The works of William Cowper; his life, letters, and poems

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Dedication

DOWAGER LADY THROCKMORTON.

Yotjr Ladyship's peculiar intimacy with the poet Cowper, and your former residence at Weston, where every object is embellished oy his muse, and clothed with a species of poetical verdure, give you a just title to have your name associated with his endeared memory.

But, independently of these considerations, you are recorded both in his poetry and prose, and have thus acquired a kind of double immortality. These reasons are sufficiently valid to authorize the present dedication. But there are additional motives,-* the recollection of the happy hours, formerlj spent at Weston, in your society and in that of Sir George Throckmorton, enhanced b$ the presence of bur common lamented friend, Dr. Johnson. A dispensation which sparea neither rank, accomplishments, nor virtues/ has unhappily terminated this enjoyment, but it has not extinguished those sentiments of esteem and regard, with which I have the honor to be,

Preface

correspondency is destroyed. The character of Cowper is thus undetermined; mystery hangs over it, and the opinions formed of him are as various as the minds of the inquirers." It was to dissipate this illusion, that my lamented friend collected the " Private Correspondence," containing letters that had been previously suppressed, with the addition of others, then brought to light for the first time. Still there remains one more important object to be accomplished : viz., to present to the British public the whole Correspondence in its entire and unbroken form, and in its chronological order. Then, and not till then, will the real character of Cowper be fully understood and comprehended ; and the consistency of his Christian character be found to harmonize with the Christian spirit of his pure and exalted productions.

Supplemental to such an undertaking is the task of revising Hayley's life of the Poet, purifying it from the errors that detract from its acknowledged value and adapting it to the demands and expectations of the religious public. That this desideratum has been long felt, to an extent far beyond what is commonly supposed, the Editor has had ample means of knowing, from his own personal observation, and from repeated assurances of the same import from his lamented friend, the Rev. Legh Richmond*

The time for carrying this object into effect is now arrived. The termination of the copyright of Hayley's Life of Cowper, and access to the Private Correspondence collected by Dr. Johnson, enable the Editor to combine all these objects, and to present, for the first time, a Complete Edition of the Works of Coivper, which it is not in the power of any individual besides himself to accomplish, because all others are debarred access to the Private Correspondence. Upwards of two hundred letters will be thus incorporated with the former work of Hayley, in their due and chronological order.

The merits of " The Private Correspondence" are thus attested in a letter addressed to Dr. Johnson, by a no less distinguished udge than the late Rev. Robert Hall. — "It is quite unnecessary to say that I perused the letters with great admiration and delight. I have always considered the letters of Mr. Cowper as the finest specimen of the epistolary style in our language ; and these appear to me of a superior description to the former, possessing as much beauty, with more piety and pathos. To an air of inimitable ease and carelessness they unite a high degree of correctness, such as could result only from the clearest intellect, combimed

* Of the letters contained in the " Private Correspondence" he emphatically remarked, " Cowper will never be clearly and satisfactorily understood without them."

with the most finished taste. I have scarcely found a single word which is capable of being exchanged for a better. Literary errors I can discern none. The selection of words, and the construction of periods, are inimitable ; they present as striking a contrast as can well be conceived to the turgid verbosity which passes at present for fine writing and which bears a great resemblance to the degeneracy which marks the style of Ammianus Marcellinus, as compared to that of Cicero or of Livy. In my humble opinion, the study of Cowper's prose may on this account be as useful in forming the taste ot young people as his poetry. That the Let ters will afford great delight to all persons of true taste, and that you will confer a most acceptable present on the reading world by publishing them, will not admit of a doubt." All that now remains is for the Editor to say one word respecting himself. He has been called upon to engage in this undertaking both on public and private grounds. He is not insensible to the honor of such a commission, and yet feels that he is undertaking a delicate and responsible office. May he execute it in humble dependence on the Divine blessing, and in a spirit that accords with the venerated name of Cowper ! Had the life of his endeared friend, Dr. Johnson, been prolonged, no man would have been better qualified for such an office. His ample sources of information, his name, and his profound veneration for the memory of Cowper, (whom he tenderly watched while living, and whose eyes he closed in death,) would have awakened an interest to which no other writer could presume to lay claim. It is under the failure of this expectation, w 7 hich is extinguished by the grave, that the editor feels himself called upon to endeavor to supply the void ; and thus to fulfil what is due to the character of Cowper, and to the known wishes of his departed friend. Peace be to his ashes ! They now rest near those of his beloved Bard, while their happy spirits are reunited in a world where no cloud "obscures the mind, and no sorrow depresses the heart : and where the mysterious dispensations of Providence will be found to have been ir. accordance with his unerring wisdom and mercy.

It is impossible for the Editor to specif) the various instances of revision in the narrative of Hayley, because they are sometimes minute or verbal, at other times more enlarged. The object has been to retain the basis of his work, as far as possible. The introduction of new matter is principally where the interests of religion, or a regard to Cowper's character seemed to require it ; and for such remarks the Editor is solely responsible.

PART THE FIRST. Page

the family, birth, and first residence of Cowper 23

His verses on the portrait of his mother 23

Epitaph on his mother by her niece 24

The schools that Cowper attended 24

His sufferings during childhood 24

His removal from Westminster to an attorney's office 25

Verses on his early afflictions 26

His settlement in the Inner Temple 26

His acquaintance with eminent authors 26

His translations in Duncombe's Horace 26

His own account of his early life 26

Stanzas on reading Sir Charles Grandison 26

His verses on finding the heel of a shoe 27

His nomination to the Office of Reading Clerk in the

House of Lords 27

His nomination to be Clerk of the Journals in the

House of Lords 27

To Lady Hesketh. Journals of the House of Lords. Reflection on the singular temper of his mind.

His extreme dread of appearing in public #8

His illness and removal to St. Albans 28

Change in his ideas of religion 29

His recovery 29

His .' eitlement at Huntingdon to be near his brother 29 The translation of Voltaire's Henriade by the two

brothers 29

The origin of Cowper's acquaintance with the Unwins 29

His adoption into the family 30

His earlv friendship with Lord Thurlow, and J. Hill,

Esq 30

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Account of his situation at

Huntingdon. June 24, 1765 31

To Lady Hesketh. On his illness and subsequent

recovery. July 1, 1765 31

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Huntingdon and its amusements. July 3, 1765 32

To Lady Hesketh. Salutary effects of affliction on

the human mind. July 4, 1765 32

To the same. Account of Himtingdon; distance

from his Brother, &c. July 5, 1765 33

To the same. Newton's Treatise on Prophecy ; Reflections of Dr. Young on the Truth of Christianity.

To the same. On the Beauty and Sublimity of Scriptural Language. Aug. 1, 1765 34

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Expected excursion. Aug. 14,

1765 35

Tq Lady Hesketh. Pearsall's Meditations ; definition

To the same. On a particular Providence ; experience of mercy, &c. Sept. 4, 1765 36

To the same. First introduction to the Unwin family ; their characters. Sept. 14, 1705 37

To the same. On the thankfulness of the heart, its

inequalities, &c. Oct. 10, 1765 38

To the same. Miss Unwin, her character and piety.

To Major Cowper. Situation at Huntingdon; his

perfect satisfaction, &c. Oct. 18, 1765 39

To Joseph Hill, Esq. On those who confine all merits to their own acquaintance. Oct. 25, 1765 39

To the same. Agreement with the Rev. W. Unwin.

To the same. Declining to read lectures at Lincoln's

To Lady Hesketh. On so.itude ; on the desertion of

his friends. March 6, 1766 41

To Mrs. Cowper. Mrs. Unwin, and her son; his

cousin Martin. March 11, 1766 41

to the same. Letters the fruit of friendship ; his conversion. April 4, 1766 42

To the same. The probability of knowing each other inHeaven. Aprill7,1766 43

To the same. On the recollection of earthly affaire by departed spirits. April 18, 1766 43

To the same. On the same subject ; on his own state of body and mind. Sept. 3, 1766 44

To the same. His manner of living ; reasons for his not taking orders. Oct. 20, 1766 45

To the same. Reflections on reading Marshall. Mar. 11, 1767 46

To the same. Introduction of Mr. Unwin's son ; his gardening ; on Marshall. March 14, 1767 46

To the same. On the motive of his introducing Mr. Unwin's son to her. April 3, 1767 47

To Joseph Hill, Esq. General election. June 16, 1762 47

To Mrs. Cowper. Mr. Unwin's death ; doubts concerning Cowper's future abode. July 13, 1767 47

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Reflections arising from Mr. Unwin's death. July 16, 1767 48

The origin of Cowper's acquaintance with Mr. Newton 48

Cowper's removal with Mrs. Unwin to Olney 49

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Invitation to Olney. Oct. 20, 1767 , 49

His devotion and charity in his new residence 49

To Joseph Hill, Esq. On the occurrences during his visit at St. Albans. June 16, 1768 49

To the same. On the difference of dispositions ; his love of retirement. Jan. 21, 1769 49

To the same. On Mrs. Hill's late illness. Jan. 29, 1769 50

To the same. Declining an invitation. Fondness for retirement. July 3.1, 1769 50

His poem in memory of John Thornton, Esq 50

His beneficence to a necessitous child 51

To Mrs. Cowper. His new situation ; reasens for mixture of evil in the world. 1769 51

To the same. The consolations of religion on the death of her husband. Aug. 31, 1769 51

Cowper's journey to Cambridge on his brother's illness 52

To Mrs. Cowper. Daugerous illness of his brother. March 5, 1770 52

The death and character of Cowper's brother 53

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Religious sentiments of his brother. May 8, 1770 53

To Mrs. Cowper. The same subject. June 7, 1770. 53

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Expression of his gratitude for instances of friendship. Sept. 25, 1770 54

To the same. Congratulations on his marriage. Aug. 27, 1771 55

To the same. Declining offers of service. June 27, 1772 55

To the same. Acknowledging obligations. July 2, 1772 55

To the same. Declining an invitation to London. Nov. 5, 1772 55

The composition of the Olney Hymns by Mr. Newton and Cowper 56

The interruption of the Olney Hymns by the illness of Cowper 5fl

His long and severe depression 57

His tame hares, one of his first amusements on his recovery 57

The origin of his friendship with Mr. Bull 57

His translations from Madame de la Mothe Guion.. . 57

To Joseph Hill, Esq. On Mr. Ashley Cooper's recovery from a nervous fever. Nov. 12, 1776 57

To the same. On Gray's Works. April 20, 1777 .... 58

To the same. On Gray's later epistles. West's Letters. May 25, 1777 58

To the same. Selection of books. July 13, 1777 .. . 58

To the same. Supposed diminution of Cowper's income. Jan. 1, 1778. 38

To the same. Death of Sir Thomas Hesketh, Bart. April 11,1778 59

To the same. RaynaPs works. May 7, 1778 59

To the same. Congratulations on preferment. June 18,1778 59

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Disapproving a proposed application to Chancellor Thurlow. June 18, 1778 59

To the same. Johnson's Lives of the Poets. May 26,1779 60

To the same. Remarks on the Isle of Thanet. July, 1779 60

To the same. Advice on sea-bathing. July 17, 1779 60

To the same. His hot-house ; tame pigeons ; visit toGayhurst. Sept. 21, 1779 60

To Joseph Hill, Esq. With the fable of the Pine-apple and the Bee. Oct. 2, 1779 61

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Johnson's Biography ; his treatment of Milton. Oct. 31, 1779 61

To Joseph Hill, Esq. With a poem on the promotion of Edward Thurlow. Nov. 14, 1779 62

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Quick succession of human events ; modern patriotism. Dec. 2, 1779 62

To the same. Burke's speech on reform ; Nightingale and Glow-worm. Feb. 27, 1780 62

To Mrs. Newton. On Mr. Newton's removal from Olney. March 4, 1780 63

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Congratulations on his professional success. March 16, 1780 : 64

To the Rev. J. Newton. On the danger of innovation. March 18, 1780 - 64

To the Rev. W. Unwin. On keeping the Sabbath. March 28, 1780 64

To the same. Pluralities in the church. April 6, 1780 65

To the Rev. J. Newton. Distinction between a travelled man, and a travelled gentleman. April 16, 1780 66

To the same. Serious reflections on rural scenery. May 3,1780 66

To Joseph Hill, Esq. The Chancellor's illness. May 6,1780 66

To the Rev. W. Unwin. His passion for landscape, drawing ; modern politics. May 8, 1780 67

To Mrs. Cowper. On her brother's death. May 10, 1780 68

To the Rev. J. Newton. Pedantry of commentators ; Dr. Bentley, &c. May 10, 1780 68

To Mrs. Newton. Mishap of the gingerbread baker and his wife. The Doves. June 2, 1780 68

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Cowper's fondness of praise — Can a parson be obliged to take an apprentice ? — Latin translation of a passage in Paradise Lost ; versification of a thought. June 8, 1780 69

To the Rev. J. Newton. On the riots in 1780 ; danger of associations. June 12, 1780 70

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Latin verses on ditto. June 18,1780 70

To the same. Robertson's History ; Biographia Britannica. June 22, 1780 71

To the Rev. J. Newton. Ingenuity of slander ; lacemakers' petition. June 23, 1780 72

To the Rev. W. Unwin. To touch and retouch, the secret of good writing ; an epitaph. July 2, 1780. 72

To Joseph Hill, Esq. On the riots in London. July 3,1780 72

To the same. Recommendation of lace-makers' petition. July8,1780 73

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Translation of the Latin verses on the riots. July 11, 1780 74

To the Rev. J. Newton. With an enigma. July 12, 1780 74

To Mrs. Cowper. On the insensible progress of age. July 29,1780 75

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Olney bridge. July 27, 1780 76

To the Rev. J. Newton. A riddle. July 30, 1780. . . 76

to the Rev. W. Unwin. Human nature not changed ; a modern, only an ancient in a different dress.

o Joseph Hill, Esq. On his recreations. Aug. 10, 1780.. 77

To the Rev. J. Newton. Escape of one of his hares. Aug. 21, 17ri0 77

To Mrs. Cowper. Lady Cowper's death. Age a friend to the mind. Aug. 31, 1780 78

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Biographia ; verses, parson and clerk. Sept. 3, 1780 78

To the same. On education. Sept. 7, 1780 79

To the same. Public schools. Sept. 17, 1780 80

To the same. On the same subject. Oct. 5, 1780. . . 80

To Mrs. Newton. On Mr. Newton's arrival at Ramsgate. Oct. 5, 1780 81

Pag*

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Verses on a goldfinch starved to death in his cage. Nov. 9, 1780 89

To Joseph Hill, Esq. On a point of law. Dec. 10, 1780 82

To the Rev. John Newton. On his commendations of Cowper's poems. Dec. 21, 1780 82

To J. Hill, Esq. With the memorable law-case between nose and eyes. Dec. 25, 1780 S3

To the Rev. W. Unwin. With the same. Dec., 1780 83

To the Rev. John Newton. Progress of Error. Mr. Newton's works. Jan. 21, 1781 ... 84

To the Rev. W. Unwin. On visiting prisoners. Feb. 6,1781 8.5

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Hurricane in West Indies. Feb. 8,1781 85

To the same. On metrical law-cases ; old age. Feb. 15,1781 85

To the Rev. John Newton. With Table Talk. On classical literature. Feb. 18, 1781 86

To Mr. Hill. Acknowledging a present received. Feb. 19, 1781 86

To the Rev. John Newton. Mr. Scott's curacies. Feb. 25, 1781 8?

To the same. Care of myrtles. Sham fight at Olney. March 5,1781 87

To the same. On the poems, " Expostulation," &c. March 18, 1781 88

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Consolations on the asperity of a critic. April 2, 1781 89

To the Rev. John Newton. Requesting a preface to "Truth." Enigma on a cucumber. April 8, 1781 90

To the same. Solution of the enigma. April 23, 1781 90

Cowper's first appearance as an author 91

The subjects of his first poems suggested by Mrs. Unwin 9 .

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Intended publication of his first volume. May 1, 1781 91

To Joseph Hill, Esq. On the composition and publication of his first volume. May 9, 1781 91

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Reasons for not showing his preface to Mr. Unwin. May 10, 1781 92

To the same. Delay of his publication ; Vincent Bourne, and his poems. May 23, 1781 92

To the Rev. John Newton. On the heat ; on disembodied spirits. May22, 1781 93

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Corrections of his proofs ; on his horsemanship. May 28, 1781 93

To the same. Mrs. Unwin's criticisms ; a distinguishing Providence. June 5, 1781 93

To the same. On the design of his poems; Mr. Unwin's bashfulness. June 24, 1781 95

Origin of Cowper's acquaintance with Lady Austen 96

Poetical epistle addressed to that lady by him 96

Diffidence of the poet's genius 9-j

To the Rev. John Newton. His late visit to Olney. Lady Austen's first visit. Correction in "Progress of Error." Intended Portrait of Cowper. July 7, 1781 : 97

To the same. Humorous letter in rhyme, on his poetry. July 12, 1781 98

To the same. Progress of the poem, " Conversation." July 22,1781.... 99

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Though revenge and a spirit of litigation are contrary to the Gospel, still it is the duty of a Christian to vindicate his right. Anecdote of a French Abbe. A fete champetre. July 29, 1781 99

To Mrs. Newton. Changes of fashion. Remarks on his poem, " Conversation." Aug., 1781 100

To the Rev. John Newton. Conversion of the greenhouse into a summer parlor. Progress of his work. Aug. 16,1781 101

To the same. State of Cowper's mind. Lady Austen's intended settlement at Olney. Lines on cocoa-nuts and fish. Aug. 21, 1781 102-

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Congratulations on the birth of a son. Remarks on his poem, " Retirement." Lady Austen's proposed settlement at Olney. Her character. Aug. 25, 1781 102

To the itev. John Newton. Progress of the printing of his pofim, " Retirement." Mr. Johnson's corrections. Aug. 25, 1781 103

To the same. Heat of the weather. Remarks on the opinion of a clerical acquaintance concerning certain amusements and music. Sept. 9, 1781 104

To Mrs. Newton. A poetical epistle on a barrel of oysters. Sept. 16, 1781 104

To the Rev. John Newton. Dr. -Johnson's criticism on Watts and tJlackmore, Smoking. Sept. 18, 1781 IU&

CONTENTS.

Page

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Thoughts on the sea. Character of Lady Austen. Sept. 26, 1781 105

To the Rev. John Newton. Religious poetry. Oct. 4,1781 106

To the same. Brighton Amusements. His projected Authorship. Oct. 6, 1781 107

To the Rev. John Newton. Disputes between the Rev. Mr. Scott and the Rev. Mr. R. Oct. 14, 1781 107

To Mrs. Cow per. His first volume. Death of a friend. Oct. 19, 1781 108

Reasons why the Rev. Mr. Newton wrote the Preface to Cowper's Poems 109

To the Rev. John Newton. Remarks on the pro-

' posed Preface to the Poems. Mr. Scott and Mr. R. Oct. 22, 1781 109

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Brighton dissipation. Education of young Unwin. Nov. 5, 1781 110

To the Rev. John Newton. Cowper'slndifference to Fame. Anecdote of the Rev. Mr. Bull. Nov. 7, 1781 110

To the Rev. Win. Unwin. Apparition of Paul Whitehead, at West Wycombe. Nov. 24, 1781 Ill

To Joseph Hill, Esq. In answer to his account of his landlady and her cottage. Nov. 26, 1781 112

To the Rev. Wm. Unwin. Origin and causes of social feeling. Nov. 26, 1781 112

To the Rev. John Newton. Unfavorable prospect of the American war. Nov. 27, 1781 113

To the same. With lines on Mary and John. Same date 114

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Advantage of having a tenant who is irregular in his payments. Sale of chambers. State of affairs in America. Dec. 2, 1781. . . 114

To the Rev. John Newton. With lines to Sir Joshua Reynolds. Political and patriotic poetry. Dec. 4, 1781 115

Circumstances under which Cowper commenced his career as an author 116

Letter to the Rev. John Newton, Dec. 17, 1781. Remarks on his poems on Friendship, Retirement, Heroism, and ^Etna ; Nineveh and Britain 116

To the Rev. William Unwin, Dec. 19, 1781. Idea of a theocracy ; the American war 117

To the Rev. John Newton ; shortest day, 1781. On a national miscarriage ; with lines on a flatting-mill 117

To the same, last day of 1781. Concerning the printing of his Poems ; the American contest- 118

To the Rev. William Unwin, Jan. 5, 1782. Dr. Johnson's critique on Prior and Pope 119

To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 13, 1782. The American contest 120

To the Rev. William Unwin, Jan. 17, 1782. Conduct of critics ; Dr. Johnson's remarks on Prior's Poems ; remarks on Dr. Johnson's Lives of the Poets ; poetry suitable for the reading of a boy 120

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Jan. 31, 1782. Political reflections 122

To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 2, 1782. On his Poems then printing; Dr. Johnson's character as a critic ; severity of the winter 123 •

To the Rev. Wm. Unwin, Feb. 9, 1782. Bishop Lowth's juvenile verses; acquaintance with Lady Austen 124

Attentions of Lady Austen to Cowper 124

Letter from him to Lady Austen 124

She becomes his next door neighbor 125

To the Rev. William Unwin. On Lady Austen's opinion of him ; attempts at robbery ; observations on religious characters ; genuine benevolence 125

To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 16, 1782. Charms of authorship 126

To the Rev. William Unwin, Feb. 24, 1782. On the

Eublication of his poems; his letter to the Lord hancellor 126

To Lord Thurlow, Feb. 25, 1782, enclosed to Mr. Unwin 127

To the Rev. John Newton, Feb., 1782. On Mr. N.'s Preface to his Poems. Remarks on a Fast Sermon 127

To the same, March 6, 1782. Political ■ remarks ; character of Oliver Cromwell 128

Decision and boldness of Cromwell 128

To the Rev. Wm. Unwin, March 7, 1782. Remonstrance again 6 ''. Sunday routs 128

Remarks on the reason's for rejecting the Rev. Mr. Newton's Preface to Cowper's Poems 129

To the Rev. John Newton, March 14, 1782. On the intended Preface to his Poems; critical tact of Johnson the bookseller 129

To Joseph Hill, Esq., March 14, 1782. < )n the publication of his Poems 130

Pagf To the Rev. William Unwin, March 18, 1782. On

his and Mrs. Unwin's opinion of his Poems 13*

Improvements in prison discipline 13 1

To the Rev. John Newton, March 24, 1782. Case of

Mr. B. compared with Cowper's 131

To the Rev. William Unwin, April 1, 1782. On his

commendations of his Poems 131

To the same, April 27, 1782. Military music ; Mr. Unwin's expected visit ; dignity of the Latin language ; 'use of parentheses 132

To the same, May 27, 1782. Dr. Franklin's opinion of his poems ; remarkable instance of providential deliverance from dangers; effects of the weather;

Rodney's victory in the West Indies 133

To the same, June 12, 1782. Anxiety of Authors

respecting the opinion of others on their works. . . 134 Reception of the first volume of Cowper's Poems... 134

Portrait of the true poet 134

Picture of a person of fretful temper 135