He seized the advantage Fate allow'd ; And straight compress'd her in his vigorous arms. STROPHE. The curlieu scream'd, the Tritons blew And Independence saw the light. The light he saw in Albion's happy plains, The smiling infant to their charge consign'd; He flourish'd bold and sinewy as his sire; THOMAS BLACKLOCK. BORN 1721-DIED 1791. "THE blind poet" was a native of Annan, in Dumfriesshire. At six months old he lost his sight in the smallpox; and, when he reached the proper age, his father and friends, to lighten this calamity, read to him whatever they conceived likely to please and interest him in P the English classics and poets. In this manner his taste for poetry was early formed. At the age of twenty he lost his kind father. About the same time his MS. verses attracted so much attention, that, with the assistance of some generous friends, he was sent to the University of Edinburgh. His promising abilities, and the sympathy excited by his blindness, procured him many useful friends, who promoted the sale of his works, and thus enabled him to continue his studies, till, in 1759, he was licensed as a preacher of the Scottish church. He now married the daughter of a surgeon in his native town,-a union that contributed much to the happiness of his future life. Blacklock was presented to the church of Kirkcudbright; but the appointment of a blind pastor gave so much offence to the worthy parishioners, that, on receiving a very moderate annuity, he gave up his clerical charge, and removed to Edinburgh, where, during the remainder of his life, he received into his family, as boarders and pupils, a few young gentlemen among the students at the University. His verse and his conversation attracted many friends around the cheerful and amiable blind poet; and he enjoyed the friendship and correspondence of many men distinguished in literature. In the composition of various works, the instruction of his pupils, and the elegant enjoyments of society, Blacklock passed a placid and not useless life. He ought ever to be gratefully remembered as the first friend of Burns. But for his fortunate, generous, and happily-timed interference, Burns, then on the very eve of sailing for the West Indies, must have been for ever lost to his country. THE PORTRAIT. STRAIGHT is my person, but of little size; My port so manly, and so fresh my hue; In just vibration thus I always move: This who can view and not be forced to love? This hour, perhaps, as death I hate my foe; CHRISTOPHER ANSTEY. BORN 1724-DIED 1805. THIS lively and agreeable versifier was, in common with a very great proportion of literary men, the son of a clergyman. From Eton he went to Cambridge, where, in 1742, he obtained a degree, which he resigned on coming to his patrimony and marrying. THE NEW BATH GUIDE, Anstey's well-known poem, was exceedingly popular at the time of publication, and has been often taken as a model in a new style of English verse, sketchy, humorous, sometimes pointed, but in its love of mischief rather sportful than malignant. Mr Anstey died at Bath at a very advanced age. He was the father of-thirteen children. FROM THE NEW BATH GUIDE. THE PUBLIC BREAKFAST. Now my Lord had the honour of coming down post, To pay his respects to so famous a toast; In hopes he her Ladyship's favour might win, liver : He said it would greatly our pleasure promote, If we all for Spring-Gardens set out in a boat: I never as yet could his reason explain, Why we all sallied forth in the wind and the rain; For sure such confusion was never yet known; Here a cap and a hat, there a cardinal blown : While his Lordship, embroider'd and powder'd all o'er, Was bowing, and handing the ladies ashore : How the Misses did huddle, and scuddle, and run: One would think to be wet must be very good fun; For by waggling their tails, they all seem'd to take pains To moisten their pinions like ducks when it rains; And 'twas pretty to see how, like birds of a fea ther, The people of quality flock'd all together; |