"Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. A Tragedy. By William Shakspeare. Collated with the old and modern Editions." [By Mr. Jennens.] Svo. ceived the first rudiments of his classical education under the Curate of the parish. About the age of 13, he was sent to Abingdon school in Berkshire, then a public seminary of note. At the age of sixteen, he was chosen scholar of Pembroke college, Oxford, where he soon after went to reside. Here, he informs us, in his Life of Shenstone, he joined a party of young men, who amused themselves in an evening in reading Greek, and drinking water; and that they read over several Greek Authors seldom read in School. It was about this time he commenced an acquaintance with Mr. Shenstone, which continued till his death. In 1736, Mr. Graves was elected Fellow of All Souls College; but, instead of pursuing his Theological studies, as he at first intended, formed the idea of studying physick; and, as preparatory to it, attended two courses of Anatomy in London. About this time he was attacked with a nervous fever, which left him in so languid a state, that he gave up all thought of proceeding farther in that pursuit; and soon after resumed the study of Divinity. He was elected Fellow of All Souls in 1736; and in 1740 received the degree of M. A. and took orders. Some time after, he went to reside with Mr. Fitzherbert, at Tissington, in Derbyshire, he having a donative in his gift, and wishing a Clergyman with him in the house as a companion. After spending about three years in Derbyshire in a very agreeable manner, he came by turn into office in the College, which induced him to get a curacy nearer Oxford; where he boarded with a gentleman-farmer, whose youngest daughter, an amiable and beautiful person, so far captivated him, that he soon after married her. This circumstance is beautifully related in the second volume of the Spiritual Quixote, under the character of Rivers. About 1750, Mr. Graves was presented to the rectory of Claverton in Somersetshire; and, in 1763, to the vicarage of Kilmersden, in addition to that of Claverton, through the interest of Ralph Allen, esq. of Prior park, who likewise procured him a scarf from Lady Chatham. Mr. Graves for many years, we believe more than 30, kept a reputable Academy for young gentlemen; and many of his pupils have made a respectable figure in life. His earliest publication was, "The Festoon; or, a Collection of Epigrams, with an Essay on that Species of Composition, 1767." In 1772, he produced "The Spiritual Quixote," in 3 vols.; which, in these days of Religious Quixotism, should be read by every one who regards the Established Religion of his Country. In 1773, "The Love of Order, a Poetical Essay, in three Cantos." He published, two volumes of Poems, under the title of "Euphrosyne, a Collection of Poems," in 1776 and 1780, which have gone through several editions. "Columella, or the distressed Anchoret," in 2 vols. 1778; to shew "The Poems of Mark Akenside, M. D." very handsomely printed in quarto, under the superinten shew the consequence of a person of education and talents retiring to solitude and indolence in the vigour of youth: in this, it is thought, he alluded to his friend Shenstone. Then appeared his "Eugenius; or, Anecdotes of the Golden Vale," in 2 vols. "A Translation from the Italian of Galateo; or, a Treatise on Politeness, by De la Casa, Archbishop of Benevento." In 1788 appeared, "Recollections of some Particulars in the Life of William Shenstone, Esq. in a Series of Letters from an intimate Friend of his to William Seward, esq. F. R. S." This was published to vindicate the character of his friend from the criticisms and censure of Dr. Johnson, Mr. Gray, and Mr. Mason. "Plexippus; or, the aspiring Plebeian,” in 2 vols.; "The Meditations of Antoninus, translated from the Greek, 1792;" "Hiero on the Condition of Royalty," from the Greek of Xenophon, 1793; "Fleurettes," a Translation of Fenelon's Ode on Solitude, and other French Authors; "The Life of Commodus," from the Greek of Herodian; "The Rout," from a young man in Town to his friend in the Country; "The Reveries of Solitude," consisting of pieces of prose and verse; "The Coalition; or, Opera reversed," a Comedy in three Acts, 1794; "The Farmer's Son," a moral tale, in the ballad metre; "Sermons on various Subjects," in one volume, Svo, 1799; Senilities," consisting of pieces in prose and verse; "The Invalid, with the obvious Means of enjoying Life, by a Nonagenarian, 1804." He was Author also of The Cabinet, the Panacea, the Parting, and the Ode to a Young Lady somewhat too solicitous about her Manner of Expression, in Dodsley's Collection of Poems, vol. IV. p. 330-7. The above, it is believed, is a tolerably correct list of the publications of Mr. Graves; whose Works will always be read with pleasure, there being a sprightliness and epigrammatic turn in his writings which was peculiar to himself, and which he retained to the last. He purchased the advowson of Claverton from the Trustees of the late Ralph Allen, esq. in 1767, who had partly built the parsonage-house, a very good substantial building, which was much enlarged and improved by Mr. Graves. The garden, though not large, is a pretty rural spot, strongly marked by that classic elegance of taste which distinguished the late proprietor as an author. He was always remarkably well, and wrote his E-say on his Manner of preserving Health but a short time before his death; which happened at Bath, Nov. 23, 1804, aged 90. In Claverton church, in a niche, stands a handsome festooned urn, on a small pedestal, bearing this inscription: "Lucia Conjugi carissimæ Ricardi Graves, Ob. Cal. Maii, 1777, æt. 46." In Mr. Graves ended the bright associates of their time, com posed dence of his friend Jeremiah Dyson *, esq. to whom the Doctor has addressed a grateful tribute of respect and attention †. "Observations on Mount Vesuvius, Mount Etna, and other Volcanos, &c. By the Hon. Sir William Hamilton, K. B. F. R. S. &c." 8vo; re-printed in 1773. A very ingenious "Inquiry into the Value of the Antient Greek and Roman Money, by Matthew Raper, Esq. F. R. S." was printed in the Philoso posed of Shenstone, Whistler, and Jago. If Mr. Graves's friends would publish his Letters to the above gentlemen, it would certainly be a great gratification to his acquaintance, and would not by any means diminish his literary reputation. * Who was for many years Principal Clerk of the House of Commons; and afterwards Secretary of the Treasury. He died Sept. 6, 1776; and was at that time M. P. for Haslemere, Cofferer of his Majesty's Household, &c. &c. † Of Dr. Akenside, see vol. II. p. 435. This honourable gentleman was for many years his Majesty's Envoy at the Court of Naples; an office which he sustained with the highest credit and magnificence. He published, in 1770, "Antiquités Etrusques, Grecques, et Romaines," in 2 vols. folio; and in 1772 an octavo volume of Observations on Mount Vesuvius and other Volcanos. In 1776, he published, in 2 vols. folio, at Naples, "Campi Phlegrai;" or, Observations on the Volcanos of the Two Sicilies, to which was afterwards added a supplemental folio Volume. In 1791, he published, on the Continent, the first volume of "A Collection of Engravings from Antient Vases, mostly of pure Greek Workmanship;" and, in 1795, the second volume. His Works are in high and merited repute among the Learned; as were for many years the hospitalities of himself and Lady Hamilton to every British Traveller of distinction. Their services to the publick in assisting the immortal Nelson will never be forgotten. Sir William died April 6, 1803. § Mr. Raper was a sound scholar, and as able a mathematician. He resided on his paternal estate at Thorley, Herts; where he died, and was buried with his ancestors. And in that church are the following epitaphs: Near this place lies interred the body of MARTHA, the wife of Moses Raper, esq.; who departed this life the 18th of March, 1725, in the 39th year of her age. And likewise the body of the said MOSES RAPER, esq.; who departed this life the 30th of March, 1748, in the 69th year of his age." "In memory of MATTHEW RAPER, esq.; who died June 18, A. D. 1728, aged 73. He was a man of unblemished life and sincere |