ELLIS, GEORGE, was born in 1745, and early dietiuguished him self by his wit and ability. His first literary appearance was as one of the aothora of the ' Rolliad; to which he contributed the 'Birth day Ode ;' the 'Ode on Duedas r the poetical eclogue 'Charles Jen kieson; and several of the' Criticisms' and ' Epigrams ;' he was also one of the writer! of 'Probationary Odes r and later be was, after Canning, one of the moat prolific and piquant contributors of both verse and prose to the 'Anti-Jacobin.' While taking a lively interest in politico, he devoted his leisure to the study of our early literature ; and few men have combined as wide a knowledge of English literature with as refined and genial a taste. In minute antiquarian details he has been far surpassed, but while he always displayed n competent know ledge, there was in him nothing of tho pedantry of minute information, which often enables an inferior person to pass off as a better scholar than he really is. Sir Walter Scott, who was first introduced to Ellis in 1800, and who, in his poetical investigations, derived no little benefit from his critical skill and friendly assistance, declared that George Ellis was "one of the most accomplished scholars and delightful companions he had ever known ;" and that seemed to be the estimate formed of him by those who were best acquainted with him. Mr. Ellis's principal
works were his ' Specimens of Ancient English Poetry,' of which the first edition appeared in 1780, an enlarged edition in 1801, and a fourth edition in 1811; arid 'Specimens of Ancient English Romances, 3 vola 8vo, 1805—two works which very largely contributed to bring about that increased study of our older writers which marked the early part of the present century, and had so important an influence in restoring to our current literature a healthier tone of thought and a more simple and masculine style. The ' Specimens of Ancient English Romances' was reprinted in 1848, in a very convenient form, in Mr. Bohn's generally well•edited ' Antiquarian Library;' but unfor tunately the editor (Mr. Halliwell) thought proper to "silently amend" what he conceived to be "the various philological errors into which Ellie had fallen," and consequently the volume is worthless as a book of reference, as the reader ia always at a loss to tell whether what he reads is the opinion of Mr. Ellie or of his editor. Mr. Ellie died on the 15th of April 1815. His epitaph was written by his warm friend George Canning, who however, before it was engraved, sub nutted it to Sir Walter Scott foe revision. Mr. Ellis was ts member of the Royal Society and the Society of Antiquaries.