Page:The lives of the poets of Great Britain and Ireland to the time of Dean Swift - Volume 4.djvu/313

Rh He had ſeen much of the world, examined many characters, experienced the viciſſitudes of fortune, and was as well inſtructed as any man that ever lived, in the important leſſon of human life, viz. That all things are vanity.

HIS diſtinguiſhed poet was ſon of an eminent merchant, one Mr. Neal, by a daughter of baron Lechemere. Some misfortunes of his father, which were ſoon followed by his death, occaſioned our author’s being left very young in the care of a near relation (one who married Mr. Neal’s mother, whoſe name was Smith).

This gentleman treated him with as much tenderneſs as if he had been his own child, and placed him at Weſtminſter-ſchool, under the care of Dr. Buſby. After the death of his generous guardian (whoſe name in gratitude he thought proper to aſſume) he was removed to Chriſt’s Church in Oxford, and was there by his aunt handſomely ſupported till her death; after which he continued a member of that learned ſociety, till within five years of his own. Some time before his leaving Chriſt-Church, he was ſent for by his mother to Worceſter,