LIFE OF LANGHORNE. 



published his poem, entitled "The Enlargement of the Mind," which 

 is in praise of paternal affection. 



It was in this retirement that he succeeded, with the assistance 

 of his brother, in making a complete translation of the " Lives of 

 Plutarch;" an undertaking evidently executed with consummate 

 ability, and which will render any other translation superfluous. 

 He employed the first years of his widowhood in lamentations for 

 the loss of his accomplished lady, by composing some interest- 

 ing verses written at Sandgate Castle : he also wrote some beautiful 

 stanzas to the late Mr. Scott, of Amwell, who had experienced a 

 similar domestic misfortune; and this brought on an intimacy be- 

 tween the two gentlemen, which continued during their lives. 



About this time he published the "Letters supposed to have 

 passed between St. Evremond and Waller;" and "Frederic and 

 Pharamond;" while, in the same year, 1771, he completely esta- 

 blished his reputation as a poet, by the publication of those charm- 

 ing "Fables" which form the subject of the present volume. The 

 plan of the fable, according to the just explanation given by the 

 author himself, " is here enlarged, and the province so far extended, 

 that the original narrative and moral may be accompanied with 

 imagery, description, and sentiment. The scenery is formed in a 

 department of nature, adapted to the genius and disposition of 

 poetry, where she finds new objects, interests, and connections to 

 exercise her fancy and her powers." Li addition to this statement, 

 all readers of taste will concur in the justice of the following re- 

 marks by Mr. Langhorne, junior: "The rural imagery on which 

 the fables are grounded, had not been before adapted to that 

 species of poetry ; and the moral is so naturally interwoven with 

 the narrative, that its effect is more forcible and more pleasing than 

 v.hen unconnected with the relation. Impersonation may certainly 

 be applied, with as much reason, to the vegetable as to the animal 

 creation, if the characteristic attributes of each plant or flower are 

 faithfully marked, and the unity of the fable is maintained. The 



