"That during this very troublesome office, he was ordered by y' then L's Regent to draw up a Preamble to the P. of Wales' Patent, for which there was no gratuity allowed him.

"That he received no Fee, Salary, Reward or Perquisite whatsoever for this his service to y Regency, notwithstanding he was at considerable charge in keeping Clerks, and other Expences that accompanied his attendance in that Office, and notwithstanding y incredible Fatigue of that Office very much impaired his health, and would have endanger'd his Life, had he continued much longer in it.

"That y Lords of y' Regency, upon y determining this Office, declared unanimously that they were highly satisfied with the Diligence and Fidelity of their Sec, and that upon their first attendance on Your Majesty they would with one Voice recommend him to your Royal Favor, for a mark of your Majesty's Bounty.

"That the Mem""'s Profits as Sec' under my Ld Sunderland have fallen very much short of what might have been expected from that Office, and (contrary to y⚫ Profits of all other y like Offices in this first happy year of your Majesty's reign) have amounted to no more than they usually are in any common year, by reason of his Lordship's absence from that kingdom, and his not being qualified to give out military commissions.

"That y' Memt has not thought fit to mention y expences he was at to get himself elected into the 3 last Sessions of Parliament in y" last Reign, and can appeal to those who were witnesses of his Behaviour, that he never departed from those who were well wishers to your Majesty's Interest, tho' often press'd and tempted to it by ye opposite Party. Nor will your Mem's modesty permit him to insist upon his endeavours, which were not thought unsuccessful in securing such a spirit among the People as disposed 'em to favour y Interest of a Prince who is so justly esteemed a Friend to yo Liberties of Europe and a * to mankind.

"It is therefore an unspeakable Mortification to your Mem to find himself thrown out of Place and for that reason to be regarded as one who has forfeited your Majesty's Favour, and I humbly beg that Y. M. **

"cætera desunt."

JOHN HUGHES.

( 183 )

HUGHE S.

1677-1719-20.

Born at Marlborough in Wiltshire - Educated at a private school Early appearance as a poet — Addison's opinion of his talent — Joins in a translation of Lucan - Writes 'The Siege of Damascus,' a Tragedy — Death and Character.

JOHN HUGHES, the son of a citizen in London, and of Anne Burgess, of an ancient family in Wiltshire, was born at Marlborough, January 29, 1677. He was educated at a private school; and though his advances in literature are, in the Biographia,' very ostentatiously displayed, the name of his master is somewhat ungratefully concealed.'

At nineteen he drew the plan of a tragedy; and paraphrased, rather too profusely, the ode of Horace which begins "Integer Vitæ." To poetry he added the science of music, in which he seems to have attained considerable skill, together with the practice of design, or rudiments of painting.

His studies did not withdraw him wholly from business, nor did business hinder him from study. He had a place in the office of Ordnance; and was secretary to several commissions for purchasing lands necessary to secure the royal docks at Chatham and Portsmouth; yet found time to acquaint himself with modern languages.

In 1697 he published a poem on the 'Peace of Ryswick ;' and in 1699 another piece, called 'The Court of Neptune,' on

1 He [Watts] repaired in 1690 to an academy taught by Mr. Rowe, where he had for his companions and fellow-students Mr. Hughes, the poet, and Dr. Horte, afterwards Archbishop of Tuam.-JOHNSON: Life of Watts.

Not to name the school or the masters of men illustrious for literature is a kind of historical fraud, by which honest fame is injuriously diminished.— JOHNSON: Life of Addison.

The writer in the 'Biographia' was Dr. Campbell.

the return of King William, which he addressed to Mr. Montague, the general patron of the followers of the Muses. The same year he produced a song on the Duke of Gloucester's birth-day.

He did not confine himself to poetry, but cultivated other kinds of writing with great success; and about this time showed his knowledge of human nature by an Essay on the Pleasure of being deceived.' In 1702 he published, on the death of King William, a Pindaric ode, called 'The House of Nassau ;' and wrote another paraphrase on the 'Otium Divos' of Horace. In 1703 his ode on Music was performed at Stationers' Hall; and he wrote afterwards six cantatas, which were set to music by the greatest master of that time, and seem intended to oppose or exclude the Italian opera, an exotic and irrational entertainment, which has been always combated, and always has prevailed.

His reputation was now so far advanced, that the public began to pay reverence to his name; and he was solicited to prefix a preface to the translation of Boccalini, a writer whose satirical vein cost him his life in Italy; but who never, I believe, found many readers in this country, even though introduced by such powerful recommendation.

He translated Fontenelle's 'Dialogues of the Dead;' and his version was perhaps read at that time, but is now neglected; for by a book not necessary, and owing its reputation wholly to its turn of diction, little notice can be gained but from those who can enjoy the graces of the original. To the dialogues of Fontenelle he added two composed by himself; and, though not only an honest but a pious man, dedicated his work to the Earl of Wharton. He judged skilfully enough of his own interest; for Wharton, when he went [1709] Lord Lieutenant to Ireland, offered to take Hughes with him, and establish him; but Hughes, having hopes or promises from another man in power, of some provision more suitable to his inclination, declined Wharton's offer, and obtained nothing from the other.

2

2 See note 35, p. 129.