GAY, JOHN, a lively poet of the 18th century, born at or near Barnstaple in Devonshire in 1688, began the world as apprentice to a mercer in London. That employment however ho soon forsook, and having published his first piece, ' Rural Sports,' in 1711, he dedicated it to Mr. Pope, and thus established an acquaintance which ripened into a firm and lasting friendship. In 1712 he became secretary to the Duchess of Monmouth, whose service he quitted in 1714 to attend the Earl of Clarendon, ambassador to Hanover, in a similar capacity. This was his introduction to a court life. He sought and obtained the favour of the Prince of Wales, but was neglected after that prince's accession to the throne; and the disappointment of his ambition he took so seriously to heart, that it appears to have had great effect in shortening his life. This was a great weakness, for Gay ought to have possessed in himself every requisite for comfort. His writings had been lucrative, and his wit, united with the simplicity and suavity of his temper, had secured to him a large circle of attached friends, both of the noble and the witty; but his spirits were easily 'elated and easily depressed, and an indolent improvident temper prevented him from making the best of the advantages which he possessed. The latter years of his life were spent in the household of the Duke of Queensberry, where he was treated with great kindness and respect He died December 4, 1732, and was buried in Westminster Abbey, where a monument, with an affectionate inscription by Pope, is erected to him.
Gay wrote several comedies and farces, of which we need only mention a mock-heroic piece, the ' What d'ye call it,' which had a great run in 1715, and may still be read with amusement; and the celebrated ' Beggar's Opera,' which was brought on the stage in November 1727, and was acted for sixty-three following nights during that season, besides obtaining similar popularity in other places. The rest of his dramas have been long forgotten. Ills 'Fables,' written with liveliness and elegance, are still popular with the young. The second part of them is of a political turrs and was written for the use of the infant Duke of Cumberland in 1726. The ' Shepherd's Week' is a series of pastorals, written, it is said, in rivalry of Ambrose Philips, and represents rural life in its true character of poverty and rudeness, instead of in the false colours of romance. Trivia, or the Art of Walking the Streets of London,' shows talent for observation, and is a clever and spirited example of the mock-heroic. Of his minor pieces, the favourite ballad of 'Black-Eyed Susan' is a good specimen.
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