with no other book than an English Testament, such as children carry to the school when his friend took it into his hand, out of curiosity to see what companion a man of letters had chosen, "I have but one book," said Collins, "but that is the best." 'Such was the fate of Collins, with whom I once delighted to converse, and whom I yet remember with tenderness. 'He was visited at Chichester, in his last illness, by his learned friends Dr. Warton and his brother; to whom he spoke with disapprobation of his Oriental Eclogues, as not sufficiently expressive of Asiatic manners, and called them his Irish Eclogues. He shewed them, at the same time, an ode inscribed to Mr. John Hume, on the Superstitions of the Highlands; which they thought superior to his other works. His disorder was not alienation of mind, but general laxity and feebleness, a deficiency rather of his vital than intellectual powers. What he spoke wanted neither judg ment nor spirit; but a few minutes exhausted him, so that he was forced to rest upon the couch, till a short cessation restored his powers, and he was again able to talk with his former vigour. "The approaches of this dreadful malady he began to feel soon after his uncle's death; and, with the usual weakness of men so diseased, eagerly snatched that temporary relief with which the table and the bottle flatter and seduce. But his health continually declined, and he grew more and more. burthensome to himself. To what I have formerly said of his writings may be added, that his diction was often harsh, unskilfully laboured, and injudiciously selected. He affected the obsolete when it was not worthy of revival; and he puts his words out of the common order, seeming to think, with some later candidates for fame, that not to write prose is certainly to write poetry. His lines commonly are of slow motion, clogged and impeded with clusters of consonants. As men are often esteemed who cannot be loved, so the poetry of Collins may sometimes extort praise, when it gives little pleasure." Mr. Collins's first production is added here from the Poetical Calendar.' TO MISS AURELIA CR, On her weeping at her Sister's Wedding. You'll find your sister in his arms.' A monument has been erected by public subscription to Collins. He is represented as just recovered from a wild fit of phrensy, to which he was subject, and in a calm and reclining posture, seeking refuge from his misfortunes in the consolations of the Gospel, while his lyre and one of the first of his poems lie neglected on the ground, &c. The whole was executed by Flaxman, at that time lately returned from Rome: the following most excellent epitaph was written by Mr. Hayley. Ye who the merits of the dead revere, Who hold misfortune's sacred genius dear, Regard this tomb, where Collins, hapless name, Though Nature gave him, and though Science taught He pass'd in madd'ning pain life's fev'rish dream, Who touch'd the tend'rest notes of Pity's lyre; STANZAS, WRITTEN BY SCOTT, OF AMWELL, ON HIS RETURN FROM CHICHESTER, WHERE HE HAD IN VAIN ATTEMPTED TO FIND THE BURIAL-PLACE OF COLLINS. To view the beauties of my native land, O'er many a pleasing, distant scene, I rove; Anxious my tribute of respect to pay. O'er the dim pavement of the solemn fane, Midst the rude stones that crowd the' adjoining space, The sacred spot I seek: but seek in vain In vain I ask for none can point the place. What boots the eye whose quick observant glance What, the skill'd ear that sound's sweet charms entrance, What boots the power each image to portray, Fond Friendship's hand records in humble phrase; For them no care, to them no honour shewn: Alive neglected, and when dead forgot, E'en COLLINS slumbers in a grave unknown. ORIENTAL ECLOGUES. ECLOGUE I. SELIM; OR, THE SHEPHERD'S MORAL. Scene-A Valley near Bagdat. Time-The Morning. 'YE Persian maids! attend your poet's lays, And hear how shepherds pass their golden days. Not all are blest, whom Fortune's hand sustains With wealth in courts; nor all that haunt the plains: Well may your hearts believe the truths I tell; 'Tis virtue makes the bliss where'er we dwell.' Thus Selim sung, by sacred Truth inspired; Or taught the swains that surest bliss to find, When sweet and blushing, like a virgin bride, 'Ye Persian dames, he said, to you belong- Yet think not these, all beauteons as they are, Boast but the worth Bassora's pearls display; Such are the maids, and such the charms they boast, Self-flattering sex! your hearts believe in vain As spots on ermine beautify the skin: 'Blest were the days when Wisdom held her reign, "O haste, fair maids! ye Virtues, come away, Sweet Peace and Plenty lead you on your way! The balmy shrub for you shall love our shore, By Ind excell'd, or Araby, no more. 'Lost to our fields, for so the Fates ordain, The dear deserters shall return again. Come thou, whose thoughts as limpid springs are To lead the train, sweet Modesty, appear: Here make thy court amidst our rural scene, [clear, And shepherd-girls shall own thee for their queen: Distrusting all, a wise, suspicious maid; But man the most-not more the mountain doe Cold is her breast, like flowers that drink the dew; No wild desires amidst thy train be known, |