"Yours, most cordially,
"MELCOMBE."

In 1762, a short time before his death, Young published
"Resignation." Notwithstanding the manner in which it was really
forced from him by the world, criticism has treated it with no
common severity. If it shall be thought not to deserve the highest
praise, on the other side of fourscore, by whom, except by Newton
and by Waller, has praise been merited?

To Mrs. Montagu, the famous champion of Shakespeare, I am indebted
for the history of "Resignation." Observing that Mrs. Boscawen, in
the midst of her grief for the loss of the admiral, derived
consolation from the perusal of the "Night Thoughts," Mrs. Montagu
proposed a visit to the author. From conversing with Young, Mrs.
Boscawen derived still further consolation; and to that visit she
and the world were indebted for this poem. It compliments Mrs.
Montagu in the following lines:--

"Yet write I must. A lady sues:
How shameful her request!
My brain in labour with dull rhyme,
Hers teeming with the best!"

And again--

"A friend you have, and I the same,
Whose prudent, soft address
Will bring to life those healing thoughts
Which died in your distress.