relates to the one, with what consistency could I forbear to collate the best effusions of the other should premise, that in volume the first of my quarto history, chap, i. page 7, I lay it down as a principle never to be departed from, that, The Lyre is the prototype of the fidicinal species." And accordingly I have therein discussed at large, both the origin, and various improvements of the Lyre, from the Tortoise-shell scooped and strung by Mercury on the banks of the Nile, to the Testudo, exquisitely polished by Terpander, and exhibited to the Ægyptian Priests. I have added also many choice engravings of the various antique Lyres, viz. the Lyre of Goats-horns, the Lyre of Bullshorns, the Lyre of Shells, and the Lyre of both Shells and Horns compounded; from all which, I flatter myself, I have indubitably proved the Lyre to be very far superior to the shank bone of a crane, or any other Pike, Fistula, or Calamus, either of Otpheus's or Linus's' invention; ay, or even the best of thofe pulsatile instruments,' commonly known by the denomination of the drum.

I

.

Forasmuch, therefore, as all this was fi

nally proved and established by my History of Music, I say I hold it now no alien task Isay to somewhat turn, my thoughts to the late divines pecimens of Lyric Minstrelsy. For although; I may be deemed the legal guardian of Music alone, and consequently not in strictness bound to any farther duty than that of her immediate Wardship (see Burn's Justice, article Guardian), yet surely, in equity and liberal feeling, I cannot, but think myself very forcibly incited to extend this tutelage to her next of kin; in, which degree I hold every individual follower of THE LYRIC MUSE, but more especially all such part of them, as have devoted, or do devote their strains to the celebration of those best of themes, the reigning King and the current year; or in other words, of all Citharista Regis, Versificators Crononæ, Court Poets, or as we now term them, Poets Laureats.Pausanias tells us, that it pleased the God of Poets himself, by an express oracle, to order the inhabitants of Delphi to set apart for Pindar one half of the first fruit offerings: brought by the religious to his shrine, and to allow him a place in his temple, where, in an iron chair, he was used

ni

to sit and sing his hymns in honour of that God. Would to heaven that the Bench of Bishops would, in some degree, adopt this excellent the Dean or at least that and Chapter of Westminster, and the other Managers of the Abbey Music Meetings, it would in future allot the occasional occasional vacan cies of Madame Mara's seat in the Cathedral T Orchestra, for the reception of the reigning at Laureat, during the performance of that favourite constitutional ballad," May the then King live for ever!" It must be owned, however, that the Laureatship is already very kingly settlement; one hundred a year, together with a tierce of Canary, or a butt of sack, are surely most princely endow ments, for the honour of literature and e and the advancement of poetical genius. And hence (thank God and the King for it!) there scarcely ever has been wanting some great and good man both willing and able to supply so important a charge.At one time we find that great immortal genius, Mr. Thomas Shadwell (better known by the names of Og and Mac Flecknoe), chanting the pre rogative praises of that blessed æra. At a nearer period, we observe the whole force of

Colley1Cibber's genius devoted to the la bours of the same reputable employment. -And finally, in the example of a Whitehead's Muse, expatiating on the virt

of

our gracious Sovereign, have we not we not beheld the Best of Poets, in the best of Verses, ing ample justice to the best of Kings! The fire of Lyric Poesy, the rapid lightening g of modern Pindaries, were equally required to record the Virtues of the Stuarts, or to immortalize the Talents of a Bruns-" wick.On either theme there was ample subject for the boldest fights of inventive genius, the full scope for the most daring powers owers of poetical creation; from the free, unfettered strain of liberty in honour of Charles the First, to the kindred Genius and soned t congenial Talents that immortalize the Wis-l dom and the Worth of George the Third. -But on no occasion has the ardour for prerogative panegyrics so conspicuously flamed forth, as on the late election for succeeding to Mr. Whitehead's honours. To account for this unparalleled struggle, let us recol lect, that the ridiculous reforms of the late Parliament having cut off many gentlemanly offices, it was a necessary consequence that

3

the few which were spared, became objects; of rather more emulation than usual,Besides, there is a decency and regularity in producing at fixed and certain periods of the year, the same settled quantity of metre on the same unalterable subjects, which cannot fail to give a particular attraction to the Office of the Laureatship, at a crisis like the; present. It is admitted, that we are now in possession of much sounder, judgment, and more regulated taste, than our ancestors had any idea of; and hence, does it not imme-, diately follow, that the occupancy of a poeti- cal office, which, from its uniformity of subject and limitation of duty, precludes all hasty extravagance of style, as well as any plurality... of efforts, is sure to be a more pleasing object than ever to gentlemen of regular habits and a becoming degree of literary indolence? Is it not evident too, that in compositions of this kind, all fermentation of thought is certain in a very short time to subside and settle into mild and gentle composition till at length the possessors of this grave and orderly office prepare their stipulated return of metre, by as proportionate and gradual exertions, as many other classes of industrious