Scripto | Transcribe Page

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You are an excellent creature to transcribe for me so delightful a specimen of the Botanic Garden – I am convinced it must be an admirable poem, & long for the publication of the Whole. it will appear most happily at present as a pleasing supplement & as a worthy rival to Mason’s elegant English Garden – I dare say you have read the spirited and pathetic conclusion of that performance with much pleasure. I think it much more interesting & poetical than all the proceeding Books: illeg the dramatic Conduct of it is singularly happy – as to yr friend Darwin, he is perhaps the only modern poet, who may be said with strict propriety to be visited & inspired by a Muse – I most heartily wish I could see the same inspiring visitant in my little Grove, & that I could prevail on her to write for me such \an/ Exordium to every poem, that I wish to execute –

For oh! I feel the pangs of envy rise,
While his Botanic Garden strikes my eyes;