204 BROOKE. journey to London was resolved on; there he might indulge his genius, enjoy the advantages of literary society, and by the execution of literary schemes, be finally rewarded with fame and wealth. Accordingly, on his arrival, he hastened to renew his acquaintance with his former friends, and, under the eye of Pope, wrote, and published his philosophical poem of "Universal Beauty," in 1735. He was soon, however, obliged to return to Ireland, where for a short time he practised, though reluctantly, as a chamber-council. But the desire of acquiring distinction in elegant literature, was not to be conquered, and a third journey to London was the consequence: this was in 1737. He was introduced to Lord Lyttleton and others, the political and literary adherents of the Prince of Wales; he was caressed and treated with friendly familiarity, and received from the latter many elegant and friendly tokens of regard. Amidst such society, he had every thing to cherish his ambitious, hopes of fame and independence, and he readily caught that fervour of enthusiasm, which was the bond of union in the prince's court. In 1788 he published a translation of the first three books of Tasso, of which Hoole gives this flattering testi- mony: "It is at once so harmonious, and so spirited, that I think, an entire translation of Tasso, by him, would not ouly have rendered my task unnecesary, but have discou- raged those from the attempt, whose poetical talents are much superior to mine." He was, however, by his political friends, diverted from completing the translation, and his talent conducted to another channel, and, as it were, joined to a host of writers, who wielded the weapons of literature against the minister of the day. Paul White- head wrote satires; Fielding, comedies and farces; Glover, an epic poem; and Brooke, encouraged to introduce Walpole in tragedy, wrote "Gustavus Vasa, the Deliverer of his Country:"it was accepted at Drury Lane, bat when on the point of performance, an order from the lord- chamberlain arrived to prohibit it. This piece, animated
