DRAWN BY RICHARD WESTALL R.A. ENGRAVED BY J. H. ROBINSON; PUBLISHED BY JOHN SHARPE, PICCADILLY. OCT. 1. 1817. DRAWN BY RICHARD WESTALL R.A. ENGRAVED BY J. H. ROBINSON; PUBLISHED BY JOHN SHARPE, PICCADILLY. OCT. 1. 1817. THE TASK. BOOK I. THE SOFA. Historical deduction of seats from the stool to the Sofa.-A schoolboy's ramble.-A walk in the country. The scene described.-Rural sounds as well as sights delightful-Another walk.-Mistake concerning the charms of solitude corrected-Colonnades commended.-Alcove, and the view from it.-The wilderness.-The grove-The thresher -The necessity and the benefits of exercise.-The works of nature superior to, and in some instances inimitable by art.-The wearisomeness of what is commonly called a life of pleasure.-Change of scene sometimes expedient. A common described, and the character of crazy Kate introduced.-Gipsies.-The blessings of civilized life. That state most favourable to virtue. The South Sea islanders compassionated, but chiefly Omai. His present state of mind supposed.-Civilized life friendly to virtue, but not great cities. Great cities, and London in particular, allowed their due praise, but censured -Fête champêtre.The book concludes with a reflection on the fatal effects of dissipation and effeminacy upon our public measures. I SING the Sofa. I who lately sang Truth, Hope, and Charity, and touch'd with awe |