WARTON (Thomas), the brother of the preceding, was born in the year 1728. He received, as we have reason to believe, the first part of his education at Winchester; and at the age of 16 was entered a commoner of Trinity College, Oxford, under the tuition of Mr Geering.
He began his poetical career at an early age. In 1745, he published five pastoral elegues, in which are beautifully described the miseries of war to which the shepherds of Germany were exposed. Not long after, in the year 1748, he had full scope afforded for the exertion of his genius. It is well known that Jacobite principles were suspected to prevail in the university of Oxford about the time of the rebellion in the year 1745. Soon after its suppression, the drunkenness and folly of some young men gave offence to the court, in consequence of which a prosecution was instituted in the court of King's Bench, and a stigma was fixed on the vice chancellor and some other heads of colleges in Oxford. Whilst this affair was the general subject of conversation, Mr Mason published his "Iris," an elegy, in which he adverts to the above-mentioned circumstances. In answer to this poem, Mr Warton, encouraged by Dr Huddesford, the president of his college, published, in 1749, "The Triumph of Iris," which excelled more in manly expostulation and dignity than the poem that produced it did in neatness and elegance. With great poetical warmth, and a judicious selection of circumstances, he characterises the eminent men who had been educated in Oxford, and draws a striking and animated portrait of Dr King, the celebrated public orator of that time. The whole poem shews the early maturity of his genius, and is finished with happy diligence.
In the year 1751, he succeeded to a fellowship of his college, and was thus placed in a situation easy and independent, and particularly congenial with his habits of retirement and study. In 1753, appeared his observations on "The Faery Queen of Spencer," in 3vo, a work which he corrected, enlarged, and republished, in two volumes crown octavo, in the year 1762. He sent a copy of the first edition to Dr Johnson, who, in a letter to him upon the subject, expressed this handsome compliment: "I now pay you a very honest acknowledgement for the advancement of the literature of our native country: you have shewn to all, who shall hereafter attempt the study of ancient authors, the way to success, by directing them to the perusal of the books which these authors had read."
In 1754, Dr Johnson visited Oxford for the first time after he had quitted residence there. Much of his time was spent with Mr Warton; and there appeared to have been a considerable degree of confidential intercourse between them upon literary subjects, and particularly on their own works. A pleasing account of this
Warton. this visit was communicated by Mr Warton to Mr Boswell, who has inserted it in his life of Johnson.
In 1755, Mr Warton exerted himself to procure for his friend the degree of master of arts by diploma from the university of Oxford; an honour which Johnson esteemed of great importance to grace the title page of his dictionary which he was about to publish. In 1756, Mr Warton was elected professor of poetry, which office he held for the usual term of ten years. His lectures were remarkable for elegance of diction and justness of observation. One of them, on the subject of pastoral poetry, was afterwards prefixed to his edition of Theocritus. In 1758, he contributed to assist Dr Johnson in the subscription to his edition of Shakespeare, and furnished him with some valuable notes. The Doctor remarks, in a letter to him, when soliciting his farther aid, "It will be reputable to my work, and suitable to your professorship, to have something of yours in my notes."
From the Clarendon press, in the year 1766, he published "Anthologiae Graecae, a Constantino Cephalo conditae, Libri tres," in 2 vols. 12mo. He concludes the learned and classical preface to this work, which is replete with accurate remarks on the Greek epigram, in the following words, which mark this publication for his own: "Vereor ut haecenus in plexendis florum corollis otium nimis longum pertraxerim. Proxime sequetur, cui nunc omnes operas et vires intendo, Theocritus. Interea quasi promulgarem convivii lectioribus meis elegantias haec vetustatis eruditae propino."
In the year 1770, he conferred a similar honour upon the academical press by his edition of Theocritus, in 2 vols. 8vo. He undertook this work by the advice of Judge Blackstone, then fellow of All Souls College, and an ardent promoter of every publication that was likely to do credit to the Clarendon press. This elaborate publication reflects no small credit on the learning, diligence, and taste of the editor.
In 1771, he was elected a fellow of the Antiquarian Society, and was presented by the Earl of Lichfield to the small living of Kiddington in Oxfordshire, which he held till his death. He likewise in this year published an improved account of "The Life of Sir Thomas Pope, founder of Trinity College, Oxford." In compiling these memoirs, he bestowed much labour and research, and shewed great judgment in the arrangement of his materials. But possibly, in his ardour to pay a debt of gratitude, he has not sufficiently considered what was due to his own fame. The same strength of description and vigour of remark would have better suited the life of some eminently distinguished character, and extended the reputation of the author as a biographer beyond the circle of those academical readers who are influenced by the same feelings of veneration, respect, and gratitude which prompted Mr Warton to compose this work. The preface contains some excellent remarks on biographical writing.
The plan for a history of English poetry was laid by Pope, enlarged by Gray: but to bring an original plan nearly to a completion was reserved for the perseverance of Warton. In 1774 appeared his first volume; in 1778, the second and third; which brings the narrative down to the commencement of the reign of Elizabeth in 1581. This work displays the most singular com-
bination of extraordinary talents and attainments. It unites the deep and minute researches of the antiquary with the elegance of the classical scholar and the skill of the practiced writer. The style is vigorous and manly; the observations acute and just; and the views of the subject are extensive and accurate.
In 1777, he collected his poems into an octavo volume, containing miscellaneous pieces, odes, and sonnets. This publication may be considered in some measure original; there being only seven pieces that had before appeared, and near three times that number which were then printed for the first time.
In vindication of the opinion he had given in his second volume of "The History of Poetry," relative to the ingenious attempt of Chatterton to impose upon the public, he produced, in 1782, "An Inquiry into the Authenticity of the Poems attributed to Rowley." In this excellent pamphlet the principles of true criticism are laid down, an appeal is properly made to the internal evidence of the poems; and upon these grounds it is proved, in the most satisfactory manner, that they could not have been written by a monk of the fourteenth century.
The year 1785 brought him those distinctions which were no less honourable to those who conferred than to him who received them. He was appointed poet laureate on the death of Whitehead, and elected Camden professor of ancient history on the resignation of Dr Scott. His inauguration lecture was delivered in a clear and impressive manner from the professorial chair. It contained excellent observations on the Latin historians, and was written in a strong, perspicuous, and classical style. In his odes, the vigour and brilliancy of his fancy were not prostituted to an insipid train of courtly compliments: each presents an elegant specimen of descriptive poetry, and as all of them have only a slight relation to the particular occasion on which they were written, and have always a view to some particular and interesting subject, they will be perused with pleasure as long as this species of composition is admired.
He made occasional journeys to London to attend the literary club, of which he was some years a member; and to visit his friends, particularly Sir Joshua Reynolds. At his house he was sure to meet persons remarkable for fashion, elegance, and taste.
His last publication, except his official odes, consisted of Milton's smaller poems. A quarto edition appeared in 1790, with corrections and additions. The great object of these notes is to explain the allusions of Milton, to trace his imitations, and to illustrate his beauties.
Until he reached his sixty-second year, he continued to enjoy vigorous and uninterrupted health. On being seized with the gout, he went to Bath, and scattered himself, on his return to college, that he was in a fair way of recovery. But the change that had taken place in his constitution was visible to his friends. On Thursday, May 20, 1790, he passed the evening in the common room, and was for some time more cheerful than usual. Between ten and eleven o'clock he was struck with the palsy, and continued insensible till his death, which happened the next day at two o'clock. On the 27th, his remains were interred in the college chapel with the most distinguished academical honours.
The
Watton. The inscription upon the flat stone which is placed over his grave contains only an enumeration of his preferences.
Such was the general conduct and behaviour of Mr Warton as to render him truly amiable and respectable. By his friends he was beloved for his open and easy manners; and by the members of the university at large he was respected for his constant residence, strong attachment to Alma Mater, his studious pursuits, and high literary character. In all parties where the company accorded with his inclination, his conversation was easy and gay, enlivened with humour, enriched with anecdote, and pointed with wit. Among his peculiarities it may be mentioned that he was fond of all military fights. He was averse to strangers, particularly to those of a literary turn; and yet he took a great pleasure in encouraging the efforts of rising genius, and assisting the studious with his advice; as many of the young men of his college, who shared his affability and honoured his talents, could testify. He was bred in the school of punters; and made as many good ones as Barton and Leigh, the celebrated word-hunters of his day. Under the mask of indolence, no man was more busy; his mind was ever on the wing in search of some literary prey. Although, at the accustomed hours of Oxford study, he was often seen fauntering about, and conversing with any friend he chanced to meet; yet, when others were walking their mornings in sleep, he was indulging his meditations in his favourite walks, and courting the Muses. His situation in Oxford was perfectly congenial with his disposition, whether he indulged his fancies of pleasantry in the common room, retired to his own study, or to the Bodleian library; fauntered on the banks of his favourite Cherwell, or surveyed, with the enthusiastic eye of taste, the ancient gateway of Magdalen College, and other specimens of Gothic architecture.
The following is a list of Mr Warton's works:
1. "Five Pastoral Eclogues," 4to, 1745. Reprinted in Pearch's Collection of Poems. 2. "The Pleasures of Melancholy," written in 1745; first printed in Dodley's Collection, and afterwards in the Collection of Mr Warton's Poems. 3. "Progress of Discontent," written in 1746. First printed in the "Student," a periodical paper. 4. "The Triumph of Isis, a Poem," 4to, 1750. 5. "Newmarket, a Satire," folio, 1751. 6. "Ode for Music," performed at the theatre in Oxford 1751. 7. "Observations on the Faerie Queen of Spenser," 8vo, 1754. 8. "Inscriptionum Metricarum Delectus," 4to, 1758. 9. "A Description of the City, College, and Cathedral, of Winchester," 8vo, no date. 10. "The Life of Sir Thomas Pope," in the 5th volume of the Biographia Britannica, republished in 1772. 11. "The Life and literary Remains of Ralph Bathurst, M. D. Dean of Wells, and President of Trinity College in Oxford," 1761. 12. "A Companion to the Guide, and a Guide to the Companion," 12mo, 1762. 13. "The Oxford Sausage," in which are several Poems by Warton. 14. "Anthologie SUPPL. VOL. II. Part II.
Græcæ a Constantino Cephalæ conditæ Libri tres," 2 tom. 1766. 15. "Theocritus Syracusii quæ supersunt, cum Scholiis Græcis," &c. 2 tom. 4to, 1770. 16. "History of English Poetry, from the Close of the 11th to the Commencement of the 18th Century," 4to, Vol. I. 1774. Vol. II. 1778. Vol. III. 1781. 17. "Poems," 8vo, 1777. 18. "Specimen of a History of Oxfordshire," 1783. 19. "An Enquiry into the Authenticity of the Poems attributed to Thomas Rowley," 8vo, 1782. 20. Verses on Sir J. Reynolds's painted Window in New College Chapel, 4to. 1782. 21. "Poems on several Occasions, by John Milton, with Notes critical and explanatory," 8vo, 1785.