THOMAS,

LORD PAGET,

ELDEST Son of the earl of Uxbridge, who survived him, published some pieces, particularly "An Essay on human Life," in verse, 1734, 4to. 2

"Some Reflections upon the Administration of Government:" a pamphlet, 1740. In both these pieces there is much good The former is written in imitation of Pope's ethic epistle, and has good lines, but not much poetry.

sense.

He wrote other poems and essays, all which he collected into one volume 8vo. of which only a few copies were printed to give away.

[Thomas Catesby, lord Paget, was son to Henry, first earl of Uxbridge, by Mary, daughter and coheir

[Two third editions in 1736, 8vo. and 12mo. profess to be "corrected and much enlarg'd by the author;" who is fallaciously described in one of them, to be the author of the Essay on Man. Under this fallacy, however creditable to his lordship's talent, it was printed in a supplement to the works of Pope, 1757, and is perhaps the closest imitation of that poet's ethical Essays.] VOL. IV.

to Thomas Catesby, esq. of Whiston, in the county of Northampton. Lord Paget was member for the county of Stafford in two parliaments; a lord of the bedchamber to the prince of Wales, and on his accession to the throne as George the second, was continued in the same post. He died at Drayton, near Uxbridge, in January 17423, about eighteen months before his father; so that he is to be regarded as one of those presumptive peers whom lord Orford has "called up by writ." 4

His lordship's volume of

"Miscellanies in Prose and Verse,"
"5

6

was printed a year before his death, and being far less of attainment than his didascalic Essay, a copy easy has been resorted to in the library of Mr. Bindley for the sake of procuring the subsequent extracts.

The volume is divided into prose and poetry. The prose essays consist of,

Collins's Peerage; British Cabinet; and New Peerage. • See Preface before vol. i. of this publication.

5 An advertisement says, these pieces were composed for the noble author's own amusement in the country, during intervals of bad weather, in hunting seasons, and (excepting such as had, it seems, been already printed) were never design'd for publication: but having been communicated to a few persons, they took air and were talk'd of abroad, which drew upon his lordship some importunity to publish them." Lord Paget, it is said, could not at first be prevailed upon to consent, but was brought at length to compound the matter, by permitting that a few copies should be printed for the private use of himself and his intimate friends. 6 See his lordship's preface to the Essay on human Life; and Nichols's Bowyer, vol. ii. p. 115.

"Some Reflections upon the Administration of Government;-on History; -on a bad Disposition of Mind;-on Reason;-on Women;- on publick Spirit; -Advice from a Guardian;- and familiar Letters."

The poetry consists of the Essay on human Life; and miscellaneous Verses-from which the following have been taken, as they offer a diversity of extract, in a measure since made popular by mirth-moving Anstey.

"THE HONEST ENGLISHMAN'S WISH.

"From bad health, and bad weather, and party's dull strife, From an insolent miss and a troublesome wife,

From the kindred of such, or by father or mother,
Who most wisely delight in plaguing each other;
From noisy companions and brew'd tavern wines,
From the wretch who can cant, when he mischief designs;
From the dealers in wit, full of scandal and lies,
From a friend who betrays while he seems to advise ;
From a wrong-headed race of mean, narrow-soul'd fools,
Who are fond of their fleecers and proud of being tools;
From curses like these, if kind Heaven defends me,
I will never complain of the fortune it sends me.
May good sense and good nature be my honest praise,
And I envy not great ones the millions they raise."

"RELATIONSHIP.

"What follies are all the engagements of life,

The dear friend, the dear kinsman, and much dearer wife!

Experience will shew they alike can betray,

And act the same part, though a different way.

They wish you full well; but amidst all their canting,

They must own on your side there is still something

wanting:

Some failings there are which they cannot disguise,
For flattery all honest people despise.

If affairs go on well - what a strange lucky man!

If ill 't is your fault, do whatever you can:

You're too gay or too dull, too foolish or wise,

How much better 't would be did you let them advise.
Each then with their counsels might mix their own ends,
Be good kindred to you, to themselves be good friends:
And who would repine to be cheated of pelf,
When it goes to another as dear as himself?"

[A FRAGMENT.]

"Conquest and glory are the warrior's aim,
He throws at all, and stakes his life for fame;
Thoughtless how few against such odds succeed,
Where one is chronicled, whilst thousands bleed.
The wily courtier lays his crafty schemes,
And barters real wealth for golden dreams;
Deckt with false colours, and in tinsel brave,
To govern others, makes himself a slave.
The painful student spends his sleepless nights,
And fancies he 's immortal if he writes;
Fond of applause, he wastes his span of days,
Nor thinks of envy, whilst he looks for praise.
Wise men and fools thus share an equal fate,

These never knew their errors

those, too late."]

WROTE

JOHN,

LORD HERVEY,

ROTE many pieces of various kinds. His pamphlets are equal to any that ever were written. Published by himself were

"Answer to the Occasional Writer," 1727. "The Occasional Writer, No. IV. To his Imperial Majesty."

"Observations on the Writings of the Craftsman." [1780.]

66

Sequel of the Observations on the Writings of the Craftsman." 1730.

"Sedition and Defamation displayed; with a Dedication to the Patrons of the Craftsman." [1731.]

"A summary Account of the State of Dunkirk, and the Negotiations relating thereto; in a Letter from a Member of Parliament to

2 [Mr. Pulteney wrote an answer to this tract, under the title of "A proper Reply." Lord Hervey then challenged his opponent, and they met in the Green Park, when his lordship received two wounds, and very narrowly escaped being run through the body, by the interference of the seconds. See Review of the Reign of Geo. II. p. 30.]