all distinguished by the sobriety, which such a title imports; and the greater part of his poems consists of Levities, Ballads, Odes, and Elegies. In all these styles, however, he has shown himself a perfect master of composition. His thoughts are such as could only occur to a refined understanding; his language is always apt, and always ready; and his verse glides with the smooth uniformity of a stream, that meets with no obstructions, and makes no sudden turns. We suspect, there is not a poet in the language, who has written so few lines, that offend the ear by an ill choice of words, or leave it unsatisfied, from a defect of arrangement. 'In legendo', says Tully, oculus prospiciet, quid sequatur; ne extremorum verborum cum insequentibus primis concursus, aut hiulcas vocis effici, aut asperas.'* * Orator. §. 44. DESCRIPTION OF THE LEASOWES.* BY ROBERT DODSLEY. THE Leasowes is situate in the parish of Hales Owen, a small market town in the county of Salop, but surrounded by other counties, and thirty miles from Shrewsbury, as it is near ten to the borders of Shropshire. Though a paternal estate, it was never distinguished for any peculiar beauties till the time of its late owner. It was reserved for a person of his ingenuity both to discover and improve them, which he has done so effectually, that it is now considered as amongst the principal of those delightful scenes which persons of taste, in Far from the present age, are desirous to see. violating its natural beauties, Mr. Shenstone's only study was to give them their full effect; and although the form in which things now appear, be indeed the consequence of much thought and labour, yet the hand of Art is no way visible either in the shape of ground, the disposition of trees, or (which are here so numerous and striking) the romantic fall of his cascades. But I will now proceed to a more particular description. About half a mile short of Hales Owen, in your way from Birmingham to Bewdley, you *This Description was intended to give a friend some idea of the Leasowes-which having been so justly admired by persons of the best taste, and celebrated by the Muse of such an original genius as Mr. Shenstone, it is hoped the public will not be displeased with this slight attempt to perpetuate those beauties, which time or the different taste of some future possessor may destroy. quit the great road, and turn into a green lane on the left hand, where descending in a winding manner to the bottom of a deep valley finely shaded, the first object that occurs is a kind of ruinated wall, and a small gate within an arch, inscribed, The Priory Gate.' Here, it seems, the company should properly begin their walk, but generally choose to go up with their horses or equipage to the house, from whence returning, they descend back into the valley. Passing through a small gate at the bottom of the fine swelling lawn that surrounds the house, you enter upon a winding path, with a piece of water on your right. The path and water, overshadowed with trees that grow upon the slopes of this narrow dingle, render the scene at once cool, gloomy, solemn, and sequestered, and form so striking a contrast to the lively scene you have just left, that you seem all on a sudden landed in a subterraneous kind of region. Winding forward down the valley, you pass beside a small root-house, where, on a tablet, are these lines: "Here in cool grot and mossy cell, Darts throught yon lines her quivering beams, "Her beams, reflected from the wave, "Would you then taste our tranquil scene, |