Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 7.djvu/239

Rh by the disinterested advice of that nobleman, inscribed to Mr Dodington, afterwards lord Melcorabe, whom Binning thought likely to advance his interest The same year he gave to the public two more of his productions; "A Poem Sacred to the Memory of Sir Isaac Newton," who died in that year; and 'Britannia," a poetical invective against the ministry, whom the nation then thought not forward enough in resenting the depredations of the Spaniards. His "Spring," published in 1723, and addressed to the countess of Hertford, afterwards duchess of Somerset, procured him an invitation to pass a summer at lord Hertford's country-seat. The Seasons were not completed by the addition of "Autumn," till 1730, when he published his poems collectively. Autumn was addressed to Mr Onslow.

In the same year, he brought upon the stage, at Drury Lane, his tragedy of Sophonisba, which raised such expectation, that every rehearsal was dignified with a splendid audience, collected to anticipate the delight that was preparing for the public. It was observed, however, that nobody was affected, and that the company rose as from a moral lecture. It was one of the many proofs that dramatic genius is a very different thing from the power of putting in dialogue fine sentiment and poetical description. Not long afterwards, the recommendation of Dr Bundle caused him to be selected as the travelling associate of the honourable Mr Talbot, eldest son of the chancellor, with whom he visited most of the courts and countries of the European continent. Such an opportunity could not fail to be a source of much improvement to one, whose mind was well prepared for the observation of the different forms of society, and appearances in external nature. The idea of his poem on Liberty suggested itself to him during this tour, and after his return he employed nearly two years in its com- pletion. He was now enabled to pursue his studies at leisure, having been remunerated for his attendance on Mr Talbot, by the place of secretary of the briefs, which was nearly a sinecure. His poem "Liberty" at length appeared, being inscribed to Frederick, prince of Wales, and opening with an affectionate tribute to the memory of Mr Talbot, who had died during his journey with the poet. Thomson congratulated himself upon this work as the noblest effort of his mind; but it was received with coldness by the public, and has never been so generally read as the rest of his compositions. In reality, a long historical piece in blank verse, the incidents of which were taken from common reading, was not very likely to prove attractive.

The lord chancellor soon after died, and, Thomson having neglected to apply for a renewal of his place, it was bestowed by the succeeding judge, lord Hardwicke, upon another. The poet was, therefore, reduced once more to a dependence on his talents for support. It is creditable to him, that, while in this painful situation, he showed, in his letters to a friend in Edinburgh, an affectionate anxiety to assist the narrow circumstances of his sisters, Jean and Elizabeth, who then lived with Mr Gusthart, one of the ministers of the city. He was introduced, about this time, by Mr (afterwards lord) Littleton, to the prince of Wales; and, being questioned as to the state of his affairs, he answered, "that they were in a more poetical posture than formerly:" which induced the prince to bestow upon him a pension of one hundred pounds a-year.

In 1738, his second tragedy, entitled "Agamemnon," was brought upon the stage at Drury Lane. Pope, who had favoured the author, when in Italy, with a poetical epistle, countenanced the performance on the first night by his presence; and was received in the house with a general clap. It had the fate of most mythological pieces, and was only endured, not favoured. The reception it met with, is said to have thrown the author into such a copious perspiration,