The severity of this satire, and the excellence of its versification give it a distinguished rank in this species of composition. At present, an ordinary reader would scarce suppose that Shadwell, who is here meant by Mac Flecknoe, was worth being chastised, and that Dryden’s descending to such game was like an eagle’s stooping to catch flies.† The truth however is, Shadwell, at one time, held divided reputation with this great poet. Every age produces its fashionable dunces, who, by following the transient topic, or humour, of the day, supply talkative ignorance with materials for conversation. †‘Aquila non capit muscas’ (Apostolius). ON POETRY. A RHAPSODY. Here follows one of the best versified poems in our language, and the most masterly production of its author. The severity with which Walpole is here treated, was in consequence of that minister having refused to provide for Swift in England, when applied to for that purpose in the year 1725 (if I remember right). The severity of a poet, however, gave Walpole very little uneasiness. A man whose schemes, like this minister’s, seldom extended beyond the exigency of the year, but little regarded the contempt of posterity. OF THE USE OF RICHES. This poem, as Mr. Pope tells us himself, cost much attention and labour; and, from the easiness that appears in it, one would be apt to think as much. FROM THE DISPENSARY. This sixth canto of the _Dispensary_, by Dr. Garth, has more merit than the whole preceding part of the poem, and, as I am told, in the first edition of this work it is more correct than as here exhibited; but that edition I have not been able to find. The praises bestowed on this poem are more than have been given to any other; but our approbation, at present, is cooler, for it owed part of its fame to party.* * Cf. Dedication of _The Traveller_, ll. 34–45. ECLOGUE I. SELIM: OR, THE SHEPHERD’S MORAL. The following eclogues,† written by Mr. Collins, are very pretty: the images, it must be owned, are not very local; for the pastoral subject could not well admit of it. The description of Asiatic magnificence, and manners, is a subject as yet unattempted amongst us, and I believe, capable of furnishing a great variety of poetical imagery. † i.e.—Selim, Hassan, Agib and Secander, and Abra. Goldsmith admired Collins, whom he calls in the _ Enquiry_, 1759, p. 143, ‘the neglected author of the Persian eclogues, which, however inaccurate, excel any in our language.’ He borrowed freely from him in the _Threnodia Augustalis_, q.v. THE SPLENDID SHILLING. BY MR. J. PHILIPS.