ther, he has very diligently imitated his mafter; but he unhappily pleafed himfelf with blank verfe, and fuppofed that the numbers of Milton, which imprefs the mind with veneration, combined as they are with fubjects of inconceivable grandeur, could be fuftained by images which at most can rife only to elegance. Contending angels may fhake the regions of heaven in blank verfe; but the flow of equal measures, and the embellishment of rhyme, muft recommend to our attention the art of engrafting, and decide the merit of the redfireak and pearmain.

What study could confer, Philips had obtained; but natural deficience can

not be fupplied. He feems not born

to greatnefs and elevation. He is never lofty, nor does he often furprife with unexpected excellence; but perhaps to his last poem may be applied what Tully faid of the work of Lucretius, that it is written with much art, though with few blazes of genius.

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The

The following Fragment, written by Edmund Smith, upon the works of Philips, has been tranfcribed from the Bodleian manufcripts.

"A prefatory Difcourfe to the Poem on Mr. Philips, with a character of his writings.

"IT is altogether as equitable fome account fhould be given of those who have distinguished themselves by their writings, as of thofe who are renowned for great actions. It is but reasonable they, who contribute fo much to the immortality of others, fhould have fome fhare in it themselves; and fince their genius only is discovered by their works, it is just that their virtues fhould be recorded

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corded by their friends. For no modest men (as the perfon I write of was in perfection) will write their own panegyricks; and it is very hard that they should go without reputation, only because they the more deserve it. The end of writing Lives is for the imitation of the readers. It will be in the power of very few to imitate the duke of Marlborough; we must be content with admiring his great qualities and actions, without hopes of following them. The private and focial virtues are more eafily tranfcribed. The Life of Cowley is more inftructive, as well as more fine, than any we have in our language. And it is to be wifhed, fince Mr. Philips had fo many of the good qualities of that poet, that I

had

had fome of the abilities of his hifto

rian.

The Grecian philofophers have had their Lives written, their morals commended, and their fayings recorded. Mr. Philips had all the virtues to which most of them only pretended, and all their integrity without any of their affectation.

The French are very juft to eminent men in this point; not a learned man nor a poet can die, but all Europe must be acquainted with his accomplishments. They give praife and expect it in their turns they commend their Patru's and Moliere's as well as their Conde's and Turenne's; their Pellifons and Racines have their clogies as well as the prince whom

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