France, where he continued several years. In 1703 he was appointed Clarencieux king of arms, and in 1706 was commissioned by Queen Anne to carry the habit and ensigns of the order of the garter to King George the First, then at Hanover. He was also made comptroller-general of the board of works, and surveyor of the gardens and waters. In 1714 he received the order of knighthood, and in 1719 married Henrietta Maria, daughter of Colonel Yarborough. Sir John died at his house in Scotlandyard, and is interred in the family vault under the church of St. Stephen, Walbrook. He left only one son, who fell at the battle of Fontenoy. FABLE. RELATED BY A BEAU TO ESOP. A BAND, a Bob-wig, and a Feather, the Rev. George Vanbrugh, rector of Aughton, in Lancashire, the only surviving descendant of the family, informs me that his ancestors were eminent merchants of Antwerp, and fled out of Flanders when the Duke of Alva tried to establish the inquisition in those provinces. They first took refuge in Holland, and from thence came over to England to enjoy the protestant protection of Queen Elizabeth. The Band in a most learned plea, Told her, if she would please to wed Old solemn truth, With books and morals, into bed, The Bob, he talked of management, He said 'twas wealth gave joy and mirth, Of one, who labour'd all his life To make a mine of gold his own, And not spend sixpence when he'd done, Was heaven upon earth. When these two blades had done, d'ye see, Steps out, sir, from behind the skreen, It proved such sunshine weather That, you must know, at the first beck WILLIAM CONGREVE. BORN 1669.-DIED 1729. FROM THE MOURNING BRIDE. Almeria meeting her husband Alphonso, whom she had imagined to be dead, now disguised as the captive Osmyn, at the tomb of his father Anselmo. Enter ALMERIA and LEOnora. Alm. Ir was a fancied noise, for all is hushed. Leon. It bore the accent of a human voice. Alm. It was thy fear, or else some transient wind Whistling through hollows of this vaulted aisle. We'll listen Leon, Hark! Alm. No, all is hushed, and still as death-'tis dreadful! How reverend is the face of this tall pile, Whose ancient pillars rear their marble heads, And terror on my aching sight; the tombs And monumental caves of death look cold, Alm. It may my fears, but cannot add to that. Lead me o'er bones and skulls, and mouldering earth, Of human bodies; for I'll mix with them, Or wind me in the shroud of some pale corpse, Yet Enter HELI. Heli. I wander through this maze of monuments, Yet cannot find him-Hark! sure 'tis the voice Of one complaining-There it sounds!-I'll follow it. [Exit. SCENE II.-Opening, discovers a place of Tombs: one Monument, fronting the view, greater than the rest. Enter ALMERIA and LEONora. Leon. Behold the sacred vault, within whose womb The poor remains of good Anselmo rest, Alm. Sure 'tis the friendly yawn of death for me; Shall rest; shews me the grave, where nature, weary And long oppressed with woes and bending cares, My soul, enlarged from its vile bonds, will mount, |