neral vigour and sprightliness, and Pitt often stops him to contemplate the excellence of a fingle couplet; that Dryden's faults are forgotten in the hurry of delight, and that Pitt's beauties are neglected in the languor of a cold and listless perufal; that Pitt pleases the criticks, and Dryden the people; that Pitt is quoted, and Dryden read. He did not long enjoy the reputation which this great work defervedly conferred; for he left the world in 1748, and lies buried under a stone at Blandford, on which is this inscription: In memory of CHR. PITT, clerk, M. A. for his talents in poetry; and yet more for the universal candour of his mind, and the primitive fimplicity of his manners, He lived innocent, and died beloved Apr. 13, 1748. R 4 THOMSON. THOMSON. AMES THOMSON, the fon of a JAMI minister well esteemed for his piety and diligence, was born September 7, 1700, aț Ednam, in the shire of Roxburgh, of which his father was paftor. His mother, whose name was Hume, inherited as co-heirefs a portion of a small eftate. The revenue of a parish in Scotland is feldom large; and it was probably in commiferation of the difficulty with which Mr. Thomson fupported his family, having nine children, that Mr. Riccarton, a neighbouring minifter, discovering in James uncommon promifes of future excellence, undertook to fuperintend his education, and provide him books. He ་ |