the year 1708, because they are evidently prior to those of Pope.
He afterwards (1709) addressed to the universal patron, the Duke of
Dorset, a "Poetical Letter from Copenhagen," which was published in
the Tatler, and is by Pope, in one of his first Letters, mentioned
with high praise as the production of a man "who could write very
nobly."

Philips was a zealous Whig, and therefore easily found access to
Addison and Steele; but his ardour seems not to have procured him
anything more than kind words, since he was reduced to translate the
"Persian Tales" for Tonson, for which he was afterwards reproached,
with this addition of contempt, that he worked for half-a-crown.
The book is divided into many sections, for each of which, if he
received half-a-crown, his reward, as writers then were paid, was
very liberal; but half-a-crown had a mean sound. He was employed in
promoting the principles of his party, by epitomising Hacket's "Life
of Archbishop Williams." The original book is written with such
depravity of genius, such mixture of the fop and pedant, as has not
often appeared. The epitome is free enough from affectation, but
has little spirit or vigour.

In 1712 he brought upon the stage The Distressed Mother, almost a
translation of Racine's Andromaque. Such a work requires no
uncommon powers, but the friends of Philips exerted every art to
promote his interest. Before the appearance of the play a whole
Spectator, none indeed of the best, was devoted to its praise; while
it yet continued to be acted, another Spectator was written to tell
what impression it made upon Sir Roger, and on the first night a
select audience, says Pope, was called together to applaud it. It
was concluded with the most successful Epilogue that was ever yet