Mr. Banks was a man of real good nature, of an easy benevolent disposition, and his friends ever esteemed him as a most agreeable companion.  He had none of the petulance, which too frequently renders men of genius unacceptable to their acquaintance.  He was of so composed a temper, that he was seldom known to be in a passion, and he wore a perpetual chearfulness in his countenance.  He was rather bashful, than forward; his address did not qualify him for gay company, and though he possessed a very extensive knowledge of things, yet, as he had not much grace of delivery, or elegance of manner, he could not make so good a figure in conversation, as many persons of his knowledge, with a happier appearance.  Of all authors Mr. Banks was the farthest removed from envy or malevolence.  As he could not bear the least whisper of detraction, so he was never heard to express uneasiness at the growing reputation of another; nor was he ever engaged in literacy contests.  We shall conclude this article in the words of lord Clarendon.  ’He that lives such a life, need be less anxious at how short warning it is taken from him [1].’

[1] See lord Clarendon’s character of the lord Falkland.

* * * * *

Mrs. LAETITIA PILKINGTON.

This unfortunate poetess, the circumstances of whose life, written by herself, have lately entertained the public, was born in the year 1712.  She was the daughter of Dr. Van Lewen, a gentleman of Dutch extraction, who settled in Dublin.  Her mother was descended of an ancient and honourable family, who have frequently intermarried with the nobility.

Mrs. Pilkington, from her earliest infancy, had a strong disposition to letters, and particularly to poetry.  All her leisure hours were dedicated to the muses; from a reader she quickly became a writer, and, as Mr. Pope expresses it,

  ‘She lisp’d in numbers, for the numbers came.’

Her performances were considered as extraordinary for her years, and drew upon her the admiration of many, who found more pleasure in her conversation, than that of girls generally affords.  In consequence of a poetical genius, and an engaging sprightliness peculiar to her, she had many wooers, some of whom seriously addressed her, while others meant no more than the common gallantries of young people.  After the usual ceremony of a courtship, she became the wife of Mr. Matthew Pilkington, a gentleman in holy orders, and well known in the poetical world by his volume of Miscellanies, revised by dean Swift.  As we have few materials for Mrs. Pilkington’s life, beside those furnished by herself in her Memoirs published in 1749, our readers must depend upon her veracity for some facts which we may be obliged to mention, upon her sole authority.

Our poetess, says she, had not been long married, e’er Mr. Pilkington became jealous, not of her person, but her understanding.  She was applauded by dean Swift, and many other persons of taste; every compliment that was paid her, gave a mortal stab to his peace.  Behold the difference between the lover and the husband!  When Mr. Pilkington courted her, he was not more enamoured of her person, than her poetry, he shewed her verses to every body in the enthusiasm of admiration:  but now he was become a husband, it was a kind of treason for a wife to pretend to literary accomplishments.