DEDICATION. TO THE cation. But there are additional motives, DOWAGER LADY THROCKMORTON. the recollection of the happy hours, formerly spent at Weston, in your society and in that Your Ladyship’s peculiar intimacy with of Sir George Throckmorton, enhanced by the poet Cowper, and your former residence the presence of our common lamented friend, at Weston, where every object is embellished Dr. Johnson. A dispensation which spares by his muse, and clothed with a species of neither rank, accomplishments, nor virtues, poetical verdure, give you a just title to has unhappily terminated this enjoyment, but have your name associated with his endeared it has not extinguished those sentiments of memory. esteem and regard, with which But, independently of these considerations, I have the honor to be, you are recorded both in his poetry and My dear Lady Throckmorton, prose, and have thus acquired a kind of Your very sincere and obliged friend, double immortality. These reasons are suf T. S. GRIMSHAWE. ficiently valid to authorize the present dedi- Biddenham, Feb. 28, 1835. PREFACE. is presenting to the public this new and / of some letters, and the total omission of complete edition of the Life, Correspondence, others, that, in his judgment, were essential and Poems of Cowper, it may be proper for to the development of Cowper's real charme to state the grounds on which it claims acter. The cause of this procedure may be to be the only complete edition that has been, explained so as fully to exonerate Hayley or can be published. from any charge injurious to his honor. His After the decease of this justly admired mind, however literary and elegant, was not author, Hayley received from my lamented precisely qualified to present a religious charbrother-in-law, Dr. Johnson, (so endeared by acter to the view of the British public, his exemplary attention to his afflicted rela- without committing some important errors. tive.) every facility for his intended biography. Hence, in occasional parts of his work, his Aided also by valuable contributions from reflections are misplaced, sometimes injurious, other quarters, he was thus furnished with and often injudicious; and in no portion of it rich materials for the execution of his inter-) is this defect more visible than where he at-. esting work. The reception with which his tributes the malady of Cowper to the operLife of Cowper was honored, and the suc- ation of religious causes. cexsive editions through which it passed, It would be difficult to express the painful uflorded unequivocal testimony to the indus- feeling produced by these facts on the minds try and talents of the biographer and to the of Dr. Johnson and of his friends. Hayley inepistolary merits of the Poet. Still there deed seems to be afraid of exhibiting Cowper Were m:uny, intimately acquainted with the too much in a religious garb, lest he should character and principles of Cowper, who con- either lessen his estimation, alarm the reader, sidered that, on the whole, a very erroneous or compromise himself. To these circumimpression was conveyed to the public. On stances may be attributed the defects that we this subject no one was perhaps more com- have noticed, and which have rendered his petent to form a just estimate than the late otherwise excellent production an imperfect Dr. Johnson. A long and familiar inter- work. The consequence, as regards Cowper, course with his endeared relative had af- has been unfortunate. People,” observes forded him all the advantages of a daily and Dr. Johnson, “ read the Letters with the minute observation. His possession of docu- Task’ in their recollection, (and vice versân) ments, and intimate knowledge of facts, en- and are perplexed. They look for the Cowper abled him to discover the partial suppression of each in the other, and find him not; the correspondency is destroyed. The character with the most finished taste. I have scarcely of Cowper is thus undetermined; mystery found a single word which is capable of behangs over it, and the opinions formed of ing exchanged for a better. Literary errors him are as various as the minds of the in- I can discern none. The selection of words, quirers.”. It was to dissipate this illusion, and the construction of periods, are inimitathat my lamented friend collected the “Pri- ble; they present as striking a contrast as vate Correspondence," containing letters that can well be conceived to the turgid verbus had been previously suppressed, with the ity which passes at present for fine writing, addition of others, then brought to light for and which bears a great resemblance to the the first time. Still there remains one more degeneracy which marks the style of Ammiimportant object to be accomplished : viz., to anus Marcellinus, as compared to that of present to the British public the whole Cor- Cicero or of Livy. In my humble opinion, respondence in its entire and unbroken form, the study of Cowper's prose may on this ac. and in its chronological order. Then, and not count be as useful in forming the taste of till then, will the real character of Cowper be young people as his poetry. That the Let fully understood and comprehended ; and the ters will afford great delight to all persons consistency of his Christian character be of true taste, and that you will confer a most found to harmonize with the Christian spirit acceptable present on the reading world by of his pure and exalted productions. publishing them, will not admit of a doubt." Supplemental to such an undertaking is All that now remains is for the Editor to the task of revising Hayley's life of the Poet, say one word respecting himself . He has purifying it from the errors that detract from been called upon to engage in this undertak. its acknowledged value and adapting it to ing both on public and private grounds. He the demands and expectations of the religious is not insensible to the honor of such a compublic. That this desideratum has been long mission, and yet feels that he is undertaking felt, to an extent far beyond what is com- a delicate and responsible office. May he monly supposed, the Editor has had ample execute it in humble dependence on the means of knowing, from his own personal Divine blessing, and in a spirit that accords observation, and from repeated assurances with the venerated name of Cowper! Had of the same import from his lamented friend, the life of his endeared friend, Dr. Johnson, the Rev. Legh Richmond.* been prolonged, no man would have been The time for carrying this object into effect better qualified for such an office. His amis now arrived. The termination of the copy-ple sources of information, his name, and his right of Hayley's Life of Cowper, and access profound veneration for the memory of Cowto the Private Correspondence collected by per, (whom he tenderly watched while living, Dr. Johnson, enable the Editor to combine and whose eyes he closed in death,) would all these objects, and to present, for the first have awakened an interest to which no other time, a Complete Edition of the Works of writer could presume to lay claim. It is un. Couper, which it is not in the power of any der the failure of this expectation, which is exindividual besides himself to accomplish, be- tinguished by the grave, that the editor feels cause all others are debarred access to the himself called upon to endeavor to supply the Private Correspondence. Upwards of two void ; and thus to fulfil what is due to the hundred letters will be thus incorporated character of Cowper, and to the known wishes with the former work of Hayley, in their due of his departed friend. Peace be to his ashes! and chronological order. They now rest near those of his beloved The merits of “ The Private Correspond- Bard, while their happy spirits are reunited in ence" are thus attested in a letter addressed a world where no cloud obscures the mind, to Dr. Johnson, by a no less distinguished and no sorrow depresses the heart : and judge than the late Rev. Robert Hall. “It is where the mysterious dispensations of Prov. quite unnecessary to say that I perused the idence will be found to have been in accordletters with great admiration and delight. Iance with his unerring wisdom and mercy. have always considered the letters of Mr. Cowper as the finest specimen of the epistolary style in our language ; and these ap It is impossible for the Editor to specify pear to me of a superior description to the the various instances of revision in the nar. former, possessing as much beauty, with rative of Hayley, because they are sometimes more piety and pathos. To an air of inimi- minute or verbal, at other times more entable ease and carelessness they unite a high arged. The object has been to retain the degree of correctness, such as could result basis of his work, as far as possible. The only from the clearest intellect, combimed introduction of new matter is principally where the interests of religion, or a regard * of the letters contained in the Private Corre: to Cowper's character seemed to require it; spon lence” he emphatically remarked, “Cowper will and for such remarks the Editor is solely never be clearly and satisfactorily understood without responsible. them." CONTENTS. Page Page To the same. The probability of knowing each other The family, birth, and first residence of Cowper..... 23 in Heaven. April 17, 1766... His verses on the portrait of his mother... 23 To the same. On the recollection of earthly affairs Epitaph on his mother by her niece..... 43 The schools that Cowper attended.. 24 To the same. On the same subject; on his own state His suffering during childhood......... 44 45 Mis settlement in ihe Inner Temple.. To the saine. Reflections on reading Marshall. Mar. His acquuntance with ominent authors.... His translations in Duncombe's Horace.... To the same. Introduction of Mr. Unwin's son; his His own account of his early life.... 26 gardening; on Marshall. March 14, 1767.. Stanzos on reading Sir Charles Grandison. 26 To the same. On the inotive of his introducing Mr. liis veres on finding the heel of a shoe... 47 His gumination to the office of Reading Clerk in the To Joseph Hill, Esq. General election. June 16, Bis nomination to be Clerk of the Journals in the To Mrs. Cowper. Mr. Unwin's death; doubts con- ceruing Cowper's future abode. July 13, 1767.... 47 To Lady Hesketh. Journals of the House of Lords. To Joseph Hill, Esq. Reflections arising from Mr. Reflection on the singular temper of his mind. Unwin's death. July 16, 1767.... 27 The origin of Cowper's acquaintance with Mr. New- Hin extreme dread of appearing in public... Hus illness and removal to St. Albans... Cowper's removal with Mrs. Unwin to Olney.... 49 Chung in his ideas of religion.... 29 To Joseph Hill, Esq. Invitation to Olney. Oct. 20, The trawlation of Voltaire's Henriade by the two To Joseph Hill, Esq. On the occurrences during his 29 visit at St. Albans. June 16, 1768... His adoption into the family.... 30 love of retirement. Jan. 21, 1769.... His early friendship with Lord Thurlow, and J. Hill, To the same. On Mre. Hill's late illness. Jan. 29, 1769 50 30 To the same. Declining an invitation, Fondness To diverph Mill, Esq. Account of his situation at for retirement. July 31, 1769........ Hantingdon. June 24, 1705.... 31 His poein in memory of John Thornton, Esq.... 56 Tu Lady Hesketh. On his illness and subsequent His beneficence to a necessitous child.... 31 To Mrs. Cowper. His new situation; reasons for To Joseph Hill, Esq. Huntingdon and its amuse- mixture of evil in the world. 1769.. 32 To the same. The consolations of religion on the To Lady Hesketh. Salutary effects of affliction on death of her husband. Aug. 31, 1769.. the human mind. July 4, 1765.... 32 Cowper's journey to Cambridge on his brother's ill- 50 33 To Mrs. Cowper. Daugerous illness of his brother. To the same. Newton's Treatise on Prophecy ; Re- March 5, 1770... 34 To Joseph Hill, Esq. Religious sentiments of his On the Beauty and Sublimity of Scrip- tural Laugunge. Aug. 1, 1765.... 34 To Mrs. Cowper. The same subject. June 7, 1770. 53 35 instances of friendship. Sept. 25, 1770... To Lady Hesketh. Pearsall's Meditations; definition To the saine. Congratulations on his marriage. On a particular Providence; experi- To the same. Declining offers of service. June 27, ence of mercy, &c. Sept. 4, 1765... Hly; their characters. Sept. 14, 1765... 37 To the same. Declining an invitation to London. On the thankfulness of the heart, its inequalitics, &c. Oct. 10, 1765 ... The composition of the Olney Hymns by Mr. Newton To the maine Miss Unwin, her character and piety. and Cowper... The interruption of the Olney Hymns by the illness To Major Cowper. Situation at Huntingdon; bis of Cowper. perfect ratisraction, &c. Oct. 18, 1765... 37 its to their own acquaintance. Oct. 25, 1765.... 39 recovery Agreement with the Rev. W. Unwin. The origin of his friendship with Mr. Bull.... 40 His translations from Madame de la Mothe Guion... 57 ery from a nervous fever. Nov. 12, 1776.... 57 To Lady Hesketh. On solitude; on the desertion of To the same. On Gray's Works. April 20, 1777... his friends, March 6, 1766.... To the same. On Gray's later epistles. West's Let- To Mrs. Cowper. Mrs. Unwin, and her son; his ters. May 25, 1777... cousin Martin, March 11, 1766.... 41 To the same. Selection of books. July 13, 1777 58 he fruit of friendship; his T the same. Supposed diminution of Cowper's in 57 Page Page To the same. Death of Sir Thomas Hesketh, Bart. To the Rev. W. Unwin. Verseg on a goldfinch 59 starved to death in his cage. Nov. 9, 1780....... To the same. Raynal's works. May 7, 1778. 59 To Joseph Hill, Esq. On a point of law. Dec. 10, 59 To the Rev. John Newton. On his commendations application to Chancellor Thurlow. June 18, 1778 59 To J. Hill, Esq. With the memorable law-case be- 60 To the Rev. W. Unwin. With the same. Dec., 1780 83 60 Newton's works. Jan. 21, 1781...... Feb. 6, 1781 85 to Gayhurst. Sept. 21, 1779... 60 To Joseph Hill, Esq. Hurricane in West Indies. To Joseph Hill, Esq. With the fable of the Pine-ap- Feb. 8, 1781... ple and the Bee. Oct. 2, 1779... 61 To the same. On metrical law-cases; old age. Feb. To the Rev. W. Unwin. Johnson's Biography ; his treatment of Milton. Oct. 31, 1779.. 61 To the Rev. John Newton. With Table Talk. On To Joseph Hill, Esq. With a poem on the promo- classical literature. Feb. 18, 1781.... tion of Edward Thurlow. Nov. 14, 1779... To Mr. Hill., Acknowledging a present received. To the Rev. W.Unwin. Quick succession of human events; modern patriotism. Dec. 9, 1779. 62 To the Rev. John Newton. Mr. Scott's curacies. To the same. Burke's speech on reform; Nightin- Feb. 2.3, 1781.... gale and Glow-worm. Feb. 27, 1780..... 62 To the same, Care of myrtles. Sham fight at Olney. To Mrs. Newton. On Mr. Newton's removal from To the same. On the poems, " Expostulation,” &c. To Joseph Hill, Esq. Congratulations on his profes- March 18, 1781... sional success. March 16, 1780... 64 To the Rer. W. Unwin. Consolations on the asper To the Rev. J. Newton. On the danger of innova- ity of a critic. April 2, 1701.... To the Rev. John Newton. Requesting a preface to To the Rev. W. Unwin. On keeping the Sabbath, “Truth." Enigma on a cucumber. April, 1781 64 To the same. Bolution of the enigma. April 23, 1781 To the same. Pluralities in the church. April 6, 1780 65 Cowper's first appearance is an author... To the Rev.J. Newton. Distinction between a trav- The subjects of his tirst poems suggested by Mr. elled man, and a travelled gentleman. April 16, 66 To the Rev. W. Uuwin. Intended publication of his To the same. Serious reflections on rural scenery. 66 To Joseph Hill, Esq. On the composition and pub- To Jorcph Hill, Esq. The Chancellor's illness. May lication of his first volume. May 9, 1781..... 91 66 To the Rev. W. Unwin. Reasons for not showing To the Rev. W. Unwin. His passion for landscape his preface to Mr. Unwin. May 10, 17*1... drawing; modern politics. May 8, 1780.. 67 To the same. Delay of his publication ; Vincent To Mrs. Cowper. On her brother's death. May 10, Bourne, and his poems, May 23, 1781..... 68 To the Rev. John Newton. On the beat; on disem To the Rev. J. Newton. Pedantry of commentators; bodied spirits. May 19, 1781... 93 To the Rev. W. Unwin. Corrections of his proofs; 93 To the same. Mrs. Unwin's criticisms; a distinguish- 93 To the saine. On the design of his poems; Mr. Unwin's bashfulness. June 24, 1781.. 95 ger of associations. June 12, 1780.... 70 Dithidence of the poet's genius.. To the Rev. W.Unwin. Latin Verses on ditto. June To the Rev. John Newton. His late visit to Olney. 70 Lady Austen's first visit. Correction in " Progress To the same. Robertson's History; Biographia Bri- of Error.” Intended Portrait of Cowper. July 7, To the Rev. J. Newton. Ingenuity of slander; lace- To the same. Humorous letter in rhyme, on his makers' petition. June 23, 1780... To the Rev. W. Unwin. To touch and retouch, the To the same. Progress of the poem, “ Conversation." 99 To Joseph Hill, Esq. On the riots in London. July To the Rev. W. Unwin. Though revenge and a 72 spirit of litigation are contrary to the Gospel, still 73 Anecdote of a l'rench Abbé. A lele charapotre. To the Rev. W. Unwin. Translation of the Latin verses on the riots. July 11, 1700.... 74 To Mrs. Newtou. Changes of fashion. Remarks on To the Rev. J. Newton. With an enigma. July 12, his poem, " Conversation.” Aul., 1781 100 To the Rev. John Wuwfou. Conversion of the green- To Mrs. Cowper. On the insensible progress of age. house into & Suniner parlor. Progress of his To the Rev. W.Unwin. Olvey bridge. July 27, 1780 76 To the same. State of Cowper's mind. Lady Aus. To the Rev. W.Unwin. Human nature not changed; coa-puts and fish. Aug, 21, 1781..... a modern, only an ancient in a ditferent dress. To the Rev. W.Unwin, Congratulations on the birth Remarks on his poem. * Retirement." To Joseph Hill, Esq. On his recreations. Aug. 10, Lady Austen's proposed settlement at Olbey. llor To the Rev. J. Newton. Escape of one of his hares. To the Rev. John Newton. Progress of the print ing of his poem, " Retirement." Mr. Johnson's To Mrs. Cowper. Lady Cowper's death. Age a corrections. Aug. 23, 1781... friend to the mind. Aug, 31, 1780... To the same. Ileat of the weather. Reinarks on To the Rev. W. Unwin. Biographia; verses, parson the opinion of a cleric: acquaintance concerning certain amusements and music. Sept. 9, 1771.... 104 79 To Mrs. Newton. A poetical epistle on a barrel of Public schools. Sept. 17, 1780.. 80 oysters. Sept. 16, 1781.... To the same. On the same subjeci. Oct. j, 1780... To the Rev. Jolin Newton. Dr. Johnson's criticism To Mrs. Newton. On Mr. Newton's arrival at Rums. on Watts and Blackmore, Smoking. Sept. 16, To the Rev. William Unwin, March 18, 1782. On his and Mrs. Unwin's opinion of his Poems...... 130 Improveinents in prison discipline.. To the Rev. John Newton, March 24, 1782 Case of Mr. B. compared with Cowper's.... To the Rev. William Unwin, April 1, 1782. On his To the same, April 27, 1782 Military music; Mr. Unwin's expected visit; dignity of the Latin lan- To the same, May 27, 178. 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 To the same, June 12, 1782. Anxiety of Authors respecting the opinion of others on their works... 134 Reception of the tirst volume of Cowper's Poems... 134 To the Rev. W. Unwin. Thoughts on the sea. Char. urter of Lady Anten. Sept. 26, 1781 To the Rev. John Newton. Religious poetry. Och To the came Brighton Amusements. His project- al Auttorship. Oct. 6, 1781.... To the Rev. John Newton. Disputes between the Rv Mr. Scott and the Rey. Mr. R. Oct. 14, 1tal 107 To Mrs Cowper. His first volume. Death of a Arasons why the Rev. Mr. Newton wrote the Preface To thi v dohn Newton. Remarks on the pro- P Preface to the Poems. Mr. Scott and Mr. R. To ibe Rrv. W. Unwin Brighton dissipation. Ed- uc time of sounu tuwin. Nov, s. 1721 To the Rev.John Newton. Cowper's indifference to Fanic. Anirdote of the Rev. Mr. Bull. Nov. 7, 1781 110 To the Rer. Wm. Inwin. Apparition of Paul White- heu al W*** Wycombe. Nov, 24, 1781... 111 10 Jeuch nhill, E-09. In answer to his account of bilder and her cottage. Nov. 26, 1731...... 112 To the Rer. Wm. Unwin. Origin and causes of so- To the Kry. John Newton. Unfavorable prospect of the American war. Nov. 27, 1781 With lines on Mary and John, Same To dorph Hill, Exq. Advantage of having a tenant whuis irregular in his payments. Sale of cham- Laps State of fair in Ainerica. Dec. 17*1... 114 To the Rev.John Newton. With lines to Sir Joshua Royauds. Political and patriotic poetry. Dec. 4, Circunstances under which Cowper conámenced his Letter withe Rev. John Newton, Dec. 17, 1781. Re- barks on his poems on Friendship, Retirements Herci-m, and Elna: Vineveh and Britain....... 116 To threx. William Unwin, Doc. 19, 1721. Idea of & the ocracy: the American war To the Kix John Newton; shortest day, 1781, On & rational miscarriage; with lines on a flatting- To the unc, bast day of 1781. Concerning the print- bry of lus Pepin the American contest, Tu the Rer. William Cawin, Jan 5, 1782. Dr. John- 119 To the Rev.Johu Newton, Jan, 13, 1782. The Amer- To be Bry. William Unwin, Jan, 17, 1782. Conduct oferitice; Dr. Johnson's reinarks on Prior's Poems; reinarks on Dr. Johnson's lives of the Poets ; po- etry suitable for the reading of a boy To doxeph Mul, 124. Jan. 31, 1762. Political reflec- To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 2, 1782 On his Porins iben printing; Dr. Johnson's churacier as & chic; verity of the winter.. To the Bav. Win. Unwin, Feb. 9, 17-2. Bishop Lowthe juvenile verscx; acquaintance with Lady Attention of Luly Austen to Cowper. 194 To the Res, William Unwin. On Lady Austen's pinion of him; altempusat roblery ; observations mag character; genuine benevolence.... 125 To the Rev. Juhn Newton, Feb. 16, 1782. Charms of To the Kat Williama l'uwin, Feb, 24, 17202 On the Pablonnon of his pocine; his letter to the Lord To Land Thurlow, Feb. 25, 1784, enclosed to Mr. Tu the Rat. Job Newton, Feb., 1729. On Mr. N.'s Prrere i lis Putas. Remark on a Fast Sermon 127 To the top, March 6. 172 Political remarks ; Tu the Row Win, I'nwin, March 7, 17. Remon- STITC* ainst Bunday routs .... Benark on the reasons for rejecting the Rev. Mr. Nr 10"> Preface to Cowperx Poen To ibe Ros, John Newton, Dlarch 14, 17). On the intended Preface to hiy Poems; critical tact of To the Rev. Wm. Bull, June 2, 1782. Poetical epis- To the Rev. Wm. Unwin, July 16, 1782. Remarks on political affnirs; Lady Austen and her project 136 To the same, August 3, 1782. On Dr. Johnson's ex- pected opinion of his Poems; encounter with a viper; Lady Austen; Mr. Bull; Madame Guion's Lady Austen comes to reside at the parsonage at Songs written for her by Cowper. His song on the loss of the Royal George Origin of his ballad of John Gilpin.. 1.10 To Joseph Hill, Esq., Sept. 6, 1782. Visit of Mr. To the Rev. Wm. Unwin, Nov. 4, 1782. On the bal- lad of John Gilpin; on Mr. Unwin's exertions in behalf of the prisoners at Chelmsford ; subscrip- tion for the widows of seamen lost in the Royal To the Rev. William Bull, Nov. 5, 1762. On his ex- To Joseph Hill, Esq., Nov. 11, 172. On the state of his health ; encouragement of planting; Mr. To Joseph Hill, E., Nov., 1782. Thanks for a pres- knowledgments to a beneficent friend to the poor of Olney ; on the appearance of John Gilpin in print 142 To the Rev. Williarn Unwin. No date. Character of Dr. Beattie and his poems; Cowper's transla- tion of Madame Guion's poems 143 To Mrs. Newton, Nov. 23, 17. On his poems; se- verity of the winter; contrast between a spendthrift and in Olney cottager; method recommended for settling disputes... ....... 143 To Joseph Hill, Esq., Dec. 7, 1782. Recollections of the coffee-house ; Cowper's mode of spending his eveninga; political contradictions, 144 To the Rev. William l'nwin, Jan. 19. 1783. His oc- cupations; beneficence of Mr. Thornton to the poor of buty 145 To the Roy, John Newton, Jan. 26, 1783 On the an ticipations of peace; conduct of the belligereot powers 145 To the Rrv. Wm. Unwin, Feb. 2, 1783. Ironical con- gratulations on the peue; generosity of England to l'rince 146 To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 8, 1783. Remarks on the peace 146 To Joseph Hill, Esq., Feb. 13, 1783. Remarks on hi-poms... 147 To the same. Feb. 20, 1783. With Dr. Franklin's letter on his poems. 147 To the sime. No date. On the coalition ministry Lord Chancellor Thurlow... 148 Neglect of Cowper by Lord Thurlow. 148 Lord Thurlow's generosity in the case of Dr. John- son, and Crabbe, the poet... 148 To the Rev. Johu Newton, Feb, 24, 1783. On the peace... 148 To the Rev. William Bull, Mareh 7, 1783. On the peace; Scotch Highlanders at Newport Pagnel... 149 |