Page:The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, Volume 2.djvu/419

Rh In 1703 his ode on Musick was performed at Stationer's Hall; and he wrote afterwards six cantatas, which were set to musick by the greatest master of that time, and seem intended to oppose or exclude the Italian opera, an exotick and irrational entertainment, which has been always combatted, and has always prevailed.

His reputation was now so far advanced, that the publick began to pay reverence to his name; and he was solicited to prefix a preface to the translation of Boccalini, a writer whose satirical vein cost him his life in Italy; but who never, I believe, found many readers in this country, even though introduced by such powerful recommendation.

He translated Fontenelle's Dialogues of the Dead; and his version was perhaps read at the time, but is now neglected; for by a book not necessary, and owing its reputation wholly to its turn of direction, little notice can be gained but from those who can enjoy the graces of the original. To the dialogues of Fontenelle he added to composed by himself; and, though not only an honest but pious man, Rh