Perhaps his coming later
than the rest may have contributed to lessen the esteem he deserves.
Garth had success as a poet; and, for a time, his fame was even greater
than his desert. In his principal work, 'The Dispensary', his
versification is negligent; and his plot is now become tedious; but
whatever he may lose as a poet, it would be improper to rob him of the
merit he deserves for having written the prose dedication, and preface,
to the poem already mentioned; in which he has shown the truest wit,
with the most refined elegance. Parnell, though he has written but one
poem, namely, 'The Hermit', yet has found a place among the English
first rate poets. Gay, likewise, by his 'Fables' and 'Pastorals', has
acquired an equal reputation. But of all who have added to the stock of
English Poetry, Pope, perhaps, deserves the first place. On him,
foreigners look as one of the most successful writers of his time; his
versification is the most harmonious, and his correctness the most
remarkable of all our poets.
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