fent to Hanover, for which he was made, by the assistance of the Duke of Marlborough, Cofferer to the Prince, and afterwards Principal Secretary of State. Confidering the violent ftate of parties, no one had fewer enemies. His generofity, good nature, pleafing manners, and liberal heart, were acknowledged by all. Though the friend of Addison, and raised by the Whigs, yet his manly generosity to Pope is well-known. The only thing that has appeared to caft a momentary shade, if I may fay fo, on his character, was his connection with the unfortunate South-Sea business. According to the Committee of Secrecy, no less a fum than 36,000l. fictitious stock was held for him and his father. Upon the great alarm and subsequent diftrefs of the public, the elder Craggs died fuddenly, not without fufpicion that he had haltened his own diffolution, Foffibly the violent agitation of his fpirits produced a fever, which terminated fatally. The late Lord Orford informed Mr. Coxe, that he had an interview with Sir Robert Walpole, juft at the time of the rupture of the scheme, and he appeared in such a state of violent agitation and distress, that Sir Robert expreffed little furprise when he heard afterwards of his death. He left three daughters, all married, and connected with families whofe defcendants are at this day as high in ftation, as most amiable in life.

Craggs, notwithstanding he was a pleasant companion, and a particular favourite, it is faid, with the Ladies, was very attentive to bufinefs. I have a letter now before me, from Methuen to Doddington, in which he says, "Mr. Walpole minds his hunting

in Norfolk, but Mr. Secretary Craggs, and your humble fer"vant, with fome few of his brethren of the Privy Council, flick "close to bufinefs "

"October 27 ""

Johnson with juftice objects to an Epitaph, partly in Latin, and partly in English.

V.

INTENDED FOR MR. ROWE,

IN WESTMINSTER-ABBEY.

THY
HY Reliques, Rowe, to this fair Urn we truft,
And facred, place by DRYDEN's awful dust :
Beneath a rude and nameless stone he lies,
To which thy Tomb fhall guide inquiring eyes.

VARIATIONS.

He altered it much for the better, as it now fslands on the Monument in the Abbey, erected to Rowe and his Daughter

Thy Reliques, RowE! to this fad shrine we truft,
And near thy SHAKESPEAR place thy honour'd bust.
Oh, next him, skill'd to draw the tender tear,
For never heart felt paffion more fincere ;
To nobler fentiment to fire the brave,
For never BRITON more difdain'd a flave.,
Peace to thy gentle fhade, and endless reft;
Bleft in thy genius, in thy love too bleft!
And bleft, that timely from our scene remov'd,
Thy foul enjoys the liberty it lov'd.

Peace

To thefe, fo mourn'd in death, so lov'd in life!
The childless parent, and the widow'd wife,
With tears inscribes this monumental stone,
That holds their afhes and expects her own.

WARBURTON.

NOTES.

VER. 3. Beneath a rude] The tomb of Mr. Dryden was erected upon this hint by the Duke of Buckingham; to which was origi nally intended this Epitaph:

Peace to thy gentle fhade, and endless reft!
Bleft in thy Genius, in thy Love too blest!
One grateful Woman to thy fame fupplies
What a whole thankless land to his denies.

NOTES.

"This Sheffield rais'd. The facred duft below

Was Dryden once: The reft who does not know?" which the Author fince changed into the plain infcription now upon it, being only the name of that great Poet:

J. DRYDEN.

Natus Aug 9 1631. Mortuus Maij 1. 1700.

JOANNES SHEFFIELD DUX BUCKINGHAMIENSIS POSUIT.

POPE.

IT was always understood that Pope had a fincere regard for Rowe; but the following extraordinary anecdote is related from Mr. Spence's Collections:

"Rowe, in Mr. Pope's opinion, maintained a decent character, but had no heart. Mr. Addison was justly offended with some behaviour which arose from that want, and estranged himself from him, which Rowe felt very feverely. Mr. Pope, their common friend, knowing this, took an opportunity, at fome juncture of Mr. Addifon's advancement, to tell him how poor Rowe was grieved at his displeasure, and what satisfaction he expreffed at Mr. Addison's good fortune; which he expressed fo naturally, that he (Mr. Pope) could not but think him fincere. Mr. Addifon replied, I do not fufpect that he feigned; but the levity of his heart is fuch, that he is ftruck with any new adventure; and it would affect him just in the fame manner, if he heard I was going to be hanged.' Mr. Pope faid, he could not deny but Mr. Addison underfood Rowe well." WARTON.

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I cannot pass by the note from Spence's Anecdotes, respecting Rowe, without animadverfion. I tremble for every character, when

VOL. II.

E E

when I hear any thing of "SPENCE'S ANECDOTES!" Neither friend nor foe are spared. He feems to have opened his mouth and his ears to every thing Pope told him; and it makes the heart almost fick to think how often Pope has altered his tone, and that the BEST MAN in the world with him one moment, has afterwards " NO HEART!" Poor Rowe is the man, whofe amiable difpofition and warm feelings, Pope fo eloquently described in his Letters. But I am weary, in contemplating this part of Pope's character.

VI.

ON MRS. CORBET*,

WHO DIED OF A CANCER IN HER BREAST.

HERE
RE refts a Woman, good without pretence,
Bleft with plain Reason, and with sober Sense;
No Conqueft fhe, but o'er herself, desir'd,
No Arts effay'd, but not to be admir'd.
Paffion and Pride were to her foul unknown,
Convinc'd that Virtue only is our own.
So unaffected, fo compos'd a mind;
So firm, yet foft; fo ftrong, yet fo refin'd;
Heav'n, as its purest gold, by Tortures try'd!
The Saint sustain'd it, but the Woman dy'd.

VER. 10. the Woman dy'd.] domeftic virtue !

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NOTES.

• I have always confidered this as the most valuable of Pope's Epitaphs; the subject of it is a character not discriminated by any fhining or eminent peculiarities, yet that which really makes, though not the fplendor, the felicity of life.

Domestic virtue, as it is exerted without great occafions, or confpicuous confequences, in an even unnoted tenor, required the genius of Pope to display it in such a manner as might attract regard, and enforce reverence. Who can forbear to lament that this amiable woman has no name in the verses? JOHNSON. A very pleafing picture of filent WARTON.

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