Thames in Surry, in the last of which places our author was born. He
received his early education at Eton school, and from thence was
admitted to St. John's College, Cambridge. Probably while he was at the
university, he became enamoured of Mrs. Anna Maria Mordaunt, who first
inspired his breast with love, and to whom he dedicates the poem of the
Circassian, for which he has been so much distinguished. This dedication
is indeed the characteristic of a youth in love, but then it likewise
proves him altogether unacquainted with the world, and with that
easiness of address which distinguishes a gentleman. A recluse scholar
may be passionately in love, but he discovers it by strains of bombast,
and forced allusions, of which this dedication is a very lively
instance.

'The language of the Fair Circassian, says he, like yours, was natural
poetry; her voice music, and the excellent colouring and formation of
her features, painting; but still, like yours, drawn by the inimitable
pencil of nature, life itself; a pattern for the greatest master, but
copying after none; I will not say angels are not cast in the same
mould.' And again in another place, 'Pardon, O lovely deity, the
presumption of this address, and favour my weak endeavours. If my
confession of your divine power is any where too faint, believe it not
to proceed from a want of due respect, but of a capacity more than
human. Whoever thinks of you can no longer be himself; and if he could,
ought to be something above man to celebrate the accomplishment of a
goddess. To you I owe my creation as a lover, and in the beams of your
beauty only I live, move, and exist. If there should be a suspension of
your charms, I should fall to nothing. But it seems to be out of your
power to deprive us of their kind influence; wherever you shine they
fill all our hearts, and you are charming out of necessity, as the
author of nature is good.' We have quoted enough to shew the enthusiasm,