 | Letters, by several eminent persons deceased (1772) |  |
Written in a window at Greenhithe .
Great president of light and eye of day,As through this glass you cast your visual ray,
And view with nuptial joys two brothers blest,
And see us celebrate the genial feast,
Confess, that, in your progress round the sphere,
You've found the happiest youths and brightest beauties here.
Ince Grice (now called Ingress) a place once belonging to the priory of Dartford, very agreeably situated near the Thames. It then belonged to Jonathan Smith, esq; who, with his brother Capt. Nathaniel Smith resided there, and made considerable improvements in the house and gardens.
See “Harris's history of Kent,” p. 309. See also letter v of this collection, p. 20.
It is now the seat of John Calcraft, esq; member of parliament for Rochester.
The TOASTERS.
While circling healths inspire your sprightly wit,And on each glass some beauty's praise is writ,
To Montagu's soft name a verse refuse?
Bright though she be, of race victorious sprung,
By wits ador'd, and by court-poets sung,
Unmov'd I hear her person call'd divine,
I see her features uninspiring shine;
A softer fair my soul to transport warms,
And, she once nam'd, no other nymph has charms.
Mary dutchess of Montagu, (born in 1689,) youngest daughter of John Duke of Marlborough, and mother to the present dutchess of Montagu.
TOFTS and MARGARITA .
Music has learn'd the discords of the state,And concerts jar with whig and tory hate.
The British Tofts, and every note commend,
To native merit just, and pleas'd to see
We've Roman arts, from Roman bondage free.
There fam'd L'Epine does equal skill employ,
While list'ning peers crowd to th' ecstatic joy:
Bedford, to hear her song, his dice forsakes,
And Nottingham is raptur'd when she shakes:
Lull'd statesmen melt away their drowsy cares
Of England's safety in Italian airs.
Who would not send each year blank passes o'er,
Rather than keep such strangers from our shore?
Mrs. Tofts took her first grounds of music here in her own country, before the Italian taste had so highly prevailed.—Whatever defect the fashionably skilful might find in her manner, she had, in the general sense of her spectators, charms that few of the most learned singers ever arrive at. The beauty of her fine proportioned figure, and exquisitely sweet silver tone of her voice, with the peculiar rapid softness of her throat, were perfections not to be imitated by art or labour. “Cibber's apology, &c. p. 319.”
Signora Margarita de L'Epine, afterwards married to Dr. Pepusch. She performed the part of Calypso in Mr. Hughes's “opera,” and in his “ode to the memory of the duke of Devonshire” Signora Margarita performed Britannia, and Mrs. Tofts Augusta. She also sung in several of his “cantatas” set by Dr. Pepusch.
The WANDERING BEAUTY.
1
The graces and the wand'ring lovesAre fled to distant plains,
To chase the fawns, or in deep groves
To wound admiring swains.
Who turns her careless eyes
From daily triumphs; yet, each day,
Beholds new triumphs in her way
And conquers while she flies.
2
But see! implor'd, by moving prayers,To change the lover's pain,
Venus her harness'd doves prepares,
And brings the fair again.
Proud mortals, who this maid pursue,
Think you, she'll e'er resign?
Cease, fools, your wishes to renew,
Till she grows flesh and blood like you,
Or you, like her, divine!
| Letters, by several eminent persons deceased (1772) | |