Mr. EDMUND SMITH,


This distinguished poet was son of an eminent merchant, one Mr. Neal,
by a daughter of baron Lechemere[A]. Some misfortunes of his father,
which were soon followed by his death, occasioned our author's being
left very young in the care of a near relation (one who married Mr.
Neal's mother, whose name was Smith).

This gentleman treated him with as much tenderness as if he had been
his own child, and placed him at Westminster-school, under the care
of Dr. Busby. After the death of his generous guardian (whose name
in gratitude he thought proper to assume) he was removed to Christ's
Church in Oxford, and was there by his aunt handsomely supported till
her death; after which he continued a member of that learned society,
till within five years of his own. Some time before his leaving
Christ-Church, he was sent for by his mother to Worcester, and
acknowledged by her as a legitimate son. We chuse to mention this
circumstance, in order to wipe off the aspersion which folly and
ignorance cast upon; his birth[B].

In honour to Mr. Smith it should be remembered, that when he stood a
candidate for one of the universities, at the Westminster election, he
so peculiarly distinguished himself by his conspicuous performances,
that there arose no small contention between the representative
electors of Trinity College in Cambridge, and Christ-Church College
in Oxon, which of those two illustrious societies should adopt him as
their own. But the electors of Trinity College having the preference
of choice that year, they resolutely elected him; but being invited
at the same time to Christ-Church, Mr. Smith chose to accept of a