a delicacy and correctness of expression in
his paintings, joined to such a laudable thirst of improvement, that we
are persuaded, when he shall have obtained more experience and proper
opportunities of viewing the productions of able masters, he will become
truly eminent in his profession." This note accompanies a poem upon one
of Mr. West's portraits which, the editor remarks, "We communicate with
particular pleasure, when we consider that the lady who sat, the
painter who guided the pencil, and the poet who so well describes the
whole, are all _natives of this place, and very young_."

The poet so happily applauded for his skill did indeed turn his verse
and his compliment gracefully.

"Yet sure his flattering pencil's unsincere,
His fancy takes the place of bashful truth;
And warm imagination pictures here
The pride of beauty and the bloom of youth.

Thus had I said, and thus, deluded, thought,
Had lovely Stella still remained unseen,
Whose grace and beauty to perfection brought
Make every imitative art look mean."

The poem was dated Philadelphia, February 15, 1758, and signed
"Lovelace."

R. W. Griswold, "Poets and Poetry of America" (p. 24) gives Joseph
Shippen (1732-1810) the credit of the lines, and Moses Coit Tyler
assigns them to the same source (History of American Literature, II,
240). Another poem by Shippen, "On the Glorious Victory near Newmark in
Silesia," was contributed to the magazine in March, over the signature
"Annandius."

Hearty appreciation of earnestness and ability in the young is a
characteristic of this _American Magazine_ and of its editor, who, with
the true teacher's instinct, freely awarded superb and splendid praise
to the humble and obscure for good work done. Among the young men who
received recognition was Francis Hopkinson, whose first poem appeared in
the first number (p. 44), "Ode on Music, written at Philadelphia, by a
young gentleman of seventeen, on his beginning to learn the
harpsichord." In the following month Hopkinson contributed two poems in
imitation of Milton, "L'Allegro" and "Il Penseroso," the first dedicated
to B. C--w, Esq. (Benjamin Chew), under whom the author studied law, and
the latter a tribute of affection to William Smith.

"And thou, O S--th! my more than friend,
To whom these artless lines I send,
Once more thy wonted candor bring,
And hear the muse you taught to sing;
The muse that strives to win your ear,