[586]The labour of transcribing Cowper's version.
[586]The labour of transcribing Cowper's version.
[587]See his version of Homer.
[587]See his version of Homer.
[588]May and June.
[588]May and June.
[589]The "Rights of Man," a book which created a great ferment in the country, by its revolutionary character and statements.
[589]The "Rights of Man," a book which created a great ferment in the country, by its revolutionary character and statements.
[590]As a transcriber.
[590]As a transcriber.
[591]There is a similar passage, in Mickle's "Lusiad," so full of beauty, that we cannot refrain from inserting it:—The moon, full orb'd, forsakes her watery cave,And lifts her lovely head above the wave;The snowy splendours of her modest rayStream o'er the liquid wave, and glittering play;The masts' tall shadows tremble in the deep;The peaceful winds a holy silence keep;The watchman's carol, echoed from the prows,Alone, at times, disturbs the calm repose
[591]There is a similar passage, in Mickle's "Lusiad," so full of beauty, that we cannot refrain from inserting it:—
The moon, full orb'd, forsakes her watery cave,And lifts her lovely head above the wave;The snowy splendours of her modest rayStream o'er the liquid wave, and glittering play;The masts' tall shadows tremble in the deep;The peaceful winds a holy silence keep;The watchman's carol, echoed from the prows,Alone, at times, disturbs the calm repose
The moon, full orb'd, forsakes her watery cave,And lifts her lovely head above the wave;The snowy splendours of her modest rayStream o'er the liquid wave, and glittering play;The masts' tall shadows tremble in the deep;The peaceful winds a holy silence keep;The watchman's carol, echoed from the prows,Alone, at times, disturbs the calm repose
[592]Mrs. Bodham.
[592]Mrs. Bodham.
[593]Mrs. Hewitt.
[593]Mrs. Hewitt.
[594]Mrs. Hewitt fully merited this description. She departed a few years before her brother, the late Dr. Johnson. Their remains lie in the same vault, at Yaxham, near Dereham, Norfolk.
[594]Mrs. Hewitt fully merited this description. She departed a few years before her brother, the late Dr. Johnson. Their remains lie in the same vault, at Yaxham, near Dereham, Norfolk.
[595]The celebrated American Edwards, well known for his two great works on "The Freedom of the Human Will," and on "Religious Affections." Dr. Dwight's Sermons are a body of sound and excellent theology.
[595]The celebrated American Edwards, well known for his two great works on "The Freedom of the Human Will," and on "Religious Affections." Dr. Dwight's Sermons are a body of sound and excellent theology.
[596]Private correspondence.
[596]Private correspondence.
[597]The publication of the translation of Homer.
[597]The publication of the translation of Homer.
[598]The name he gave to Mrs. Bodham when a child.
[598]The name he gave to Mrs. Bodham when a child.
[599]Miss Johnson, afterwards Mrs. Hewitt.
[599]Miss Johnson, afterwards Mrs. Hewitt.
[600]Mr. Johnson.
[600]Mr. Johnson.
[601]Private correspondence.
[601]Private correspondence.
[602]The Rev. Henry Venn, successively vicar of Huddersfield, Yorkshire, and rector of Yelling, Huntingdonshire, eminent for his piety and usefulness. He was the author of "The Complete Duty of Man," the design of which was to correct the deficiencies so justly imputable to "The Whole Duty of Man," by laying the foundation of moral duties in the principles inculcated by the gospel. There is an interesting and valuable memoir of this excellent man, edited by the Rev. Henry Venn, B.D., his grandson, which we recommend to the notice of the reader.
[602]The Rev. Henry Venn, successively vicar of Huddersfield, Yorkshire, and rector of Yelling, Huntingdonshire, eminent for his piety and usefulness. He was the author of "The Complete Duty of Man," the design of which was to correct the deficiencies so justly imputable to "The Whole Duty of Man," by laying the foundation of moral duties in the principles inculcated by the gospel. There is an interesting and valuable memoir of this excellent man, edited by the Rev. Henry Venn, B.D., his grandson, which we recommend to the notice of the reader.
[603]Mr. Berridge was vicar of Everton, Beds; a most zealous and pious minister.
[603]Mr. Berridge was vicar of Everton, Beds; a most zealous and pious minister.
[604]The riots at Birmingham originated in the imprudent zeal of Dr. Priestley, and his adherents, the Unitarian dissenters, who assembled together at a public dinner, to commemorate the events of the French revolution. Toasts were given of an inflammatory tendency, and handbills were previously circulated of a similar character. The town of Birmingham, being distinguished for its loyalty, became deeply excited by these acts. The mob collected in great multitudes, and proceeded to the house of Dr. Priestley, which they destroyed with fire. All his valuable philosophical apparatus and manuscripts perished on this occasion. We concur with Cowper in lamenting such outrages.
[604]The riots at Birmingham originated in the imprudent zeal of Dr. Priestley, and his adherents, the Unitarian dissenters, who assembled together at a public dinner, to commemorate the events of the French revolution. Toasts were given of an inflammatory tendency, and handbills were previously circulated of a similar character. The town of Birmingham, being distinguished for its loyalty, became deeply excited by these acts. The mob collected in great multitudes, and proceeded to the house of Dr. Priestley, which they destroyed with fire. All his valuable philosophical apparatus and manuscripts perished on this occasion. We concur with Cowper in lamenting such outrages.
[605]Private correspondence.
[605]Private correspondence.
[606]Dr. Douglas.
[606]Dr. Douglas.
[607]See verses addressed to John Johnson, Esq.
[607]See verses addressed to John Johnson, Esq.
[608]An alarming attack with which Mrs. Unwin was visited.
[608]An alarming attack with which Mrs. Unwin was visited.
[609]Mœstus eram, et tacitus nullo comitante sedebam,Hærebantque animo tristia plura mee: &c. &c.
[609]
Mœstus eram, et tacitus nullo comitante sedebam,Hærebantque animo tristia plura mee: &c. &c.
Mœstus eram, et tacitus nullo comitante sedebam,Hærebantque animo tristia plura mee: &c. &c.
[610]Warton informs us that the distinguished brothers alluded to in Milton's elegy are the Duke of Brunswick and Count Mansfelt, who fell in the war of the Palatinate, that fruitful scene of warlike operations. The two latter are the Earls of Oxford and Southampton, who died at the siege of Breda, in the year 1625.
[610]Warton informs us that the distinguished brothers alluded to in Milton's elegy are the Duke of Brunswick and Count Mansfelt, who fell in the war of the Palatinate, that fruitful scene of warlike operations. The two latter are the Earls of Oxford and Southampton, who died at the siege of Breda, in the year 1625.
[611]Private correspondence.
[611]Private correspondence.
[612]Private correspondence.
[612]Private correspondence.
[613]Lord Bagot.
[613]Lord Bagot.
[614]How much more charitable is Cowper's comment, than the injurious surmise of Warton!
[614]How much more charitable is Cowper's comment, than the injurious surmise of Warton!
[615]The present Dowager Lady Throckmorton.
[615]The present Dowager Lady Throckmorton.
[616]Private correspondence.
[616]Private correspondence.
[617]The residence of the late Mrs. Hannah More, near Bristol.
[617]The residence of the late Mrs. Hannah More, near Bristol.
[618]The establishment of her schools, comprising the children of several parishes, then in a most neglected and uncivilized state. See the interesting account of the origin and progress of these schools in the Memoir of Mrs. More.
[618]The establishment of her schools, comprising the children of several parishes, then in a most neglected and uncivilized state. See the interesting account of the origin and progress of these schools in the Memoir of Mrs. More.
[619]Mrs. Martha More.
[619]Mrs. Martha More.
[620]Of autographs.
[620]Of autographs.
[621]Fuseli was associated with Cowper's Milton, and Boydell interested in Hayley's, which produced a collision of feeling between them.
[621]Fuseli was associated with Cowper's Milton, and Boydell interested in Hayley's, which produced a collision of feeling between them.
[622]Private correspondence.
[622]Private correspondence.
[623]He alludes to the dispute between Boydell and Fuseli the painter.
[623]He alludes to the dispute between Boydell and Fuseli the painter.
[624]The Rev. John Cowper, Fellow of Bennet College, Cambridge."I had a brother once,Peace to the memory of a man of worth," &c. &c.
[624]The Rev. John Cowper, Fellow of Bennet College, Cambridge.
"I had a brother once,Peace to the memory of a man of worth," &c. &c.
"I had a brother once,Peace to the memory of a man of worth," &c. &c.
[625]Private correspondence.
[625]Private correspondence.
[626]Mrs. Martha More had requested Cowper to furnish a contribution to her collection of autographs. The result appears in the sequel of this letter.
[626]Mrs. Martha More had requested Cowper to furnish a contribution to her collection of autographs. The result appears in the sequel of this letter.
[627]In the present edition of the Poems the lines stand thus, on a farther suggestion of Lady Hesketh's:—In vain to live from age to age,While modern bards endeavour,Iwrite my name in Patty's page,And gain my point for ever.W Cowper.March 6, 1792.
[627]In the present edition of the Poems the lines stand thus, on a farther suggestion of Lady Hesketh's:—
In vain to live from age to age,While modern bards endeavour,Iwrite my name in Patty's page,And gain my point for ever.
In vain to live from age to age,While modern bards endeavour,Iwrite my name in Patty's page,And gain my point for ever.
W Cowper.March 6, 1792.
[628]This alludes to the new colony for liberated Africans, at Sierra Leone; in the origin of which Mr. Henry Thornton and Mr. Zachary Macauley were mainly instrumental. For interesting accounts of this colony, see the "Missionary Register of the Church Missionary Society,"passim.
[628]This alludes to the new colony for liberated Africans, at Sierra Leone; in the origin of which Mr. Henry Thornton and Mr. Zachary Macauley were mainly instrumental. For interesting accounts of this colony, see the "Missionary Register of the Church Missionary Society,"passim.
[629]Private correspondence.
[629]Private correspondence.
[630]Afterwards Sir George Throckmorton.
[630]Afterwards Sir George Throckmorton.
[631]Private correspondence.
[631]Private correspondence.
[632]Mezzotinto engraving. Mr. Park, in early youth, fluctuated in the choice between the sister arts of poetry, music, and painting, and composed the following lines to record the result.By fancy warm'd, I seiz'd the quill,And poetry the strain inspir'd;Music improv'd it by her skill,Till I with both their charms was fir'd.Won by the graces each display'd,Their younger sister I forgot;Though first to her my vows were paid,—By fate or choice it matters not.She, jealous of their rival powers,And to repay the injury done,Condemn'd me through life's future hours,Allto admire, but wed with none.T. P.
[632]Mezzotinto engraving. Mr. Park, in early youth, fluctuated in the choice between the sister arts of poetry, music, and painting, and composed the following lines to record the result.
By fancy warm'd, I seiz'd the quill,And poetry the strain inspir'd;Music improv'd it by her skill,Till I with both their charms was fir'd.Won by the graces each display'd,Their younger sister I forgot;Though first to her my vows were paid,—By fate or choice it matters not.She, jealous of their rival powers,And to repay the injury done,Condemn'd me through life's future hours,Allto admire, but wed with none.
By fancy warm'd, I seiz'd the quill,And poetry the strain inspir'd;Music improv'd it by her skill,Till I with both their charms was fir'd.Won by the graces each display'd,Their younger sister I forgot;Though first to her my vows were paid,—By fate or choice it matters not.She, jealous of their rival powers,And to repay the injury done,Condemn'd me through life's future hours,Allto admire, but wed with none.
T. P.
[633]Drummond, an elegant Scottish poet, born in 1585. His works, though not free from the conceits of the Italian School, are characterised by much delicacy of taste and feeling. There is a peculiar melody and sweetness in his verse, and his sonnets particularly have procured for him a fame, which has survived to the present time. An edition of his Poems was published in 1791, by Cowper's correspondent, Mr. Park.
[633]Drummond, an elegant Scottish poet, born in 1585. His works, though not free from the conceits of the Italian School, are characterised by much delicacy of taste and feeling. There is a peculiar melody and sweetness in his verse, and his sonnets particularly have procured for him a fame, which has survived to the present time. An edition of his Poems was published in 1791, by Cowper's correspondent, Mr. Park.
[634]Private correspondence
[634]Private correspondence
[635]We have already stated that Hayley was engaged in a life of Milton, when Cowper was announced as editor of Johnson's projected work. With a generosity that reflects the highest credit on his feelings, he addressed a letter on this occasion to Cowper, accompanied by a complimentary sonnet, and offering his kind aid in anyway that might prove most acceptable. The letter was entrusted to the bookseller, who delayed transmitting it six weeks, and thereby created great anxiety in Hayley's mind.
[635]We have already stated that Hayley was engaged in a life of Milton, when Cowper was announced as editor of Johnson's projected work. With a generosity that reflects the highest credit on his feelings, he addressed a letter on this occasion to Cowper, accompanied by a complimentary sonnet, and offering his kind aid in anyway that might prove most acceptable. The letter was entrusted to the bookseller, who delayed transmitting it six weeks, and thereby created great anxiety in Hayley's mind.
[636]A juvenile offering of gratitude to the place where the writer had received his education.
[636]A juvenile offering of gratitude to the place where the writer had received his education.
[637]Dr. Douglas.
[637]Dr. Douglas.
[638]Lauder endeavoured to depreciate the fame of Milton by a charge of plagiarism. Dr. Douglas successfully vindicated the great poet from such an imputation, and proved that it was a gross fiction on the part of Lauder.
[638]Lauder endeavoured to depreciate the fame of Milton by a charge of plagiarism. Dr. Douglas successfully vindicated the great poet from such an imputation, and proved that it was a gross fiction on the part of Lauder.
[639]Private correspondence.
[639]Private correspondence.
[640]Rev. John Buchanan.
[640]Rev. John Buchanan.
[641]The prospect of a marriage between Miss Stapleton, the Catharina of Cowper, and Mr. Courtenay, Sir John Throckmorton's brother.
[641]The prospect of a marriage between Miss Stapleton, the Catharina of Cowper, and Mr. Courtenay, Sir John Throckmorton's brother.
[642]Vicar of Dalington, near Northampton.
[642]Vicar of Dalington, near Northampton.
[643]See page 377.
[643]See page 377.
[644]Young's testimony in favour of blank verse is thus forcibly, though rather pompously expressed:—"Blank verse is verse unfallen, uncursed; verse reclaimed, re-enthroned in the true language of the gods."SeeConjectures on Original Composition.
[644]Young's testimony in favour of blank verse is thus forcibly, though rather pompously expressed:—
"Blank verse is verse unfallen, uncursed; verse reclaimed, re-enthroned in the true language of the gods."
SeeConjectures on Original Composition.
[645]For two other versions of this passage, see Letters, dated Dec. 17, 1793, and Jan 5, 1794.
[645]For two other versions of this passage, see Letters, dated Dec. 17, 1793, and Jan 5, 1794.
[646]See Dr. Johnson's sketch of the Life of Cowper.
[646]See Dr. Johnson's sketch of the Life of Cowper.
[647]This Elegy is inserted in Mr. Park's volume of sonnets and miscellaneous poems.
[647]This Elegy is inserted in Mr. Park's volume of sonnets and miscellaneous poems.
[648]This wish is expressed in the following lines:—"With her book, and her voice, and her lyre,To wing all her moments at home,And with scenes that new rapture inspire,As oft as it suits her to roam;She will have just the life she prefers,With little to hope or to fear,And ours would be pleasant as hers,Might we view her enjoying it here."SeeVerses addressed to Miss Stapleton, p. 343.
[648]This wish is expressed in the following lines:—
"With her book, and her voice, and her lyre,To wing all her moments at home,And with scenes that new rapture inspire,As oft as it suits her to roam;She will have just the life she prefers,With little to hope or to fear,And ours would be pleasant as hers,Might we view her enjoying it here."
"With her book, and her voice, and her lyre,To wing all her moments at home,And with scenes that new rapture inspire,As oft as it suits her to roam;She will have just the life she prefers,With little to hope or to fear,And ours would be pleasant as hers,Might we view her enjoying it here."
SeeVerses addressed to Miss Stapleton, p. 343.
[649]We have succeeded in obtaining these verses, and think them worthy of insertion:TO WILLIAM COWPER, ESQ.ON READING HIS SONNET OF THE SIXTEENTH INSTANT ADDRESSED TO MR. WILBERFORCE.Desert the cause of liberty!—the causeOf human nature!—sacred flame that burn'dSo late, so bright within thee!—thence descendThe monster Slavery's unnatural friend!'Twere vile aspersion! justly, while it drawsThy virtuous indignation, greatly spurn'd.As soon the foes of Afric might expectThe altar's blaze, forgetful of the lawOf its aspiring nature, should directTo hell its point inverted; as to drawVirtue like thine, and genius, grovelling base,To sanction wrong, and dignify disgrace.Welcomedetection!grateful to theCause,As to its Patron, Cowper's just applause!S. M'Clellan.April 25, 1792.
[649]We have succeeded in obtaining these verses, and think them worthy of insertion:
TO WILLIAM COWPER, ESQ.
ON READING HIS SONNET OF THE SIXTEENTH INSTANT ADDRESSED TO MR. WILBERFORCE.
Desert the cause of liberty!—the causeOf human nature!—sacred flame that burn'dSo late, so bright within thee!—thence descendThe monster Slavery's unnatural friend!'Twere vile aspersion! justly, while it drawsThy virtuous indignation, greatly spurn'd.As soon the foes of Afric might expectThe altar's blaze, forgetful of the lawOf its aspiring nature, should directTo hell its point inverted; as to drawVirtue like thine, and genius, grovelling base,To sanction wrong, and dignify disgrace.Welcomedetection!grateful to theCause,As to its Patron, Cowper's just applause!
Desert the cause of liberty!—the causeOf human nature!—sacred flame that burn'dSo late, so bright within thee!—thence descendThe monster Slavery's unnatural friend!'Twere vile aspersion! justly, while it drawsThy virtuous indignation, greatly spurn'd.As soon the foes of Afric might expectThe altar's blaze, forgetful of the lawOf its aspiring nature, should directTo hell its point inverted; as to drawVirtue like thine, and genius, grovelling base,To sanction wrong, and dignify disgrace.Welcomedetection!grateful to theCause,As to its Patron, Cowper's just applause!
S. M'Clellan.April 25, 1792.
[650]Warren Hastings, at that time under impeachment, as Governor-general of India.
[650]Warren Hastings, at that time under impeachment, as Governor-general of India.
[651]This friend was Mrs. Carter.
[651]This friend was Mrs. Carter.
[652]Some unexpected difficulties had occurred in obtaining a curacy, with a title for orders.
[652]Some unexpected difficulties had occurred in obtaining a curacy, with a title for orders.
[653]The celebrated poem of "the Botanic Garden," originated in a copy of verses, addressed by Miss Seward to Dr. Darwin, complimenting him on his sequestered retreat near Lichfield. In this retreat there was a mossy fountain of the purest water; aquatic plants bordered its summit, and branched from the fissures of the rock. There was also a brook, which he widened into small lakes. The whole scene formed a little paradise, and was embellished with various classes of plants, uniting the Linnean science, with all the charm of landscape.When Miss Seward presented her verses to Dr. Darwin, he was highly gratified, she observes, and said, "I shall send this poem to the periodical publications; but it ought to form the exordium of a great work. The Linnean system is unexplored poetic ground, and a happy subject for the muse. It affords fine scope for poetic landscape; it suggests metamorphoses of the Ovidian kind, though reversed. Ovid made men and women into flowers, plants, and trees. You should make flowers, plants, and trees, into men and women. I," continued he, "will write the notes, which must be scientific, and you shall write the verse."Miss S. remarked, that besides her want of botanic knowledge, the undertaking was not strictly proper for a female pen; and that she felt how much more it was adapted to the ingenuity and vigour of his own fancy. After many objections urged on the part of Dr. Darwin, he at length acquiesced, and ultimately produced his "Loves of the Plants, or Botanic Garden."*Though this poem obtained much celebrity on its first appearance, it was nevertheless severely animadverted upon by some critics. A writer in the Anti-Jacobin Review, (known to be the late Mr. Canning) parodied the work, by producing "The Loves of the Triangles," in which triangles were made to fall in love with the same fervour of passion, as Dr. Darwin attributed to plants. The style, the imagery, and the entire composition of "The Loves of the Plants," were most successfully imitated. We quote the following.*See Life of Dr. Darwin, by Miss Seward."In filmy, gauzy, gossamery lines,With lucid language, and most dark designs,In sweet tetrandryan monogynian strains,Pant for a pistil in botanic pains;Raise lust in pinks, and with unhallowed fire,Bid the soft virgin violet expire."We do not think that the Botanic Garden ever fully maintained its former estimation, after the keen Attic wit of Mr. Canning, though the concluding lines of Cowper seem to promise perpetuity to its fame.
[653]The celebrated poem of "the Botanic Garden," originated in a copy of verses, addressed by Miss Seward to Dr. Darwin, complimenting him on his sequestered retreat near Lichfield. In this retreat there was a mossy fountain of the purest water; aquatic plants bordered its summit, and branched from the fissures of the rock. There was also a brook, which he widened into small lakes. The whole scene formed a little paradise, and was embellished with various classes of plants, uniting the Linnean science, with all the charm of landscape.
When Miss Seward presented her verses to Dr. Darwin, he was highly gratified, she observes, and said, "I shall send this poem to the periodical publications; but it ought to form the exordium of a great work. The Linnean system is unexplored poetic ground, and a happy subject for the muse. It affords fine scope for poetic landscape; it suggests metamorphoses of the Ovidian kind, though reversed. Ovid made men and women into flowers, plants, and trees. You should make flowers, plants, and trees, into men and women. I," continued he, "will write the notes, which must be scientific, and you shall write the verse."
Miss S. remarked, that besides her want of botanic knowledge, the undertaking was not strictly proper for a female pen; and that she felt how much more it was adapted to the ingenuity and vigour of his own fancy. After many objections urged on the part of Dr. Darwin, he at length acquiesced, and ultimately produced his "Loves of the Plants, or Botanic Garden."*
Though this poem obtained much celebrity on its first appearance, it was nevertheless severely animadverted upon by some critics. A writer in the Anti-Jacobin Review, (known to be the late Mr. Canning) parodied the work, by producing "The Loves of the Triangles," in which triangles were made to fall in love with the same fervour of passion, as Dr. Darwin attributed to plants. The style, the imagery, and the entire composition of "The Loves of the Plants," were most successfully imitated. We quote the following.
*See Life of Dr. Darwin, by Miss Seward.
"In filmy, gauzy, gossamery lines,With lucid language, and most dark designs,In sweet tetrandryan monogynian strains,Pant for a pistil in botanic pains;Raise lust in pinks, and with unhallowed fire,Bid the soft virgin violet expire."
"In filmy, gauzy, gossamery lines,With lucid language, and most dark designs,In sweet tetrandryan monogynian strains,Pant for a pistil in botanic pains;Raise lust in pinks, and with unhallowed fire,Bid the soft virgin violet expire."
We do not think that the Botanic Garden ever fully maintained its former estimation, after the keen Attic wit of Mr. Canning, though the concluding lines of Cowper seem to promise perpetuity to its fame.
[654]That a very perceptible change, generally speaking, has taken place in the climate of Great Britain, and that the same observation applies to other countries, has been a frequent subject of remark, both with the past and present generation. Various causes have been assigned for this peculiarity. It has been said that nature is growing old, and losing its elasticity and vigour. Others have attributed the change to the vast accumulation of ice in the Polar regions, and its consequent influence on the temperature of the air. Dr. Darwin humorously suggested the scheme of giving rudders and sails to the Ice Islands, that they might be wafted by northern gales, and thus be absorbed by the heat of a southern latitude. It is worthy of remark that in Milton's Latin Poems, there is a college thesis on this subject, viz. whether nature was becoming old and infirm. Milton took the negative of this proposition, and maintained,naturam non pati senium, that nature was not growing old. Cowper in his translation of this poem, thus renders some of the passages.How?—Shall the face of nature then be plough'dInto deep wrinkles, and shall years at lastOn the great Parent fix a sterile curse?Shall even she confess old age, and halt,And, palsy-smitten, shake her starry brows?—Shall Time's unsated maw crave and ingulphThe very heav'ns, that regulate his flight?—No. The Almighty Father surer laidHis deep foundations, and providing wellFor the event of all, the scales of FateSuspended, in just equipoise, and badeHis universal works, from age to age,One tenour hold, perpetual, undisturb'd.—Not tardier now is Saturn than of old,Nor radiant less the burning casque of Mars.Phœbus, his vigour unimpair'd, still showsTh' effulgence of his youth, nor needs the godA downward course, that he may warm the vales;But, ever rich in influence, runs his road,Sign after sign, through all the heavenly zone.Beautiful as at first, ascends the starFrom odorif'rous Ind, whose office isTo gather home betimes th' ethereal flock,To pour them o'er the skies again at eve,And to discriminate the night and day.Still Cynthia's changeful horn waxes and wanesAlternate, and with arms extended still,She welcomes to her breast her brother's beams.Nor have the elements deserted yetTheir functions.—Thus, in unbroken series, all proceeds;And shall, till, wide involving either poleAnd the immensity of yonder heav'n,The final flames of destiny absorbThe world, consum'd in one enormous pyre!
[654]That a very perceptible change, generally speaking, has taken place in the climate of Great Britain, and that the same observation applies to other countries, has been a frequent subject of remark, both with the past and present generation. Various causes have been assigned for this peculiarity. It has been said that nature is growing old, and losing its elasticity and vigour. Others have attributed the change to the vast accumulation of ice in the Polar regions, and its consequent influence on the temperature of the air. Dr. Darwin humorously suggested the scheme of giving rudders and sails to the Ice Islands, that they might be wafted by northern gales, and thus be absorbed by the heat of a southern latitude. It is worthy of remark that in Milton's Latin Poems, there is a college thesis on this subject, viz. whether nature was becoming old and infirm. Milton took the negative of this proposition, and maintained,naturam non pati senium, that nature was not growing old. Cowper in his translation of this poem, thus renders some of the passages.
How?—Shall the face of nature then be plough'dInto deep wrinkles, and shall years at lastOn the great Parent fix a sterile curse?Shall even she confess old age, and halt,And, palsy-smitten, shake her starry brows?—Shall Time's unsated maw crave and ingulphThe very heav'ns, that regulate his flight?—No. The Almighty Father surer laidHis deep foundations, and providing wellFor the event of all, the scales of FateSuspended, in just equipoise, and badeHis universal works, from age to age,One tenour hold, perpetual, undisturb'd.—Not tardier now is Saturn than of old,Nor radiant less the burning casque of Mars.Phœbus, his vigour unimpair'd, still showsTh' effulgence of his youth, nor needs the godA downward course, that he may warm the vales;But, ever rich in influence, runs his road,Sign after sign, through all the heavenly zone.Beautiful as at first, ascends the starFrom odorif'rous Ind, whose office isTo gather home betimes th' ethereal flock,To pour them o'er the skies again at eve,And to discriminate the night and day.Still Cynthia's changeful horn waxes and wanesAlternate, and with arms extended still,She welcomes to her breast her brother's beams.Nor have the elements deserted yetTheir functions.—Thus, in unbroken series, all proceeds;And shall, till, wide involving either poleAnd the immensity of yonder heav'n,The final flames of destiny absorbThe world, consum'd in one enormous pyre!
How?—Shall the face of nature then be plough'dInto deep wrinkles, and shall years at lastOn the great Parent fix a sterile curse?Shall even she confess old age, and halt,And, palsy-smitten, shake her starry brows?—Shall Time's unsated maw crave and ingulphThe very heav'ns, that regulate his flight?—No. The Almighty Father surer laidHis deep foundations, and providing wellFor the event of all, the scales of FateSuspended, in just equipoise, and badeHis universal works, from age to age,One tenour hold, perpetual, undisturb'd.—Not tardier now is Saturn than of old,Nor radiant less the burning casque of Mars.Phœbus, his vigour unimpair'd, still showsTh' effulgence of his youth, nor needs the godA downward course, that he may warm the vales;But, ever rich in influence, runs his road,Sign after sign, through all the heavenly zone.Beautiful as at first, ascends the starFrom odorif'rous Ind, whose office isTo gather home betimes th' ethereal flock,To pour them o'er the skies again at eve,And to discriminate the night and day.Still Cynthia's changeful horn waxes and wanesAlternate, and with arms extended still,She welcomes to her breast her brother's beams.Nor have the elements deserted yetTheir functions.—Thus, in unbroken series, all proceeds;And shall, till, wide involving either poleAnd the immensity of yonder heav'n,The final flames of destiny absorbThe world, consum'd in one enormous pyre!
[655]Verses on Dr. Darwin.
[655]Verses on Dr. Darwin.
[656]See p. 343.
[656]See p. 343.
[657]This portrait was taken at the instance of Dr. Johnson, and is thought most to resemble Cowper. It is now in the possession of Dr. Johnson's family, and represents the poet in a sitting posture, in an evening dress.
[657]This portrait was taken at the instance of Dr. Johnson, and is thought most to resemble Cowper. It is now in the possession of Dr. Johnson's family, and represents the poet in a sitting posture, in an evening dress.
[658]Mrs. Unwin.
[658]Mrs. Unwin.
[659]Private correspondence.
[659]Private correspondence.
[660]To Mrs. Bodham's.
[660]To Mrs. Bodham's.
[661]Private correspondence.
[661]Private correspondence.
[662]This residence afterwards became the property of the late William Huskisson, Esq.
[662]This residence afterwards became the property of the late William Huskisson, Esq.
[663]This amiable and much esteemed character, and endeared as one of the friends of Cowper, was born at Bishopstone in Sussex, in 1763. He was elected Professor of Poetry at Oxford in 1793, and died at a premature age, in 1801. His claims as an author principally rest on his once popular poem of the "Village Curate." He also wrote "A Vindication of the University of Oxford from the Aspersions of Mr. Gibbon." His works are published in 3 vols.
[663]This amiable and much esteemed character, and endeared as one of the friends of Cowper, was born at Bishopstone in Sussex, in 1763. He was elected Professor of Poetry at Oxford in 1793, and died at a premature age, in 1801. His claims as an author principally rest on his once popular poem of the "Village Curate." He also wrote "A Vindication of the University of Oxford from the Aspersions of Mr. Gibbon." His works are published in 3 vols.
[664]Mr. Hurdis had just lost a favourite sister.
[664]Mr. Hurdis had just lost a favourite sister.
[665]This portrait is now in the possession of Dr. Johnson's family.
[665]This portrait is now in the possession of Dr. Johnson's family.
[666]Private correspondence.
[666]Private correspondence.
[667]This is one of those scarce and curious books which is not to be procured without difficulty. It is a dramatic representation of the Fall, remarkable, not so much for any peculiar vigour, either in the conception or execution of the plan, as for exhibiting that mode of celebrating sacred subjects, formerly known under the appellation of mysteries. A further interest is also attached to it from the popular persuasion that this work first suggested to Milton the design of his Paradise Lost. There is the same allegorical imagery, and sufficient to form the frame-work of that immortal poem. Johnson, in his Life of Milton, alludes to the report, without arriving at any decided conclusion on the subject, but states, that Milton's original intention was to have formed, not a narrative, but a dramatic work, and that he subsequently began to reduce it to its present form, about the year 1655. Some sketches of this plan are to be seen in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge. Dr. Joseph Warton and Hayley both incline to the opinion that the Adamo of Andreini first suggested the hint of the Paradise Lost.That the Italians claim this honour for their countryman is evident from the following passage from Tiraboschi, which, to those of our readers who are conversant with that language, will be an interesting quotation. "Certo benche L'Adamo dell Andreini sia in confronto dell Paradiso Perduto ciò che è il Poema di Ennio in confronto a quel di Virgilio, nondimeno non può negarsi che le idee gigantesche, delle quali l'autore Inglese ha abbellito il suo Poema, di Satana, che entra nel Paradiso terrestre, e arde d'invidia al vedere la felicita dell' Uomo, del congresso de Demonj, della battaglia degli Angioli contra Lucifero, e più altre sommiglianti immagini veggonsi nell'Adamoadombrate per modo, che a me sembra molto credibile, che anche il Milton dalle immondezze, se cosi è lecito dire, dell' Andreini raccogliesse l'oro, di cui adorno il suo Poema. Per altroL'Adamodell' Andreini, benche abbia alcuni tratti di pessimo gusto, ne hà altri ancora, che si posson proporre come modello di excellente poesia."It is no disparagement to Milton to have been indebted to the conceptions of another for the origin of his great undertaking. If Milton borrowed, it was to repay with largeness of interest. The only use that he made of the suggestion was, to stamp upon it the immortality of his own creative genius, and to produce a work which is destined to survive to the latest period of British literature.For further information on this subject, we refer the reader to the "Inquiry into the Origin of Paradise Lost," in Todd's excellent edition of Milton; and in Hayley's Life of Milton will be found Cowper's and Hayley's joint version of the first three acts of the Adamo above mentioned.In addition to the Adamo of Andreini, Milton is said to have been indebted to the Du Bartas of Sylvester, and to the Adamus Exul of Grotius. Hayley, in his Life of Milton, enumerates also a brief list of Italian writers, who may have possibly have thrown some suggestions into the mind of the poet. But the boldest act of imposition ever recorded in the annals of literature, is the charge preferred against Milton by Lauder, who endeavoured to prove that he was "the worst and greatest of all plagiaries." He asserted that "Milton had borrowed the substance of whole books together, and that there was scarcely a single thought or sentiment in his poem which he had not stolen from some author or other, notwithstanding his vain pretence tothings unattempted yet in prose or rhyme." In support of this charge, he was base enough to corrupt the text of those poets, whom he produced as evidences against the originality of Milton, by interpolating several verses either of his own fabrication, or from the Latin translation ofParadise Lost, by William Hog. This gross libel he entitled an "Essay on Milton's Use and Imitation of the Moderns;" and so far imposed on Dr. Johnson, by his representations, as to prevail upon him to furnish a preface to his work. The public are indebted to Dr. Douglas, the Bishop of Salisbury, for first detecting this imposture, in a pamphlet entitled "Milton vindicated from the charge of Plagiarism brought against him by Mr. Lauder." Thus exposed to infamy and contempt, he made a public recantation of his error, and soon after quitted England for the West Indies, where he died in 1771.
[667]This is one of those scarce and curious books which is not to be procured without difficulty. It is a dramatic representation of the Fall, remarkable, not so much for any peculiar vigour, either in the conception or execution of the plan, as for exhibiting that mode of celebrating sacred subjects, formerly known under the appellation of mysteries. A further interest is also attached to it from the popular persuasion that this work first suggested to Milton the design of his Paradise Lost. There is the same allegorical imagery, and sufficient to form the frame-work of that immortal poem. Johnson, in his Life of Milton, alludes to the report, without arriving at any decided conclusion on the subject, but states, that Milton's original intention was to have formed, not a narrative, but a dramatic work, and that he subsequently began to reduce it to its present form, about the year 1655. Some sketches of this plan are to be seen in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge. Dr. Joseph Warton and Hayley both incline to the opinion that the Adamo of Andreini first suggested the hint of the Paradise Lost.
That the Italians claim this honour for their countryman is evident from the following passage from Tiraboschi, which, to those of our readers who are conversant with that language, will be an interesting quotation. "Certo benche L'Adamo dell Andreini sia in confronto dell Paradiso Perduto ciò che è il Poema di Ennio in confronto a quel di Virgilio, nondimeno non può negarsi che le idee gigantesche, delle quali l'autore Inglese ha abbellito il suo Poema, di Satana, che entra nel Paradiso terrestre, e arde d'invidia al vedere la felicita dell' Uomo, del congresso de Demonj, della battaglia degli Angioli contra Lucifero, e più altre sommiglianti immagini veggonsi nell'Adamoadombrate per modo, che a me sembra molto credibile, che anche il Milton dalle immondezze, se cosi è lecito dire, dell' Andreini raccogliesse l'oro, di cui adorno il suo Poema. Per altroL'Adamodell' Andreini, benche abbia alcuni tratti di pessimo gusto, ne hà altri ancora, che si posson proporre come modello di excellente poesia."
It is no disparagement to Milton to have been indebted to the conceptions of another for the origin of his great undertaking. If Milton borrowed, it was to repay with largeness of interest. The only use that he made of the suggestion was, to stamp upon it the immortality of his own creative genius, and to produce a work which is destined to survive to the latest period of British literature.
For further information on this subject, we refer the reader to the "Inquiry into the Origin of Paradise Lost," in Todd's excellent edition of Milton; and in Hayley's Life of Milton will be found Cowper's and Hayley's joint version of the first three acts of the Adamo above mentioned.
In addition to the Adamo of Andreini, Milton is said to have been indebted to the Du Bartas of Sylvester, and to the Adamus Exul of Grotius. Hayley, in his Life of Milton, enumerates also a brief list of Italian writers, who may have possibly have thrown some suggestions into the mind of the poet. But the boldest act of imposition ever recorded in the annals of literature, is the charge preferred against Milton by Lauder, who endeavoured to prove that he was "the worst and greatest of all plagiaries." He asserted that "Milton had borrowed the substance of whole books together, and that there was scarcely a single thought or sentiment in his poem which he had not stolen from some author or other, notwithstanding his vain pretence tothings unattempted yet in prose or rhyme." In support of this charge, he was base enough to corrupt the text of those poets, whom he produced as evidences against the originality of Milton, by interpolating several verses either of his own fabrication, or from the Latin translation ofParadise Lost, by William Hog. This gross libel he entitled an "Essay on Milton's Use and Imitation of the Moderns;" and so far imposed on Dr. Johnson, by his representations, as to prevail upon him to furnish a preface to his work. The public are indebted to Dr. Douglas, the Bishop of Salisbury, for first detecting this imposture, in a pamphlet entitled "Milton vindicated from the charge of Plagiarism brought against him by Mr. Lauder." Thus exposed to infamy and contempt, he made a public recantation of his error, and soon after quitted England for the West Indies, where he died in 1771.
[668]Now Dowager Lady Throckmorton.
[668]Now Dowager Lady Throckmorton.
[669]Private correspondence.
[669]Private correspondence.
[670]On Fop, Lady Throckmorton's dog.
[670]On Fop, Lady Throckmorton's dog.
[671]A stone-mason, who was making a pedestal for an antique bust of Homer.
[671]A stone-mason, who was making a pedestal for an antique bust of Homer.
[672]Hayley's son.
[672]Hayley's son.
[673]Private correspondence.
[673]Private correspondence.
[674]Private correspondence.
[674]Private correspondence.
[675]Hayley's Life of Milton.
[675]Hayley's Life of Milton.
[676]Private correspondence.
[676]Private correspondence.
[677]Decisions of the English Courts.
[677]Decisions of the English Courts.
[678]Private correspondence.
[678]Private correspondence.
[679]Private correspondence.
[679]Private correspondence.
[680]The question of a Reform in Parliament was at this time beginning to engage the public attention, and Mr. Grey (now Earl Grey) had recently announced his intention in the House of Commons of bringing forward that important subject in the ensuing session of Parliament. It was accordingly submitted to the House, May 6th, 1793, when Mr. Grey delivered his sentiments at considerable length, embodying many of the topics now so familiar to the public, but by no means pursuing the principle to the extent since adopted. The debate lasted till two o'clock in the morning, when it was adjourned to the following day. After a renewed discussion, which continued till four in the morning, the House divided, when the numbers were as follow, viz. Ayes 40, Noes 282.It is interesting to mark this first commencement of the popular question of Reform (if we except Mr. Pitt's measure, in 1782) and to contrast its slow progress with the final issue, under the same leader, in the year 1832. The minority for several successive years seldom exceeded the amount above specified, though the measure was at length carried by so large a majority.
[680]The question of a Reform in Parliament was at this time beginning to engage the public attention, and Mr. Grey (now Earl Grey) had recently announced his intention in the House of Commons of bringing forward that important subject in the ensuing session of Parliament. It was accordingly submitted to the House, May 6th, 1793, when Mr. Grey delivered his sentiments at considerable length, embodying many of the topics now so familiar to the public, but by no means pursuing the principle to the extent since adopted. The debate lasted till two o'clock in the morning, when it was adjourned to the following day. After a renewed discussion, which continued till four in the morning, the House divided, when the numbers were as follow, viz. Ayes 40, Noes 282.
It is interesting to mark this first commencement of the popular question of Reform (if we except Mr. Pitt's measure, in 1782) and to contrast its slow progress with the final issue, under the same leader, in the year 1832. The minority for several successive years seldom exceeded the amount above specified, though the measure was at length carried by so large a majority.
[681]This expression alludes to the nervous fever and great depression of spirits that Cowper laboured under, in the months of October and November, and which has been frequently mentioned in the preceding correspondence.
[681]This expression alludes to the nervous fever and great depression of spirits that Cowper laboured under, in the months of October and November, and which has been frequently mentioned in the preceding correspondence.
[682]There were three portraits of Cowper, taken respectively by Sir Thomas Lawrence, Abbot, and Romney. The reader may be anxious to learn which is entitled to be considered the best resemblance. The editor is able to satisfy this inquiry, on the joint authority of the three most competent witnesses, the late Rev. Dr. Johnson, the present Dowager Lady Throckmorton, and John Higgins, Esq., formerly of Weston. They all agree in assigning the superiority to the portrait by Abbot; and in evidence of this, all have repeated the anecdote mentioned by Cowper, of his dog Beau going up to the picture, and shaking his tail, in token of recognition. It is an exact resemblance of his form, features, manner, and costume. That by Romney was said to resemble himat the moment it was taken, but it was histhenlook, not his customary and more placid features. There is an air of wildness in it, expressive of a disordered mind, and which the shock, produced by the paralytic attack of Mrs. Unwin, was rapidly impressing on his countenance. This portrait has always been considered as awakening distressing emotions in the beholder. The portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence is the most pleasing, but not so exact and faithful a resemblance. There is however a character of peculiar interest in it, and he is represented in the cap which he was accustomed to wear in a morning, presented to him by Lady Hesketh. It was on this picture that the following beautiful lines were composed by the late Rev. Dr. Randolph.ON SEEING A SKETCH OF COWPER BY LAWRENCE.Sweet bard! whose mind, thus pictured in thy face,O'er every feature spreads a nobler grace;Whose keen, but softened eye appears to dartA look of pity through the human heart;To search the secrets of man's inward frame,To weep with sorrow o'er his guilt and shame;Sweet bard! with whom, in sympathy of choice,I've ofttimes left the world at Nature's voice,To join the song that all her creatures raise,To carol forth their great Creator's praise;Or, 'rapt in visions of immortal day,Have gazed on Truth in Zion's heavenly way:Sweet Bard!—may this thine image, all I know,Or ever may, of Cowper's form below,Teach one who views it with a Christian's love,To seek and find thee, in the realms above.
[682]There were three portraits of Cowper, taken respectively by Sir Thomas Lawrence, Abbot, and Romney. The reader may be anxious to learn which is entitled to be considered the best resemblance. The editor is able to satisfy this inquiry, on the joint authority of the three most competent witnesses, the late Rev. Dr. Johnson, the present Dowager Lady Throckmorton, and John Higgins, Esq., formerly of Weston. They all agree in assigning the superiority to the portrait by Abbot; and in evidence of this, all have repeated the anecdote mentioned by Cowper, of his dog Beau going up to the picture, and shaking his tail, in token of recognition. It is an exact resemblance of his form, features, manner, and costume. That by Romney was said to resemble himat the moment it was taken, but it was histhenlook, not his customary and more placid features. There is an air of wildness in it, expressive of a disordered mind, and which the shock, produced by the paralytic attack of Mrs. Unwin, was rapidly impressing on his countenance. This portrait has always been considered as awakening distressing emotions in the beholder. The portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence is the most pleasing, but not so exact and faithful a resemblance. There is however a character of peculiar interest in it, and he is represented in the cap which he was accustomed to wear in a morning, presented to him by Lady Hesketh. It was on this picture that the following beautiful lines were composed by the late Rev. Dr. Randolph.
ON SEEING A SKETCH OF COWPER BY LAWRENCE.
Sweet bard! whose mind, thus pictured in thy face,O'er every feature spreads a nobler grace;Whose keen, but softened eye appears to dartA look of pity through the human heart;To search the secrets of man's inward frame,To weep with sorrow o'er his guilt and shame;Sweet bard! with whom, in sympathy of choice,I've ofttimes left the world at Nature's voice,To join the song that all her creatures raise,To carol forth their great Creator's praise;Or, 'rapt in visions of immortal day,Have gazed on Truth in Zion's heavenly way:Sweet Bard!—may this thine image, all I know,Or ever may, of Cowper's form below,Teach one who views it with a Christian's love,To seek and find thee, in the realms above.
Sweet bard! whose mind, thus pictured in thy face,O'er every feature spreads a nobler grace;Whose keen, but softened eye appears to dartA look of pity through the human heart;To search the secrets of man's inward frame,To weep with sorrow o'er his guilt and shame;Sweet bard! with whom, in sympathy of choice,I've ofttimes left the world at Nature's voice,To join the song that all her creatures raise,To carol forth their great Creator's praise;Or, 'rapt in visions of immortal day,Have gazed on Truth in Zion's heavenly way:Sweet Bard!—may this thine image, all I know,Or ever may, of Cowper's form below,Teach one who views it with a Christian's love,To seek and find thee, in the realms above.