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with some parts of the second book) were the last compositions of their kind, that engaged and amused the capacious, the candid, the benevolent mind of this great Man.
The above information I owe to the favour of the Right Honourable Lord Holland, nor this only, but to his Lordship I am indebted for some excellent remarks upon other parts of my MS. It was not indeed my good fortune then to know that my verses were in the hands of a nobleman who had given proof of his accurate judgement as a critic, and his elegance as a writer, by favouring the public with an easy and spirited translation of some interesting scenes of a dramatic poet, not often read in this kingdom: The Life of Lope de Vega was then unknown to me; I had, in common with many English readers, heard of him, but could not judge whether his far-extended reputation was caused by the sublime efforts of a mighty genius, or the unequalled facility of a rapid composer, aided by peculiar and fortunate circumstance.—That any part of my MS. was honoured by the remarks of Lord Holland, yields me a high degree of satisfaction, and his lordship will perceive the use I have made of them, but I must feel some regret when I know to what small portion they were limited; and discerning as I do, the taste and judgement bestowed upon the verses of Lope de Vega, I must perceive how much my own needed the assistance afforded
