It appears, that in the early part of his life, he had entertained the defire of publishing an edition of Strabo; and, among his papers, there were many geographical difquifitions, which had been made with that intention. He alfo left many explanatory and critical obfervations on the writings of Plato; and he had beftowed uncommon labour on the Anthologia. A project worthy of him, and more interefting than any of thofe, was, A Hiftory of English Poetry, on which he had long meditated, but thought proper to abandon, when he was informed that Mr. Warton, of Trinity College, Oxford, was engaged in a fimilar purfuit.

Among the branches of knowledge

in

in which he excelled, it would be improper not to mention Architecture; and his skill in Heraldry was exact and extenfive. But what was most peculiarly to his tafte, and engaged his attention the most constantly, was Natural History. He left many notes on Linnæus, and on Hudson's Flora Anglica; and while employed on Zoology, he studied Aristotle on that fubject, and explained many of the obfcure paffages of that distinguished Antient. Mufic he knew most exquifitely; and, while abroad, he had acquired a skill in Painting. In a word, if Mathematics are excepted, there was not a part of human learning which he had not cultivated with fuccefs.

A pro

A propensity to melancholy, the constant attendant of genius, was observable in Mr. Gray, from his earliest years; and a hereditary gout ferved to encourage it. About the end of May 1771, he made a visit to London; but being oppreffed with feverishness, and dejection of mind, he was advised to leave his lodgings in Jermyn Street for Kensington; where a freer air so far operated to his recovery, as to enable him to return to Cambridge. On the 24th of July, however, a fudden ficknefs, while at dinner, made him retire to his chamber, from the College hall. His malady, which was found to be the gout in his ftomach, continued to increase, and baffled all the art of medicine. On the 29th, a strong convulfion

fit

fit feized him; it returned with additional violence on the 30th; and the evening after, this ingenious poet, and cultivated scholar, ceased to adorn England and human nature.

THE

THE

LAST WILL and TESTAMENT

OF

MR. THOMAS GRAY.

EXTRACTED

From the REGISTRY of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

IN THE NAME OF GOD. Amen. I THOMAS GRAY, of Pembroke-hall, in the university of Cambridge, being of found mind and in good health of body, yet ignorant how long these bleffings may be indulged me, Do make this my laft will and teftament in manner and

form