LIFE OF LANGHORNE. 



Let those dear lips by mine once more be prest, 



Till thy last breath expire into my breast; 



Then, when life's ebbing pulse scarce, scarce can move, 



I'll catch thy soul, and drink thy dying love; 



That last-left pledge shall sooth my tortur'd breast, &c." 



The "Tears of Music," in memory of Handel, he wrote in 1760; 

 the "Hymn to Hope," in 1761; and the "Viceroy and Visions of 

 Fancy," in 1762. It appears, that Lord Halifax, the lord lieutenant 

 of Ireland, to whom the "Viceroy" was addressed, did not even 

 thank the author for the compliment. 



In the "Visions of Fancy," which is one of his most celebrated 

 pieces, we perceive the state of his mind at that period ; a state of 

 love almost subdued by despair, yet relying for relief on hope. 

 These elegies, particularly the first and third, are extremely elegant 

 and harmonious: 



In the same year he composed his " Letters on Religious Re- 

 tirement, Melancholy, and Enthusiasm;" and "Solyman and Al- 

 mena;" and having dedicated the former to Bishop Warburton, he 

 soon gained the attention of that prelate. It was in consequence 

 of the notice he received from him, that he wrote the "Letters sup- 

 px)sed to have passed between Theodosius and Constantia," which 

 are highly esteemed for the purity of their style and elegance of 

 their doctrine. 



Having, in the year 1764, obtained the appointment of curate 

 and lecturer of St. John's, Clerkenwell, he removed to the metro- 

 polis, and shortly afterwards published two volumes of "Sermons," 

 which, however, had enemies as well as admirers. The " Tracts 

 on Religious Philosophy" are likewise sound, elegant, and useful 

 discourses, which strongly exhibit the pleasures arising from the 

 practice of virtue, exclusive of the interposition of Divine will. 



About this period he formed a connection with the proprietor of 

 the Monthly Review, which continued, with little intermission, till 

 his decease; and those who can form an idea of the duties of such 

 an engagetiiont, when they are discharged with independence, will 

 conceive that the doctor must hdve acquired by it man}' friends, 



