Page:The Poetical Works of Thomas Parnell (1833).djvu/125

Rh to Farquhar's Love and a Bottle.—Miss was formerly understood to mean a woman of pleasure. So Dryden in his Epilogue to the Pilgrim, written in 1700:

'Misses there were, but modestly concealed.'

''Davies's Dram. Misc''. iii. p. 412.

Life, p. 54, Anacreontic]

'Gay Bacchus liking Estcourt's wine,' &c.

Dick Estcourt, the celebrated Comedian, about a year before his death, opened the Bumper Tavern in Covent-Garden. He was the companion of Addison, Steele, Parnell, and all the learned and choice spirits of the age, and was celebrated for ready wit, gay pleasantry, and a wonderful talent in mimickry. He acted Falstaff, Bayes, Serjeant Kite, in the Recruiting Officer, Pounce in the Tender Husband, the Spanish Friar. Downes called him 'Histrio natus.' Sir R. Steele has drawn an amiable picture of him in the Spectator, vol. vi. No. 468. Estcourt was a favourite of the great Duke of Marlborough, and providore of the Beef-steak Club. Secretary Craggs went with Estcourt to Sir G. Kneller, and told him that a gentleman in company would give such a representation of some great men his friends, as would surprise him. Estcourt mimicked Lord Somers, Lord Halifax, Godolphin and others, so very exactly, that Sir Godfrey was highly delighted, and laughed heartily at the joke. Craggs gave the wink, and Estcourt mimicked Kneller himself, who cried out immediately.—Nay! there you are out, man! by God, that is not me!

Life, p. 60, Hymn to Contentment.] My learned and excellent friend, Mr. Barker of Thetford, has kindly pointed out to me the following passage relating to Parnell's Hymn to Contentment:

"On the pursuit, and attainment of this heavenly tranquillity, the classical and pious reader will perhaps not be displeased to meet a beautiful Ode from the "Divina Psalmodia of Cardinal Bona," on which Parnell manifestly formed his exquisite Hymn to Contentment. The insertion will be more readily pardoned, as this imitation has escaped the notice of Dr. Johnson, and it is believed of all other critics and commentators."