SMITH. JAMES and HonAcE, authors of The Rejected Addresses, were sons of an eminent London solicitor. James was b. Feb. 10, 1775, d. Dec. 24, 1839; Horace was b. Dec. 31, 1779, d. July 12, 1849. James followed his father's profession, and suc ceeded him as solicitor to the board of ordnance; Horace adopted the profession of a stock-broker, and realized a handsome fortune, on which he retired with his family to Brighton. Both were popular and accomplished men—James remarkable for his con versational powers and gayety, and Horace (the wealthier of the two) distinguished for true liberality and benevolence. The work by which they are best known is a small Volume of poetical parodies or imitations, perhaps the best in the language. On the opening of the new Drury Lane theater in Oct. 1812, the committee of management advertised for an address to be spoken on the occasion, and the brothers Smith adopted a suggestion made to .them, that they should write a series of supposed "Rejected Addresses." They accomplished their task in the course of a few weeks—James fur nishing imitations of Wordsworth, Southey, Coleridge, Crabbe, Cobbett, etc.; while
Horace contributed imitations of Scott, Byron (all but the first stanza), Monk, Lewis, Moore, and others. In point of talent, the authors were about equally matched ; for though James had the greater number of successful imitations, the one by Horace of Scot t, is the most felicitous of the whole. It is a curious fact in literary history that a work so exceedingly popular should have had great difficulty in finding a publisher; and that the copyright, which had been originally offered to Murray for £20, and refused, was purchased by him in 1819, after the book had run through 16 editions, for £131. The authors received above £1000 from the sale of the work. James was afterward an occasional contributor to the periodicd literature of the day, and author of the humor ous theatrical entertainments of Charles Mathews (for which he received £1000). Horace Smith wrote several uovels—Brarabletye House, 7in. Hill, etc.