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ADVERTISEMENT.

THE history of the following production is briefly this:-A lady, fond of blank verse, demanded a poem of that kind from the author, and gave him the SoFa for a subject. He obeyed; and, having much leifure, connected another subject with it; and, pursuing the train of thought to which his situation and turn of mind led him, brought forth at length, instead of the trifle which he at first intended, a serious affair-a Volume!

His

In the Poem on the subject of Education, he would be very forry to stand suspected of having aimed his censure at any particular school. objections are such as naturally apply themselves to schools in general. If there were not, as for the most part there is, wilful neglect in those who manage them, and an omission even of fuch difcipline as they are fufceptible of, the objects are yet too numerous for minute attention; and the aching hearts of ten thousand parents, mour ing under the bittereft of all disappointments, attest the truth of the allegation. His quarrel, therefore, is with the mischief at large, and not with any particular instance of it.

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ARGUMENT OF THE FIRST BOOK.

Historical deduction of feats, from the stool to the Sofa. A School-boy's ramble.-- A walk in the country.The Scene described. --Rural founds as well as fights delightful.-Another walk.-Mistake concerning the charms of folitude corrected. -Colonnades commended. Alcove, and the view from it. The wilderness. -- The grove. The thresher. The neceffity and the benefits of exercise. The works of nature fuperior to, and in fome instances inimitable by, art. The wearisomeness of what is commonly called a life of pleasure. -Change of scene fometimes expedient.-A common described, and the character of crazy Kate introduced.-Gipfies. The blessings of civilized life. That state most favourable to virtue. The South Sea islanders compaffionated, but chiefly Omai.-His present state of mind fuppofed.Civilized life friendly to virtue, but not great cities. -Great cities, and London in particular, allowed their due praise, but cenfured.-Fete champetre.— The book concludes with a reflection on the fatal effects of diffipation and effeminacy upon our public measures.

I SING the SOFA. I, who lately sang Truth, Hope, and Charity*, and touch'd with awe The folemn chords, and with a trembling hand, Efcap'd with pain from that advent'rous flight, Now seek repose upon an humbler theme; The theme though humble, yet august and proud Th' occafion for the Fair commands the fong.

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Time was, when clothing sumptuous or for use, Save their own painted skins, our fires had none. As yet black breeches were not; satin smooth,

Or velvet soft, or plush with shaggy pile:

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The hardy chief upon the rugged rock

Wash'd by the fea, or on the grav'ly bank

Thrown up by wintry torrents roaring loud,
Fearless of wrong, repos'd his weary strength.
Thofe barb'rous ages past, succeeded next
The birth-day of invention; weak at first,
Dull in defign, and clumsy to perform.
Joint-stools were then created; on three legs
Upborn they stood. Three legs upholding firm
A massy slab, in fashion square or round.
On such a stool immortal Alfred fat,
And fway'd the sceptre of his infant realms:
And fuch in ancient halls and mansions drear
May still be seen; but perforated fore,
And drill'd in holes, the folid oak is found,
By worms voracious eating through and through.

At length a generation more refin'd Improv'd the fimple plan; made three legs four,