192 Poetry. 



tempt the author has been successful to a degree 

 which does him much honour as a poet. He unites 

 great extent of learning v/ith singular variety and 

 felicity of allusion, and a pleasing harmony and 

 splendour of versification. But it must be ac- 

 knowledged that there is an uniformity, which 

 at length fatigues, and does not so much in- 

 terest the reader as many less correct and regular 

 performances/ The Minstrel, by Dr. Beattie, 

 which may, without impropriety, be mentioned 

 under this head, besides the most engaging pic- 

 tures of nature, abounds in the richest sentimental, 

 moral, and poetical beauties. The Essays on 

 Painting, History, and Epic Poetry, by Mr. Hay- 

 ley, though partaking of the historical and de- 

 scriptive, are also didactic in their character, and 

 exhibit a very large share of erudition, correctness, 

 elegance, and poetic taste. 



Besides the specimens of didactic poetry above 

 mentioned, English literature furnished a number 

 of others, during the period under consideration, 

 which though not in the first grade of excellence, 

 are yet entitled to respectful notice. The Chace, 

 by Somerville, to a just and intelligent view of 

 its subject, adds felicity and variety of description, 



t It has been suggested that the author of the Loves of the Plants was 

 considerably indebted to the Connubia Florum of De la Croix, both in the 

 plan and execution of his work. This beautiful Latin poem wa9 first pub- 

 lished in France, about the year 1727, and was reprinted at London, 

 with notes and observations by Sir Richard Clayton, in 1791. If Dr. 

 Darwin had ever seen De la Croix's work, (which can scarcely be 

 questioned) some deduction must be made from his claim to originality. 

 Still, however, the Botanic Garden will be entitled to no small share of ap- 

 plause as a poem. Though many of the opinions of the author must be 

 considered as erroneous; though his poetry evince more taste than ge- 

 nius, more labour than invention, and display more meretricious glare than 

 chaste ornament ; and though much of the praise which was bestowed on 

 the work soon after its appearance must be deemed extravagant ; yet since 

 the author of the Pursuits of Literature pronounced judgment upon it, its 

 poetic character has, perhaps, in the estimation of many, sunk too low. 

 Dr. Darwin is far from scanding at the head of modern poets; but he 

 holds a place greatly above mediocrity. 



