fell into the hands of Mr Capel Lofft, who spared no pains to bring the poet into notice. The poem passed through many editions, and obtained for its author the patronage of the Duke of Grafton, who gave Bloomfield a small annuity, and the place of Under-sealer in the Seal-office. Ill health compelled Bloomfield to resign this small office; and he returned to his awl, and occasionally made Eolian harps, which were bought by those who wished to afford a modest and ingenious man some trifling assistance without wounding his feelings of independence. He also published several volumes, which all had a tolerable sale; nor is it easy to account for his pecuniary hardships and continual embarrassments on the supposition of a common degree of prudence. After this period, he engaged in bookselling without either capital or knowledge of business, and soon became bankrupt. He then left London in very bad health, and settled at Shefford, in Bedfordshire. It is told, that a place was solicited for him at this time by Mr Rogers, and that a powerful minister of the day gave his promise; which was kept as many such promises are. It is more pleasing to mention, that Mr Southey attempted to obtain an annuity for the humble poet among literary friends and admirers, and generously offered five pounds a year as his own contribution. Bloomfield was by this time. unfit for any species of labour, whether mental or mechanical. Violent headaches nearly deprived him of sight; and he suffered so much from debility and nervous irritation, that his friends became apprehensive for his soundness of mind. From these fears they were released by his death. The poetical reputation of Bloomfield rests on his first production, "The Farmer's Boy," which, if rather overestimated on its first appearance, must long continue to please from its truth and simplicity of sentiment, and from smoothness and even sweetness of versification. It gives a fine picture of English still-life-of those rural occupations which, when naturally treated, can never fail to please; and the subject is not only well chosen, but happily suited to the powers of one whose first poetical impressions were received about an English farm and homestead, and whose imagination never overleapt the pales. "Wild Flowers," a small volume of Bloomfield's, contains many agreeable passages. LIVE, trifling incidents, and grace my song, 'Twas thus with Giles: meek, fatherless, and poor, Labour his portion, but he felt no more; Round Euston's water'd vale, and sloping plains, Where woods and groves in solemn grandeur rise, Where the kite brooding unmolested flies; There his first thoughts to Nature's charms, inclined, That stamps devotion on the inquiring mind. This task had Giles, in fields remote from Oft has he wish'd the rosy morn to come: Pour'd hymns to freedom and the rising morn; Where dewdrops thick as early blossoms, hung, Say, ye that know, ye who have felt and seen Spring's morning smiles and soul-enlivening green; Say, did ye give the thrilling transport way? Away they scour, impetuous, ardent, strong, There panting stop; yet scarcely can refrain ; DR JOHN LEYDEN. BORN 1775-DIED 1811. WITHOUT Sustaining a very high or brilliant poetical reputation, Leyden is one of those Scottish literary adventurers in whom his country feels a just pride. He was born at Denholm, on the banks of the Teviot, and received the ordinary routine education of the parish-school; but, in his native border-land of song and chivalry, the young and susceptible mind of Leyden was richly stored with legends of Scottish prowess and romance. This early training, aided by antiquarian or black-letter reading, to which he was devoted from the time he came to the Edinburgh university, was soon agreeably displayed in several beautiful romantic ballads, now enrolled in the pages of the Border Minstrelsy, and in his Scenes |