ightness, and facility: what is smooth is not soft. His verses always roll, but they seldom flow.

A survey of the life and writings of Prior may exemplify a sen tence which he doubtless understood well, when he read Horace at his uncle's; "The vessel long retains the scent which it first receives." In his private relaxation he revived the tavern, and in his amorous pedantry he exhibited the college. But on higher occasions and nobler subjects, when habit was overpowered by the necessity of reflection, he wanted not wisdom as a statesman, or elegance as a poet.51

51 Prior's writings evince less disposition to literary jealousy than those of any author of the age. SIR WALTER SCOTT (Swift, ii. 77, 2nd ed.).

END OF VOL. I.