St. John's Wood.
"_Pompey the Little._"--You mentioned lately the author of _Pompey the
Little_ (Vol. vi., pp. 433. 472.). There is a curious note respecting him
attached to the entry of another anonymous publication of his, "Philemon
and Hydaspes, relating to a Conversation with Hortensius upon the subject
of false Religion, 2nd edit., 8vo., 1738," in _Bibliotheca Parriana_, p.
85., which I transcribe:
"_Mem._ These tracts are supposed to be wrote by H. C., Esq., of Mag.
Coll., Cambridge.--J. Hetherington. Mr. Coventry wrote _Pompey the
Little_. He took orders, and became vicar of Edgware, Middlesex; and he
often preached from a folio volume of Tillotson's Sermons, which lay in
the pulpit from week to week. He died of the small-pox. When living at
Stanmore I heard much of his pleasantry, his politeness, and his
integrity. I first read this book at the Rev. Dr. Davy's house in
Norfolk, in August, 1816. This copy was most obligingly sent to me by
Mr. Holmes, keeper of an academy at Stratford-upon-Avon, Thursday, Feb.
13, 1817.--S. P[arr]."