from his purpose. He had not, however, to regret that the stage outlived the

church.

Crashaw's poems were first published in 1646, under the title of, 1. Steps to the Temple. 2. The Delights of the Muses. 3. Sacred Poems presented to the Countess of Denbigh. But Mr. Hayley is of opinion that this third class only was published at that time, and that the two others were added to the subsequent editions of 1648-1649, that printed at Paris in 1652*, and another in 1670. So many republications within a short period, and that period not very favourable to poetry, sufficiently mark the estimation in which this devotional enthusiast was held, notwithstanding his having relinquished the church in which he had been educated.

His poems prove him to have been of the school which produced Herbert and Quarles. Herbert was his model, and Granger attributes the anonymous poems, at the end of Herbert's volume, to Crashaw, but however partial Crashaw might be to Herbert, it is impossible he could have been the author of these anonymous poems, which did not appear until after his death, and were written by a clergyman of the church of England known to Walton, who subjoins some commendatory lines dated 16543

In 1785, the late Mr. Peregrine Phillips published a selection from Crashaw's poems, with an address, in which he attacks Pope, for having availed himself of the beauties of Crashaw, while he endeavoured to injure his fame. Against this accusa. tion, Mr. Hayley has amply vindicated Pope. That he has borrowed from him is undeniable, and not unacknowledged by himself, but that it should be his intention. to injure the fame of a writer whose writings were unknown unless to poetical antiquaries, and that in a confidential letter to a friend whom he advised to read the poems as well as his opinion of them, is an absurdity scarcely worthy of refutation.

A part of Pope's observations on Crashaw's poetry deserves a place here, not as being in all respects applicable to that writer, but as forming an excellent character of a class of minor poets of the seventeenth century, some of which have preceded, and many will follow in the present collection. It was written by Pope in a letter to his friend Cromwell; and more just notions of poetical distinctions than he now entertained in his twenty-second year, will probably not be found expressed or realized in any of his subsequent performances.

"I take this poet (Crashaw) to have writ like a gentleman, that is, at leisure hours, and more to keep out of idleness, than to establish a reputation: so that nothing regular or just can be expected of him. All that regards design, form, fable (which is the soul of poetry) all that concerns exactness, or consent of parts (which is the body)

*This, I find, is not strictly true. By a letter from Mr. Park, in the Gentleman's Magazine, vol. 63. p. 1166, it appears that this is a volume of religious poems, with vignettes executed by Crashaw himself: Mr. Park thinks they are included in the edition of 1670. But it must be remarked that the date of this book is two years beyond the death of the author. C.

! See more on this subject in Zouch's excellent edition of Walton's Lives, Art. Herbert, C.

will probably be wanting: only pretty conceptions, fine metaphors, glittering expressions, and something of a neat cast of verse (which are properly the dress, gems, or loose ornaments of poetry) may be found in these verses. This is indeed the case of most other poetical writers of miscellanies: nor can it well be otherwise, since no man can be a true poet, who writes for diversion only. These authors should be considered as versifiers and witty men, rather than as poets: and under this head only will fall the thoughts, the expression, and the numbers. These are only the pleasing part of poetry, which may be judged of at a view, and comprehended all at once. And (to express myself like a painter) their colouring entertains the sight, but the lines and life of the picture are not to be inspected too narrowly."

Pope enumerates among Crashaw's best pieces, the paraphrase on Psalm XXIII, the verses on Lessius, Epitaph on Mr. Ashton, Wishes to his supposed Mistress, and the Dies Iræ. Dr. Warton recommends the translation from Moschus and another from Catullus, and amply acknowledges the obligations of Pope and Roscommon to Crashaw. Mr. Hayley, after specifying some of Pope's imitations of our author, conjectures that the Elegies on St. Alexis suggested to him the idea of his Eloisa, but, adds this excellent Biographer, "if Pope borrowed any thing from Crashaw in this article, it was only as the Sun borrows from the Earth, when drawing from thence a mere vapour, he makes it the delight of every eye, by giving it all the tender and gorgeous colouring of Heaven."

Some of Crashaw's translations are esteemed superior to his original poetry, and that of the Sospetto d'Herode, from Marino, is executed with Miltonic grace and spirit. It has been regretted that he translated only the first book of a poem by which Milton condescended to profit in his immortal Epic. The whole was, however, afterwards translated and published in 1675, by a writer whose initials only are known, T..R.

Of modern critics, Mr. Headley and Mr. Ellis have selected recommendatory specimens from Crashaw. In Mr. Headley's opinion, "he has originality in many parts, and as a translator is entitled to the highest applause." Mr. Ellis, with his accustomed judgment and moderation, pronounces that, "his translations have considerable merit, but that his original poetry is full of conceit. His Latin poems were first printed in 1634, and have been much admired, though liable to the same objections as his English."-Some of these are included in the present collection, but a fuller account, with specimens, was given some years ago by Mr. Nichols, in the Gentleman's Magazine'.

• An anonymous correspondent sent an account of this translation, with specimens, to Mr. Maty's Review, vol. 7. 251. C.

? Vol. 63. p. 1001. C

THE

LIFE OF SIR EDWARD SHERBURNE.

BY MR. CHALMERS.

THIS poet descended from an ancient family of the same name at Stanyhurst in Lancashire. His grandfather, Henry, appears to have belonged, but in what capacity is not known, to Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and settled in that city, where Edward the father of our poet was born. This Edward went afterwards to London, and became secretary to the first East India company, that established by queen Elizabeth's charter, and in 1613 obtained a reversionary grant of the office of clerk of the ordnance. He was afterwards knighted by Charles I'. He married Frances, the second daughter of John Stanley, of Roydon Hall, in Essex, esq. and resided in Goldsmiths Rents, near Redcross-street, Cripplegate. His son, the poet, was born here September 18, 1618, and educated by the celebrated Thomas Farnaby, who then taught a school in Goldsmiths' Rents. On his removal to Sevenoaks, in Kent, in 1636, young Sherburne was educated privately under the care of Mr. Charles Aleyn, the poetical historian of the battles of Cressy and Poictiers, who had been one of Farnaby's ushers. On the death of Aleyn in 1640, his pupil being intended for the army, was sent to complete his education abroad, and had travelled in France and After his father's death part of Italy, when his father's illness obliged him to return.

in 1641, he succeeded to the clerkship of his majesty's ordnance, the reversion of which had been procured for him in 1638; but the rebellion prevented his retaining it long. Being a Roman catholic, and firmly attached to the king, he was ejected by a warrant of the house of lords in April or May, 1642, and harassed by a long and expensive confinement in the custody of the usher of the black rod.

On his release, he determined to follow the fortunes of his royal master, who made him commissary general of the artillery, in which post he witnessed the battle of Edge-hill, and afterwards attended the king at Oxford, where he was created Master of Arts, December 20, 1642. Here he took such opportunities as his office permitted of pursuing his studies, and did not leave Oxford until June, 1646, when it was surrendered to the parliamentary forces. He then went to London, and was entertained by a near relation, John Povey, esq. at his chambers in the Middle Temple. Being

! Gent, Mag. LXVI. p. 462. C.