J6qLe V.I

CONTENTS OF VOL. I.

ABRAHAM COWLEY.-1618-1667.

Birth and Parentage-Genius-Educated at Westminster and Cambridge-His learned Pueril-

ities-His 'Mistress-His compliance with the Times-His Latin Poetry-His 'Davideis '--

His Love of Solitude-Beath and Burial in Westminster Abbey-The Metaphysical Poets-

Pindarism-Works and Character

SIR JOHN DENHAM.-1615-1668.

37

Born at Dublin-Educated at Oxford and Lincoln's Inn-Addicted to Gaming-Becomes unex-

pectedly a Poet-Sides with Charles I.-Writes Cooper's Hill'-Employed by Charles I.-

Made Knight of the Bath and Surveyor of the Works-His two Wives-Becomes Insane-

Death and Burial in Westminster Abbey-Character and Works

99

JOHN MILTON.-1608-1674.

Born in London-Educated at St. Paul's and at Cambridge-Writes' Comus' and 'Lycidas'—

Visits Italy-Sees Grotius and Galileo-Returns to London-His 'School '-Marries-Pub-

lishes his Poems-Writes on Divorce-Sides with the Parliament against Charles I.-Made

Secretary of the Latin Tongue to the Parliament and Cromwell-Prints a reply to Salmasius

-Becomes Blind-Loses his Secretaryship-Is in Danger at the Restoration-Receives a

Pardon-Publishes Paradise Lost' and 'Paradise Regained '-His Three Wives-His Chil-

dren and Nephews-Dies in London, and is buried in St. Giles', Cripplegate-His Works and

Character

113

SAMUEL BUTLER.-1612-1680.

Born at Strensham, in Worcestershire-Educated either at Oxford or Cambridge-Enters

the service of the Countess of Kent-Employed by Selden, and acquires the friendship

of Cooper the painter-Made Steward of Ludlow Castle-Marries-Sir Samuel Luke-

Publishes 'Hudibras' in three parts-His Poverty-Death and burial in St. Paul's, Co-

vent Garden-Monument in Westminster Abbey-Works and Character

EARL OF ROCHESTER.-1647-1680.

197

Born at Ditchley, in Oxfordshire-Educated at Oxford-Becomes a Favourite with Charles

II.-Early and continued dissipation-His Quarrel with Lord Mulgrave-Burnet's Ac-

count of his last Illness-Death and Burial at Spilsbury, in Oxfordshire-His Character

as a Poet

215

EARL OF ROSCOMMON.-1634-1684.

Born in Ireland-Educated at Caen-Preter natural intelligence of his Father's Death-Returns

to England at the Restoration-His love of play-Endeavours to refine the English language

-Death and burial in Westminster Abbey-Purity and excellence of his writings

225

Born at Trotton, in Sussex-Educated at Winchester and Oxford-Fails as an Actor-Great

Success as a Dramatist-Serves as a Cornet in the English Army in Flanders-His Poverty

and tragic End-Buried in St. Clement's Danes-His Works and Character

EDMUND WALLER.-1605-1687.

287

Born at Coleshill, in Hertfordshire-Educated at Eton and Cambridge-Returned to Parlia-

ment-His first Poetry-Marries a rich Heiress-Sacharissa-His Second Marriage-Is a

Member of the Long Parliament-Cromwell and Hampden-Publishes his Poems-His Plot

in favour of Charles I.-His Life in danger-Escapes with a heavy Fine-Lives in France-

Is allowed to return-His Panegyric on Cromwell-His Poem on Charles II.-His Life at the

Restoration-Death and Burial at Beaconsfield, in Buckinghamshire-Works and Charac-

Born at Aldwinkle, in Northamptonshire-Educated at Westminster and Cambridge-His late

appearance as a Poet-His first Verses-His Panegyric on Cromwell His Poem on the

Restoration-His first Play-Revival of the Drama-Heroic Plays with Rhyme-Becomes a

constant Writer for the Stage-Made Poet Laureate-His controversy with Settle and Shad-

well-Is ridiculed by the Duke of Buckingham in 'The Rehearsal '-Is beaten by bullies

hired by the Earl of Rochester-His Political and Religious Satires-Publishes 'Absalom

and Achitophel'-'The Medal'-' Mac Flecknoe'-Is converted to the Church of Rome-

Publishes The Hind and the Panther '-Loses his office of Poet Laureate His translations

from Juvenal, Ovid, and Persius-His translation of Virgil-Ode on St. Cecilia's Day, and

Fables-Death and Burial in Westminster Abbey-Works and Character

298

JOHN POMFRET.-1667-1703.

Born at Luton, in Bedfordshire-Educated at Cambridge-Rector of Malden-Publishes 'The

Choice-Marries-Death and Character

415

EARL OF DORSET.-1637-8-1705-6.

Birth and Parentage-Educated under a Private Tutor-Represents East Grinstead in the

Restoration Parliament-His Early Dissipation-His Valour and Gaiety-Writes a famous

Ballad at Sea, 'To all you ladies now at land'-Created Earl of Middlesex-Succeeds his

Father as Earl of Dorset-Sides with the Prince of Orange against James II.-Twice Mar-

ried-His Patronage of Poets-Death at Bath, and Burial at Wythiam

GEORGE STEPNEY.-1663-1707.

419

Born at Westminster-Educated at Cambridge-His Political Employments-Death and Burial

in Westminster Abbey-Works and Character

427

Born at Bampton in Oxfordshire-Educated at Winchester and Oxford-Publishes 'The

Splendid Shilling,' 'Blenheim,' and 'Cider'-Burial in Hereford Cathedral-Monument

in Westminster Abbey-Works and Character

433

WILLIAM WALSH.-1663-1707-8.

Born at Abberley, in Worcestershire-Educated at Oxford-Dryden's high Character of him-

His early Encouragement-Buried at Abberley-Works and Character

449

EDMUND SMITH.-1668-1710.

Born at Handley, in Worcestershire-Educated at Westminster and Oxford-His Character

by Oldisworth-Excels in Latin verse-His loose life and slovenly habits-His Tragedy of

'Phædra and Hippolitus '-Buried at Hartham, in Wiltshire-Works and Character-Gil-

bert Walmsley .

RICHARD DUKE.-1668?-1710-11.

455

Born at Westminster-Educated at Cambridge-Friendship with Otway-Contributes to Dry-

den's 'Ovid' and 'Juvenal'-Vicar of Witney-Death

'477

WILLIAM KING.-1663-1712.

Born in London-Educated at Westminster and Oxford-Made Gazetteer-Buried in West-

minster Abbey-Works and Character

THOMAS SPRAT.-1636-1713.

481

Born at Tallaton, in Devonshire-Educated at Oxford-His poem on Cromwell's Death-Made

Chaplain to Villiers, Duke of Buckingham-His friendship with Cowley-Made Vicar of St.

Margaret's, Westminster, Dean of Westminster, and Bishop of Rochester-Story of his

Preaching-Burial in Westminster Abbey-Works and Character

EARL OF HALIFAX.-1661-1715.

487

Born at Horton, in Northamptonshire-Educated at Westminster and Cambridge-His Poem

on Charles II.'s death-Joins with Prior in 'The Country Mouse and City Mouse-Intro-

duced to William III.-His several Offices-Made Chancellor of the Exchequer and Earl of

Halifax-His Patronage of Poets-Burial in Westminster Abbey.

495

THOMAS PARNELL.-1679-1718.

Born at Dublin-Educated at Trinity College, Dublin-Made Archdeadon of Clogher-Marries

-Loses his wife-Introduced to Swift and Pope

503

SAMUEL GARTH.-1670 ?-1718-19.

Of a Yorkshire family-Educated at Cambridge-Admitted a Fellow of the College of Physi-

cians-Publishes 'The Dispensary,' a poem-Sides with the Whigs-His Popularity-

Knighted by George I.-His 'Ovid'-Burial at Harrow-on-the-Hill-Works and Charac-

ter

511

NICHOLAS ROWE.-1673-1718.

Born at Little Barford, in Bedfordshire-Educated at Westminster-Entered at the Middle

Temple-His first Tragedy, 'The Ambitious Stepmother '-His other Tragedies-Made Poet

Laureate Translates Lucan-Buried in Westminster Abbey-Works and Character 519

JOSEPH ADDISON.-1672-1719.

Born at Milston, in Wiltshire-Educated at the Charter-house and Oxford-Is praised by

Dryden Early Friendship for Steele-Intended for the Church-Encouraged by Somers

and Montague-Travels in Italy-Interview with Boileau-Publishes his Travels-Letter in

Verse from Italy-Writes 'The Campaign,' a Poem-'Rosamond,' an Opera-Made

Secretary to Lord Wharton The Tatler ''The Spectator'-'The Whig Examiner '—

Origin of Newspapers-Cato,' a Tragedy-'The Drummer,' a Comedy- The Freeholder'

-Made Secretary of State-Marries the Countess of Warwick-Resigns his Secretary-

ship-Alleged Quarrel with Steele-Death and Burial in Westminster Abbey-Works and

Character

533

JOHN HUGHES.-1677-1719-20.

Born at Marlborough, in Wiltshire--Educated at a private school-Early appearance as a poet

-Addison's opinion of his talent-Writes 'The Siege of Damascus,' a Tragedy-Death and

Character

593

JOHN SHEFFIELD, DUKE OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.-1649-1720–21.

Birth and self-education-Summoned to Parliament-Serves at sea against the Dutch--Made

Colonel of the Grenadiers and K. G.-His conduct at the Revolution-Favours Lord Oxford's

Administration-His three Wives-Death and burial in Westminster Abbey-Works and

Born at Wimborne, in Dorsetshire-Educated at Westminster and Cambridge-Patronised by

the Earl of Dorset-Joins Montague in a Satire on 'The Hind and Panther '-Made Secretary

to the English Embassy at the Hague, and a Gentleman of the Bedchamber to William III.

-Made Secretary to the Embassy at the Treaty of Ryswick, Under-Secretary of State, and

a Commissioner of Trade-Collects his Poems-His future advancement stopped by the

meanness of his Birth and the accession of the House of Hanover-His intimacy with Har-

ley, Earl of Oxford-Is taken into custody and examined before the Privy Council-Re-

leased-Retires on his Cambridge Fellowship-Publishes his Poems by subscription-His

Deafness-Burial in Westminster Abbey-Works and Character

611