[Footnote 1: Notwithstanding the many praises lavished on this
celebrated nobleman as a poet, by Dryden, by Addison, by Bolingbroke, by
our Author, and others, yet candid criticism must oblige us to confess,
that he was but a feeble imitator of the feeblest parts of Waller. After
having been secretary at war, 1710, controller and treasurer to the
household, and of her majesty's privy council, and created a peer, 1711,
he was seized as a suspected person, at the accession of George I., and
confined in the Tower. Whatever may be thought of Lord Lansdowne as a
poet, his character as a man was highly valuable. His conversation was
most pleasing and polite; his affability, and universal benevolence, and
gentleness, captivating; he was a firm friend and a sincere lover of his
country. This is the character I received of him from his near relation,
the late excellent Mrs. Delany.--WARTON.]
[Footnote 2: Thus Hopkins, in his History of Love:
Ye woods and wilds, serene and blest retreats,
At once the lovers' and the Muses' seats
To you I fly.--WAKEFIELD.]
[Footnote 3: Originally thus:
Chaste goddess of the woods,
Nymphs of the vales, and Naiads of the flood,
Lead me through arching bow'rs, and glimin'ring glades,
Unlock your springs.--POPE.
Dryden's Virgil, Geor. ii. 245:
Once more unlock for thee the sacred spring.
AEn. x. 241: