THE hiftory of the following production is briefly this: A lady, fond of blank verse, demanded a poem of that kind from the author, and gave him the SOFA for a fubject. He obeyed; and, having much leisure, connected another subject with it; and purfuing the train of thought to which his fituation and turn of mind led him, brought forth at length, instead of the trifle which he at firft intended, a ferious affair-a volume. In the Poem on the fubject of Education, he would be very forry to stand suspected of having aimed his cenfure at any particular school. His objections are fuch as naturally apply themfelves to schools in general. If there were not, as for the most part there is, wilful neglect in those who manage them, and an omiffion even of fuch difcipline as they are fufceptible of, the objects are yet too numerous for minute attention; and the aching hearts of ten thoufand parents, mourning under the bittereft of all difappointments, atteft the truth of this allegation. His quarrel, therefore, is with the mischief at large, and not with any particular instance of it. ARGUMENT of the FIRST BOOK. Hiftorical deduction of feats, from the Stool to the Sofa. A School-boy's ramble.-A walk in the country.-The fcene defcribed.-Rural founds as well as fights delightful.-Another walk.—Mistake, concerning the charms of folitude, corrected.—Colonnades commended.--Alcove and the view from it.-The Wilderness.-The Grove. -The Threfber.-The neceffity and the benefits of exercife. The works of nature fuperior to and in fome inflances inimitable by art.-The wearisomeness of what is commonly called a life of pleasure-Change of Scene fometimes expedient.-A common defcribed, and the character of crazy Kate introduced.-Gipfies.-The blif fings of civilized life. That state most favourable to virtue.-The South Sea Islanders compassionated, but chiefly Omai.-His prefent ftate of mind supposed.—Civilized life friendly to virtue, but not great cities.—Great. cities, and London in particular, allowed their due praife, but cenfured.-Fete Champetre.-The book concludes with a reflection on the fatal effects of difipation and effeminacy upon our public measures. SING the SOFA. I who lately fang Truth, Hope, and Charity *, and touch'd with awe The folemn chords, and with a trembling hand, ufe, Save their own painted skins, our fires had none. As yet black breeches were not, fattin fmooth, VOL. II. * See vol. I. B Or |