, well remembered as a man esteemed and caressed by the elegant and
, well remembered as a man
esteemed and caressed by the elegant and great, was the
second son of Anthony Hammond mentioned above: he was
born about 1710, and educated at Westminster-school;
but it does not appear that he was of any university,
although Mr. Cole claims him for Cambridge, but without
specifying his college. When about eighteen, he was introduced to the earl of Chesterfield, and from a conformity of character, manners, and inclinations, soon became particularly attached to his lordship. He was equerry
to the prince of Wales, and seems to have come very early
into public notice, and to have been distinguished by those
whose patronage and friendship prejudiced mankind at that
time in favour of those on whom they were bestowed; for
he was the companion of Cobham, Lyttelton, and Chesterfield. He is said to have divided his life between pleasure
and books; in his retirement forgetting the town, and in
his gaiety losing the student. Of his literary hours all the
effects are exhibited in his memorable “Love Elegies,
”
which were written very early, and his “Prologue
” not
long before his death. In Elegies
” were
published after his death; and while the writer’s name was
remembered with fondness, they were read with a resolution to admire them. The recommendatory preface of the
editor, who was then believed, and is affirmed by Dr.
Maty, to be the earl of Chesterfield, raised strong prejudices in their favour; but Dr. Johnson is of opinion that
they have neither passion, nature, nor manners, and Dr.
Beattie was informed on very good authority that Hammond
was not in love when he wrote his “Elegies.
”