Chap. XX.] Poetry. 67 



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 

 sublime 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 *. 



Xo 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. Dwight, before mentioned, 

 holds a distinguished place. His Conquest of Ca- 

 naan, though a juvenile performance, and labour- 

 ing inider several disadvantages, contains much 

 excellent versification f, and, in general correct- 

 ness, has not been often exceeded. Greenfieid 

 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 har- 



* Mr. Wharton speaks of Chatterton as " a prodigy of genius." 

 Mr. Malone believes him to iiave been " the sjreatest genius that 

 England has produced since the days of Shakspeare." Mr. 

 Croft says, " no such human being, at any period of life, has 

 ever been known, or possibly can be known." 



f This is the opinion of Dr. Darwin, expressed in a note to his 

 celebrated poem. The Botanig Garden. 

 \ ¥ 2 



