230 Poetry. 



juggler that ever imposed on mankind. If, on the 

 other hand, it be concluded that Chatterton was 

 the real author of the poems ascribed to Rowley, 

 then the eighteenth century gave birth to the most 

 astonishing genius that ever existed; a genius sub- 

 lime and universal; and which, considering that 

 all his efforts were made before he reached his 

 eighteenth year, may probably be pronounced 

 with safety to have been an unique in the history 

 of man.™ 



No poet of reputation had appeared in America 

 prior to the eighteenth century. But since the 

 commencement of this period, the western hemi- 

 sphere, and especially that part of the continent 

 denominated the United States, has given birth to 

 several poets of respectable character. Among 

 these the Rev. Dr. D wight, before mentioned, 

 holds a distinguished place. His Conquest of Ca- 

 naan, though a juvenile performance, and labour- 

 ing under several disadvantages, contains much 

 excellent versification/ and, in general correctness, 

 has not been often exceeded. Greenfield-Hill, a 

 moral, didactic, and descriptive poem, by the 

 same author, is also entitled to considerable praise, 

 for exhibiting pure and elevated sentiment, just 

 principles, and beautiful descriptions, in harmo- 

 nious and excellent verse. The M'Fingal of Mr. 

 Trumbull was mentioned in a former page, as 

 doing high honour to the talents of its author. The 

 Vision of Columbus, and other poems, by Mr. Bar- 



iv Mr. Whartox speaks of Chatterton as " a prodigy of genius." 

 Mr. Ma lone believes him to have been " the greatest genius that Eng- 

 land has produced since the days of Shakspeare." Mr. Croft says, 

 " ho such human being, at any period of life, has ever been known, or pos- 

 sibly can be known." 



x This is the opinion of Dr. Darwin, expressed in a note to his cele* 

 brated poem, Tbs Botanic Garden. 



