He next considers "the unlimited and incalculable obligations of modern wit to the genius of Greece and Rome; and the inconceivable benefit of ancient learning, to those who wish to appreciate, by a true estimate, the accomplishments of succeeding writers, and to acquire a pure relish even for the beauties of English poetry.'

"That satiety, of which some complain in the poetry of Pope," his editor attributes "in part" to "his consummate propriety of expression, his suavity of numbers, and that inculpable perfection which pervades the whole body of his compositions," happily remarking that "it was neither the flatness nor poverty of the archangel's conversation, but his energy of conception and his charming voice, that wearied our first parent, and oppressed his

sense,

strained to the height

In that celestial colloquy sublime." z

He then proceeds to establish the claims of Pope to the character "of a true poet, in contradistinction to the simple versifier," according to the criterion of the most elegant

y Obs. Pref.

2 Par. Lost.-Obs. on Pope, Pref. viii.

a

critic of antiquity," and concludes with an acknowledgment of communications received from several literary friends."

It was a frequent practice with Mr. Wakefield, more particularly during his residence. in Nottingham and its neighbourhood, to amuse himself, in his solitary walks, with translating into English verse some of the odes of Horace, and favourite passages from other classic authors. In 1795, he published, in 8vo. a small selection of these, including the whole of the tenth satire of Juvenal.

In an advertisement prefixed to this little volume, he expresses his hope that "the specimens here diffidently offered to the public will be found tolerably faithful to their models." He also states, that "his late occupation in the revisal of Pope's Homer, has led him to a more particular observation of the imperfection of rhyme even in our correctest poets;" and he thinks himself justified in asserting, with confidence, that the translations which he here presents to the public, will be found unexceptionably correct in this particular.

a Hor. Sat. i. 4. 39.—Obs. Pref. ix.

b Ibid. xvii. xvii.

The next object which engaged his attention, was the publication of an elegant édition of Bion and Moschus, in one small volume. The notes, as usual, abound with happy and beautiful illustrations from all the stores of ancient literature. The preface, which is eloquent and interesting, freely expresses the political views and feelings of its author. These were but ill-calculated to form an introduction of general recommendation to the public, especially at such a season of party-animosity. Yet the sincerity and disinterestedness of Mr. Wakefield upon this occasion might have rendered his motives respectable, even with those who were most averse to his opinions.

It is well known to the friends of Mr. Wakefield that his love of society was exceeded only by his attachment to classical and theological pursuits. With little inclination to public amusements, and an utter disrelish

Among Mr. Wakefield's papers is the following memorandum, which justifies our assertion, and at the same time expresses an opinion probably almost singular :

"Once in my life I went to Drury-lane Theatre, and there heard Mrs. Siddons in Isabella. Her action, &c. perfect: but is it sacrilege to say, that she performed the part with a whining monotony, which my taste, be it good or bad, could not have endured with patience in a second hearing?"

of mere conviviality, it was to conversation among a few select associates that he resorted as the favourite relaxation from his severest studies. In the former volume he has described the satisfaction with which he indulged this taste at Cambridge and afterwards at Warrington.

In 1794 he had the principal part in the formation of a club at Hackney, composed of several inhabitants of that village, who were accustomed to meet at each other's houses one evening in a week. We are persuaded, from our own experience, that the surviving members of this society recollect those meetings as sources of interesting information and rational amusement; nor will there be wanting a few "kindred spirits" to look upon this page with some of the regretful feelings with which it has been written.

No question was ever previously offered for discussion, nor any of those forms admitted which fail to repress the vanity of the superficial, yet are too often calculated to impose silence even upon persons of superior talents. Subjects the most important were introduced in the natural course of an unre

pp. 132 & 229.

served conversation, in which Mr. Wakefield was accustomed to display a variety of knowledge and an easy address, very remote from the narrow-mindedness and formality of the mere scholar.

Some mention of this society could not properly be omitted in the life of a person to whom it principally owed its origin, and who always regarded it as one of the most agreeable circumstances of his residence at Hackney. That one formed to supply as well as to partake "the feast of reason and the flow of soul" should attach to him those with whom he conversed, might well be expected. But as his latter years were exposed to trials of no ordinary kind, so these attachments appeared to rise far above the common influence of civility and good neighbourhood.

No powerful statesman was ever more solicitously courted by needy expectants, than Mr. Wakefield was sought after by his associates, during a year of anxiety and suspense, though bound to him by no ties of relationship, and incapable of receiving from him any worldly advantages. They attended him to his trial, and shared "his prison-hours," while he was suffered to remain within the reach of their personal regards. During his confinement the meetings of the club were discon