THE hiftory of the following production is briefly this: A lady, fond of blank verfe, demanded a poem of that kind from the author, and gave him the SOFA for a fubject. He obeyed; and, having much leifure, connected another fubject with it; and pursuing the train of thought to which his fituation and turn of mind led him, brought forth at length, instead of the trifle which he at firft intended, a ferious affaira Volume. In the Poem on the subject of Education, he would be very forry to stand suspected of having aimed his cenfure at any particular school. His objections are fuch as naturally apply themselves to schools in general. If there were not, as for the most part there is, wilful neglect in those who manage them, and an omiffion even of fuch discipline as they are susceptible of, the objects are yet too numerous for minute attention and the aching hearts of ten thousand parents, mourning under the bittereft of all disappointments, atteft the truth of the allegation. His quarrel, therefore, is with the mischief at large, and not with any particular inftance of it. ARGU ARGUMENT of the FIRST BOOK. Hiftorical deduction of feats, from the ftool to the Sofa.A School-boy's ramble.-A walk in the country.-The fcene defcribed.-Rural founds as well as fights delightful. Another walk. Miftake, concerning the charms of folitude, corrected.-Colonades commended. -Alcove, and the view from it.-The Wilderness. -The Grove.—The Thresher.-The neceffity and the benefits of exercise.-The works of nature fuperior to and in fome inftances inimitable by art.-The wearifomeness of what is commonly called a life of pleasure. -Change of fcene fometimes expedient.-A common defcribed, and the character of crazy Kate introduced. -Gipfies. The blefings of civilized life.That state most favourable to virtue.-The South Sea Ilanders compaffionated, but chiefly Omai.-His prefent ftate of mind fuppofed.-- Civilized life friendly to virtue, but not great cities.-Great cities, and London in particular, allowed their due praife, but cenfured.Fete Champetre.-The book concludes with a reflection on the fatal effects of diffipation and effeminacy upon our public measures. I SING the SOFA. I who lately fang Truth, Hope, and Charity *, and touch'd with awe Time was, when cloathing fumptuous or for use, Save their own painted skins, our fires had none. As yet black breeches were not; fattin fmooth, See vol. i. VOL. II. B Or Or velvet foft, or plush with fhaggy pile: Joint-ftools were then created; on three legs Upborne they stood. Three legs upholding firm A massy slab, in fashion square or round. On fuch a ftool immortal Alfred fat, And sway'd the fceptre of his infant realms; And fuch in ancient halls and manfions drear May still be seen, but perforated fore And drill'd in holes the folid oak is found, By worms voracious eating through and through. At length a generation more refin'd Improv'd the fimple plan, made three legs four, |