Poetry Codex

Restoration & Augustan

Henry Jones

1721–1770

Henry Jones (1721–1770) was born at Beaulieu, near Drogheda in County Louth, and was brought up to the trade of bricklayer, which earned him the label "the bricklayer poet". He taught himself to write verse, and lines of his on the death of Pope won the notice of Lord Chief Justice Singleton, who lived at Beaulieu.

Through Singleton his verses reached the Earl of Chesterfield, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who became his patron and took him to London in 1748. His Poems on Several Occasions (1749) was published by subscription, with Chesterfield's name at its head; his tragedy The Earl of Essex followed at Covent Garden in 1753. Later pieces, among them Merit, The Relief, The Royal Vision, Clifton and The Isle of Wight, are occasional and topographical poems. This selection omits the tragedy. Clifton and The Isle of Wight are given as separate works.

Major Works (2)

  1. Clifton — Topographical poem, 1767
  2. The Isle of Wight — Topographical poem, 1782

Poems (61)

  1. On his Excellency the Earl of Chesterfield's Arrival in Ireland
  2. To the Right Honourable the Countess of Chesterfield, occasioned by her procuring a Pardon for two Soldiers condemned for Desertion
  3. On the Spring
  4. On the Lying-in Hospital in Dublin
  5. Lines to Lord Chief Justice Singleton
  6. On Mr. Pope's Death
  7. On a Picture of Our Saviour's Examination before Caiphas; sent to his Grace Dr. George Stone, Lord Primate of Ireland
  8. To Doctor Green
  9. Philosophy, a Poem, addressed to the Ladies who attended Mr. Booth's Lectures in Dublin
  10. On the vain Pursuits and imperfect Enjoyments of Human Life
  11. To the Hon. Mr. Baron Mountney
  12. The Character of a true Patriot, and a good Man
  13. On his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland's Success at the Hague
  14. To a Young Gentleman
  15. Rath-Farnham, a Poem. Addressed to William Paliser, Esq.
  16. To a Friend who had writ Verses to Mr. Pope, in the Person of Apollo, occasioned by hearing that Poet abus'd
  17. To Thomas Adderly, Esq.
  18. Verses inscrib'd to the Rev. Dr. Delany
  19. An Essay on the Weakness of Human Knowledge, and the Uncertainty of mortal Life
  20. To the Hon. Mrs. Conolly
  21. To the Reverend Dr. Mann, occasioned by the Author's asking him for a Subject to write on, and his saying he could think of none
  22. To a Person of fine Parts, but whimsical Humours, of a cruel Nature, and bad Morals
  23. To a young Lady on her Grotto
  24. A Prologue for the Benefit of Old Husband the Player
  25. On the King's Birth-day
  26. To the Reverend Dr. Mann, occasioned by the Death of the Rev. Mr. Holt, Senior Fellow of T. C. D.
  27. On seeing Mr. Barry in the Character of Hamlet
  28. On the Death of a favourite Nightingale
  29. On a fine Crop of Peas being spoil'd by a Storm
  30. Lesbia and her Sparrow: Or Cupid turn'd Fowler
  31. To a young Lady on her performing upon the Harpsichord
  32. To Cloe
  33. To Lord Tyrawly, on his sending me to Lord Chesterfield, when I durst not knock at the Door
  34. To a young Lady, lately married, who had fine Eyes, but a frail Character
  35. On his Excellency the Earl of Chesterfield's Recovery from a dangerous Fever
  36. On taking a Lady's Picture in Church, whilst she sung the Psalm
  37. To Cleon, on his Arrival at his Villa
  38. Tempe, a Poem inscrib'd to Solitude
  39. To a Friend on his Marriage
  40. Lines inscrib'd to the Right Honourable the Lord Newport, Lord High Chancellor of Ireland
  41. Bath, a Poem; inscrib'd to Dr. Nugent, Physician at Bath
  42. To a Friend
  43. On seeing a Picture of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, which was presented to the University of Dublin
  44. Ardelia, A Poem. Address'd to a very agreeable young Lady
  45. To a young Lady, who had made an Epigram on Time, but refus'd to give a Copy
  46. On a Young Lady Dancing, Who did great Execution without knowing it
  47. Myrtilla
  48. On the Hospital for Lying-in Women, erected in Dublin, Inscrib'd to the Founders
  49. On taking Porto-Bello by Storm. Inscrib'd to the Vernon Club in Drogheda. Written in the Year 1740
  50. Song
  51. On seeing Mrs. Woffington appear in several Characters
  52. A Farewel to Apollo and the Muses, at Glassnevin
  53. On viewing the Monument of the Right Honourable William Conolly, Esq.
  54. To a Friend
  55. On a publick Collection made for the distress'd Remains of the Inniskillen and Derry Men. Inscrib'd to the Right Honourable the Lord Tullamore
  56. On his Excellency the Earl of Chesterfield's resigning the Government of Ireland
  57. Merit, a Poem
  58. The Relief, or Day Thoughts
  59. Verses to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, on the Death of the Right Honourable Henry Pelham
  60. The Patriot Enterprize
  61. The Royal Vision, an Ode to Peace

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