KING. THE ingenious Dr. William King was a native of London, and was born in 1663. Being paternally allied to the family of Clarendon, he received a good classical education at Westminster School, under Dr. Richard Busby, from whence he was elected to Christ Church, Oxford, in his eighteenth year. At this illustrious seminary, he is said to have been a very diligent student; and having devoted his particular attention to civil law, he took a doctor's degree in 1692. But though he possessed unquestionable talents, and distinguished himself in the defence of the Earl of Anglesea, against his lady, who sued for a divorce and obtained it, he gradually gave way to an indolent disposition, and application to business seemed to be his aversion. By the interest of his friends, however, he was appointed judge of the admiralty in Ireland, and held some other important offices in that country; but, on a change of administration there, he returned to England in 1708, with no other portion than wit, and a confirmed and habitual idleness. In some years previous to this, he had gained considerable reputation as a prose writer, and now he appears to have derived his principal subsistence from the efforts of his pen. Becoming a zealous tory, he defended the cause he had espoused with great spirit, both in prose and verse, which recommended him to Swift, Prior, and others of the same party. By their influence, and as it is said without solicitation, he was appointed writer of the Gazette, and keeper of the paper office. But an act of insolvency, which speedily followed, having increased the business of his situation, his native indolence induced him to resign, preferring poverty with ease, to independence with application. Retiring to Lambeth, in 1712, he amused himself with composition; but his health declining he resigned his breath with Christian fortitude, on Christmas-day of that year, in the forty-ninth year of his age. His poems have been aptly characterised as the amusements of idleness, rather than the effects of study. He possessed a turn for mirth and raillery, and was better qualified to make his readers laugh than to move the tender passions. His "Art of Cookery" evinces abundance of wit and ingenuity; and though he wrote "An Art of Love," it has the merit of being free from that licentiousness which is found in Ovid. In short, though King lived irregularly, he was by no means prone to gross vices. Trifles were his delight, and he pursued them, regardless of fame, fortune, and public opinion. He was Mr. Anderson informs us, that he would say a great many ill-natured things, but never do one. made up of tenderness and pity, and tears would fall from him on the smallest occasion. Mr. A. further observes, that his character united some striking contrarieties. He was a man of eminent learning and singular piety; but more zealous for the cause, than the appearance of religion. His chief pleasure consisted in trifles, and he was never happier than when he thought he was hid from the world. Few people pleased him in conversation, and it was a certain proof of his liking them if his behaviour was tolerably agreeable. His discourse was cheerful, his wit pleasant and entertaining, and his philosophy and good sense prevailed over his natural temper, which is said not to have been amiable. UPON A GIANT'S ANGLING. His angle rod made of a sturdy oak; His line a cable, which in storms ne'er broke; JUST AS YOU PLEASE. OR, THE INCURIOUS. A VIRTUOSO had a mind to see 66 He had a servant, much of Æsop's kind, At Covent Garden dial, whom he found Seem'd to say, "Who is't? wilt go any where ?" Close to the fire he draws an elbow chair, Thinks, "Let them take the other chairs that will!" The master thus accosts him, "Sir, you're wet, Pray have a cushion underneath your feet." 66 Thinks he, "If I do spoil it, need I care? "I see he has eleven more to spare." Dinner's brought up; the wife is bid retreat, And at the upper end must be his seat. "This is not very usual," thinks the clown: "But is not all the family his own? "And why should I, for contradiction's sake, "Lose a good dinner, which he bids me take? "If from his table she discarded be, "What need I care, there's the more for me." After awhile, the daughter's bid to stand, And bring him whatsoever he'll command. Thinks he, "The better from the fairer hand!" Young master next must rise to fill him wine, And starve himself, to see the booby dine. He does. The father asks, "What have you "How dare you give a stranger vinegar?" "Sir, 'twas champagne I gave him." Sir, indeed! “Take him and scourge him till the rascal bleed; "Dont spare him for his tears or age: I'll try "If cat-of-nine tails can excuse a lie." there? Thinks the clown, "That 'twas wine I do believe; "But such young rogues are aptest to deceive; "He's none of mine, but his own flesh and blood, "And how know I but 't may be for his good." When the dessert came on, and jellies brought, Then was the dismal scene of finding fault : They were such hideous, filthy, poisonous stuff, Could not be rail'd at, nor reveng'd enough. Humpus was ask'd who made them. Trembling he Said, "Sir it was my lady gave them me." "No more such poison shall she ever give, "I'll burn the witch; 't'ent fitting she should live : "Set faggots in the court. I'll make her fry; "And pray, good Sir, may't please you to be by?" Then, smiling, says the clown, "Upon my life, "A pretty fancy this, to burn one's wife!" "And since I find 'tis really your design, "Pray let me just step home, and fetch you mine." A GENTLEMAN TO HIS WIFE. WHEN your kind wishes first I sought, You saw how still my fire increas'd; You said, "till I to wander ceas'd, In height of passion swore, By you and other deities, That I would range no more. I've sworn, and therefore now am fix'd, My passion is with honour mix'd, And both shall ever reign. THE ART OF COOKERY, IN IMITATION OF HORACE'S ART OF COOKERY, TO DR. LISTER. INGENIOUS LISTER, were a picture drawn With Cynthia's face, but with a neck like brawn; Though drawn by Kneller, it would make you laugh! |