The British Poets (Volume 49); Including Translations (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1822. Excerpt: ... THE LIFE OF EDWARD YOUNG. BY THE REV. SIR II. CROFT AND DR. JOHNSON. THe following life was written, at my request, by a gentleman who had better information than I could easily have obtained; and the Public will perhaps wish that I had solicited and obtained more such favours from him *. "Dear Sir, "In consequence of our different conversations about authentic materials for the Life of Young, I send you the following detail. ' Of great men, something must always be said to gratify curiosity. Of the illustrious author of the 'Night Thoughts' much has been told of which there never.could have been proofs; and little care appears to have been taken to tell that, of which proofs, with little trouble, might have been procured." - "Edward Young was born at Upham, near Winchester, in Jane, 1681. He was the son of Edward Young, at that time fellow of Winchester College and rector of Upham; who was the son of Jo. Young, of Woodhay, in Berkshire, styled by Wood, gentleman. In September, 1682, the Poet's father was collated to the prebend of Gillingham Minor, in the church of Sarnm, by Bishop Ward. When Ward's faculties were impaired through age, his duties were necessarily performed by others. We learn from Wood, that, at a visitation of Sprat's, July'the 12th, 1686, the prebendary preached a Latin sermon, afterwards published, with which the bishop was so pleased, that he told the Chapter he was concerned to find the preacher had one of the worst prebends in their church. Some time after this, in consequence1 of his merit and reputation, or of the interest of Lord Bradford, to whom, in 1702, he dedicated two volumes of sermons, he was appointed chaplain to King William and Queen Mary, and preferred to the deanery of Sarum. .Jacob, who wrote in 1720, says, 'he was chaplain and cl...