SHENSTONE (William), an admired English poet, was the eldest son of a plain country gentleman who farmed his own estate in Shropshire. The father, sensible of his son's capacity, placed him in Pembroke college, Oxford; but he could never persuade him to enter into orders. In his private opinions, our author adhered to no particular sect, and hated all religious disputes. Tenderness, in every sense of the word, was his peculiar characteristic; and his friends, domestics, and poor neighbours, daily experienced the effects of his benevolence. This virtue he carried to an excess that seemed to border upon weakness; yet if any of his friends treated him ungenerously, he was not easily reconciled. On such occasions, however, he used to say, "I never will be a revengful enemy; but I cannot, it is not in my nature, be half a friend." He was no economist; for the generosity of his temper prevented him paying a proper regard to the use of money: he exceeded therefore the bounds of his paternal fortune. But, if we consider the perfect paradise into which he had converted his estate, the hospitality with which he lived, his charities to the indigent, and all out of an estate that did not exceed 300 l. a-year, one should rather wonder that he left any thing behind him, than blame his want of economy: he yet left more than sufficient to pay all his debts; and, by his will, appropriated his whole estate for that purpose. Though he had a high opinion of many among the fair sex, he forbore to marry. A passion he entertained
in his youth was with difficulty surmounted. The lady was the subject of that admirable pastoral, in four parts, which has been so universally and so justly admired, and which, one would have thought, must have softened the proudest and most obdurate heart. His works have been published by Mr Dodsey, in 3 vols 8vo. The first volume contains his poetical works, which are particularly distinguished by an amiable elegance and beautiful simplicity; the second volume contains his prose works; the third his letters, &c.