performances. The adoption of a particular style, in light and
short compositions, contributes much to the increase of pleasure:
we are entertained at once with two imitations of nature in the
sentiments, of the original author in the style, and between them
the mind is kept in perpetual employment.

The general recommendation of Shenstone is easiness and simplicity;
his general defect is want of comprehension and variety. Had his
mind been better stored with knowledge, whether he could have been
great, I know not; he could certainly have been agreeable.



YOUNG.



The following life was written, at my request, by a gentleman (Mr.
Herbert Croft) who had better information than I could easily have
obtained; and the public will perhaps wish that I had solicited and
obtained more such favours from him:--

"Dear Sir,--In consequence of our different conversations about
authentic materials for the Life of Young, I send you the following
details:"--

Of great men something must always be said to gratify curiosity. Of
the illustrious author of the "Night Thoughts" much has been told of
which there never could have been proofs, and little care appears to
have been taken to tell that of which proofs, with little trouble,