Let me, however, honestly report whatever may counterbalance this weight of censure. I have been told that Akenside, who, upon a poetical question, has a right to be heard, said, "That he would regulate his opinion of the reigning taste by the fate of Dyer's 'Fleece; for, if that were ill received, he should not think it any longer reasonable to expect fame from excellence." 13 18 His 'Fleece,' which I had the pleasure of reading in manuscript with Dr. Akenside, is written in a pure and classical taste, and with many happy imitations of Virgil.—Jos. WARTON: Essay on Pope, i. 86, ed. 1782. Mr. Dyer (here you will despise me highly) has more of poetry in his imagination than almost any of our number; but rough and injudicious.-GRAY to Walpole, n. d. (He is criticising Dodsley's Collection.) Dyer has found warm admirers in our own time in Bowles and Wordsworth. "In blank verse I would mention a striking passage in Dyer's 'Fleece' : The pilot steers Steady; with eye intent upon the steel W. L. BOWLES. SHEN STONE. 1714-1763. Born at the Leasowes, in Shropshire-Educated at Hales-Owen and Oxford-Publishes a small Miscellany of Poems without his name-Publishes 'The Judgment of Hercules,' 'The Schoolmistress,' and other Poems-His Ferme ornée-His pecuniary difficulties-Death and Burial in Hales-Owen Churchyard, Shropshire-Works and Character. WILLIAM SHENSTONE, the son of Thomas Shenstone and Anne Penn, was born in 1714, at the Leasowes in Hales-Owen, one of those insulated districts which, in the division of the kingdom, was appended, for some reason not now discoverable, to a distant county ; and which, though surrounded by Warwickshire and Worcestershire, belongs to Shropshire, though perhaps thirty miles distant from any other part of it.' He learned to read of an old dame, whom his poem of 'The Schoolmistress' has delivered to posterity; and soon received such delight from books, that he was always calling for fresh entertain ment, and expected that, when any of the family went to market, a new book should be brought him, which, when it came, was in fondness carried to bed and laid by him. It is said, that when his request had been neglected, his mother wrapped up a piece of wood of the same form, and pacified him for the night. As he grew older, he went for a while to the Grammar-school in Hales-Owen, and was placed afterwards with Mr. Crumpton, an eminent schoolmaster at Solihull, where he distinguished himself by the quickness of his progress. When he was young (June, 1724) he was deprived of his father, and soon after (August, 1726) of his grandfather; and was, with his brother, who died afterwards unmarried, left to the care of his grandmother, who managed the estate." 1 He was the elder of the two sons of Thomas Shenstone by Anne Penn, the eldest of the three daughters of William Penn, of Harborough, Gent. His brother Joseph was bred an attorney at Bridgnorth, but never practised, and died, 1757, at the Leasowes. 2 His mother died in 1732. From school he was sent in 1732 to Pembroke College in Oxford, a society which for half a century has been eminent for English poetry and elegant literature. Here it appears that he found delight and advantage; for he continued his name in the book ten years, though he took no degree. After the first four years he put on the civilian's gown, but without showing any intention to engage in the profession. About the time when he went to Oxford, the death of his grandmother devolved his affairs to the care of the Rev. Mr. Dolman, of Brome in Staffordshire, whose attention he always mentioned with gratitude. At Oxford he employed himself upon English poetry; and in 1737, published a small Miscellany, without his name." He then for a time wandered about, to acquaint himself with life, and was sometimes at London, sometimes at Bath, or any other place of public resort; but he did not forget his poetry. He published in 1741, his Judgment of Hercules,' addressed to Mr. Lyttelton, whose interest he supported with great warmth at an election this was next year [May, 1742] followed by 'The Schoolmistress.' 96 Mr. Dolman, to whose care he was indebted for his ease and leisure, died in 1745,' and the care of his own fortune now fell upon himself. He tried to escape it awhile, and lived at his house with 3 This was Johnson's own college. 4 'Poems upon Various Occasions. Written for the entertainment of the Author, and printed for the Amusement of a few Friends prejudiced in his favour. Contentus paucis Lectoribus.-HOR. Oxford, 1787.' The volume contains a complimentary poem 'To Mr. Pope on his Dunciad,' and what Mr. D'Israeli has omitted to notice (* Curios. of Lit.'), the first sketch of 'The Schoolmistress.' There are twelve stanzas-but twelve of no ordinary merit. He sought in after-life to suppress the volume, and so successfully that it is now very rare. 5 April, 1741, anonymously. The Judgment of Hercules, a Poem, inscribed to George Lyttelton, Esq. Dodsley, 1741.' 8vo. "I never inquire," he writes, "how my poem takes, and am afraid to do so. However, I find some do allow it to be Mallet's " 6 The School-Mistress, a Poem. In imitation of Spenser. Dodsley, 1742.' 8vo. Before the first stanza, and under the half title, occurs, "Written at College, 1786." The poem, as here printed, contains twenty-eight stanzas; as it at present stands, it consists of thirty-five. In the first edition are two poor stanzas, afterwards omitted. The alterations from the first edition are highly judicious. 7 I was at Birmingham on Tuesday morning, from whence I saw the remains of Ligonier's Horse march with vast spirits and alacrity. They wish to have, what they call, the refusal of the Highlanders.--SHENSTONE to Miss Winny Fletcher. Leasowes, Nov. 28, 1745 (unpub. lished letter). |