Chapter 91

[169]A beautiful village near Paris, on the road to Versailles.

[170]This expression, as well as the allusion to Nebuchadnezzar's image, refers to the famous coalition ministry, under Lord North and Mr. Fox.

[171]See Murphy's Life of Johnson.

[172]Private correspondence.

[173]This anticipation has not been fulfilled. America has produced materials for national greatness, that have laid the foundation of a mighty empire; and both General Washington and Franklin were great men.

[174]There is a remarkable passage in Herbert's Sacred Poems expressive of this expectation, and indicating the probable period of its fulfilment."Religion stands on tiptoe in our land,Ready to pass to the American strand.When height of malice, and prodigious lusts,Impudent sinning, witchcrafts, and distrusts,The marks of future bane, shall fill our cupUnto the brim, and make our measure up:When Seine shall swallow Tiber, and the Thames,By letting in them both, pollute her streams;When Italy of us shall have her will,And all her calendar of sins fulfil;Then shall Religion to America flee;They have their times of Gospel, ev'n as we."Herbert concludes by predicting that Christianity shall then complete its circuit by returning once more to the East, the original source of Empire, of the Arts, and of Religion, and so prepare the way for the final consummation of all things.

[174]There is a remarkable passage in Herbert's Sacred Poems expressive of this expectation, and indicating the probable period of its fulfilment.

"Religion stands on tiptoe in our land,Ready to pass to the American strand.When height of malice, and prodigious lusts,Impudent sinning, witchcrafts, and distrusts,The marks of future bane, shall fill our cupUnto the brim, and make our measure up:When Seine shall swallow Tiber, and the Thames,By letting in them both, pollute her streams;When Italy of us shall have her will,And all her calendar of sins fulfil;Then shall Religion to America flee;They have their times of Gospel, ev'n as we."

Herbert concludes by predicting that Christianity shall then complete its circuit by returning once more to the East, the original source of Empire, of the Arts, and of Religion, and so prepare the way for the final consummation of all things.

[175]Private correspondence.

[176]Scotch Highlanders, quartered at Newport Pagnel, where Mr. Bull lived.

[177]Vide Cowper's Poems.

[178]Miss Cunningham.

[179]Private correspondence.

[180]Dr. Law, Bishop of Carlisle.

[181]See Dr. Chalmers on Establishments.

[182]Judges xiii. 23.

[183]"Fruatur sanè istâ singulari Dei beneficentià, quæ utinam illi sit perpetua."—Beza, Resp. ad Sarav.p. 111.

[184]Ashley Cowper, Esq., who had recently lost his wife.

[185]Private correspondence.

[186]Vide Poems.

[187]Here followed his song of "The Rose."

[188]Newton's "Review of Ecclesiastical History," so far as it proceeded, was much esteemed, but was incomplete. It had the merit, however, of suggesting to the Rev. Joseph Milner the first idea of his own more enlarged and valuable undertaking on the same subject. In this work the excellent author pursued the design executed in part by Newton. Instead of exhibiting the history of Christianity as a mere record of facts and events, he traced the rise and progress of true religion, and its preservation through successive ages; and thus afforded an incontestable evidence of the superintending power and faithfulness of God.

[189]"It is known to you that for some days past people have been incessantly inquiring what is the occasion of the thick dry fog which almost constantly covers the heavens? And, as this question is particularly put to astronomers, I think myself obliged to say a few words on the subject, more especially since a kind of terror begins to spread in society. It is said by some, that the disasters in Calabria were preceded by similar weather; and by others, that a dangerous comet reigns at present. In 1773 I experienced how fast conjectures of this kind, which begin amongst the ignorant, even in the most enlightened ages, proceed from mouth to mouth, till they reach the best societies, and find their way even to the public prints. The multitude, therefore, may easily be supposed to draw strange conclusions, when they see the sun of a blood colour, shed a melancholy light, and cause a most sultry heat."This, however, is nothing more than a very natural effect from a hot sun, after a long succession of heavy rain. The first impression of heat has necessarily and suddenly rarefied a superabundance of watery particles with which the earth was deeply impregnated, and given them, as they rose, a dimness and rarefaction not usual to common fogs,"De La Lande."The danger to which men of philosophical minds seem to be peculiarly exposed is the habit of accounting for the phenomena of nature too exclusively by the operation of mere secondary causes; while the supreme agency of a first Great Cause is too much overlooked. The universality of these appearances occurring at the same time in England, France, Italy, and so many other countries, awakens reflections of a more solemn cast, in a mind imbued with Christian principles. He who reads Professor Barruel's work, and the concurring testimony adduced by Robinson, as to the extent of infidelity and even atheism, gathering at that time in the different states of Europe, might, we think, see in these signs in the moon, and in the stars, and in the heavens, some intimations of impending judgments, which followed so shortly after; and evidences of the power and existence of that God, which many so impiously questioned and defied.

[189]

"It is known to you that for some days past people have been incessantly inquiring what is the occasion of the thick dry fog which almost constantly covers the heavens? And, as this question is particularly put to astronomers, I think myself obliged to say a few words on the subject, more especially since a kind of terror begins to spread in society. It is said by some, that the disasters in Calabria were preceded by similar weather; and by others, that a dangerous comet reigns at present. In 1773 I experienced how fast conjectures of this kind, which begin amongst the ignorant, even in the most enlightened ages, proceed from mouth to mouth, till they reach the best societies, and find their way even to the public prints. The multitude, therefore, may easily be supposed to draw strange conclusions, when they see the sun of a blood colour, shed a melancholy light, and cause a most sultry heat.

"This, however, is nothing more than a very natural effect from a hot sun, after a long succession of heavy rain. The first impression of heat has necessarily and suddenly rarefied a superabundance of watery particles with which the earth was deeply impregnated, and given them, as they rose, a dimness and rarefaction not usual to common fogs,

"De La Lande."

The danger to which men of philosophical minds seem to be peculiarly exposed is the habit of accounting for the phenomena of nature too exclusively by the operation of mere secondary causes; while the supreme agency of a first Great Cause is too much overlooked. The universality of these appearances occurring at the same time in England, France, Italy, and so many other countries, awakens reflections of a more solemn cast, in a mind imbued with Christian principles. He who reads Professor Barruel's work, and the concurring testimony adduced by Robinson, as to the extent of infidelity and even atheism, gathering at that time in the different states of Europe, might, we think, see in these signs in the moon, and in the stars, and in the heavens, some intimations of impending judgments, which followed so shortly after; and evidences of the power and existence of that God, which many so impiously questioned and defied.

[190]Cowper has selected this awful catastrophe for the exercise of his poetic powers. His mind seems to have been impregnated with the grandeur of the theme, which he has presented to the imagination of the reader with all the accuracy of historic detail. We quote the following extracts."Alas for Sicily! rude fragments nowLie scatter'd, where the shapely column stood.Her palaces are dust. In all her streetsThe voice of singing and the sprightly chordAre silent....The rocks fall headlong, and the valleys rise—... The sylvan sceneMigrates uplifted; and with all its soilAlighting in far distant fields, finds outA new possessor, and survives the change.Ocean has caught the frenzy, and, upwroughtTo an enormous and o'erbearing height,Not by a mighty wind, but by that voiceWhich winds and waves obey, invades the shoreResistless. Never such a sudden flood,Upridg'd so high, and sent on such a charge,Possessed an inland scene. Where now the throngThat press'd the beach, and, hasty to depart,Look'd to the sea for safety?—They are gone,Gone with the refluent wave into the deep—A prince with half his people!"Task, book ii.

"Alas for Sicily! rude fragments nowLie scatter'd, where the shapely column stood.Her palaces are dust. In all her streetsThe voice of singing and the sprightly chordAre silent....The rocks fall headlong, and the valleys rise—... The sylvan sceneMigrates uplifted; and with all its soilAlighting in far distant fields, finds outA new possessor, and survives the change.Ocean has caught the frenzy, and, upwroughtTo an enormous and o'erbearing height,Not by a mighty wind, but by that voiceWhich winds and waves obey, invades the shoreResistless. Never such a sudden flood,Upridg'd so high, and sent on such a charge,Possessed an inland scene. Where now the throngThat press'd the beach, and, hasty to depart,Look'd to the sea for safety?—They are gone,Gone with the refluent wave into the deep—A prince with half his people!"

Task, book ii.

[191]Newton's "Cardiphonia," a work of great merit and interest, and full of edification.

[192]See his Journey to the Western Islands.

[193]Mr. and Mrs. Newton.

[194]The young lady here alluded to is Miss Eliza Cunningham, a niece of Mr. Newton's.

[195]Private correspondence.

[196]Dr. Franklin.

[197]The bitter dissensions of professing Christians have always afforded ground for the ridicule and scoff of the infidel. Voltaire parodied those well-known words, "See how these Christians love one another," in the following sarcastic manner,—"See how these Christianshateone another." It is related of Charles the Fifth, that, after his voluntary abdication of the throne, he amused himself by the occupation of making watches; and, finding that he never could, by any contrivance, make two watches to agree together, he exclaimed against his own folly, in having spent so large a portion of his life in endeavouring to make men agree on the subject of religion.

[198]Hawkesworth's.

[199]"He travels, and I too. I tread his deck,Ascend his topmast, through his peering eyesDiscover countries, with a kindred heartSuffer his woes, and share in his escapes;While fancy, like the finger of a clock,Runs the great circuit, and is still at home."Task, book iv.

[199]

"He travels, and I too. I tread his deck,Ascend his topmast, through his peering eyesDiscover countries, with a kindred heartSuffer his woes, and share in his escapes;While fancy, like the finger of a clock,Runs the great circuit, and is still at home."

Task, book iv.

[200]Private correspondence.

[201]An elegant monument, erected above the grave of thirty-nine sailors, whose bodies were subsequently found, was erected in the churchyard of Portsea, to commemorate the melancholy loss of the Royal George. We subjoin the interesting epitaph, which is inscribed on black marble, in gold letters."READER,WITH SOLEMN THOUGHTSURVEY THIS GRAVE,AND REFLECTON THE UNTIMELY DEATHOF THY FELLOW MORTALS;AND WHILST,AS A MAN, A BRITON, AND A PATRIOT,THOU READESTTHE MELANCHOLY NARRATIVE,DROP A TEARFOR THY COUNTRY'SLOSS."At the bottom of the monument, in a compartment by itself, are the following lines, in allusion to the brave Admiral Kempenfelt:"'Tis not this stone, regretted chief, thy name,Thy worth, and merit shall extend to fame:Brilliant achievements have thy name imprest,In lasting characters, on Albion's breast."

"READER,WITH SOLEMN THOUGHTSURVEY THIS GRAVE,AND REFLECTON THE UNTIMELY DEATHOF THY FELLOW MORTALS;AND WHILST,AS A MAN, A BRITON, AND A PATRIOT,THOU READESTTHE MELANCHOLY NARRATIVE,DROP A TEARFOR THY COUNTRY'SLOSS."

At the bottom of the monument, in a compartment by itself, are the following lines, in allusion to the brave Admiral Kempenfelt:

"'Tis not this stone, regretted chief, thy name,Thy worth, and merit shall extend to fame:Brilliant achievements have thy name imprest,In lasting characters, on Albion's breast."

[202]In the terms of peace concluded with America, the loyalists, who adhered in their allegiance to Great Britain, were not sufficiently remembered, considering the sacrifices they had made, and thus had the misfortune of being persecuted by America, and neglected by England.

[203]This event occurred in the year 1756.

[204]Private correspondence.

[205]The celebrated statuary who executed the noble monument to the memory of Lord Chatham, in Westminster Abbey.

[206]See Task, book iv.

[207]Private correspondence.

[208]Lord Thurlow and Colman, to whom he presented his first volume, and received no acknowledgment.

[209]Private correspondence.

[210]A considerable fire occurred at this time in the town of Bedford, and thirty-nine houses were consumed, but it is said from accidental causes.

[211]The discovery of balloons had attracted the attention of the public at this period, and various speculations were indulged as to the probable result.

[212]Private correspondence.

[213]Private correspondence.

[214]Private correspondence.

[215]What would Cowper have thought, if he had lived to see the modern invention of railroads, and the possibility of travelling thirty miles in one hour and twenty minutes, by means of the operation of steam?

[216]As repeated allusion is made to the affairs of the East India Company, by Cowper, in the following letters, for the information of those who may not be conversant with this subject, we add the following information.The great abuses that were imputed to the system of government established in that country, where a company of merchants exercised the supreme sway, led Mr. Fox, in 1783, (the period in which he was a member of administration,) to introduce his celebrated East India Bill, in which he proposed to annihilate the charter of the Company, and to dispossess them of their power. The measure passed in the Commons, but was thrown out by the Lords; and royal influence was said to have been exerted to procure its rejection. The failure of this bill led to the dissolution of that administration, in the December of the same year. In the succeeding January of 1784, Mr. Pitt introduced his no less celebrated bill. Instead of going the length of violating the charter, granted in the time of William III., (the great defect attributed to Mr. Fox's preceding bill,)hisobject was to preserve it inviolate, but with certain modifications. The main feature in his plan was to separate the commercial from the territorial concerns of the Company, and to vest the latter in a Board, nominated by government; thus withdrawing from the East India Company the exercise of powers belonging only to the supreme authority. This bill, though more just and popular than the preceding, was nevertheless rejected by a majority of eight; but it was subsequently renewed, and carried, and is the origin of that Board of Control which is now so well known, as superintending and regulating the concerns of our Indian empire.

The great abuses that were imputed to the system of government established in that country, where a company of merchants exercised the supreme sway, led Mr. Fox, in 1783, (the period in which he was a member of administration,) to introduce his celebrated East India Bill, in which he proposed to annihilate the charter of the Company, and to dispossess them of their power. The measure passed in the Commons, but was thrown out by the Lords; and royal influence was said to have been exerted to procure its rejection. The failure of this bill led to the dissolution of that administration, in the December of the same year. In the succeeding January of 1784, Mr. Pitt introduced his no less celebrated bill. Instead of going the length of violating the charter, granted in the time of William III., (the great defect attributed to Mr. Fox's preceding bill,)hisobject was to preserve it inviolate, but with certain modifications. The main feature in his plan was to separate the commercial from the territorial concerns of the Company, and to vest the latter in a Board, nominated by government; thus withdrawing from the East India Company the exercise of powers belonging only to the supreme authority. This bill, though more just and popular than the preceding, was nevertheless rejected by a majority of eight; but it was subsequently renewed, and carried, and is the origin of that Board of Control which is now so well known, as superintending and regulating the concerns of our Indian empire.

[217]The inventor of balloons.

[218]Private correspondence.

[219]This alludes to the influence supposed to have been exercised by the king against the passing of Mr. Fox's celebrated East India Bill; and to his having commissioned Lord Temple, afterwards Lord Buckingham, to make known his sentiments on that subject. This event led to the dissolution of the famous coalition ministry.

[220]He afterwards succeeded to the title of Sir John Throckmorton.

[221]Private correspondence.

[222]Private correspondence.

[223]The verses appearing again with the original in the next letter, are omitted.

[224]John Thornton, Esq. is the person here alluded to.

[225]The "Review of Ecclesiastical History."

[226]The secret influence, here mentioned, was at this time, and often afterwards, said to be employed by the Court; and, being highly unconstitutional, was frequently adverted to, in strong language of reprehension, in the House of Commons. Mr. Powys, afterwards Lord Lilford, called it "a fourth estate in the realm;" and Mr. Burke denominated it "a power behind the throne greater than the throne itself."

[227]Private correspondence.

[228]This alludes to Mr. Pitt being retained in office, though frequently outvoted in Parliament.

[229]Mr. Bull's son, who afterwards succeeded his father, both in the ministerial office, and also in the seminary established at Newport Pagnel, and with no less claim to respect and esteem.

[230]The signature assumed by Mr. Newton.

[231]The French nation, who aided America in her struggle for independence.

[232]Private correspondence.

[233]Private correspondence.

[234]His tame hare.

[235]We have already stated that Mr. Pitt was frequently out-voted at this time in the House of Commons, but, being supported by the king, did not choose to resign.

[236]See Sir William Hamilton's account of this awful event.

[237]This criticism on Blair's Lectures seems to be too severe. There was a period when his Sermons were among the most admired productions of the day: sixty thousand copies, it was said, were sold. They formed the standard of divinity fifty years ago: but they are now justly considered to be deficient, in not exhibiting the great and fundamental truths of the Gospel, and to be merely entitled to the praise of being a beautiful system of ethics.

[238]Private correspondence.

[239]Private correspondence.

[240]See "Christian Observer," Jan. 1835.

[241]A spirit of insubordination had manifested itself at the Theological Seminary at Newport, under the superintendence of Mr. Bull.

[242]Private correspondence.

[243]Private correspondence.

[244]Some of the learned have been inclined to believe that the Eleusinian mysteries inculcated a rejection of the absurd mythology of those times, and a belief in one Great Supreme Being.

[245]Vincent Bourne.

[246]We presume that this is the same circumstance of which more particular mention is made in the beginning of the letter to the Rev. Mr. Unwin, p. 177.

[247]He alludes to the new mode of franking.

[248]We subjoin the following note of Hayley on this subject: "Having enjoyed in the year 1772 the pleasure of conversing with this illustrious seaman, on board his own ship the Resolution, I cannot pass the present letter without observing, that I am persuaded my friend Cowper utterly misapprehended the behaviour of Captain Cook in the affair alluded to. From the little personal acquaintance which I had myself with this humane and truly Christian navigator, and from the whole tenor of his life, I cannot believe it possible for him to have acted, under any circumstances, with such impious arrogance as might appear offensive in the eyes of the Almighty."

[249]Tirocinium. See Poems.

[250]Private correspondence.

[251]Private correspondence.

[252]Tirocinium.

[253]See p. 145.

[254]See Life and Writings of Edward Gibbon, p. 30, prefixed to his "Decline and Fall," &c.

[255]See Pope's Letters.

[256]Private correspondence.

[257]The same which has been inserted in the preceding letter.

[258]One of Cowper's favourite hares:"Here lies, whom hound did ne'er pursue,Nor swifter greyhound follow," &c.See Poems.

[258]One of Cowper's favourite hares:

"Here lies, whom hound did ne'er pursue,Nor swifter greyhound follow," &c.See Poems.

See Poems.

[259]Lunardi's name is associated with the aëronauts of that time.

[260]Blanchard, accompanied by Dr. Jeffries, took his departure for Calais from the castle at Dover. When within five or six miles of the French coast, the balloon fell rapidly towards the sea, and, had it not been lightened and a breeze sprung up, they must have perished in the waves.

[261]Private correspondence.

[262]Mr. Pitt had introduced, at this time, his celebrated bill for effecting a reform in the national representation; the leading feature of which was to transfer the elective franchise from the smaller and decayed boroughs to the larger towns. The proposition was, however, rejected by a considerable majority.

[263]Lord Peterborough.

[264]Private correspondence.

[265]He was an intelligent schoolmaster at Olney.

[266]Private correspondence.

[267]Private correspondence.

[268]He alludes to the poem of "Tirocinium," which was inscribed to Mr. Unwin.

[269]Private correspondence.

[270]This is a geographical error. The Rhine takes its rise in the canton of the Grisons. It is the Rhone which derives its source from the western flank of Mount St. Gothard, where there are three springs, which unite their waters to that torrent. The river Aar rises not far distant, but there is no other river.—Ed.

[271]Private correspondence.

[272]A celebrated actress, who wrote her memoirs, which were much read at that time.

[273]Private correspondence.

[274]Mr. Newton was at this time preparing two volumes of Sermons for the press, on the subject of the Messiah, preached on the occasion of the Commemoration of Handel.

[275]See 1 Sam. vi. 7-10.

[276]The Rector at that time of Emberton, near Olney.

[277]Private correspondence.

[278]The Rev. Mr. Greatheed was a man of piety and talent, and much respected in his day. He wrote a short and interesting memoir of Cowper.

[279]The engraving of Bacon's celebrated monument of Lord Chatham, in Westminster Abbey.The passage alluded to is as follows:—"Bacon thereGives more than female beauty to a stone,And Chatham's eloquence to marble lips."The Task, Book I.

[279]The engraving of Bacon's celebrated monument of Lord Chatham, in Westminster Abbey.

The passage alluded to is as follows:—

"Bacon thereGives more than female beauty to a stone,And Chatham's eloquence to marble lips."

The Task, Book I.

[280]Cowper's summer-house is still in existence. It is a small, humble building, situate at the back of the premises which he occupied at Olney, and commanding a full view of the church and of the vicarage-house. Humble however as it appears, it is approached with those feelings of veneration which the scene of so many interesting recollections cannot fail to inspire. There he wrote "The Task," and most of his Poems, except during the rigour of the winter months. There too he carried on that epistolary correspondence, which is distinguished by so much wit, ease, and gracefulness, and by the overflowings of a warm and affectionate heart. No traveller seems to enter without considering it to be the shrine of the muses, and leaving behind a poetical tribute to the memory of so distinguished an author.

[281]Private correspondence.

[282]Private correspondence.

[283]Cowper alludes, in this passage, to the Commemoration of Handel, in Westminster Abbey, and its resemblance to an act of canonization. His censure is doubly recorded; in poetry, as well as in prose:—"Ten thousand sitPatiently present at a sacred song,Commemoration mad; content to hear(O wonderful effect of Music's power!)Messiah's eulogy for Handel's sake.But less, methinks, than sacrilege might serve," &c.The Task, Book vi.

"Ten thousand sitPatiently present at a sacred song,Commemoration mad; content to hear(O wonderful effect of Music's power!)Messiah's eulogy for Handel's sake.But less, methinks, than sacrilege might serve," &c.

The Task, Book vi.

[284]Private correspondence.

[285]The original passage is as follows:—Cum talis sis, utinam noster esses.If intended, therefore, as a quotation, it should be quoted without alteration.

[285]The original passage is as follows:—

Cum talis sis, utinam noster esses.

If intended, therefore, as a quotation, it should be quoted without alteration.

[286]Private correspondence.

[287]"If there is a regard due to the memory of the dead, there is yet more respect to be paid to knowledge, to virtue, and to truth.""It is the business of a biographer to pass lightly over those performances and actions which produce vulgar greatness; to lead the thoughts into domestic privacies, and display the minute details of daily life, where exterior appearances are laid aside."—Rambler, No. 60, Vol. ii.

[287]"If there is a regard due to the memory of the dead, there is yet more respect to be paid to knowledge, to virtue, and to truth."

"It is the business of a biographer to pass lightly over those performances and actions which produce vulgar greatness; to lead the thoughts into domestic privacies, and display the minute details of daily life, where exterior appearances are laid aside."—Rambler, No. 60, Vol. ii.

[288]See Diary of Dr. Johnson.

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