ith modern applications:
and when he discovers that "Gay Bacchus" is translated from Augurellus,
he ought to have remarked that the latter part is purely Parnell's.
Another poem, "When Spring Comes On," is, he says, taken from the
French. I would add that the description of "Barrenness," in his verses
to Pope, was borrowed from Secundus; but lately searching for the
passage which I had formerly read, I could not find it. "The Night Piece
on Death" is indirectly preferred by Goldsmith to Gray's "Churchyard;"
but, in my opinion, Gray has the advantage in dignity, variety, and
originality of sentiment. He observes that the story of "The Hermit" is
in More's "Dialogues" and Howell's "Letters," and supposes it to have
been originally Arabian.

Goldsmith has not taken any notice of "The Elegy to the Old Beauty,"
which is perhaps the meanest; nor of "The Allegory on Man," the happiest
of Parnell's performances. The hint of "The Hymn to Contentment" I
suspect to have been borrowed from Cleveland.

The general character of Parnell is not great extent of comprehension
or fertility of mind. Of the little that appears, still less is his own.
His praise must be derived from the easy sweetness of his diction: in
his verses there is more happiness than pains; he is sprightly without
effort, and always delights, though he never ravishes; everything is
proper, yet everything seems casual. If there is some appearance of
elaboration in "The Hermit," the narrative, as it is less airy, is less
pleasing. Of his other compositions it is impossible to say whether they
are the productions of nature, so excellent as not to want the help of
art, or of art so refined as to resemble nature.

This criticism relates only to the pieces published by Pope. Of the
large appendages which I find in the last edition, I can only say that
I know not whence they came, nor have ever inquired whither they are
going. They stand upon the faith of the compilers.

GARTH.

Samuel Garth was of a good family in Yorkshire, and from some school in
his own county became a student at Peter House, in Cambridge, where he
resided till he became Doctor of Physic on July the 7th, 1691. He was
examined before the College at London on March the 12th, 1691-2, and
admitted Fellow June 26th, 1693. He was soon so much distinguished
by his conversation and accomplishments as to obtain very extensive
practice; and, if a pamphlet of those times may be credited, had the
fav