l not say that George Steevens has evinced the learning
of Selden upon Drayton, or of Bentley upon Phalaris; nor did
his erudition, in truth, rise to the lofty and commanding
pitch of these his predecessors: nor does there seem much
sense or wit in hunting after every _pencil-scrap_ which
this renowned bibliomaniac committed to paper--as some sadly
bitten book-collectors give evidence of. If I have not
greatly misunderstood the characteristics of Steevens's
writings, they are these--wit, elegance, gaiety, and satire,
combined with almost perfect erudition in English dramatic
antiquities. Let us give a specimen of his classical
elegance in dignifying a subject, which will be relished
chiefly by GRANGERITES. Having learnt that a copy of
Skelton's Verses on Elinour Rummin, the famous Ale-wife of
England, with her portrait in the title-page, was in the
Library of the Cathedral of Lincoln (perhaps, formerly,
Captain Coxe's copy; vide p. 266, ante), he prevailed on the
late Dean, Sir Richard Kaye, to bring the book to London;
but as it was not suffered to go from the Dean's possession,
Mr. S. was permitted to make a _fac-simile_ drawing of the
title, at the Dean's house in Harley-street. This drawing he
gave to Richardson, the printseller, who engraved and
published it among the copies of scarce portraits to
illustrate Granger. The acquisition of this rarity produced
from him the following _Jeu d'Esprit_; the merit of which
can only be truly appreciated by those who had the pleasure
of knowing the eminent PORTRAIT COLLECTORS therein
mentioned, and whose names are printed in capital letters.

ELEONORA REDIVIVA.

To seek this Nymph among the glorious dead,
Tir'd with his search on earth, is GULSTON fled:--
Still for these charms enamoured MUSGRAVE sighs;
To clasp these beauties ardent BINDLEY dies:
For these (while yet unstaged to public view,)
Impatient BRAND o'er half the kingdom flew;
These, while their bright ideas round him play,
From Classic WESTON force the Roman lay:
Oft too, my STORER, Heaven has heard thee swear,
Not Gallia's murdered Queen was half so fair:
"A new Europa!" cries the exulting BULL,
"My Granger now, I thank the gods, is full:"--