The fact is, that a new school of literature ruled the public, despite the critics--a school very different from that in which Mr.Cleveland formed his unimpassioned and polished periods.

And as that old Earl, who in the time of Charles the First was the reigning wit of the court, in the time of Charles the Second was considered too dull even for a butt, so every age has its own literary stamp and coinage, and consigns the old circulation to its shelves and cabinets as neglected curiosities.
Cleveland could not become the fashion with the public as an author, though the coteries cried him up and the reviewers adored him--and the ladies of quality and the amateur dilettanti bought and bound his volumes of careful poetry and cadenced prose.

But Cleveland had high birth and a handsome competence--his manners were delightful, his conversation fluent--and his disposition was as amiable as his mind was cultured.

He became, therefore, a man greatly sought after in society both respected and beloved.

If he had not genius, he had great good sense; he did not vex his urbane temper and kindly heart with walking after a vain shadow, and disquieting himself in vain.