This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 Excerpt: ... up to the derision of the public the peculiarities of genius and learning. Almost every author of talent, at some time or other, becomes the mark at which ridicule is aimed. In this particular case, the most modest and retired habits, as well as the most exalted talents, were dragged out with circumstances of laughter and contempt, by men very inferior to Gray, either in the strictness of their moral character, or in the depth and extent of their literary attainments. Yet, while I think their ridicule was not happy or suecessful, I do not sce those marks of rancour and malevolence in their design, which Sce Nott's Surrey, vol. ii. p. lxiv. t The Ode to Obscurity was directed chiefly against Gray; that to Obliirion against Mason. Sce Lloyd's Poems, vol. i. p. 120. % Sce Warburton's Letters, by Hurd, Lett. cxli. Bo often imbitter and disgrace the Satires of Churchill; which the intemperance of youth, I am afraid, can hardly excuse; and which must raise constant disgust in those, who read the works of that powerful, though unfinished writer. Dr. Warton. in his notes on Pope, f says, "The Odes of Gray were burlesqued by two men of wit and genius; who, however, once owned to me, that they repented of the attempt." During Gray's residence in London, he became slightly acquainted with the amiable naturalist Mr. Stillingflcet, whose death took place a few months after his own.J At the request of Mr. Montagu, he wrote an ' Epitaph on Sir William Williams, ' who was killed at the siege of Belleisle. In 1762 the professorship of modern history became vacant by the death of Mr. Turner. By the Churchill mentions Gray in the Ghost--" And plaintive fops debauched by Gray; "--also in the Journey, in which poem Armstrong is saterized, in language of unbe...