Archdeacon, and one of the Justices of the King's Bench in Ireland. No monument marked his grave; but his epitaph has been written by Johnson.
Hic requiescit Thomas Parnell, S.T.P.
Qui Sacerdos pariter et Poeta
Utrasque partes ita implevit,
Ut neque Sacerdoti Suavitas poetæ
Nec Poetæ Sacerdotis Sanctitas deesset.[1]
Such is the small amount of facts which has been preserved relating to the poet. I must now borrow from Goldsmith's narrative some account of his mental qualities and habits, for which the biographer was indebted to the information of his father and uncle: while I just mention, that if the account given is correct, the poems of Parnell do not form a clear transcript of his mind; nor could we, through the veil of their light and graceful gaiety, discern the feelings of a person whose passions were so strong, and whose life was an unfortunate alternation of rapture and agony. I shall leave to others to explain how far such violent and unrestrained habits were compatible with his delightful qualities as a companion;
'With sweetest manners gentlest arts adorn'd.'
but it is said, that he knew the ridicule which his strongly contrasted character[2] excited; though he
- ↑ Boswell's Johnson, vol. iv. p. 54.
- ↑ In his preface to Homer, p. xxxviii. Pope says, 'I must add the names of Mr. Rowe and Dr. Parnell, though I shall take a farther opportunity of doing justice to the last, whose good nature (to give it a great panegyrick), is no less extensive than his learning.'
