a
friend, may be added the testimony of Pope, who says, in a letter to
Blount, "Mr. Rowe accompanied me, and passed a week in the Forest. I
need not tell you how much a man of his turn entertained me; but I must
acquaint you, there is a vivacity and gaiety of disposition, almost
peculiar to him, which make it impossible to part from him without that
uneasiness which generally succeeds all our pleasure."

Pope has left behind him another mention of his companion less
advantageous, which is thus reported by Dr. Warburton:--

"Rowe, in Mr. Pope's opinion, maintained a decent character, but had no
heart. Mr. Addison was justly offended with some behaviour which arose
from that want, and estranged himself from him, which Rowe felt
very severely. Mr. Pope, their common friend, knowing this, took an
opportunity, at some juncture of Mr. Addison's advancement, to tell him
how poor Rowe was grieved at his displeasure, and what satisfaction he
expressed at Mr. Addison's good fortune, which he expressed so naturally
that he (Mr. Pope) could not but think him sincere. Mr. Addison replied,
'I do not suspect that he feigned; but the levity of his heart is such,
that he is struck with any new adventure, and it would affect him just
in the same manner if he heard I was going to be hanged.' Mr. Pope said
he could not deny but Mr. Addison understood Rowe well."

This censure time has not left us the power of confirming or refuting;
but observation daily shows that much stress is not to be laid on
hyperbolical accusations and pointed sentences, which even he that
utters them desires to be applauded rather than credited. Addison can
hardly be supposed to have meant all that he said. Few characters can
bear the microscopic scrutiny of wit quickened by anger; and, perhaps,
the best advice to authors would be, that they should keep out of the
way of one another.

Rowe is chiefly to be considered as a tragic writer and a translator. In
his attempt at comedy he failed so ignominiously that his Biter is not
inserted in his works: and his occasional poems and short compositions
are rarely worthy either praise or censure, for they seem the casual
sports of a mind seeking rather to amuse its leisure than to exercise
its powers. In the construction of his dramas there is not much art; he
is not a nice observer of the unities. He extends time and varies places
as his convenience requires. To vary the place is not, in my opinion,
any violation of n