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bear the disagreeable sounds which necessarily attend the first beginnings on a wind-instrument. He seemed to content himself with what he heard in public, and getting Fischer to play to him in private, not on the hautboy but the violin; but this was a profound secret, for Fischer knew that his reputation was in danger if he pretended to excel on two instruments.

"The next time I saw Gainsborough, it was in the character of King David. He had heard a harper at Bath; the performer was soon left harpless; and now Fischer, Abel, and Giardini, were all forgotten; there was nothing like chords and arpeggios! He really stuck to the harp long enough to play several airs with variations, and, in a little time, would nearly have exhausted all the pieces usually performed on an instrument incapable of modulation, (this was not a pedal-harp) when another visit from Abel brought him back to the viol-di-gamba.

"He now saw the imperfection of sudden sounds that instantly die away. If you wanted a staccato, it was to be had by a proper management of the bow, and you might also have notes as long as you please. The viol-di-gamba is the only instrument, and Abel the prince of musicians.

"This, and occasionally a little flirtation with the fiddle, continued some years; when, as ill luck would have it, he heard Crossdill; but, by some irregularity of conduct, for which I cannot account, he neither took up, nor bought the violoncello. All his passion for the bass was vented in descriptions of Crosdill's tone and bowing, which was rapturous and enthusiastic to the last degree."*

P. 147. See Brit. Crit. XIII. p. 533.

In this way he frittered away his musical talents; and though possessed of ear, taste, and genius; he never had application enough to learn his notes. He scorned to take the first step; the second was of course out of his reach; and the summit became unattainable."*

Mr. Jackson died at Exeter, 12 July, 1803. Thomas Jackson, Esq. now or lately Minister Plenipotentiary to Sardinia, is, I believe, one of his sons.

ART. XIX. CAPT. EDWARD THOMPSON.

Edward Thompson was son of a merchant at Hull, in Yorkshire, where he was born about 1738. He was educated at Beverley, under the Rev Mr. Clarke, and thence removed to Hampstead, under the care of Dr. Cox. He early embraced a maritime life, and in 1750 sailed on a voyage to Greenland. In 1754 he was engaged on board an Indiaman, and became what is called "a Guinea Pig:" though other accounts say, that he went to the East Indies with Sir Peter Dennis, on board the Dorsetshire, and was in the memorable action off Quiberon Bay. By his "Sailor's Letters," it appears he was at Madras, Ceylon, and Bengal, of which he has given descriptions, that shew the accuracy of his observation, and the cultivation of his talents.

In 1755 he returned to England; where in November we find him on board the Sterling-Castle in the Downs. In 1756 he sailed from Portsmouth to New York, and thence to Antigua; and arriving the following year in

P. 154. See Brit. Crit. XIII. p. 533.

X 2

England,

England, he was promoted to be a lieutenant, and appointed to the Jason, which was sent over to Embden with Brudenell's Regiment to reinforce the garrison. In 1758 he sailed in the Dorsetshire to Lisbon, and in 1759, cruising between the Bay of Biscay and the chops of the channel, was engaged in Hawke's celebrated battle with Conflans. In 1761 he sailed in the Bellona.

The peace, that ensued, left his active mind at leisure to cultivate literature. A poem of a temporary nature procured him the acquaintance of Churchill, whose whig principles he strenuously cherished. At this time he lived in a small house in Kew-lane; whence in 1754 he produced a poem called "The Soldier," which was well received. He then retired for some time to Scotland, where he meditated a professional work, which he never executed.

In 1765, he published "The Courtezan," a poem, 4to. and "The Demirep," a poem, 4to. In 1767, he produced his "Sailor's Letters, written during his Voyages in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, from 1754 to 1759." In 1769, he commanded the Tartuffe cutter, off the coast of Scotland.

He had during this period written many political and dramatic pieces, which recommended him to the notice of Garrick; and Garrick, through his intimacy with Sir Edward Hawke, procured him a master and commander's warrant in 1771; and in the following year, Sir Peter Denis, commanding in the Mediter ranean, made him post into the Niger.

But before this he had edited "The Works of Oldham," 3 vols. 1771; a collection of fugitive pieces

called

called "The Court of Cupid," and a collection of Bon Mots, under the title of " Aristophanes."

In 1773, he brought forth "The Fair Quaker, or The Humours of the Navy, a Comedy," 8vo. and in 1776 and in 1777 fitted for the stage two other picces, not published.

In 1773 he began in concert with Mr. John Macmillan, the Westminster Magazine. In 1777, he edited "The Works of Paul Whitehead;" and the same year "The Works of Andrew Marvel." In 1778 he edited a collection of fugitive poetical pieces, called "The Muse's Mirror."

But as soon as the war broke out with France, he was called away from these peaceful occupations, being appointed in 1778 to the command of the Hyæna. Hẹ was in Rodney's famous action off Cape St. Vincent; of which he brought home the intelligenc; and was soon afterwards appointed commodore of an expedition against Demerara, which, with Berbice and Essequibo,

This young man died Feb. 11, 1774, at the early age of twenty-five. He was a native of Invernesshire. He is said to have been "an accurate critic, an elegant poet, and an agreeable novelist." Thomson wrote the fol lowing lines to his memory.

"If modest worth, truth, honour, and good sense,

To public favour ever made pretence,

Surely none bade, in these degenerate days,

At once so fair for universal praise:

Reserv'd, though wise; though gentle, most severe;
Firm, though eccentric; various, though sincere.
Farewell, my friend; and at thy honour'd shrine,
My soul, I own, was near allied to thing:

The Muses taught us one poetic strain,

And in their favourite cradle nurs'd the twain,"

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surrendered without opposition. He afterwards con veyed home a fleet of merchantmen from St. Eustathius. At the end of the war he was stationed on the coast of Africa.

In 1785 he was appointed commander of the Grampus, and sent again to the coast of Africa; where he caught a fever, and died aboard that ship, Jan. 17, 1786. An event, which filled his crew with universal lamentation, as they considered him a brave and skilful commander, a friend, and a father.

Many young men, since distinguished for naval enterprise, were brought up under his tuition, among which were his nephew Sir Boulden Thompson, and Sir Home Popham.

But the merits, by which Captain Thompson will be best known to posterity, are his Sea Songs; which are still on every one's lips; more especially those three beautiful and affecting compositions, beginning "Loose every sail to the breeze," "The Topsail shivers in the wind," "Behold upon the gallant wave."

ART. XX. GREGORY LEWIS WAY, ESQ.

Having by some accident omitted in my various Literary Obituaries the death of this ingenious man, I am anxious to make slight amends to his memory by an account of him in this place, more especially as I have an opportunity of borrowing a sketch of his character by a writer, whose peculiarly simple and elegant style deserves every praise, which a critic can bestow on it.

Mr.

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