If really Gay's, they [the verses] may, we think, a great many of them, be safely regarded as the production of his youth, written, perhaps, during the somewhat extended visit to Devonshire which preceded his introduction to the literary world of Pope.

The least doubtful piece, 'The Ladies' Petition' was probably 'thrown off' upon the occasion of his visit to Exeter in 1715." If the verses are genuine, they have such biographical interest as is afforded by an allusion to a youthful love-affair.

There are lines "To Miss Jane Scott":-- The Welsh girl is pretty.
The English girl fair, The Irish deem'd witty, The French _debonnaire_; Though all may invite me, I'd value them not; The charms that delight me I find in a SCOT.
It is presumedly to the same young lady he was referring in the verses written probably shortly after he returned to London after his visit to Devonshire:-- ABSENCE.
Augustus, frowning, gave command.
And Ovid left his native land; From Julia, as an exile sent.
He long with barb'rous Goths was pent.
So fortune frown'd on me, and I was driven From friends, from home, from Jane, and happy Devon! And Jane, sore grieved when from me torn away;-- loved her sorrow, though I wish'd her--GAY.
That another girl there was may be gathered from the "Letter to a Young Lady," who was not so devoted as Jane Scott, for the poet writes: Begging you will not mock his sighing.
And keep him thus whole years a-dying! "Whole years!"-- Excuse my freely speaking.
Such tortures, why a month--a week in?
Caress, or kill him quite in one day, Obliging thus your servant, JOHN GAY.
[Footnote 1: Risdon: _Survey of Devon_ (1811), p.

243.] [Footnote 2: Gribble: _Memorials of Devonshire_.] [Footnote 3: _Gay's Chair_, p.

12.] [Footnote 4: _Gay's Chair_, p.