opiniative as to think meanly of another's judgment, because differing from his, but rather wished every one should retain his own persuasion, and readily acknowledged his own fallibility.

A desire to recover his lost sight, strengthened by the advice of some friends, induced our bard, in 1814, to undergo the operation of couching. Sir William Adams was consulted, and from the favourable opinion he expressed of the probability of success, he was allowed to operate on the right eye, in which vision was most obscured. But the experiment completely failed, and the eye became totally dark; the doctor was, therefore, deterred from undergoing a second operation. He now became more abstracted, and wholly discontinued to visit; but received a few friends at home, who were entertained with his former wit and vivacity; an increasing deafness, however, rendered much conversation fatiguing.

His interest in politics was unabated, and as he continued to write, he occasionally gratified the public with a new poem. Excepting fugitive pieces, his last work was an "Epistle to the Emperor of China," occasioned by the uncourtly reception Lord Amherst experienced in his late disastrous embassy. Various poetasters having endeavoured to impose on the public by assuming his popular signature, it was deemed expedient to affix his real as well as poetical name. But this precaution was necessary only so far as to guard against purchasing the impostors' publications, as Peter's readers could soon discover his original style and humour in the ironical strain with which the author eulogises the modern mania for Chinese frivolity.

During the excessive heat which occurred in August, 1818, the doctor took to his bed, which he never expected to leave; he felt his strength decaying, and became resigned to the dispensations of Providence. Having determined on the disposal of his property, he dictated a short will, in which he directed his musical instruments, (excepting a piano forte) pictures, prints, crayon drawings, and two folio copies of Shakspeare, to be sold. He bequeathed a few pecuniary legacies to friends, and his furniture, piano forte, and 110l. to one

servant, and 50%. to the other. * Such was the nicety of his honour with regard to the just settlement of his debts, that he desired a sum of five pounds, formerly borrowed, might be repaid, if, on enquiry, it should appear to be still owing. He also directed an old picture by Ruysdale, then in his possession, but not his property, to be returned to the owner; and left instructions for 50l. to be paid each of his executors. The residue he intended for his sister, whom, as the only surviving relative of near affinity, he considered the most equitable inheritor. During the months of October and November he considerably recovered, and at intervals his manuscripts were brought to his bed-side, and cursorily examined, when he directed several, which he intended should never meet the public eye, to be destroyed. In December he grew much weaker, and, having become quite helpless, he with calmness and resignation patiently waited for that event he had so much reason to expect. Notwithstanding he had himself been a successful practitioner, he had little faith in medicine. The day preceding his death he took, as he considered, a final farewell of some friends, and the next morning, Thursday, the 14th January, 1819, expired about ten o'clock, with such perfect ease, that his attendants knew not the exact moment.

Thus closed the long and eccentric career of one of the most original poets England has produced. Many of his poems evince a sound and cultivated understanding, profound knowledge of the world, combined with a consummate and keen penetration into the human heart. He possessed great command of language; a strong and luminous mind, enriched by study, and replete with images drawn from nature. His ideas were exuberant, original, and ingenious; and though more frequently ludicrous than sublime, his reflections and conclusions will generally be found true.

* The two executors nominated by Dr. Wolcot were, John Taylor, Esq. and Mr. Francies, colourman in Long Acre. The former having declined acting; on the latter, who, we believe, is residuary legatee, has of course devolved the sole and entire management of the personal estate of the testator. Mr. Taylor attended him almost to his last moments, and probably heard his last words. Ed.

Although his wit was often tainted with vulgarity, he rarely offended the ears of the fair sex, in whose society he was careful to observe the strict bounds of propriety. He always professed himself their warm admirer, and by his affability and politeness gained an unusual share of their partiality and esteem. Notwithstanding his attachment to their company, he was never married. He confessed himself to have been often captivated, and once thought so seriously of settling, as to make proposals. His offers were favourably received, but his inamorata required time for consideration, and by her delay lost her lover, as he changed his mind, and omitted to renew his application. In the latter part of his life he spoke of this event with great satisfaction, and considered that he had had a narrow, but fortunate escape.

Our poet was not only master of the French, Latin, and Greek tongues, but likewise possessed some acquaintance with the Italian language.

In addition to his acknowledged genius for poetry and painting, his musical talents exceeded mediocrity. He was not merely a respectable amateur performer, but composed melodies to several of his songs, which were favourably received, and subsequently published with accompaniments by an eminent professor. He possessed a general knowledge of the characteristic qualities of the most distinguished composers, and could speak with fluency and correctness on their principal works.

It is but justice to add, that he was not without a sense of religion; for few men ever conceived a more sublime idea of the Divine Being, as observable in the universe, or surveyed his marvellous works with more reverential awe. The following was his principal, if not only, prayer, which he considered sufficiently comprehensive, and repeated in a manner peculiarly emphatical: "The Lord gave, and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord."

The liberties he took with our venerable sovereign, are such as will scarcely admit of extenuation. In a conversation with the writer hereof, who questioned him respecting those freedoms, he replied, "I confess there exists this difference

between us, the king has been a good subject to me, but I have been a bad subject to His Majesty." In respect to his face and person, while young, Dr. Wolcot had the appearance of being old; but when old, became somewhat handsome. To appearance, he suffered little from age, and, for a long time, the cataracts were not conspicuous; but after the experiment of couching his eye sunk, and the fine uniformity of his features fell a sacrifice to the operation.

Although but a short period has elapsed since the death of our bard, yet his countrymen are not unmindful of his merits. It is proposed that Devonshire shall honour her Wolcot, as Lichfield did Johnson. Accordingly, the admirers of our poet have already commenced a subscription to perpetuate his memory by erecting a cenotaph in the church of Dodbrook, the place that gave him birth.

List of Dr. Wolcot's Works.

1. A Supplicating Epistle to the Reviewers, 4to. 1778. 2. The Noble Cricketers. 4to.

Lyric Odes to the Royal Academicians, for 1782. 4to. 4. More Lyric Odes to the Royal Academicians, for 1783.

4to.

5. Lyric Odes for 1785. 4to.

6. Farewell Odes for 1786. 4to.

7. The Lousiad, an Heroi-comic Poem, in five Cantos. 4to. 8. A Congratulatory Epistle to James Boswell, Esq. 4to. 9. Bozzy and Piozzi, or the British Biographers. 4to. 10. Ode upon Ode, or a Peep at St. James's, &c. 4to. 11. An Apologetic Postscript to Ode upon Ode. 4to. 12. Instructions to a celebrated Laureat, &c. 4to.

13. Brother Peter to Brother Tom, an Expostulatory Epistle. 4to.

14. Peter's Pension, à Solemn Epistle to a Sublime Personage. 4to.

15. Peter's Prophecy, or the President and Poet, &c. 4to. 16. Sir Joseph Banks and the Emperor of Morocco, Tale. 4to.

17. A Poetical Epistle to a Fallen Minister, &c. 4to. 18. Subjects for Painters. 4to.

19. Expostulatory Odes to a Great Duke and a Little Lord. 4to.

20. A benevolent Epistle to Sylvanus Urban, alias Master John Nichols, Censor-General of Literature, &c. 4to.

21. A Rowland for an Oliver, or a Poetical Answer to the Benevolent Epistle of Mr. Peter Pindar, &c. 4to.

22. Advice to the future Laureat, an Ode. 4to.

23. A Complimentary Epistle to James Bruce, Esq, the Abyssinian Traveller. 4to.

24. The Rights of Kings, or Loyal Odes to Disloyal Academicians. 4to. 1791.

25. Odes to Mr. Paine, Author of "Rights of Man," &c. 4to.

26. The Remonstrance, &c. 4to.

27. A Commiserating Epistle to James Lowther, Earl of Lonsdale, &c. 4to.

28. More Money! or Odes of Instruction to Mr. Pitt. 4to. 29. Odes of Importance. 4to.

30. The Tears of St. Margaret, &c. 4to.

31. A Pair of Lyric Epistles to Lord Macartney, and his Ship. 4to.

32. Ödes to Kien Long, Emperor of China, &c. 4to.

33. A Serious, and possibly Impertinent Epistle to the Pope. 4to.

34. Pathetic Odes. 4to. 1794.

35. Celebration; or the Academic Procession to St. James's. 4to.

1794.

36. Hair Powder; a Plaintive Epistle to Mr. Pitt, &c.

37. Pindariana; or Peter's Portfolio. 4to. 1794.

38. The Royal Tour, and Weymouth 'Amusements. 4to. 1795.

39. The Convention Bill, an Ode. 4to. 1795.

40. Liberty's last Squeak, &c. 4to. 1795.

41. The Royal Visit to Exeter. 4to. 1795.

42. One thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, a Satire. 1797.

4to.