ed, part of his congregation hummed fo loudly and fo long, that he fat down to enjoy it, and rubbed his face with his handkerchief: When Sprat preached, he likewife was honoured with the like animating hum; but he stretched out his hand to the congregation, and cried, "Peace, peace, I pray you, 66 peace."

This I was told in my youth by an old man, who had been no careless ob ferver of the paffages of thofe times.

Burnet's fermon, fays Salmon, was.

remarkable for fedition, and Sprat's for loyalty. Burnet had the thanks of the houfe; Sprat had no thanks, but a good living from the king; which, he faid,

was of as much value as the thanks of

the Commons.

The works of Sprat, befides his few poems, are, The Hiftory of the Royal Society, the Life of Cowley, The Anfwer to Sorbiere, The Hiftory of the Ryehoufe Plot; the Relation of his own Examination, and a volume of Sermons. I have heard it observed, with great juftnefs, that every book is of a different kind, and that each has its diftinct and characteristical excellence.

My business is only with his poems. He confidered Cowley as a model; and fuppofed that as he was imitated, perfection was approached. Nothing therefore but Pindarick liberty was to be expected. There is in his few produc

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tions no want of fuch conceits as he thought excellent; and of those our judgement may be fettled by the first that appears in his praise of Cromwell, where he fays that Cromwell's fame, like man, will grow white as it grows old.

ROSCOMMON.

W

ENTWORTH DILLON,

earl of Rofcommon, was born in Ireland, during the lieutenancy of Strafford, who, being his godfather, gave him his own furname. His father had been converted by Ufher to the protestant religion; and when the po pifh rebellion broke out, Strafford, thinking the family in great danger from the fury of the Irish, fent for his godfon, and placed him at his own feat in Yorkfhire,

b