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THOMAS TICKELL, Esq.

This Gentleman, well known, to the world by the friendship and intimacy
which subsisted between him and Mr. Addison, was the son of the revd.
Mr. Richard Tickell, who enjoy'd a considerable preferment in the North
of England. Our poet received his education at Queen's-College in
Oxford, of which he was a fellow.

While he was at that university, he wrote a beautiful copy of verses
addressed to Mr. Addison, on his Opera of Rosamond. These verses
contained many elegant compliments to the author, in which he compares
his softness to Corelli, and his strength to Virgil[1].

The Opera first Italian masters taught,
Enrich'd with songs, but innocent of thought;
Britannia's learned theatre disdains
Melodious trifles, and enervate strains;
And blushes on her injur'd stage to see,
Nonsense well tun'd with sweet stupidity.

No charms are wanting to thy artful song
Soft as Corelli, and as Virgil strong.

These complimentary lines, a few of which we have now quoted, so
effectually recommended him to Mr. Addison, that he held him in esteem
ever afterwards; and when he himself was raised to the dignity of