have obtained too little notice; he caught few drops of the golden fhower, though he did not omit what flattery could perform. He was only made a Commiffioner of the Lottery (1717), and, what did not much elevate his character, a Juftice of the Peace.

The fuccefs of his first play must naturally difpofe him to turn his hopes towards the stage: he did not however foon commit himself to the mercy of an audience, but contented himself with the fame already acquired, till after nine years he produced (1721) The Briton, a tragedy which, whatever was its reception, is now neglected; though one of the scenes, between Vanoc the British Prince and Valens the Roman General,

is confeffed to be written with great dramatick fkill, animated by fpirit truly poetical.

He had not been idle, though he had been filent; for he exhibited another tragedy the fame year, on the ftory of Humphry Duke of Gloucefler. This tragedy is only remembered by its title.

His happieft undertaking was of a paper called The Freethinker, in conjunction with affociates, of whom one was Dr. Boulter, who, then only minifter of a parish in Southwark, was of fo much confequence to the government, that he was made first bifhop of Bristol, and afterwards primate of Ireland, where his piety and his charity will be long

honoured.

B

It

It may eafily be imagined that what was printed under the direction of Boulter would have nothing in it indecent or licentious; its title is to be understood as implying only freedom from unreafonable prejudice. It has been reprinted in volumes, but is little read; nor can impartial criticism recommend it as worthy of revival.

Boulter was not well qualified to write diurnal effays; but he knew how to practise the liberality of greatnefs and the fidelity of friendship. When he was advanced to the height of ecclefiaftical dignity, he did not forget the companion of his labours. Knowing Philips to be flenderly fupported, he took him to Ireland, as partaker of his fortune;

and,

and, making him his fecretary, added fuch preferments as enabled him to reprefent the county of Armagh in the Irish Parliament.

In December 1726 he was made fecretary to the Lord Chancellor; and in Auguft 1733 became judge of the Prerogative Court.

After the death of his patron he continued fome years in Ireland; but at last longing, as it seems, for his native country, he returned (1748) to London, having doubtlefs furvived most of his friends and enemies, and among them his dreaded antagonist Pope. He found however the duke of Newcastle still living, and to him he dedicated his poems collected into a volume.

Having purchased an annuity of four hundred pounds, he now certainly hoped to pass some years of life in plenty and tranquillity; but his hope deceived him he was ftruck with a palfy, and died June 18, 1749, in his feventyeighth year.

Of his perfonal character all that I have heard is, that he was eminent for bravery and skill in the fword, and that in converfation he was folemn and pompous. He had great fenfibility of cenfure, if judgement may be made by a fingle story which I heard long ago from Mr. Ing, a gentleman of great eminence in Staf fordshire. "Philips," faid he, " was "once at table, when I asked him, How "came thy king of Epirus to drive 66 oxen,