Pope.
That admirable production of Mr. Anstey's the "New Bath Guide," mayjustly be considered the parent of a numerous progeny of watering placebagatelles, each of which has some resemblance to its father, though notone of them can boast the wit, humour, or poetical talent which soeminently distinguishes those celebrated letters.
The youngest of this race is now presented to the Public with thattimidity which arises from conscious imperfection, devoid of the fearwhich rivalry has endeavoured to excite, and persecution may seek toperpetuate. Neither nurtured by patronage nor dandled by fashion,neither supported by rank nor allied to literary honours, this child ofobscurity is cast on the world in a helpless, yet not hopeless state,for the good man's smile has illumed its cradle, and it possesses thatconfidence derived from purity of intention, and that humility whichdisarms malice, and draws the sting of criticism.
B. HOFLAND.
High Harrogate,
December 1, 1811.
Low Harrogate, July 20th.
'Tisnow forty years and dear mother you know it,
Since my great Uncle[1] Simkin set up for a poet,
And I'll venture to say that not one in the nation,
From that day to this caus'd so much admiration,
But tho' I ne'er hope on his humour to hit,
Much less catch his genius or glow with his wit,
Or blend with simplicity satire so keen,
That it laugh'd away sin, while it laugh'd away spleen,
Yet since there are many more folks in our times,
Than were found about his, who make verses and rhymes,
I don't see a reason why I should not try,
To spread my poor fins and to swim with the fry,
You know Drewry of Derby would never refuse,
My sonnets, and stanzas, a place in the news,
Besides a great name's a great matter we know,
James Thompson our schoolmaster always said so,