This is reckoned the best parody of Milton in our language: it has been an hundred times imitated, without success. The truth is, the first thing in this way must preclude all future attempts; for nothing is so easy as to burlesque any man’s manner, when we are once showed the way. A PIPE OF TOBACCO: IN IMITATION OF SIX SEVERAL AUTHORS. Mr. Hawkins Browne, the author of these, as I am told, had no good original manner of his own, yet we see how well he succeeded when he turns an imitator; for the following are rather imitations than ridiculous parodies. A NIGHT-PIECE ON DEATH. The great fault of this piece, written by Dr. Parnell, is that it is in eight-syllable lines, very improper for the solemnity of the subject; otherwise, the poem is natural, and the reflections just. A FAIRY TALE. BY DR. PARNELL. Never was the old manner of speaking more happily applied, or a tale better told, than this. PALEMON AND LAVINIA. [From _The Seasons_.] Mr. Thomson, though, in general, a verbose and affected poet, has told this story with unusual simplicity: it is rather given here for being much esteemed by the public, than by the editor. THE BASTARD. Almost all things written from the heart, as this certainly was, have some merit. The poet here describes sorrows and misfortunes which were by no means imaginary; and, thus, there runs a truth of thinking through this poem, without which it would be of little value, as Savage is, in other respects, but an indifferent poet. THE POET AND HIS PATRON. Mr. Mo[o]re was a poet that never had justice done him while living; there are few of the moderns have a more correct taste, or a more pleasing manner of expressing their thoughts. It was upon these fables [Nos. v, vi, and xvi of the _Fables for the Ladies_] he chiefly founded his reputation; yet they are, by no means, his best production. AN EPISTLE TO A LADY. This little poem, by Mr. Nugent [afterwards Lord Clare] is very pleasing. The easiness of the poetry, and the justice of the thoughts, constitute its principal beauty. HANS CARVEL. This bagatelle, for which, by the by, Mr. Prior has got his greatest reputation, was a tale told in all the old Italian collections of jests, and borrowed from thence by Fontaine. It had been translated once or twice before into English, yet was never regarded till it fell into the hands of Mr. Prior. A strong instance how everything is improved in the hands of a man of genius. BAUCIS AND PHILEMON. This poem [by Swift] is very fine; and though in the same strain with the preceding [Prior’s _Ladle_] is yet superior. TO THE EARL OF WARWICK, ON THE DEATH OF MR. ADDISON.