sed by his grandson, Henry Boyle, Esq; whose amiable qualities
endear him to all who have the happiness of his acquaintance. His works
are collected, and printed in one volume, published by Tonson.

[Footnote 1: Biog. Brit, p. 2129.]

[Footnote 2: See Dryden's Life.]

[Footnote 3: History of the Stewarts, vol. ii. p. 479.]

[Footnote 4: The line here referred to, was omitted in the later
editions of these verses.]

[Footnote 5: Chronol. Diary for A.D. 1714-15.]

[Footnote 6: Biog. Britan, p, 2135.]

[Footnote 7: Chronol. Diary, A.D. 1719.]

[Footnote 8: Collins's Peerage, vol. iv. p. 259.]

* * * * *

NICHOLAS ROWE, Esq;

This excellent poet was descended from an ancient family in Devonshire,
which had for many ages made a very good figure in that county, and was
known by the name of the Rowes of Lambertowne. Mr. Rowe could trace his
ancestors in a direct line up to the times of the holy war, in which one
of them so distinguished himself, that at his return he had the arms
given him, which the family has born ever since, that being in those
days all the reward of military virtue, or of blood spilt in those
expeditions.

From that time downward to Mr. Rowe's father, the family betook
themselves to the frugal management of a private fortune, and the
innocent pleasures of a country life. Having a handsome estate, they
lived beyond the fear of want, or reach of envy. In all the changes of
government, they are said to have ever leaned towards the side of public
liberty, and in that retired situation of life, nave beheld with grief
and concern the many encroachments that have been made in it from time
to time.

Our author was born at Little Berkford in Bedfordshire, at the house of
Jasper Edwards, Esq; his mother's father, in the year 1673[1]. He began
his education at a private grammar-school in Highgate; but the taste he
there acquired of the classic authors, was improved, and finished under
the care of the famous Dr. Busby of Westminster school; where, about the
age of 12 years, he was chosen one of the King's scholars. Besides
his skill in the Latin and Greek languages, he had made a tolerable
proficiency in the Hebrew; but poetry was his early bent, and darling
study. He composed, at different times, several copies of verses upon
various subjects both in Greek and Latin, and some in English, which
were much admired, and the more so, because they were produced with so
mu