_John Gay_, 1688-1732: he was of humble origin, but rose by his talents, and figured at court. He wrote several dramas in a mock-tragic vein. Among these are _What D'ye Call It?_ and _Three Hours after Marriage_; but that which gave him permanent reputation is his _Beggar's Opera_, of which the hero is a highwayman, and the characters are prostitutes and Newgate gentry. It is interspersed with gay and lyrical songs, and was rendered particularly effective by the fine acting of Miss Elizabeth Fenton, in the part of _Polly_. The _Shepherd's Week_, a pastoral, contains more real delineations of rural life than any other poem of the period. Another curious piece is entitled, _Trivia, or the Art of Walking the Streets of London_. _Thomas Parnell_, 1679-1718: he was the author of numerous poems, among which the only one which has retained popular favor is _The Hermit_, a touching poem founded upon an older story. He wrote the life of Homer prefixed to Pope's translation; but it was very much altered by Pope. _Thomas Tickell_, 1686-1740: particularly known as the friend of Addison. He wrote a translation of the First Book of Homer's Iliad, which was corrected by Addison, and contributed several papers to _The Spectator_. But he is best known by his _Elegy_ upon Addison, which Dr. Johnson calls a very "elegant funeral poem." _Isaac Watts_, 1674-1765: this great writer of hymns was born at Southampton, and became one of the most eminent of the dissenting ministers of England. He is principally known by his metrical versions of the Psalms, and by a great number of original hymns, which have been generally used by all denominations of Christians since. He also produced many hymns for children, which have become familiar as household words. He had a lyrical ear, and an easy, flowing diction, but is sometimes careless in his versification and incorrect in his theology. During the greater part of his life the honored guest of Sir Thomas Abney, he devoted himself to literature. Besides many sermons, he produced a treatise on _The First Principles of Geology and Astronomy_; a work on _Logic, or the Right Use of the Reason in the Inquiry after Truth_; and _A Supplement on the Improvement of the Mind_. These latter have been superseded as text-books by later and more correct inquiry.