Revive, with ever-during bloom, Let ficknefs blaft, and death devour, Among the papers Mr Wefley left behind him, is the following letter; which, while it fhews the terms upon which he was with the Earl of Oxford, informs us alfo of his intention of publishing notes on Hudibras. It is dated from Doverftreet, Auguft 7. 1734, and is as follows: REV. SIR, I am forry and afhamed to fay it; but the truth must come out, that I have a letter of your's, dated June the 8th; and this is the 7th of Auguft, and I have but now fet pen to paper, to anfwer it. I affure you, that I was very glad to hear from you, and fince, that you are much mended in your health. Change of air will certainly be of great fervice to you; and I hope you will use fome other exercife, than that of the school. I hear you have had an increafe of above forty boys, fince you have been down there. I am very glad, for your fake, that you are so well approved of. I hope it will, in every respect, answer your expectation: if your health be eftablifhed, I make no doubt, but thofe parts will be to your mind; which will be a great pleasure to me. There is very little news ftirring. They all agree, that the Bishop of Worcefter is dying. They fay Hoadley is to fucceed him, and Potter Hoadley; but how farther I cannot tell; nor does the town pretend, which is a wonderful thing! D I am very glad you was induced to read over Hudibras three times, with care. I find you are perfectly of my mind, that it much wants notes; and that it will be a great work. Certainly it will be fo, to do it as it fhould be. I do not know any one fo capable of doing it as yourself. I fpeak this very fincerely. Lilly's life I have; and any books, that I have, you fhall fee, and have the perufal of them, and any other part, that I can affift. I own I am very fond of the work; and it would be of excellent use and entertainment. The news you read in the papers, of a match between my daughter and the Duke of Portland, was completed at Marybone chapel. I think there is the greatest profpect of happiness to them both. I think it must be mutual. One part cannot be happy without the other. Here is great harmony of temper, and a liking to each other; which is, I think, a true foundation for happiness. Compliments from all here attend you. I am, Sir, Your most affectionate humble fervant, OXFORD. P. S. The two boys are well. Pray, let me hear from you foon; and let me know, under your own hand, how you do." His Lordship was certainly right. The genius of Mr Wefley; his knowledge of the tranfactions of those times; and, let me add too, his extreme averfion and contempt for the Oliverian fanatics, rendered him the fitteft perfon in the world for a commentator on fuch a writer and notwithstanding the industry and abi lity of Mr Grey, who is faid to have had many of his notes, it is to be lamented, as a real lofs to the republic of letters, that this propofal was not carried into execution. The modefty of the poet was striking and uncommon. He informs the public, in an advertisement prefixed to his poems, that they were publifhed, not from any opinion of excellency in the verfes themfelves;" but merely on account of "the profit propofed by the fubfcription." There are not many writers, who, with equal talents, are possesfed of equal diffidence; and after such a declaration, every one will be pleased to hear, that the fubfcription was fuch, as to make up a confiderable part of a decent competency, which he left for the fupport of his widow and daughter. This daughter, who was his only child, mar |