This elegy (by Mr. Ticknell) is one of the finest in our language; there is so little new that can be said upon the death of a friend, after the complaints of Ovid and the Latin Italians, in this way, that one is surprised to see so much novelty in this to strike us, and so much interest to affect. COLIN AND LUCY. Through all Tickell’s works there is a strain of ballad-thinking, if I may so express it; and, in this professed ballad, he seems to have surpassed himself. It is, perhaps, the best in our language in this way. THE TEARS OF SCOTLAND. WRITTEN IN THE YEAR MDCCXLVI. This ode, by Dr. Smollett, does rather more honour to the author’s feelings than his taste. The mechanical part, with regard to numbers and language, is not so perfect as so short a work as this requires; but the pathetic it contains, particularly in the last stanza but one, is exquisitely fine. ON THE DEATH OF THE LORD PROTECTOR. Our poetry was not quite harmonized in Waller’s time; so that this, which would be now looked upon as a slovenly sort of versification, was, with respect to the times in which it was written, almost a prodigy of harmony. A modern reader will chiefly be struck with the strength of thinking, and the turn of the compliments bestowed upon the usurper. Everybody has heard the answer our poet made Charles II; who asked him how his poem upon Cromwell came to be finer than his panegyric upon himself. ‘Your majesty,’ replies Waller, ‘knows, that poets always succeed best in fiction.’ THE STORY OF PHOEBUS AND DAPHNE APPLIED. The French claim this [by Mr. Waller] as belonging to them. To whomsoever it belongs the thought is finely turned. NIGHT THOUGHTS. BY DR. YOUNG. These seem to be the best of the collection; from whence only the two first are taken. They are spoken of differently, either with exaggerated applause or contempt, as the reader’s disposition is either turned to mirth or melancholy. SATIRE I. Young’s Satires were in higher reputation when published, than they stand in at present. He seems fonder of dazzling than pleasing; of raising our admiration for his wit, than our dislike of the follies he ridicules. A PASTORAL BALLAD. These ballads of Mr. Shenstone are chiefly commended for the natural simplicity of the thoughts and the harmony of the versification. However, they are not excellent in either. PHOEBE. A PASTORAL. This, by Dr. Byrom, is a better effort than the preceding [a ballad by Shenstone]. A SONG. This [‘Despairing beside a clear stream’] by Mr. Rowe, is better than anything of the kind in our language. AN ESSAY ON POETRY.