BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF HENRY HEADLEY. Fame, register of Timė, Write in thy scrowle, that I, Of wisdome lover, and sweet poesie, Was cropped in my prime, And ripe in worth, though greene in years did dye. DRUMMOND. HENRY HEADLEY was the only son of the Rev. Henry Headley; Vicar of North Walsham, in the county of Norfolk. He was born at Irstead, in Norfolk, in 1766. The reputation of Dr. Parr, as Mas.. ter of the Grammar School at Norwich, induced Mr. Headley to place his son under his care, at a time when the Doctor had several scholars, who, as well as young Headley, afterwards displayed the great advantages they derived from his instructions. As the constitution of young Headley was naturally delicate, much of the time which his school-fellows spent in robust exercises, he devoted to writing, and many of the wild and tender effusions of his fancy proved the poetical bias of mind. These early blossoms of his genius were distributed among his friends, and some of them still cherish the remembrance of their beauty and sweetness. On the 14th of January 1782 he was admitted a Commoner of Trinity College, in the University of Oxford, under the tuition of the Rev. Charles Jesse; and at the following election on Trinity Monday, May 27, was chosen scholar of that society. His situation in the University was as favourable as he could desire; for it not only allowed him ample scope for the expansion of his genius, and the indulgence of his literary propensities, but presented him with a full view of that living example of classical taste and learned research, which he beheld with admiration, and followed with enthusiasm. This example was the Rev. Thomas Warton, well known to the Public by his numerous works: he was at that time senior Fellow of Trinity College, and usually resided there; and the situation of Headley, as a scholar of the same College, was favourable to the contemplation of Mr. Warton's character, general manners, and habits of life. As his friends found, that no subjects were more agreeable to Headley, than anecdotes of Warton, they often fed his curiosity with a treat he so much enjoyed. The information they gave him, and the perusal of his various publications-his Poems-his Observations on Spenser-and his History of English Poetry, operated as fuel supplied to the flame of his inclination, and stimulated him to give his mind that direction which marked the course of his sub sequent studies, and induced him to prefer the "monuments of banish'd minds" as existing in old English poetry, to all other literary pursuits. The various objects which the appearance of the University of Oxford presented, could not fail to produce a powerful effect upon his imagination. The delightful gardens and public walks, the various seats of learning and piety, where heroes had been taught the lessons of honour and virtue, sages had planned their systems of philosophy, and poets had indulged their flights of fancy-the survey of the gothic battlements and lofty towers, "mantled with the moss of time," the crisped roofs, the clustered columns, and the mellow gloom of the painted windows-were all objects so closely connected with the study of antiquities, and with the history and the glory of his native country, as to give a deep tincture to his mind; they were perfectly congenial with his taste, and contributed with the beforementioned circumstances to mature and refine it. Meanwhile, whate'er of beautiful, or new, Diligent as he soon became in exploring the stores of ancient English poetry, he did not allow his darling studies to engross so much of his time as to interrupt the enjoyments, or damp the ardour of * Beattie's Minstrel. Stanza 58. social intercourse. Happily finding, in Trinity College, several of its members who were young men of talents, learning, and amiable manners, he had little difficulty in selecting his associates. He soon formed a strict intimacy with William Benwell, whose congenial taste, suavity of manners, exemplary conduct, and classical attainments, fully justified the predilection of Headley. And he was often the associate of William Lisle Bowles, who has since distinguished himself as an eminent poet. Both were scholars of Trinity College at the same time with Headley, and were nearly of the same standing; and although they were engaged in literary pursuits different from those of Headley, as that generous sympathy which animates ingenuous and cultivated understandings was the basis of their attachment, they warmly encouraged him to prosecute his favourite studies. His long vacations, far from being passed in idle rambles from home, were devoted to his studies, and the anxious discharge of his domestic duties. At this time his father was confined by an illness, which terminated in his death: the impression made the mind of his affectionate son, by a prospect upon so melancholy, may be collected from the beginning of his poem to Myra. From these sad scenes, where care and pale dismay Where duty breathes in vain its lengthen'd sigh, |