The Works of William Cowper

Contents.

PART THE FIRST.

	Page
The family, birth, and first residence of Cowper	1
His verses on the portrait of his mother	1
Epitaph on his mother by her niece	2
The schools that Cowper attended	2
His sufferings during childhood	2
His removal from Westminster to an attorney's office	3
Verses on his early afflictions	4
His settlement in the Inner Temple	4
His acquaintance with eminent authors	4
His translations in Duncombe's Horace	4
His own account of his early life	4
Stanzas on reading Sir Charles Grandison	4
His verses on finding the heel of a shoe	5
His nomination to the office of Reading Clerk in the House of Lords	5
His nomination to be Clerk of the Journals in the House of Lords	5
To Lady Hesketh. Journals of the House of Lords. Reflection on the singular temper of his mind. Aug. 9, 1763	5
His extreme dread of appearing in public	6
His illness, and removal to St. Alban's	6
Change in his ideas of religion	7
His recovery	7
His settlement at Huntingdon to be near his brother	7
The translation of Voltaire's Henriade by the two brothers	7
The origin of Cowper's acquaintance with the Unwins	7
His adoption into the family	8
His early friendship with Lord Thurlow, and J. Hill, Esq	8
To Joseph Hill, Esq. Account of his situation at Huntingdon. June 24, 1765	9
To Lady Hesketh. On his illness and subsequent recovery. July 1, 1765	9
To Joseph Hill, Esq. Huntingdon and its amusements. July 3, 1765	10
To Lady Hesketh. Salutary effects of affliction on the human mind. July 4, 1765	10
To the same. Account of Huntingdon; distance from his Brother, &c. July 5, 1765	11
To the same. Newton's Treatise on Prophecy; Reflections of Dr. Young, on the Truth of Christianity. July 12, 1765	12
To the same. On the Beauty and Sublimity of Scriptural Language. Aug. 1, 1765	12
To Joseph Hill, Esq. Expected excursion. Aug. 14, 1765	13
To Lady Hesketh. Pearsall's Meditations; definition of faith. Aug. 17, 1765	14
To the same. On a particular Providence; experience of mercy, &c. Sept. 4, 1765	14
To the same. First introduction to the Unwin family; their characters. Sept. 14, 1765	15
To the same. On the thankfulness of the heart, its inequalities, &c. Oct. 10, 1765	16
To the same. Miss Unwin, her character and piety. Oct. 18, 1765	16
To Major Cowper. Situation at Huntingdon; his perfect satisfaction, &c. Oct. 18, 1765	17
To Joseph Hill, Esq. On those who confine all merits to their own acquaintance. Oct. 25, 1765	18
To the same. Agreement with the Rev. W. Unwin. Nov. 5, 1765	18
To the same. Declining to read lectures at Lincoln's Inn. Nov. 8, 1765	18
To Lady Hesketh. On solitude; on the desertion of his friends. March 6, 1766	19
To Mrs. Cowper. Mrs. Unwin, and her son; his cousin Martin. March 11, 1766	19
To the same. Letters the fruit of friendship; his conversion. April 4, 1766	20
To the same. The probability of knowing each other in Heaven. April 17, 1766	20
To the same. On the recollection of earthly affairs by departed spirits. April 18, 1766	21
To the same. On the same subject; on his own state of body and mind. Sept. 3, 1766	22
To the same. His manner of living; reasons for his not taking orders. Oct. 20, 1766	23
To the same. Reflections on reading Marshall. March 11, 1767	24
To the same. Introduction of Mr. Unwin's son; his gardening; on Marshall. March 14, 1767	24
To the same. On the motive of his introducing Mr. Unwin's son to her. April 3, 1767	25
To Joseph Hill, Esq. General election. June 16, 1767	27
To Mrs. Cowper. Mr. Unwin's death; doubts concerning Cowper's future abode. July 13, 1767	26
To Joseph Hill, Esq. Reflections arising from Mr. Unwin's death. July 16, 1767	26
The origin of Cowper's acquaintance with Mr. Newton.	26
Cowper's removal with Mrs. Unwin to Olney.	27
To Joseph Hill, Esq. Invitation to Olney. Oct. 10, 1767	27
His devotion and charity in his new residence.	27
To Joseph Hill, Esq. On the occurrences during his visit at St. Alban's. June 16, 1768	27
To the same. On the difference of dispositions; his love of retirement. Jan. 21, 1769	27
To the same. On Mrs. Hill's late illness. Jan. 29, 1769	28
To the same. Declining an invitation. Fondness for retirement. July 31, 1769	28
His poem in memory of John Thornton, Esq.	28
His beneficence to a necessitous child.	29
To Mrs. Cowper. His new situation; reasons for mixture of evil in the world. 1769	29
To the same. The consolations of religion on the death of her husband. Aug. 31, 1769	30
Cowper's journey to Cambridge on his brother's illness.	30
To Mrs. Cowper. Dangerous illness of his brother. March 5, 1770	30
The death and character of Cowper's brother.	31
To Joseph Hill, Esq. Religious sentiments of his brother. May 8, 1770	31
To Mrs. Cowper. The same subject. June 7, 1770	32
To Joseph Hill, Esq. Expression of his gratitude for instances of friendship. Sept. 25, 1770	33
To the same. Congratulations on his marriage. Aug. 27, 1771	33
To the same. Declining offers of service. June 27, 1772	33
To the same. Acknowledging obligations. July 2, 1772	33
To the same. Declining an invitation to London. Nov. 5, 1772	33
The composition of the Olney Hymns by Mr. Newton and Cowper.	34
The interruption of the Olney Hymns by the illness of Cowper	35
His long and severe depression	35
His tame hares, one of his first amusements on his recovery.	35
The origin of his friendship with Mr. Bull.	35
His translations from Madame de la Mothe Guion.	35
To Joseph Hill, Esq. On Mr. Ashley Cooper's recovery from a nervous fever. Nov. 12, 1776	36
To the same. On Gray's Works. April 20, 1777	36
To the same. On Gray's later epistles. West's Letters. May 25, 1777	36
To the same. Selection of books. July 13, 1777	36
To the same. Supposed diminution of Cowper's income. Jan. 1, 1778	37
To the same. Death of Sir Thomas Hesketh, Bart. April 11, 1778	37
To the same. Raynal's works. May 7, 1778	37
To the same. Congratulations on preferment. June 18, 1778	37
To the Rev. W. Unwin. Disapproving a proposed application to Chancellor Thurlow. June 18, 1778	37
To the same. Johnson's Lives of the Poets. May 26, 1779	38
To the same. Remarks on the Isle of Thanet. July, 1779	38
To the same. Advice on sea-bathing. July 17, 1779	38
To the same. His hot house; tame pigeons; visit to Gayhurst. Sept. 21, 1779	39
To Joseph Hill, Esq. With the fable of the Pine-apple and the Bee. Oct. 2, 1779	39
To the Rev. W. Unwin. Johnson's Biography; his treatment of Milton. Oct. 31, 1779	40
To Joseph Hill, Esq. With a poem on the promotion of Edward Thurlow. Nov. 14, 1779	40
To the Rev. W. Unwin. Quick succession of human events; modern patriotism. Dec. 2, 1779	40
To the same. Burke's speech on reform; Nightingale and Glow-worm. Feb. 27, 1780	41
To Mrs. Newton. On Mr. Newton's removal from Olney. March 4, 1780	41
To Joseph Hill, Esq. Congratulations on his professional success. March 16, 1780	42
To the Rev. J. Newton. On the danger of innovation. March 18, 1780	42
To the Rev. W. Unwin. On keeping the Sabbath. March 28, 1780	43
To the same. Pluralities in the church. April 6, 1780	43
To the Rev. J. Newton. Distinction between a travelled man, and a travelled gentleman. April 16, 1780	44
To the same. Serious reflections on rural scenery. May 3, 1780	44
To Joseph Hill, Esq. The Chancellor's illness. May 6, 1780	45
To the Rev. W. Unwin. His passion for landscape drawing; modern politics. May 8, 1780	45
To Mrs. Cowper. On her brother's death. May 10, 1780	46
To the Rev. J. Newton. Pedantry of commentators; Dr. Bentley, &c. May 10, 1780	46
To Mrs. Newton. Mishap of the gingerbread baker and his wife. The Doves. June 2, 1780	47
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	47
To the Rev. J. Newton. On the riots in 1780; danger of associations. June 12, 1780	48
To the Rev. W. Unwin. Latin verses on ditto. June 18, 1780	49
To the same. Robertson's History; Biographia Britannica. June 22, 1780	49
To the Rev. J. Newton. Ingenuity of slander; lace-makers' petition. June 23, 1780	50
To the Rev. W. Unwin. To touch and retouch, the secret of good writing; an epitaph; July 2, 1780	51
To Joseph Hill, Esq. On the riots in London. July 3, 1780	51
To the same. Recommendation of lace-makers' petition. July 8, 1780	51
To the Rev. W. Unwin. Translation of the Latin verses on the riots. July 11, 1780	52
To the Rev. J. Newton. With an enigma. July 12, 1780	52
To Mrs. Cowper. On the insensible progress of age. July 29, 1780	53
To the Rev. W. Unwin. Olney bridge. July 27, 1780	54
To the Rev. J. Newton. A riddle. July 30, 1780	54
To the Rev. W. Unwin. Human nature not changed; a modern, only an ancient in a different dress. August 6, 1780	54
To Joseph Hill, Esq. On his recreations. Aug. 10, 1780	55
To the Rev. J. Newton. Escape of one of his hares. Aug. 21, 1780	56
To Mrs. Cowper. Lady Cowper's death. Age a friend to the mind. Aug. 31, 1780	56
To the Rev. W. Unwin. Biographia; verses, parson and clerk. Sept. 3, 1780	57
To the same. On education. Sept. 7, 1780	57
To the same. Public schools. Sept. 17, 1780	58
To the same. On the same subject. Oct. 5, 1780	59
To Mrs. Newton. On Mr. Newton's arrival at Ramsgate. Oct. 5, 1780	60
To the Rev. W. Unwin. Verses on a goldfinch starved to death in his cage. Nov. 9, 1780	60
To Joseph Hill, Esq. On a point of law. Dec. 10, 1780	60
To the Rev. John Newton. On his commendations of Cowper's poems. Dec. 21, 1780	60
To J. Hill, Esq. With the memorable law-case between nose and eyes. Dec. 25, 1780	61
To the Rev. W. Unwin. With the same. Dec. 1780	62
To the Rev. John Newton. Progress of Error. Mr. Newton's works. Jan. 21, 1781	62
To the Rev. W. Unwin. On visiting prisoners. Feb. 6, 1781	63
To Joseph Hill, Esq. Hurricane in West Indies. Feb. 8, 1781	63
To the same. On metrical law-cases; old age. Feb. 15, 1781	64
To the Rev. John Newton. With Table Talk. On classical literature. Feb. 18, 1781	64
To Mr. Hill. Acknowledging a present received. Feb. 19, 1781	64
To the Rev. John Newton. Mr. Scott's curacies. Feb. 25, 1781	65
To the same. Care of myrtles. Sham fight at Olney. March 5, 1781	65
To the same. On the poems, "Expostulation," &c. March 18, 1781.	66
To the Rev. W. Unwin. Consolations on the asperity of a critic. April 2, 1781	67
To the Rev. John Newton. Requesting a preface to "Truth." Enigma on a cucumber. April 8, 1781	68
To the same. Solution of the enigma. April 23, 1781	68
Cowper's first appearance as an author.	69
The subjects of his first poems suggested by Mrs. Unwin.	69
To the Rev. W. Unwin. Intended publication of his first volume. May 1, 1781	69
To Joseph Hill, Esq. On the composition and publication of his first volume. May 9, 1781	70
To the Rev. W. Unwin. Reasons for not showing his preface to Mr. Unwin. May 10, 1781	70
To the same. Delay of his publication; Vincent Bourne, and his poems. May 23, 1781	71
To the Rev. John Newton. On the heat; on disembodied spirits. May 22, 1781	72
To the Rev. W. Unwin. Corrections of his proofs; on his horsemanship. May 28, 1781	72
To the same. Mrs. Unwin's criticisms; a distinguishing Providence. June 5, 1781	73
To the same. On the design of his poems; Mr. Unwin's bashfulness. June 24, 1781	73
Origin of Cowper's acquaintance with Lady Austen.	74
Poetical epistle addressed to that lady by him.	75
Diffidence of the poet's genius.	76
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	76
To the same. Humorous letter in rhyme, on his poetry. July 12, 1781	77
To the same. Progress of the poem, "Conversation." July 22, 1781.	77
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 Abbé, A fete champetre. July 29, 1781	77
To Mrs. Newton. Changes of fashion. Remarks on his poem, "Conversation." Aug. 1781	78
To the Rev. John Newton. Conversion of the green-house into a summer-parlour. Progress of his work. Aug. 16, 1781	79
To the same. State of Cowper's mind. Lady Austen's intended settlement at Olney. Lines on cocoa-nuts and fish. Aug. 21, 1781	80
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	81
To the Rev. John Newton. Progress of the printing of his poem, "Retirement." Mr. Johnson's corrections. Aug. 25, 1781	82
To the same. Heat of the weather. Remarks on the opinion of a clerical acquaintance concerning certain amusements and music. Sept. 9, 1781	82
To Mrs. Newton. A poetical epistle on a barrel of oysters. Sept. 16, 1781	83
To the Rev. John Newton. Dr. Johnson's criticism on Watts and Blackmore. Smoking. Sept. 18, 1781	83
To the Rev. W. Unwin. Thoughts on the sea. Character of Lady Austen. Sept. 26, 1781	84
To the Rev. John Newton. Religious poetry. Oct. 4, 1781	85
To the same. Brighton amusements. His projected Authorship. Oct. 6, 1781	85
To the Rev. John Newton. Disputes between the Rev. Mr. Scott and the Rev. Mr. R. Oct. 14, 1781	86
To Mrs. Cowper. His first volume. Death of a friend. Oct. 19, 1781	87
Reasons why the Rev. Mr. Newton wrote the Preface to Cowper's Poems	87
To the Rev. John Newton. Remarks on the proposed Preface to the Poems. Mr. Scott and Mr. R. Oct. 22, 1781	87
To the Rev. W. Unwin. Brighton dissipation. Education of young Unwin. Nov. 5, 1781	88
To the Rev. John Newton. Cowper's indifference to Fame. Anecdote of the Rev. Mr. Bull. Nov. 7, 1781	89
To the Rev. Wm. Unwin. Apparition of Paul Whitehead, at West Wycombe. Nov. 24, 1781	90
To Joseph Hill, Esq. In answer to his account of his landlady and her cottage. Nov. 26, 1781	90
To the Rev. Wm. Unwin. Origin and causes of social feeling. Nov. 26, 1781	91
To the Rev. John Newton. Unfavourable prospect of the American war. Nov. 27, 1781	92
To the same. With lines on Mary and John. Same date	92
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	93
To the Rev. John Newton. With lines to Sir Joshua Reynolds. Political and patriotic poetry. Dec. 4, 1781	93
Circumstances under which Cowper commenced his career as an author	94
Letter to the Rev. John Newton, Dec. 17, 1781. Remarks on his poems on Friendship, Retirement, Heroism and Ætna; Nineveh and Britain	95
To the Rev. William Unwin, Dec. 19, 1781. Idea of a theocracy; the American war	96
To the Rev. John Newton; shortest day, 1781. On a national miscarriage; with lines on a flatting-mill	96
To the same, last day of 1781. Concerning the printing of his Poems; the American contest	97
To the Rev. William Unwin, Jan. 5, 1782. Dr. Johnson's critique on Prior and Pope	97
To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 13, 1782. The American contest	98
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	99
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Jan. 31, 1782. Political reflections	101
To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 2, 1782. On his Poems then printing; Dr. Johnson's character as a critic; severity of the winter	102
To the Rev. William Unwin, Feb. 9, 1782. Bishop Lowth's juvenile verses; acquaintance with Lady Austen	102
Attentions of Lady Austen to Cowper	103
Letter from him to Lady Austen	103
She becomes his next door neighbour	103
To the Rev. William Unwin. On Lady Austen's opinion of him; attempts at robbery; observations on religious characters; genuine benevolence	104
To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 16, 1782. Charms of authorship	104
To the Rev. William Unwin, Feb. 24, 1782. On the publication of his poems; his letter to the Lord Chancellor	105
To Lord Thurlow, Feb. 25, 1782, enclosed to Mr. Unwin	105
To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 1782. On Mr. N.'s Preface to his Poems. Remarks on a Fast Sermon	105
To the same, March 6, 1782. Political Remarks; character of Oliver Cromwell	106
Decision and boldness of Cromwell	107
To the Rev. William Unwin, March 7, 1782. Remonstrance against Sunday routs	107
Remarks on the reasons for rejecting the Rev. Mr. Newton's Preface to Cowper's Poems	107
To the Rev. John Newton, March 14, 1782. On the intended Preface to his Poems; critical tact of Johnson the bookseller	108
To Joseph Hill, Esq., March 14, 1782. On the publication of his Poems	108
To the Rev. William Unwin, March 18, 1782. On his and Mrs. Unwin's opinion of his Poems	109
Improvements in prison discipline	109
To the Rev. John Newton, March 24, 1782. Case of Mr. B. compared with Cowper's	110
To the Rev. William Unwin, April 1, 1782. On his commendations of his Poems	110
To the same, April 27, 1782. Military music; Mr. Unwin's expected visit; dignity of the Latin language; use of parentheses	111
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	111
To the same, June 12, 1712. Anxiety of Authors respecting the opinion of others on their works	112
Reception of the first volume of Cowper's Poems	113
Portrait of the true poet	113
Picture of a person of fretful temper	113

PART THE SECOND.

To the Rev. Wm. Bull, June 22, 1782. Poetical epistle on Tobacco	114
To the Rev. Wm. Unwin, July 16, 1782. Remarks on political affairs; Lady Austen and her project	114
To the same, August 3, 1782. On Dr. Johnson's expected opinion of his Poems; encounter with a viper; Lady Austen; Mr. Bull; Madame Guion's Poems	116
The Colubriad, a poem	117
Lady Austen comes to reside at the parsonage at Olney	117
Songs written for her by Cowper	117
His song on the loss of the Royal George	118
The same in Latin	118
Origin of his ballad of John Gilpin	118
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Sept. 6, 1782. Visit of Mr. Small	119
To the Rev. Wm. Unwin, Nov. 4, 1782. On the ballad of John Gilpin; on Mr. Unwin's exertions in behalf of the prisoners at Chelmsford; subscription for the widows of seamen lost in the Royal George	119
To the Rev. William Bull, Nov. 5, 1783. On his expected visit	120
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Nov. 11, 1782. On the state of his health; encouragement of planting; Mr. P——, of Hastings	120
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Nov. 1782. Thanks for a present of fish; on Mr. Small's report of Mr. Hill and his improvements	121
To the Rev. William Unwin, Nov. 18, 1782. Acknowledgments to a beneficent friend to the poor of Olney; on the appearance of John Gilpin in print	121
To the Rev. William Unwin. No date. Character of Dr. Beattie and his poems; Cowper's translation of Madame Guion's poems	122
To Mrs. Newton, Nov. 23, 1782. On his Poems; severity of the winter; contrast between a spendthrift and an Olney cottager; method recommended for settling disputes	122
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Dec. 7, 1782. Recollections of the coffee-house; Cowper's mode of spending his evenings; political contradictions	123
To the Rev. William Unwin, Jan. 19, 1783. His occupations; beneficence of Mr. Thornton to the poor of Olney	124
To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 26, 1783. On the anticipations of peace; conduct of the belligerent powers	124
To the Rev. Wm. Unwin, Feb. 2, 1783. Ironical congratulations on the peace; generosity of England to France	125
To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 8, 1783. Remarks on the peace	125
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Feb. 13, 1783. Remarks on his poems	126
To the same. Feb. 20, 1783. With Dr. Franklin's letter on his poems	126
To the same. No date. On the coalition ministry; Lord Chancellor Thurlow	127
Neglect of Cowper by Lord Thurlow	127
Lord Thurlow's generosity in the case of Dr. Johnson, and Crabbe, the poet	127
To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 24, 1783. On the peace	127
To the Rev. William Bull, March 7, 1783. On the peace; Scotch Highlanders at Newport Pagnel	128
To the Rev. John Newton, March 7, 1783. Comparison of his and Mr. Newton's letters; march of Highlanders belonging to a mutinous regiment	128
To the same. April 5, 1783. Illness of Mrs. C.; new method of treating consumptive cases	129
To the same. April 20, 1783. His occupations and studies; writings of Mr. ——; probability of his conversion in his last moments	129
To the Rev. John Newton, May 5, 1783. Vulgarity in a minister particularly offensive	130
To the Rev. William Unwin, May 12, 1783. Remarks on a sermon preached by Paley at the consecration of Bishop L.	130
Severity of Cowper's strictures on Paley	131
Important question of a church establishment	131
Increase of true piety in the Church of England	131
Language of Beza respecting the established church	132
To Joseph Hill, Esq., May 26, 1783. On the death of his uncle's wife	132
To the Rev. John Newton, May 31, 1783. On Mrs. C.'s death	132
To the Rev. William Bull, June 3, 1783. With stanzas on peace	133
To the Rev. William Unwin, June 8, 1783. Beauties of the green-house; character of the Rev. Mr. Bull	133
To the Rev. John Newton, June 13, 1783. On his Review of Ecclesiastical History; the day of judgment; observations of natural phenomena	133
Extraordinary natural phenomena in the summer of 1783	134
Earthquakes in Calabria and Sicily	134
To the Rev. John Newton, June 17, 1783. Ministers must not expect to scold men out of their sins	135
Tenderness an important qualification in a minister	135
To the Rev. John Newton, June 19, 1783. On the Dutch translation of his "Cardiphonia"	135
To the same, July 27, 1783. A country life barren of incident; Cowper's attachment to his solitude; praise of Mr. Newton's style as an historian	136
Remarks on the influence of local associations	136
Dr. Johnson's allusion to that subject	137
To the Rev. William Unwin, August 4, 1783. Proposed inquiry concerning the sale of his Poems; remarks on English ballads; anecdote of Cowper's goldfinches	137
To the same, Sept. 7, 1783. Fault of Madame Guion's writings, too great familiarity in addressing the Deity 138
To the Rev. John Newton, Sept. 8, 1783. On Mr. Newton's and his own recovery from illness; anecdote of a clerk in a public office; ill health of Mr. Scott; message to Mr. Bacon	138
To the same, Sept. 15, 1783. Cowper's mental sufferings	139
To the same, Sept. 23, 1783. On Mr. Newton's recovery from a fever; dining with an absent man; his niche for meditation	139
To the Rev. William Unwin, Sept. 29, 1783. Effect of the weather on health; comparative happiness of the natural philosopher; reflections on air balloons	140
To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 6, 1783. Religious animosities deplored; more dangerous to the interests of religion than the attacks of its adversaries; Cowper's fondness for narratives of voyages	141
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Oct. 10, 1783. Cowper declines the discussion of political subjects; epitaph on sailors of the Royal George	142
To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 13, 1783. Neglect of American loyalists; extraordinary donation sent to Lisbon at the time of the great earthquake; prospects of the Americans	142
To the same, Oct. 20, 1783. Remarks on Bacon's monument of Lord Chatham	143
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Oct. 20, 1783. Anticipations of winter	144
Cowper's winter evenings	144
The subject of his poem, "The Sofa," suggested	144
Circumstances illustrative of the origin and progress of "The Task"	144
Extracts from letters to Mr. Bull on that subject	144
Particulars of the time in which "The Task" was composed	145
To the Rev. John Newton, Nov. 3, 1783. Fire at Olney described	145
To the Rev. William Unwin, Nov. 10, 1783. On the neglect of old acquaintance; invitation to Olney; exercise recommended; fire at Olney	146
To the Rev. John Newton, Nov. 17, 1783. Humorous description of the punishment of a thief at Olney; dream of an air-balloon	147
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Nov. 23, 1783. On his opinion of voyages and travels; Cowper's reading	148
To the Rev. William Unwin, Nov. 24, 1783. Complaint of the neglect of Lord Thurlow; character of Josephus's History	148
To the Rev. John Newton, Nov. 30, 1783. Speculations on the employment of the antediluvians; the Theological Review	149
To the same, Dec. 15, 1783. Speculations on the invention of balloons; the East India Bill	150
To the same, Dec. 27, 1783. Ambition of public men; dismissal of ministers; Cowper's sentiments concerning Mr. Bacon; anecdote of Mr. Scott	151
To the Rev. William Unwin, no date. Account of Mr. Throckmorton's invitation to see a balloon filled; attentions of the Throckmorton family to Cowper and Mrs. Unwin	152
Circumstances which obliged Cowper to relinquish his friendship with Lady Austen	153
Hayley's account of this event	153
To the Rev. William Unwin, Jan. 3, 1784. Dearth of subjects for writing upon at Olney; reflections on the monopoly of the East India Company	154
To Mrs. Hill, Jan. 5, 1784. Requesting her to send some books	155
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Jan. 18, 1784. On his political letters; low state of the public funds	155
To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 18, 1784. Cowper's religious despondency; remark on Mr. Newton's predecessor	156
To the Rev. William Unwin, Jan. 1784. Proposed alteration in a Latin poem of Mr. Unwin's; remarks on the bequest of a cousin; commendations on Mr. Unwin's conduct; on newspaper praise	156
To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 25, 1784. Cowper's sentiments on East India patronage and East India dominion	157
State of our Indian possessions at that time	158
Moral revolution effected there	158
Latin lines by Dr. Jortin, on the shortness of human life	158
Cowper's translation of them	158
To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 1784. On Mr. Newton's "Review of Ecclesiastical History;" proposed title and motto; Cowper declines contributing to a Review	158
To the same, Feb. 10, 1784. Cowper's nervous state; comparison of himself with the ancient poets; his hypothesis of a gradual declension in vigour from Adam downwards	159
To the same, Feb. 1784. The thaw; kindness of a benefactor to the poor of Olney; Cowper's politics, those of a reverend neighbour; projected translation of Caraccioli on self-acquaintance	160
To the Rev. William Bull, Feb. 22, 1784. Unknown benefactor to the poor of Olney; political profession	160
To the Rev. William Unwin, Feb. 29, 1784. On Mr. Unwin's acquaintance with Lord Petre; unknown benefactor to the poor of Olney; diffidence of a modest man on extraordinary occasions	161
To the Rev. John Newton, March 8, 1784. The Theological Miscellany; abandonment of the intended translation of Caraccioli	161
To the same, March 11, 1784. Remarks on Mr. Newton's "Apology;" East India patronage and dominion	162
To the same, March 15, 1784. Cowper's habitual despondence; verse his favourite occupation, and why; Johnson's "Lives of the Poets"	162
To the same, March 19, 1784. Works of the Marquis Caraccioli; evening occupations	162
To the Rev. William Unwin, March 21, 1784. Cowper's sentiments on Johnson's "Lives of the Poets;" characters of the poets	163
To the Rev. John Newton, March 29, 1784. Visit of a candidate and his train to Cowper; angry preaching of Mr. S	164
To the same, April 14, 1784. Remarks on divine wrath; destruction in Calabria	165
Effects of the earthquakes, and total loss of human lives	165
To the Rev. William Unwin, April 5, 1784. Character of Beattie and Blair; speculation on the origin of speech	166
To the same, April 15, 1784. Further remarks on Blair's "Lectures;" censure of a particular observation in that book	167
To the same, April 25, 1784. Lines to the memory of a halybutt	167
To the Rev. John Newton, April 26, 1784. Remarks on Beattie and on Blair's "Lectures;" economy of the county candidates, and its consequences	168
To the Rev. William Unwin, May 3, 1784. Reflections on face-painting; innocent in Frenchwomen, but immoral in English	168
To the same, May 8, 1784. Cowper's reasons for not writing a sequel to John Gilpin, and not wishing that ballad to appear with his Poems; progress made in printing them	170
To the Rev. John Newton, May 10, 1784. Conversion of Dr. Johnson; unsuccessful attempt with a balloon at Throckmorton's	170
Circumstances attending Dr. Johnson's conversion	171
To the Rev. John Newton, May 22, 1784. On Dr. Johnson's opinion of Cowper's "Poems;" Mr. Bull and his refractory pupils	171
To the same, June 5, 1784. On the opinion of Cowper's "Poems" attributed to Dr. Johnson	171
To the Rev. John Newton, June 21, 1784. Commemoration of Handel; unpleasant summer; character of Mr. and Mrs. Unwin	172
To the Rev. William Unwin, July 3, 1784. Severity of the weather; its effects on vegetation	172
To the Rev. John Newton, July 5, 1784. Reference to a passage in Homer; could the wise men of antiquity have believed in the fables of the heathen mythology? Cowper's neglect of politics; his hostility to the tax on candles	173
To the Rev. William Unwin, July 12, 1784. Remarks on a line in Vincent Bourne's Latin poems; drawing of Mr. Unwin's house; Hume's "Essay on Suicide"	174
To the same, July 13, 1784. Latin Dictionary; animadversions on the tax on candles; musical ass	174
To the Rev. John Newton, July 14, 1784. Commemoration of Handel	175
Mr. Newton's sermon on that subject	175
To the Rev. John Newton, July 19, 1784. The world compared with Bedlam	176
To the same, July 28, 1784. On Mr. Newton's intended visit to the Rev. Mr. Gilpin at Lymington; his literary adversaries	176
To the Rev. William Unwin, Aug. 14, 1784. Reflections on travelling; Cowper's visits to Weston; difference of character in the inhabitants of the South Sea islands; cork supplements; franks	177
Original mode of franking, and reason for the adoption of the present method	178
To the Rev. John Newton, August 16, 1784. Pleasures of Olney; ascent of a balloon; excellence of the Friendly islanders in dancing	178
To the Rev. William Unwin, Sept. 11, 1784. Cowper's progress in his new volume of poems; opinions of a visitor on his first volume	178
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Sept. 11, 1784. Character of Dr. Cotton	179
To the Rev. John Newton, Sept. 18, 1784. Alteration of franks; Cowper's green-house; his enjoyment of natural sounds	179
To the Rev. William Unwin, Oct. 2, 1784. Punctuation of poetry; visit to Mr. Throckmorton	180
To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 9, 1784. Cowper maintains not only that his thoughts are unconnected, but that frequently he does not think at all; remarks on the character and death of Captain Cook	181
To the Rev. William Unwin, Oct. 10, 1784. With the manuscript of the new volume of his Poems, and remarks on them	182
To the same, Oct. 20, 1784. Instructions respecting a publisher, and corrections in his Poems	182
To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 22, 1784. Remarks on Knox's Essays	183
To the same. Oct. 30, 1784. Heroism of the Sandwich islanders; Cowper informs Mr Newton of his intention to publish a new volume	184
To the Rev. William Unwin, Nov. 1, 1784. Cowper's reasons for not earlier acquainting Mr. Newton with his intention of publishing again; he resolves to include "John Gilpin"	184
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Nov. 1784. On the death of Mr. Hill's mother; Cowper's recollections of his own mother; departure of Lady Austen; his new volume of Poems	185
To the Rev. John Newton, Nov. 27, 1784. Sketch of the contents and purpose of his new volume	185
To the Rev. William Unwin, Olney, 1784. On the transmission of his Poems; effect of medicines on the composition of poetry	185
To the Rev. William Unwin, Nov. 29, 1784. Substance of his last letter to Mr. Newton	186
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Dec. 4, 1784. Aërial voyages	188
To the Rev. John Newton, Dec. 13, 1784. On the versification and titles of his new Poems; propriety of using the word worm for serpent	188
Passages in Milton and Shakespeare in which worm is so used	189
To the Rev. William Unwin, Dec. 18, 1784. Balloon travellers; inscription to his new poem; reasons for complimenting Bishop Bagot	189
To the Rev, John Newton, Christmas-eve, 1784. Cowper declines giving a new title to his new volume of Poems; remarks on a person lately deceased	190
General remarks on the particulars of Cowper's personal history	190
Remarks on the completion of the second volume of Cowper's Poems	190
Gibbon's record of his feelings on the conclusion of his History	191
Moral drawn from the evanescence of life	191
To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 5, 1785. On the renouncement of the Christian character; epitaph on Dr. Johnson	191
To the Rev. William Unwin, Jan. 15, 1785. On delay in letter-writing; sentiments of Rev. Mr. Newton; Cowper's contributions to the Gentleman's Magazine; Lunardi's narrative	192
Explanations respecting Cowper's poem, entitled "The Poplar Field"	192
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Jan. 22, 1785. Breaking up of the Frost; anticipations of proceedings in Parliament	193
To the Rev. William Unwin, Feb. 7, 1785. Progress of Cowper's second volume of Poems; his pieces in the Gentleman's Magazine; sentiments of a neighbouring nobleman and gentleman respecting Cowper	193
To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 19, 1785. An ingenious bookbinder; poverty at Olney; severity of the late winter	194
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Feb. 27, 1785. Inquiry concerning his health, and account of his own	195
To the Rev. John Newton, March 19, 1785. Uses and description of an old card table; want of exercise during the winter; petition against concessions to Ireland	195
To the Rev. William Unwin, March 20, 1785. Remarks on a Nobleman's eye; progress of his new volume; political reflections; celebrity of "John Gilpin"	196
To the Rev. John Newton, April 9, 1785. On the prediction of a destructive earthquake, by a German ecclesiastic	197
To the Rev. John Newton, April 22, 1785. On the popularity of "John Gilpin"	197
To the Rev. William Unwin, April 30, 1785. On the celebrity of "John Gilpin;" progress of Cowper's new volume; Mr. Newton's sentiments in regard to him; mention of some old acquaintances; discovery of a bird's nest in a gate-post	198
To the Rev. John Newton, May, 1785. Sudden death of Mr. Ashburner; remarks on the state of Cowper's mind; reference to his first acquaintance with Newton	199
To the Rev. John Newton, June 4, 1785. Character of the Rev. Mr. Greatheed; completion of Cowper's new volume; Bacon's monument to Lord Chatham	200
To Joseph Hill, Esq., June 25, 1785. Cowper's summer-house; dilatoriness of his bookseller	200
To the Rev. John Newton, June 25, 1785. Allusion to the mental depression under which Cowper laboured; Nathan's last moments; complaint of Johnson's delay; effects of drought; tax on gloves	201
To the Rev. John Newton, July 9, 1785. Mention of letters in praise of his Poems; conduct of the Lord Chancellor and G. Colman; reference to the commemoration of Handel; cutting down of the spinney	202
To the Rev. William Unwin, July 27, 1785. Violent thunder-storm; courage of a dog; on the love of Christ	203
To the Rev. John Newton, Aug. 6, 1785. Feelings on the subject of authorship; reasons for introducing John Gilpin in his new volume	204
To the Rev. John Newton, Aug. 17, 1785. Reasons for not writing to Mr. Bacon; Dr. Johnson's Diary; illness of Mr. Perry	205
Character of Dr. Johnson's Diary	206
Extracts from it	207
Arguments for the necessity of conversion	207
Johnson's neglect of the Sabbath	207
Testimony of Sir William Jones respecting the Holy Scriptures	208
To the Rev. William Unwin, Aug. 27, 1785. Thanks for presents; his second volume of Poems; remarks on Dr. Johnson's Journal; claims of who and that	208
To the Rev. John Newton, Sept. 24, 1785. Recollections of Southampton; recovery of Mr. Perry; proposed Sunday School	209
Origin of Sunday Schools	210
Their utility	210
Sentiments of the late Rev. Andrew Fuller on the Bible Society and on Sunday Schools	210
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Oct. 11, 1785. Cowper excuses himself for not visiting Wargrave; on his printed epistle to Mr. Hill	210
Renewal of Cowper's intimacy with his cousin, Lady Hesketh	211
To Lady Hesketh, Oct. 12, 1785. Recollections revived by her letter; account of his own situation; allusion to his uncle's health; necessity of mental employment for himself	211
To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 16, 1785. On the death of Miss Cunningham; expected removal of the Rev. Mr. Scott from Olney; Mr. Jones, steward of Lord Peterborough, burned in effigy	212
To the Rev. William Unwin, Oct. 22, 1785. Progress of his translation of Homer; course of reading recommended for Mr. Unwin's son	213
To the Rev. John Newton, Nov. 5, 1785. On his tardiness in writing; remarks on Mr. N.'s narrative of his life; strictures on Mr. Heron's critical opinions of Virgil and the Bible; lines addressed by Cowper to Heron	214
Remarks on Heron's "Letters on Literature"	215
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Nov. 7, 1785. On the interruptions experienced by men of business from the idle	215
To Lady Hesketh, Nov. 9, 1785. Reference to his poems; he signifies his acceptance of her offer of pecuniary aid; his translation of Homer; description of his person	215
To the same, without date. His feelings towards her allusion to his translation of Homer	217
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Nov. 9, 1785. On Bishop Bagot's Charge	217
To the Rev. John Newton, Dec. 3, 1785. Causes which led him to undertake the translation of Homer; visit from Mr. Bagot; renewal of his correspondence with Lady Hesketh; complains of indigestion	217
To the same, Dec. 10, 1785. On the favourable reports of his last volume of poems; censure of Pope's Homer	218
To the Rev. William Unwin, Dec. 24, 1785. On his translation of Homer	219
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Dec. 24, 1785. On his translation of Homer	219
To the Rev. William Unwin, Dec. 31, 1785. On his negotiation with Johnson respecting the Translation of Homer; want of bedding among the poor of Olney	220
To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 10, 1786. His consciousness of defects in his poems; on his Translation of Homer	221
To the Rev. William Unwin, Jan. 14, 1786. On Mr. Unwin's introduction to Lady Hesketh; specimen of Cowper's translation of Homer, sent to General Cowper; James's powder; what is a friend good for? unreasonable censures	221
To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 14, 1786. On his translation of Homer	222
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Jan. 15, 1786. Explanation of the delay in the publication of his proposals; allusion to Bishop Bagot	222
To the same, Jan. 23, 1786. Dr. Maty's intended review of "The Task;" Dr. Cyril Jackson's opinion of Pope's Homer	223
To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 31, 1786. Acknowledgment of presents from Anonymous; state of his health; progress of his translation of Homer; correspondence with General Cowper	223
To the same, Feb. 9, 1786. Anticipations of a visit from her; description of the vestibule of his residence	224
To the same, Feb. 11, 1786. He announces that he has sent off to her a portion of his translation of Homer; effect of criticisms on his health; promise of Thurlow to Cowper	225
To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 18, 1786. On their correspondence; his translation of Homer; proposed mottoes	226
To Lady Hesketh, Feb. 19, 1786. Preparations for her expected visit; character of Homer; criticism on Cowper's specimen	226
To the Walter Bagot, Feb. 27, 1786. Condolence on the death of his wife	227
To Lady Hesketh, March 6, 1786. On elisions in his Homer; progress of the work	227
To the Rev. W. Unwin, March 13, 1786. Character of the critic to whom he had submitted his Homer	229
To the Rev. John Newton, April 1, 1786. Expected visitors	229
To Joseph Hill, Esq., April 5, 1786. Reasons for declining to make any apology for his translation of Homer	229
Motives which induced Cowper to undertake a new version	230
To Lady Hesketh, April 17, 1786. Description of the vicarage at Olney, where lodgings had been taken for her; Mrs. Unwin's sentiments towards her; letter from Anonymous; his early acquaintance with Lord Thurlow	230
To Lady Hesketh, April 24, 1786. On her letters; anticipations of her coming; General Cowper	231
To the same, May 8, 1786. On Dr. Maty's censure of Cowper's translation of Homer; Colman's opinion of it; Cowper's stanzas on Lord Thurlow; invitation to Olney; specimen of Maty's animadversions; recommendation of a house at Weston; blunder of Mr. Throckmorton's bailiff; recovery of General Cowper	232
To the same, May 15, 1786. Anticipations of her arrival at Olney; proposed arrangements for the occasion; presumed motive of Maty's censures; confession of ambition	233
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, May 20, 1786. His translation of Homer; reasons for not adopting Horace's maxim about publishing, to the letter	235
Secret sorrows of Cowper	235
To the Rev. John Newton, May 20, 1786. Cowper's unhappy state of mind; his connexions	236
Remarks on Cowper's depression of spirit	237
Delusion of supposing himself excluded from the mercy of God	237
Religious consolation recommended in cases of disordered intellect	237
To Lady Hesketh, May 25, 1786. Delay of her coming; visit to a house at Weston; the Throckmortons; anecdote of a quotation from "The Task;" nervous affections	238
To the same, May 29, 1786. Delay of her coming; preparations for it; allusion to his fits of dejection	239
To the same, June 4 and 5, 1786. Cowper rallies her on her fears of their expected meeting; dinner at Mr. Throckmorton's	240
To Joseph Hill, Esq., June 9, 1786. Relapse of the Lord Chancellor; renewal of correspondence with Colman; the Nonsense Club; expectation of Lady Hesketh's arrival	241
Arrival of Lady Hesketh at Olney	241
Influence of that event on Cowper	241
Extract from a letter from him to Mr. Bull	241
Description of a thunder-storm, from a letter to the same	242
Cowper's House at Olney	242
His intimacy with Mr. Newton	242
His pious and benevolent habits	242
He removes from Olney to the Lodge at Weston	242
His acquaintance with Samuel Rose, Esq. and the late Rev. Dr. Johnson	242
To Joseph Hill, Esq., June 19, 1786. His intended removal from Olney	242
To the Rev. John Newton, June 22, 1786. His employments; interruption given to them by Lady Hesketh's arrival; Newton's Sermons	243
To the Rev. Wm. Unwin, July 3, 1786. Lady Hesketh's arrival and character; state of his old abode and description of the new one at Weston; books recommended for Mr. Unwin's son	243
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, July 4, 1786. Particulars relative to the translation of Homer	244
To the Rev. John Newton, Aug. 5, 1786. His intended removal from Olney; its unhealthy situation; his unhappy state of mind; comfort of Lady Hesketh's presence	245
Cowper's spirits not affected apparently by his mental malady	246
To the Rev. William Unwin, Aug. 24, 1786. Progress of his Translation; the Throckmortons	246
To the same, (without date.) His lyric productions; recollections of boyhood	246
Extract of a letter to the Rev. Mr. Unwin	247
Lines addressed to a young lady on her birth-day	247
Proposed plan of Mr. Unwin for checking sabbath-breaking and drunkenness	247
To the Rev. Wm. Unwin, (no date.) Cowper's opinion of the inutility of Mr. Unwin's efforts	247
Exhortation to perseverance in a good cause	248
Hopes of present improvement	248
To the Rev. William Unwin, (no date.) State of the national affairs	248
To the Rev. William Unwin, (no date.) Character of Churchill's poetry	249
To the same, (no date.) Cowper's discovery in the Register of poems long composed and forgotten by him	250
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Aug. 31, 1786. Defence of elisions; intended removal to Weston	250
To the Rev. John Newton, Sept. 30, 1786. Defence of his and Mrs. Unwin's conduct	251
Explanatory remarks on the preceding letter	251
Amiable spirit and temper of Newton	251
To Joseph Hill, Esq. Oct. 6, 1786. Loss of the MS. of part of his translation	251
Cowper's removal to Weston	251
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Nov. 17, 1786. On his removal from Olney; invitation to Weston	253
To the Rev. John Newton, Nov. 17, 1786. Excuse for delay in writing; his new residence; affection for his old abode	253
To Lady Hesketh, Nov. 26, 1786. Comforts of his new residence; the cliffs; his rambles	254
Unexpected death of the Rev. Mr. Unwin	254
To Lady Hesketh, Dec. 4, 1786. On the death of Mr. Unwin	255
To the same, Dec. 9, 1786. On a singular circumstance relating to an intended pupil of Mr. Unwin's	255
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Dec. 9, 1786. Death of Mr. Unwin; Cowper's new situation at Weston	256
To the Rev. John Newton, Dec. 16, 1786. Death of Mr. Unwin; forlorn state of his old dwelling	256
To Lady Hesketh, Dec. 21, 1786. Cowper's opinion of praise; Mr. Throckmorton's chaplain	257
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Jan. 3, 1787. Reason why a translator of Homer should not be calm; praises of his works; death of Mr. Unwin	257
Cowper has a severe attack of nervous fever	258
To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 8, 1787. State of his health; proposal of General Cowper respecting his Homer; letter from Mr. Smith, M.P. for Nottingham; Cowper's song of "The Rose" reclaimed by him	258
To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 13, 1787. Inscription for Mr. Unwin's tomb; government of Providence in his poetical labours	258
To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 18, 1787. Suspension of his translation by fever; his sentiments respecting dreams; visit of Mr. Rose	259
To Samuel Rose, Esq., July 24, 1787. On Burns' poems	260
Remarks on Burns and his poetry	260
Passages from his poems	261
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Aug. 27, 1787. Invitation to Weston; state of Cowper's health; remarks on Barclay's "Argenis," and on Burns	261
To Lady Hesketh, August 30, 1787. Improvement in his health; kindness of the Throckmortons	262
To the same, Sept. 4, 1787. Delay of her coming; Mrs. Throckmorton's uncle; books read by Cowper	262
To the same, Sept. 15, 1787. His meeting with her friend, Miss J——; new gravel-walk	263
To the same, Sept. 29, 1787. Remarks on the relative situation of Russia and Turkey	263
To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 2, 1787. Cowper confesses that for thirteen years he doubted Mr. N.'s identity; acknowledgments for the kind offers of the Newtons; preparations for Lady Hesketh's coming	263
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Oct. 19, 1787. State of his health; strength of local attachments	264
To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 20, 1787. His miserable state during his recent indisposition; petition to Lord Dartmouth in behalf of the Rev. Mr. Postlethwaite	264
To Lady Hesketh, Nov. 10, 1787. On the delay of her coming; Cowper's kitten; changes of weather foretold by a leech	265
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Nov. 16, 1787. On his own present occupation	266
To Lady Hesketh, Nov. 27, 1787. Walks and scenes about Weston; application from a parish clerk for a copy of verses; papers in "The Lounger;" anecdote of a beggar and vermicelli soup	266
To Lady Hesketh, Dec. 4, 1787. Character of the Throckmortons	267
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Dec. 6, 1787. Visit to Mr. B.'s sister at Chichely; Bishop Bagot; a case of ridiculous distress	267
To Lady Hesketh, Dec. 10, 1787. Progress of his Homer; changes in life	268
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Dec. 13, 1787. Requisites in a translator of Homer	268
To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 1, 1788. Extraordinary coincidence between a piece of his own and one of Mr. Merry's; "The Poet's New Year's Gift;" compulsory inoculation for small-pox	269
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Jan. 5, 1788. Translation of the commencing lines of the Iliad, by Lord Bagot; revisal of Cowper's translation; the clerk's verses	270
To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 19, 1788. His engagement with Homer prevents the production of occasional poems; remarks on a new print of Bunbury's	270
To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 21, 1788. Reasons for not writing to him; expected arrival of the Rev. Mr. Bean; changes of neighbouring ministers; narrow escape of Mrs. Unwin from being burned	271
To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 30, 1788. His anxiety on account of her silence	272
To the same, Feb. 1, 1788. Excuse for his melancholy; his Homer; visit from Mr. Greatheed	272
Causes of Cowper's correspondence with Mrs. King	273
To Mrs. King, Feb. 12, 1788. Reference to his deceased brother; he ascribes the effect produced by his poems to God	273
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Feb. 14, 1788. A sense of the value of time the best security for its improvement; Mr. C——; brevity of human life illustrated by Homer	273
Commencement of the efforts for the abolition of the slave trade	274
To Lady Hesketh, Feb. 16, 1788. On negro slavery; Hannah More's poem on the Slave Trade; extract from it; advocates of the abolition of slavery; trial of Warren Hastings	274
To Lady Hesketh, Feb. 22, 1788. Remarks on Burke's speech impeaching Warren Hastings, and on the duty of public accusers	276
To the Rev. John Newton, March 1, 1788. Excuse for a lapse of memory in regard to a letter of Mr. Bean's	276
To the same, March 3, 1788. Arrival of Mr. Bean at Olney; Cowper's correspondence with Mrs. King	276
To Mrs. King, March 3, 1788. Brief history of his own life	277
To Lady Hesketh, March 3, 1788. Catastrophe of a fox-chace; Cowper in at the death	278
To the same, March 12, 1788. Remarks on Hannah More's works, and on Wilberforce's book; the Throckmortons	278
Cowper is solicited to write in behalf of the negroes	279
To General Cowper. 1788. Songs written by him on the condition of negro slaves	279
"The Morning Dream," a ballad	279
Efforts for the abolition of the Slave Trade	280
Wilberforce, the Liberator of Africa	280
Cowper's ballads on Negro slavery	280
The Negro's Complaint	280
The question why Great Britain should be the first to sacrifice interest to humanity answered by Cowper	280
Lines from Goldsmith's "Traveller," on the English character	281
Exposition of the cruelty and injustice of the slave trade, by Granville Sharp	281
Proof of the slow progress of truth	281
Extracts from Cowper's poems on Negro slavery	282
Case of Somerset, a slave, and Lord Mansfield's judgment	282
Final abolition of slavery by Great Britain, and efforts making for the religious instruction of the Negroes	282
Probability that Africa may be enlightened by their means	283
Cowper's lines on the blessings of spiritual liberty	283
Letter to Mrs. Hill, March 17, 1788. Thanks for a present of a turkey and ham; Mr. Hill's indisposition; inquiry concerning Cowper's library	284
To the Rev. John Newton, March 17, 1788. With a Song, written at Mr. N.'s request, for Lady Balgonie	284
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, March 19, 1788. Coldness of the spring; remarks on "The Manners of the Great;" progress of his Homer	284
To Samuel Rose, Esq., March 29, 1788. He expresses his wonder that his company should be desirable to Mr. R.; Mrs. Unwin's character; acknowledges the receipt of some books; Clarke's notes on Homer; allusion to his own ballads on Negro slavery	285
To Lady Hesketh, March 31, 1788. He makes mention of his song, "The Morning Dream;" allusion to Hannah More on the "Manners of Great"	286
Character of and extracts from Mrs. More's work	286
To Mrs. King, April 11, 1788. Allusion to his melancholy, and necessity for constant employment; improbability of their meeting	286
To the Rev. John Newton, April 19, 1788. Remarks on the conduct of government in regard to the Slavery Abolition question	287
To Lady Hesketh, May 6, 1788. Smollett's Don Quixote; he thanks her for the intended present of a box for letters and papers; renewal of his correspondence with Mr. Rowley; remarks on the expression, "As great as two inkle weavers"	288
To Joseph Hill, Esq., May 8, 1788. Lament for the loss of his library; progress of his Homer	288
To Lady Hesketh, May 12, 1788. Mrs. Montagu and the Blue-Stocking Club; his late feats in walking	288
To Joseph Hill, Esq., May 24, 1788. Thanks for the present of prints of the Lacemaker and Crazy Kate; family of Mr. Chester; progress of Homer; antique bust of Paris	289
To the Rev. William Bull, May 25, 1788. He declines the composition of hymns, which Mr. B. had urged him to undertake	290
To Lady Hesketh, May 27, 1788. His lines on Mr. Henry Cowper; remarks on Mrs. Montagu's Essay on the Genius of Shakespeare; antique head of Paris; remarks on the two prints sent him by Mr. Hill	290
To the same, June 3, 1788. Sudden change of the weather; remarks on the advertisement of a dancing-master of Newport-Pagnell	291
To the Rev. John Newton, June 5, 1788. His writing engagements; effect of the sudden change of the weather on his health; character of Mr. Bean; visit from the Powleys; he declines writing further on the slave-trade; invitation to Weston; verses on Mrs. Montagu	291
To Joseph Hill, Esq., June 8, 1788. On the death of his uncle, Ashley Cowper	292
To Lady Hesketh, June 10, 1788. On the death of her father, Ashley Cowper	292
To the same, June 15, 1788. Recollections of her father	293
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, June 17, 1788. Coldness of the season; reasons for declining to write on slavery; contrast between the awful scenes of nature and the horrors produced by human passions	293
To Mrs. King, June 19, 1788. He excuses his silence on account of inflammation of the eyes; sudden change of weather; reasons why we are not so hardy as our forefathers; his opinion of Thomson, the poet	294
To Samuel Rose, Esq., June 23, 1788. Apology for an unanswered letter; providence of God in regard to the weather; visitors at Weston; brevity of human life	294
To the Rev. John Newton, June 24, 1788. Difficulties experienced by Mr. Bean in enforcing a stricter observance of the Sabbath at Olney; remarks on the slave trade	295
To Lady Hesketh, June 27, 1788. Anticipations of her next visit; allusion to Lord Thurlow's promise to provide for him; anecdote of his dog Beau; remarks on his ballads on slavery	296
The Dog and the Water Lily	297
To Joseph Hill, Esq, July 6, 1788. He gives Mr. H. notice that he has drawn on him; allusion to an engagement of Mr. H.'s	297
To Lady Hesketh, July 28, 1788. Her talent at description; the lime-walk at Weston; remarks on the "Account of Five Hundred Living Authors"	297
To the same, August 9, 1788. Visitors at Weston; motto composed by Cowper for the king's clock	298
To Samuel Rose, Esq., August 18, 1788. Circumstances of their parting; he recommends Mr. R. to take due care of himself in his pedestrian journeys; strictures on Lavater's Aphorisms	298
Remarks on physiognomy, and on the merits of Lavater as the founder of the Orphan House at Zurich. Note	299
To Mrs. King, August 28, 1788. He playfully guesses at Mrs. King's figure and features	299
To the Rev. John Newton, Sept. 2, 1788. Reference to Mr. N.'s late visit; his own melancholy state of mind; Mr. Bean's exertions for suppressing public houses	300
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Sept. 11, 1788. Remarkable oak; lines suggested by it; exhortation against bashfulness	300
To Mrs. King, Sept. 25, 1788. Thanks for presents; invitation to Weston	301
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Sept. 25, 1788. A riddle; superior talents no security for propriety of conduct; progress of Homer; Mrs. Throckmorton's bullfinch	302
To Mrs. King, Oct. 11, 1788. Account of his occupations at different periods of his life	302
To the Rev. John Newton, Nov. 29, 1788. Declining state of Jenny Raban; Mr. Greatheed	303
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Nov. 30, 1788. Vincent Bourne; invitation to Weston	303
To Mrs. King, Dec. 6, 1788. Excuse for not being punctual in writing; succession of generations; Cumberland's "Observer"	304
To the Rev. John Newton, Dec. 9, 1788. Mr. Van Lier's Latin MS.; Lady Hesketh and the Throckmortons; popularity of Mr. C. as a preacher	304
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Jan. 19, 1789. Local helps to memory; Sir John Hawkins' book	305
To the same, Jan. 24, 1789. Accidents generally occur when and where we least expect them	305
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Jan. 29, 1789. Excuse for irregularity in correspondence; progress of Homer; allusion to political affairs	305
To Mrs. King, Jan. 29, 1789. Thanks for presents; Mrs. Unwin's fall in the late frost; distress of the Royal Family on the state of the King, and anecdote of the Lord Chancellor	306
To the same, March 12, 1789. Excuse for long silence, and for not having sent, according to promise, all the small pieces he had written; his poem on the King's recovery	306
To the same, April 22, 1789. He informs Mrs. K. that he has a packet of poems ready for her; his verses on the Queen's visit to London on the night of the illuminations for the King's recovery; disappointment on account of her not coming to Weston; Twinings' translation of Aristotle	307
To the same, April 30, 1789. Thanks for presents; his brother's poems	308
To Samuel Rose, Esq., May 20, 1789. Reference to his lines on the Queen's visit; character of Hawkins Brown	309
To Mrs. King, May 30, 1789. He acknowledges the receipt of a packet of papers; reference to his poem on the Queen's visit	309
To Samuel Rose, Esq., June 5, 1789. He commissions Mr. R. to buy him a cuckoo-clock; Boswell's Tour to the Hebrides; Hawkins' and Boswell's Life of Johnson	309
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, June 16, 1789. On his marriage; allusion to his poem on the Queen's visit	310
To Samuel Rose, Esq., June 20, 1789. He expresses regret at not receiving a visit from Mr. R.; acknowledges the arrival of the cuckoo-clock; remark on Hawkins' and Boswell's Life of Johnson	310
To Mrs. Throckmorton, July 18, 1789. Poetic turn of Mr. George Throckmorton; news concerning the Hall	310
To Samuel Rose, Esq., July 23, 1789. Importance of improving the early years of life; anticipations of Mr. R.'s visit	311
To Mrs. King, August 1, 1789. Grumbling of his correspondents on his silence; his time engrossed by Homer; he professes himself an admirer of pictures, but no connoisseur	311
To Samuel Rose, Esq., August 8, 1789. Mrs. Piozzi'sTravels; remark on the author of the "Dunciad"	312
To Joseph Hill, Esq., August 12, 1789. Unfavourable weather and spoiled hay; multiplicity of his engagements; Sunday school hymn	312
To the Rev. John Newton, August 16, 1789. Excuse for long silence; progress of Homer	313
Remarks on Cowper's observation that authors are responsible for their writings	313
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Sept. 24, 1789. Coldness of the season	313
To the same, Oct. 4, 1789. Description of the receipt of a hamper, in the manner of Homer	314
To the Rev. Walter Bagot (without date). Excuse for long silence; why winter is like a backbiter; Villoison's Homer; death of Lord Cowper	314
To the Rev. Walter Bagot (without date). Remarks on Villoison's Prolegomena to Homer	314
Note on the reveries of learned men	315
To the Rev. John Newton, Dec. 1, 1789. Apology for not writing; Mrs. Unwin's state of health; reference to political events	315
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Dec. 18, 1789. Political reflections	316
Character of the French Revolution	316
Burke on the features which distinguish the French Revolution from that of England in 1688	316
Political and moral causes of the French Revolution	317
Origin of the Revolution in America	317
The Established Church endangered by resistance to the spirit of the age	318
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Jan. 3, 1790. Excuses for silence; inquiry concerning Mr. R.'s health; laborious task of revisal	318
To Mrs. King, Jan. 4, 1790. His anxiety on account of her long silence; his occupations; Mrs. Unwin's state	319
To the same, Jan. 18, 1790. He contradicts a report that he intends to quit Weston; reference to his Homer	319
Commencement of Cowper's acquaintance with his cousin the Rev. John Johnson	320
To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 22, 1790. Particulars concerning a poem of his cousin Johnson's; anticipations of the Cambridge critics respecting his Homer	320
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Feb. 2, 1790. He impugns the opinion of Bentley that the last Odyssey is spurious	320
To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 5, 1790. Account of his painful apprehensions in the month of January	321
To Lady Hesketh, Feb. 9, 1790. Service rendered by her to his cousin Johnson; Cowper's lines on a transcript of an Ode of Horace by Mrs. Throckmorton	321
To the same, Feb. 26, 1790. He promises to send her a specimen of his Homer for the perusal of a lady; his delight at being presented by a relative with his mother's picture	322
To Mrs. Bodham, Feb. 27, 1790. He expresses his delight at receiving his mother's picture from her; lines written by him on the occasion; recollections of his mother; invitation to Weston; remembrances of other maternal relatives	323
To John Johnson, Esq., Feb. 28, 1790. He refers to the present of his mother's picture; he mentions his invitation of the family of the Donnes to Weston; inquires concerning Mr. J.'s poem	324
To Lady Hesketh, March 8, 1790. On Mrs. —— opinion of his Homer; his sentiments on the Test Act; passage from his poems on that subject; ill health of Mrs. Unwin	324
To Samuel Rose, Esq., March 11, 1790. On the state of his health: he condemns the practice of dissembling indispositions	325
To Mrs. King, March 12, 1790. On her favourable opinion of his poems; his mother's picture and his poem on the receipt of it	325
To Mrs. Throckmorton, March 21, 1790. He regrets her absence from Weston; Mrs. Carter's opinion of his Homer; his new wig	326
To Lady Hesketh, March 22, 1790. His opinion of the style best adapted to a translation of Homer	326
To John Johnson, Esq., March 23, 1790. Character of the Odyssey; Cowper professes his affection for Mr. J.	327
To the same, April 17, 1790. Remark on an innocent deception practised by Mr. J.; Cowper boasts of his skill in physiognomy, and recommends the study of Greek	328
To Lady Hesketh, April 19, 1790. His revisal of Homer; anecdote of a prisoner in the Bastile, and lines on the subject	328
To the same, April 30, 1790. Message to Bishop Madan; remarks on General Cowper's approbation of his picture verses	328
To Joseph Hill, Esq., May 2, 1790. On the approaching termination of his employment with Homer	329
To Mrs. Throckmorton, May 2, 1790. Humorous account of a boy sent with letters to her in Berkshire; Cowper's adventure with a dog	329
To Lady Hesketh, May 28, 1790. He declines the offer of her services to procure him the place of poet laureat	329
To the same, June 3, 1790. He is applied to by a Welshman to get him made poet laureat	330
To John Johnson, Esq., June 7, 1790. Advice to Mr. J. on his future plans and studies; with remarks on Cowper's strictures on the University of Cambridge	330
Remarks on Cowper's exhortation respecting the divinity of the glorious Reformation	330
To Samuel Rose, Esq., June 8, 1790. Congratulations on his intended marriage; proposed riddle	331
To Mrs. King, June 14, 1790. His literary occupations; state of Professor Martyn's health; ill health of Mrs. Unwin	331
To Lady Hesketh, June 17, 1790. Grievance of going a-visiting; his envy of a poor old woman; inscriptions for two oak plantations	332
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, June 22, 1790. Snakes and ants of Africa; Bishop Bagot and his mutinous clergy	333
To Mrs. Bodham, June 29, 1790. Anticipations of a visit from her	333
To Lady Hesketh, July 7, 1790. State of Mrs. Unwin; remarks on the abolition of ranks by the French	334
To John Johnson, Esq., July 8, 1790. Recommendation of music as an amusement; expected visit from Mr. J. and his sister	334
To Mrs. King, July 16, 1790. On their recent visit to Weston; reference to his own singularities; regrets for the distance between them	334
To John Johnson, Esq., July 31, 1790. Warning against carelessness and shyness; proposed employments and amusements	335
To the Rev. John Newton, Aug. 11, 1790. On the state of Mrs. Newton's health; he refers to his own state, and declines the offer of trying the effect of animal magnetism	336
To Mrs. Bodham, Sept. 9, 1790. He informs her of the termination of his labours with Homer, and the conveyance of his translation to London by Mr. Johnson	336
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Sept. 13, 1790. On his marriage; Cowper's preface to his Homer; solution of the riddle in a former letter to Mr. R.	337
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Sept. 17, 1790. On the list of subscribers to his Homer	337
To Mrs. King, Oct. 5, 1790. On her illness; allusion to a counterpane which she had presented to him; reference to the list of subscribers to his Homer, and the time of publication	338
To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 15, 1790. On the death of Mrs. Scott; translation of Van Lier's letters; concern for Mrs. Newton's sufferings	338
To the same, Oct. 26, 1790. His instructions to Johnson, the bookseller, to affix to the first volume of his poems the preface written for it by Mr. N.; fall of the leaves a token of the shortness of human life	338
On Christian submission to the divine will in regard to life and death	339
To Mrs. Bodham, Nov. 21, 1790. Character of her nephew, Mr. Johnson; Mrs. Hewitt	340
To John Johnson, Esq., Nov. 26, 1790. On the study of jurisprudence; visit from the Dowager Lady Spencer	340
To Mrs. King, Nov. 29, 1790. On the praises of friends; his obligations to Professor Martyn; progress in printing his Homer	341
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Nov. 30, 1790. On his professional exertions in behalf of a friend; revisal of proofs of his Homer	341
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Dec. 1, 1790. He retorts the charge of long silence, and boasts of his intention to write; progress in printing his Homer; his reasons for not soliciting the laureatship	341
To the Rev. John Newton, Dec. 5, 1790. Dying state of Mrs. Newton	341
Remarks on the doubts and fears of Christians	342
To John Johnson, Esq., Dec. 18, 1790. Cambridge subscription for Homer; progress in printing the work	342
To Mrs. King, Dec. 31, 1790. Thanks for the present of a counterpane; his own indisposition; his poetical operations	342
Cowper's verses on the visit of Miss Stapleton to Weston	343
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Jan. 4, 1791. On his own state of health; on the quantity of syllables in verse	343
To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 20, 1791. On the death of Mrs. N.	344
To John Johnson, Esq., Jan. 21, 1791. He urges Mr. J. to come to Weston; caution respecting certain singularities	344
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Feb. 5, 1791. Thanks for subscriptions from Scotland, and for the present of Pope's Homer	344
To Lady Hesketh, Feb. 13, 1791. Influence of a poet's reputation on an innkeeper	345
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Feb. 26, 1791. He playfully gives Mr. B. leave to find fault with his verses; his sentiments respecting blank verse	345
To John Johnson, Esq., Feb. 27, 1791. Progress in printing Homer; neglect of his work by Oxford	346
To Mrs. King, March 2, 1791. Apology for forgetting a promise, owing to his being engrossed by Homer; success of his subscription at Cambridge; the Northampton dirge	346
To Joseph Hill, Esq., March 6, 1791. Progress in Printing his Homer	346
Commencement of Cowper's acquaintance with the Rev. James Hurdis	347
To the Rev. James Hurdis, March 6, 1791. He compliments Mr. H. on his poetical productions; thanks him for offers of service; excuses himself from visiting him, and invites him to Weston	347
To Joseph Hill, Esq., March 10, 1791. Simile drawn from French and English prints of subjects in Homer	347
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, March 18, 1791. On Dr. Johnson's taste for poetry; aptness of Mr. B.'s quotations; Mr. Chester's indisposition	347
To John Johnson, Esq., March 19, 1791. On the poems of Elizabeth Bentley, an untaught female of Norwich	348
To Samuel Rose, Esq., March 24, 1791. On his application to Dr. Dunbar relative to subscriptions to Cowper's Homer	348
To Lady Hesketh, March 25, 1791. Slight of Horace Walpole; a night alarm and its effects; remarks on a book sent by Lady H.	349
To the Rev. John Newton, March 29, 1791. Recollections of past times; difference between dreams and realities; reasons why the occasional pieces which he writes do not reach Mr. N.; expected visit of his maternal relations; his mortuary verses	349
To Mrs. Throckmorton, April 1, 1791. On the failure of an attempt in favour of his subscription at Oxford; remarks on a pamphlet by Mr. T.	350
To John Johnson, Esq., April 6, 1791. Thanks for Cambridge subscriptions	350
To Samuel Rose, Esq., April 29, 1791. Subscriptions to his Homer	351
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, May 2, 1791. Progress in printing Homer; visit from Mr. B.'s nephew; Milton's Latin poems	351
Dr. Johnson's remark on Milton's Latin poems	351
To the Rev. Mr. Buchanan, May 11, 1791. On a poem of Mr. B.'s	352
To Lady Hesketh, May 18, 1791. Complaint of her not writing; letter from Dr. Cogswell, of New York, respecting his poems	352
To John Johnson, Esq., May 23, 1791. On his translation of the Battle of the Frogs and the Mice	352
The Judgment of the Poets, a poem, by Cowper, on the relative charms of May and June	352
To Lady Hesketh, May 27, 1791. Tardiness of the printer of his Homer	353
To John Johnson, Esq., June 1, 1791. He congratulates Mr. J. on the period of his labours as a transcriber	353

PART THE THIRD.

Observations on Cowper's version of Homer	353
Reasons of his failure in that work to satisfy public expectation	354
Comparative specimens of Pope's and Cowper's versions	354
To the Rev. Mr. Hurdis, June 13, 1791. Completion of his Homer; their mutual fondness for animals; a woman's character best learned in domestic life	355
To Samuel Rose, Esq., June 15, 1791. Man an ungrateful animal; visit from Norfolk relations	356
To Dr. James Cogswell, June 15, 1791. Acknowledgement of a present of books; his translation of Homer; books sent by him to Dr. C.	356
To the Rev. John Newton, June 24, 1791. Exhortation to more frequent correspondence; affectionate remembrance of Mr. N.; on the recent loss of his wife; value of Homer	357
To Mrs. Bodham, July 7, 1791. Apology for having omitted to send a letter which he had written; he declines visiting Norfolk; state of health of her relatives then at Weston	358
To the Rev. John Newton, July 22, 1791. His engagement in making corrections for a new edition of Homer; decline of the Rev. Mr. Venn; reference to the riots at Birmingham	359
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Aug. 2, 1791. Visit of Lady Bagot; riots at Birmingham	359
To Mrs. King, Aug. 4, 1791. State of her health; his own and Mrs. Unwin's; invitation to Weston; publication of his Homer	360
To the Rev. Mr. Hurdis, Aug. 1791. His study being liable to all sorts of intrusions, he cannot keep his operations secret; reason for his dissatisfaction with Pope's Homer; recommendation of Hebrew studies	360
To John Johnson, Esq., Aug. 9, 1791. Causes for his being then an idle man	361
Cowper undertakes the office of editor of Milton's works	361
Regret expressed that he did not devote to original composition the time given to translation	361
Origin of Cowper's acquaintance with Hayley	362
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Sept. 21, 1791. He informs him of his new engagement as editor of Milton	362
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Sept. 21, 1791. Pleasure afforded by Lord Bagot's testimony in favour of his Homer; inquiry concerning persons alluded to in an elegy of Milton's	362
To the Rev. Mr. King, Sept. 23, 1791. On Mrs. K.'s indisposition	363
To Mrs. King, Oct. 22, 1791. Congratulation on her recovery; he contends that women possess much more fortitude than men; he acquaints her with his new engagement on Milton	363
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Oct. 25, 1791. Visit of Mr. Chester; poem of Lord Bagot's; condemnation of a remark of Wharton's respecting Milton	364
To John Johnson, Esq., Oct. 31, 1791. His delight to hear of the improved health of Mr. J. and his sister; his own state of health; his new engagement	364
To Joseph Hill, Esq., Nov. 14, 1791. On compound epithets; progress in his translation of Milton's Latin poems	365
To the Rev. John Newton, Nov. 16, 1791. Apology for not sending a poem which Mr. N. had asked for; Mr. N.'s visit to Mrs. Hannah More; her sister's application for Cowper's autograph; Cowper regrets that he had never seen a mountain; his engagement on Milton	365
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Dec. 5, 1791. Expectation of a new edition of his Homer; he defends a passage in it; his engagement upon Milton	366
To the Rev. Mr. Hurdis, Dec. 10, 1791. His engagement upon Milton	366
To Samuel Rose, Esq., Dec. 21, 1791. Sudden seizure of Mrs. Unwin	366
Cowper's affliction on occasion of Mrs. Unwin's attack	367
To Mrs. King, Jan. 26, 1792. He describes the circumstances of Mrs. Unwin's alarming seizure; he asserts that women surpass men in true fortitude; his engagements	367
To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Feb. 14, 1792. On the indisposition of Mr. B. and his children; he professes his intention to avail himself of all remarks in a new edition of his Homer; course which he purposes to pursue in regard to Milton; his correspondence with the Chancellor	368
To Thomas Park, Esq., Feb. 19, 1792. Acknowledgment of the receipt of books sent by him; he signifies his acceptance of the offer of notices relative to Milton	368
To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 20, 1792. Lines written by him for Mrs. Martha More's Collection of Autographs; his reply to the demand of more original composition; remarks on the settlement at Botany Bay, and African colonization	369
To the Rev. Mr. Hurdis, Feb. 21, 1792. Reasons for deferring the examination of Homer; progress made in Milton's poems	369
To the Rev. Mr. Hurdis, March 2, 1792. He expresses his obligations for Mr. H.'s remarks on Homer; he permits the tragedy of Sir Thomas More to be inscribed to him	370
To the Rev. John Newton, March 4, 1792. Departure of the Throckmortons from Weston; his dislike of change	370
To Mrs. King, March 8, 1792. On her late indisposition; testimonies concerning his Homer	371
To Thomas Park, Esq., March 10, 1792. On Mr. P.'s professional pursuits; he disclaims a place among the literati; and asks for a copy of Thomson's monumental inscription	371
To John Johnson, Esq., March 11, 1792. He mentions having heard a nightingale sing on new year's day, departure of Lady Hesketh; expected visit of Mr. Rose	372
Verses addressed to "The Nightingale which the author heard on new year's day, 1792"	372
To the Rev. John Newton, March 18, 1792. He assures Mr. N. that, though reduced to the company of Mrs. Unwin alone, they are both comfortable	372
To the Rev. Mr. Hurdis, March 23, 1792. Remarks on Mr. H.'s Tragedy of Sir Thomas More	373
To Lady Hesketh, March 25, 1752. Cause of the delay of a preceding letter to her; detention of Mr. Hayley's letter to Cowper, at Johnson the bookseller's	373
To Thomas Park, Esq., March 30, 1792. Remarks on a poem of Mr. P.'s	374
To Samuel Rose, Esq., March 30, 1792. Spends his mornings in letter writing	374
To the same, April 5, 1792. Vexatious delay of printers; supposed secret enemy	374
To William Hayley, Esq., April 6, 1792. Expected visit of Mr. H.; Cowper introduces Mrs. Unwin, and advises him to bring books with him, if he should want any	375
To the Rev. Mr. Hurdis, April 8, 1792. Apology for delay in writing; reference to Mr. H.'s sisters; and to an unanswered letter	375
To Joseph Hill, Esq., April 15, 1792. Thanks for a remittance; satirical stanzas on a blunder in his Homer; progress in Milton	376
To Lady Throckmorton, April 16, 1792. Lady thieves; report of his being a friend to the slave trade; means taken by him to refute it	376
Sonnet addressed to William Wilberforce, Esq., and published by Cowper in contradiction of the report above-mentioned	377
Remarks on a report respecting Cowper's sentiments relative to the Slave Trade	377
Reflections on Popularity	377
Letter to the Rev. J. Jekyll Rye. April 16, 1792. Cowper asserts the falsehood of a report that he was friendly to the Slave Trade	377
To the Printers of the Northampton Mercury; on the same subject, with a Sonnet addressed to Mr. Wilberforce	378
Remarks on the relative merits of rhyme and blank verse, with reference to a translation of Homer	378
Cowper's sentiments on the subject, and on translation in general	379
To the Lord Thurlow. On the inconvenience of rhyme in translation	379
Lord Thurlow to William Cowper, Esq. On the value of rhyme in certain kinds of poems; on metrical translations; close translation of a passage in Homer	380
To the Lord Thurlow. Vindication of Cowper's choice of blank verse for his translation of Homer; his version of the passage given by Lord T.	381
Lord Thurlow to William Cowper, Esq. On his translation of Homer	382
To the Lord Thurlow. On the same subject	382
Passages from Cowper's translation	382
Facts respecting it	383
To Mr. Johnson, the bookseller. Feb. 11, 1790. Cowper acknowledges his obligations to Mr. Fuseli, for his remarks on his translation of Homer	383
To the same. Sept. 7, 1790. On the same subject	383
Indignant remonstrance of Cowper's, addressed to Johnson on the alteration of a line in one of his poems	384
To Thomas Park, Esq. April 27, 1792. Remarks on some Poems of Mr. P.'s, and on his own literary engagements	384
Marriage of Mr. Courtenay to Miss Stapleton	385
To Lady Hesketh. May 20, 1792. On the marriage of Mr. Courtenay; Dr. Madan's promotion to a Bishopric; complimentary Sonnet produced by Cowper, addressed to Mr. Wilberforce; Lines to Warren Hastings, Esq.	385
To John Johnson, Esq. May 20, 1792. On the postponement of his Ordination, &c.	386
Hayley's visit to Cowper, and his account of it	386
Sonnet addressed by Cowper to Mrs. Unwin	386
Mrs. Unwin's paralytic attack	386
Kind attentions of Hayley	387
To Lady Hesketh. May 24, 1792. Seizure and state of Mrs. Unwin	387
To the same. May 26, 1792. State of Mrs. Unwin	387
Lines addressed to Dr. Austen	388
To Mrs. Bodham. June 4, 1792. On the postponement of Mr. Johnson's Ordination	388
To William Hayley, Esq. June 4, 1792. State of Mrs. Unwin	388
To the same. June 5, 1792. On the same subject	388
To the same. June 7, 1792. On the same subject	389
To the same. June 10, 1792. On the same subject; Lines addressed to Dr. Darwin	389
Origin of Darwin's Poem of the "Botanic Garden"	389
To Lady Hesketh. June 11, 1792. On his growing correspondence; improvement in Mrs. Unwin's health; events of the past two months; arrival of Mr. Johnson	390
To William Hayley, Esq. June 19, 1792. State of Mrs. Unwin; Ice-islands and cold summers; proposed visit to Hayley at Eartham	390
Remarks on a supposed change in the climate, with passages from Cowper's translation of a Poem of Milton's on that subject	391
To William Hayley, Esq. June 27, 1792. Intended journey to Eartham; Catharina, on her marriage to George Courtenay, Esq.	391
To the same. July 4, 1792. Suspension of his literary labours; his solicitude for Mrs. Unwin; his visit to Weston Hall	392
To the same. July 15, 1792. On the proposed journey to Eartham; translations from Milton; portrait of Cowper by Abbot	392
To Thomas Park, Esq. July 20, 1792. On the obstacles to his literary engagements; reference to Cowper's drawings, and to the Olney Hymns	392
To William Hayley, Esq. July 22, 1792. Preparations for the journey to Eartham	393
To the Rev. William Bull. July 25, 1792. On his sitting to Abbot for his portrait; his intended journey to Eartham	393
To William Hayley, Esq. July 29, 1792. His terror at the proposed journey; resemblance of Abbot's portrait	394
To the Rev. John Newton. July 30, 1792. State of Mrs. Unwin; intended journey to Eartham; recollections awakened by Mr. N.'s visit to Weston	394
To the Rev. Mr. Greatheed. Aug. 6, 1792. Account of his journey to Eartham, and situation there	395
To Mrs. Courtenay. Aug. 12, 1792. Particulars of the journey to Eartham, and description of the place	395
To Samuel Rose, Esq. Aug. 14, 1792. Invitation to Eartham	396
To the same. Aug. 18, 1792. Cowper wishes him to join the party at Eartham	396
To Mrs. Courtenay. Aug. 25, 1792. Epitaph on Fop; arrangements for the return to Weston; state of himself and Mrs. Unwin	396
To the Rev. Mr. Hurdis. Aug. 26, 1792. On the death of his sister; invitation to Eartham	397
To Lady Hesketh. Aug. 26, 1792. Company at Eartham; his own state and Mrs. Unwin's; portrait of Cowper by Romney	397
To Mrs. Charlotte Smith. Sept. 1792. Sympathy of himself and Hayley in her misfortunes: remark on an expression in her letter; state of Mrs. Unwin	398
To Lady Hesketh. Sept. 9, 1792. Reasons for preferring Weston to Eartham; state of Mrs. Unwin; arrangements for their return; character of Mr. Hurdis	398
Cowper's occupations at Eartham	399
Account of Andreini's Adamo, which suggested to Milton the design of his Paradise Lost	399
To Mrs. Courtenay. Sept. 10, 1792. Reference to the French Revolution; state of Mrs. Unwin; remembrances to friends at Weston	400
Departure from Eartham	400
To William Hayley, Esq. Sept. 18, 1792. Cowper's feelings on his departure	400
To the same. Sept. 21, 1792. Particulars of his journey and arrival at Weston	401
To the same. Oct. 2, 1792. Unsuccessful attempt at writing	401
To the same. Oct. 13, 1792. Cowper's impatience for the arrival of Hayley's portrait; his intention of paying a poetical tribute to Romney	401
To Mrs. King. Oct. 14, 1792. Reference to the visit to Eartham	402
To the Rev. John Newton. Oct. 18, 1792. His employments at Eartham; and indisposition at Weston, urged as an excuse for not writing; reference to his visit to Hayley	402
To John Johnson, Esq. Oct. 19, 1792. On his expected visit; Cowper's unfitness for writing	403
To John Johnson, Esq. Oct. 22, 1792. Reflections on J.'s sitting for his picture	403
To William Hayley, Esq. Oct. 28, 1792. Cowper complains of his unfitness for literary labour, and the grievance that Milton is to him; sonnet addressed to Romney	403
To John Johnson, Esq. Nov. 5, 1792. Cowper's opinion of his Homer	404
To Samuel Rose, Esq. Nov. 9, 1792. Hindrances to his literary labours; Mrs. Unwin's situation and his own depression of spirits; he consents to the prefixing his portrait to a new edition of his poems	404
To the Rev. John Newton. Nov. 11, 1792. Apology for not writing to him; his gloomy state of mind	405
To John Johnson, Esq. Nov. 20, 1792. Thanks him for his verses; his engagement to supply the new clerk of Northampton with an annual copy of verses; reference to his indisposition	405
To William Hayley, Esq. Nov. 25, 1792. Acknowledgment of his friendship; his acceptance of the office of Dirge-writer to the new clerk of Northampton	405
To the Rev. John Newton. Dec. 9, 1792, Reasons for not being in haste with Milton; injurious effect of the season on his spirits	406
To Joseph Hill, Esq. Dec. 16, 1792. Political reflections with reference to the question of Parliamentary Reform, reformation of the Church, and the rights of Catholics and Dissenters	406
First agitation of the question of Parliamentary Reform	407
To Thomas Park, Esq. Dec. 17, 1792. Obstacles to his writing while at Mr. Hayley's, and since his return home; on Johnson's intention of prefixing his portrait to his poems	407
Anecdote of Mrs. Boscawen	407
To William Hayley, Esq. Dec. 26, 1792. The year '92 a most melancholy one to him	408
To Thomas Park, Esq. Jan. 3, 1793. Introduction of Mr. Rose to him; Cowper refers to a remedy recommended by Mr P. for inflammation of the eyes; his share in the Olney Hymns	408
To William Hayley, Esq. Jan. 20, 1793. Cowper's solicitude respecting his welfare; arrival of Hayley's picture	408
To the same. Jan. 29, 1793. On the death of Dr. Austen	409
To John Johnson, Esq. Jan. 31, 1793. Thanks for pheasants, and promises of welcome to a bustard	409
To Samuel Rose, Esq. Feb. 5, 1793. Revisal of Homer	409
To Lady Hesketh. Feb. 10, 1793. Necessity for his taking laudanum; he rallies her on her political opinions	410
To Samuel Rose, Esq. Feb. 17, 1793. Remarks on a criticism on his Homer in the Analytical Review	410
To the Rev. Mr. Hurdis. Feb. 22, 1793. He congratulates Mr. H. on the prospect of his being elected Poetry Professor at Oxford; observations in natural history	410
To William Hayley, Esq. Feb. 24, 1793. Complains of inflamed eyes as a hindrance to writing; revisal of Homer; dream about Milton	411
Milton's Vision of the Bishop of Winchester	411
To the Rev. Walter Bagot. March 4, 1793. His ailments and employments; reference to the French Revolution	411
Letter from Thomas Hayley (son of William Hayley, Esq.) to William Cowper, Esq. containing criticisms on his Homer	412
To Mr. Thomas Hayley. March 14, 1793. In answer to the preceding	413
To William Hayley, Esq. March 19, 1793. Complains of being harassed by a multiplicity of business; his progress in Homer; reference to Mazarin's epitaph	413
Last moments of Cardinal Mazarin	413
To Samuel Rose, Esq. March 27, 1793. On the conclusion of an engagement with Johnson for a new edition of his Homer	413
To Joseph Hill, Esq. March 29, 1793. Reference to his pecuniary circumstances; preparations for a new edition of his Homer; remarks on an intended canal	414
To John Johnson, Esq. April 11, 1793. On sending his pedigree to the Herald's College; liberality of Johnson the bookseller; on Mr. J.'s determination to enter the church	414
Illustrious ancestry of Cowper	414
To William Hayley, Esq. April 23, 1793. His engagement in writing notes to Homer	415
To the Rev. John Newton. April 25, 1793. He urges business as an excuse for the unfrequency of his letters; his own and Mrs. Unwin's state; his exchange of books with Dr. Cogshall of New York; reference to the epitaph on the Rev. Mr. Unwin	415
To the Rev. Walter Bagot. May 4, 1793. On the death of Bishop Bagot	416
To Samuel Rose, Esq. May 5, 1793. Apology for silence; his engagement in writing notes to his Homer; intended revisal of the Odyssey	416
To Lady Hesketh. May 7, 1793. His correspondence prevented by Homer; Whigs and Tories	416
To Thomas Park, Esq. May 17, 1793. Chapman's translation of Homer; Cowper's horror of London and dislike of leaving home; epitaph on the Rev. Mr. Unwin; his poems on Negro Slavery	417
To William Hayley, Esq. May 21, 1793. Employment of his time; insensible advance of old age; "Man as he is" attributed erroneously to the pen of Hayley; notes on Homer	417
To Lady Hesketh. June 1, 1793. Desiring her to fix a day for coming to Weston; lines on Mr. Johnson's arrival at Cambridge	418
To the Rev. Mr. Hurdis. June 6, 1793. Uses of affliction; suspension of his literary labours; proposed revisal of his Homer	418
To the Rev. John Newton. June 12, 1793. State of Mrs. Unwin's and his own health; reference to a new work of Mr. N.'s	418
To William Hayley, Esq. June 29, 1793. Sonnet addressed to Mr. H.; Cowper declines engaging in a work proposed by Mr. H.; "The Four Ages"	419
To the same. July 7, 1793. He promises to join Mr. H. in the production of "The Four Ages;" reference to his oddities; embellishments of his premises	419
Antique bust of Homer presented to Cowper by Mr. Johnson	420
Cowper's poetical Tribute for the gift	420
To Thomas Park, Esq. July 15, 1793. Chapman's translation of the Iliad; Hobbes's translation; Lady Hesketh; his literary engagements	420
To Mrs. Charlotte Smith. July 25, 1793. On her poem of "The Emigrants," which was dedicated to Cowper	421
To the Rev. Mr. Greatheed. July 27, 1793. He thanks Mr. G. for the offer of part of his house; reasons for declining it; promised visits	421
To William Hayley, Esq. July 27, 1793. Anticipations of a visit from Mr. H.; head of Homer and proposed motto for it; question concerning the cause of Homer's blindness; garden shed	422
To the Rev. John Johnson. Aug. 2, 1793. On his ordination; Flaxman's designs to the Odyssey	423
To Lady Hesketh. Aug. 11, 1793. Miss Fanshaw; present from Lady Spencer of Flaxman's designs	423
Explanation respecting Miss Fanshaw; verses by her; Cowper's reply; his lines addressed to Count Gravina	423
To William Hayley, Esq. Aug. 15, 1793. Epigram on building; inscription for an hermitage; Flaxman's designs; plan of an Odyssey illustrated by them; inscription for the bust of Homer	423
To Mrs. Courtenay. Aug. 20, 1793. Story of Bob Archer and the fiddler; Flaxman's designs to Homer	424
To Samuel Rose, Esq. Aug. 22, 1793. Allusion to scenery on the south coast of England; his literary occupations	425
To William Hayley, Esq. Aug. 27, 1793. Question respecting Homer's blindness; Flaxman's illustrations of Homer; recollections of Lord Mansfield; erection of Homer's bust	425
To Lady Hesketh. Aug. 29, 1793. On her intended visit to Weston; Miss Fanshaw	425
To the Rev. Mr. Johnson. Sept. 4, 1793. His agreeable surprise on the appearance of a sun-dial, a present from Mr. J.; revisal of his Homer	426
To William Hayley, Esq. Sept. 8, 1793. Flaxman's designs to Homer; anticipations of Mr. H.'s visit	426
To Mrs. Courtenay. Sept. 15, 1793. His improvements at Weston; the sun-dial; Pitcairne	427
To the Rev. Mr. Johnson. Sept. 29, 1793. Visits devourers of time; expected visiters at Weston	427
To William Hayley, Esq. Oct. 5, 1793. Demands upon his time; expected visiters; reference to H.'s Life of Milton	427
To the same. Oct. 18, 1793. Anticipations of his visit to Weston	428
To the Rev. John Newton. Oct. 22, 1793. Apology for not writing; reference to a late journey of Mr. N.'s; thanks for his last publication	428
To the Rev. J. Jekyll Rye. Nov. 3, 1793. Thanks for his support of Mr. Hurdis; reference to the application of the clerk of Northampton	428
Hayley's second visit to Weston	429
Invitation to Cowper and his guests from Lord Spencer to Althorpe, to meet Gibbon the historian, declined by him	429
To Mrs. Courtenay. Nov. 4, 1793. He complains of being distracted with business; Hayley's visit; epidemic fever; Mrs. Unwin	429
State of Cowper and Mrs. Unwin as described by Hayley	429
To Joseph Hill, Esq. Nov. 5, 1793. Lady Hesketh's visit to Wargrave; his house at Weston, and prospects from it	430
To the Rev. Walter Bagot. Nov. 10, 1793. Thanks him for his support of Mr. Hurdis; reference to the French Revolution	430
To the Rev. Mr. Hurdis. Nov. 24, 1793. Congratulations on his election to the professorship of poetry at Oxford; Hayley's visit; his Life of Milton; revisal of his Homer; invitation to Weston	430
To Samuel Rose, Esq. Nov. 29, 1793. Expected visit from him and Mr. (the late Sir Thomas) Lawrence; subject from Homer proposed by the latter for his pencil; a companion to it suggested by Cowper; intention of Lawrence to take Cowper's portrait for engraving	431
To the same. Dec. 8, 1793. Thanks him for books; history of Jonathan Wild; character of "Man as he is"	432
To William Hayley, Esq. Dec. 8, 1793. Inquiries concerning his Life of Milton; his own literary occupations	432
Suspension of Cowper's literary labours, and decline of his mental powers	432
Results of Cowper's literary labours on the works of Milton	432
Specimens of his translation of the Latin poem addressed by Milton to his father	433
Hayley's remarks on that poem	434
Passages from Cowper's notes on Milton	434
Fuseli's Milton Gallery	436
Origin of Hayley's acquaintance with Cowper	436
Hayley's first letter, with a sonnet addressed to Cowper	436
To Joseph Hill, Esq. Dec. 10, 1793. On a sprain received by Mr. H.; revisal of Homer; inquiry concerning Lord Howe's fleet	436
The idea of the projected poem of "The Four Ages," suggested by Mr. Buchanan	437
To the Rev. Mr. Buchanan. May 11, 1793. Complimenting Mr. B. on the sketch which he furnished for the poem	437
Increasing infirmities of Mrs. Unwin, and their effect on Cowper	437
His affecting situation at this period	437
Dissatisfaction of Lord Thurlow with a passage in Cowper's Homer, and his and Hayley's attempts to improve upon it	438
To William Hayley, Esq. Dec. 17, 1793. With a new version of the passage above mentioned; criticisms on their performances; his own notions of the principles of translation	438
To the same. Jan. 5, 1794. New translation of the before-mentioned passage; remarks on translation, and particularly of Homer	438
To the same, from the Rev. William Greatheed. April 8, 1794. He acquaints Mr. H. with the alarming situation of Cowper, and urges his coming to Weston	439
Hayley repairs to Weston	440
Lady Hesketh obtains the advice of Dr. Willis	440
Grant of a pension of 300l. per annum, by his Majesty, to Cowper	440
Plan for the removal of Cowper and Mrs. Unwin to Norfolk	441
Cowper's sensations on leaving Weston	441
Lines "To Mary," the last original production composed by him at Weston	441
Journey from Weston to North Tuddenham, in Norfolk	441
Stay at Tuddenham	441
Removal to Mundsley, a village on the coast	442
Letter from Cowper to the Rev. Mr. Buchanan, describing his present situation, and soliciting news of Weston	442
Cowper becomes settled at Dunham Lodge, near Swaffham	442
He is induced by the appearance of Wakefield's edition of Pope's Homer, to engage in the revisal of his own version	443
Death of Mrs. Unwin	443
Her Funeral and Inscription	443
Cowper's malady renders him insensible to her loss	443
Successful effort of Mr. Johnson to engage him to return to the revisal of Homer, which he had discontinued	444
Hayley's testimony to the affectionate offices rendered to Cowper by Mr. Johnson	444
Trial of the effect of frequent change of place	444
Visit from Dowager Lady Spencer	445
Attempts of Mr. Johnson to amuse him	445
Letter from Cowper to Lady Hesketh, referring to his melancholy situation	445
He finishes the revisal of his Homer	445
"The Cast-away," his last original production	445
His removal to Dereham	446
His translations of Latin and Greek epigrams, and of some of Gay's Fables into Latin	446
New version of a passage in his Homer, being the last effort of his pen	446
Appearance of dropsy	446
His last illness	446
His death	447
His burial, and inscription by Hayley	447
Remarks on the mental delusion under which he laboured to the last	447
Memoir of the early Life of Cowper, written by himself	449
Remarks on the preceding Memoir	460
Death of Cowper's friend, Sir William Russel	461
Cowper's attachment to his Cousin, Miss Theodora Jane Cowper	461
Nervous attacks, and their presumed causes	462
Distinguishing features in his malady	462
His depression did not prevent the free exercise of his mental powers	462
It was not perceptible to others	463
It was not inconsistent with a rich vein of humour	463
His own picture of his mental sufferings	463
His religious views not the occasion of his wretchedness, but a support under it	464
Sketch of the character, and account of the last illness of the late Rev. John Cowper, by his brother	465
Narrative of Mr. Van Lier	474
Notices of Cowper's friends	474
The Rev. W. Cawthorne Unwin	474
Joseph Hill, Esq.	475
Samuel Rose, Esq.	475
Lady Austen	476
Rev. Walter Bagot	476
Sir George Throckmorton	477
Rev. Dr. Johnson	477
Rev. W. Bull	477
Particulars concerning the person and character of Cowper	477
Cowper's personal character illustrated by extracts from his Works	478
Poetical portraits drawn by him	479
His poem on the Yardley Oak	481
Description of the Tree	481
Original poem on the subject, by the late Samuel Whitbread, Esq.	481
Cowper's moderation amidst literary fame	482
Anecdote of Dr. Parr	482
Cowper's sensibility to unjust censure	482
Letter to John Thornton, Esq. on a severe criticism of his first volume of poems in the "Analytical Review"	482
His excellence as an epistolary writer	482
Character of his Latin poems	483
The Wish, an English version by Mr. Ostler	483
Sublime piety and morality of Cowper's works	483
Beneficial influence of his writings on the Church of England	485
Concluding remarks	486
Essay on the genius and poetry of Cowper, by the Rev. J. W. Cunningham, A.M.	489

THE POEMS.

Preface to the Poems	499
Table Talk	501
The Progress of Error	507
Truth	512
Expostulation	516
Hope	522
Charity	528
Conversation	533
Retirement	540
The Task, in Six Books:—
Book I. The Sofa	547
II. The Time-Piece	553
III. The Garden	559
IV. The Winter Evening	566
V. The Winter Morning Walk	572
VI. The Winter Walk at Noon	579
Epistle to Joseph Hill, Esq.	587
Tirocinium; or, a Review of Schools	587
The Yearly Distress, or Tithing Time at Stock, in Essex	594
Sonnet addressed to Henry Cowper, Esq.	595
Lines addressed to Dr. Darwin	595
On Mrs. Montagu's Feather Hangings	595
Verses supposed to be written by Alexander Selkirk, during his solitary Abode in the Island of Juan Fernandez	596
On observing some Names of little note in the Biographia Britannica	596
Report of an adjudged Case	597
On the Promotion of Edward Thurlow, Esq. to the Lord High Chancellorship of England	597
Ode to Peace	597
Human Frailty	597
The Modern Patriot	598
On the Burning of Lord Mansfield's Library, &c.	598
On the same	598
The Love of the World Reproved	598
On the Death of Mrs. (now Lady) Throckmorton's Bullfinch	599
The Rose	599
The Doves	599
A Fable	600
Ode to Apollo	600
A Comparison	600
Another, addressed to a Young Lady	601
The Poet's New Year's Gift	601
Pairing-time anticipated	601
The Dog and the Water Lily	601
The Winter Nosegay	602
The Poet, the Oyster, and the Sensitive Plant	602
The Shrubbery	602
Mutual Forbearance necessary to the Married State	603
The Negro's Complaint	603
Pity for Poor Africans	604
The Morning Dream	604
The Diverting History of John Gilpin	604
The Nightingale and Glow-worm	607
An Epistle to an afflicted Protestant Lady in France	607
To the Rev. W. Cawthorne Unwin	607
To the Rev. Mr. Newton	608
Catharina	608
The Moralizer corrected	608
The Faithful Bird	609
The Needless Alarm	609
Boadicea	610
Heroism	611
On the Receipt of my Mother's Picture out of Norfolk	611
Friendship	612
On a mischievous Bull, which the Owner of him sold at the Author's instance	614
Annus memorabilis, 1789. Written in Commemoration of his Majesty's happy recovery	614
Hymn for the use of the Sunday School at Olney	615
Stanzas subjoined to a Bill of Mortality for the year 1787	615
The same for 1788	616
The same for 1789	616
The same for 1790	616
The same for 1792	617
The same for 1793	617
On a Goldfinch starved to Death in his Cage	617
The Pineapple and the Bee	618
Verses written at Bath, on finding the Heel of a Shoe	618
An Ode, on reading Richardson's History of Sir Charles Grandison	618
An Epistle to Robert Lloyd, Esq.	619
A Tale, founded on a Fact, which happened in Jan. 1779	619
To the Rev. Mr. Newton, on his Return from Ramsgate	620
Love Abused	620
A Poetical Epistle to Lady Austen	620
The Colubriad	621
Song. On Peace	621
Song—"When all within is Peace"	622
Verses selected from an occasional Poem entitled "Valediction"	622
Epitaph on Dr. Johnson	622
To Miss C——, on her Birthday	622
Gratitude	622
Lines composed for a Memorial of Ashley Cowper, Esq.	623
On the Queen's Visit to London	623
The Cockfighter's Garland	624
To Warren Hastings, Esq.	625
To Mrs. Throckmorton	625
To the Immortal Memory of the Halibut, on which I dined	625
Inscription for a Stone erected at the sowing of a Grove of Oaks	625
Another	625
To Mrs. King	625
In Memory of the late John Thornton, Esq.	626
The Four Ages	626
The Retired Cat	626
The Judgment of the Poets	627
Yardley Oak	628
To the Nightingale which the Author heard sing on New Year's Day	629
Lines written in an Album of Miss Patty More's	629
Sonnet to William Wilberforce, Esq.	629
Epigram on Refining Sugar	630
To Dr. Austin, of Cecil Street, London	630
Catharina: on her Marriage to George Courtenay, Esq.	630
Epitaph on Fop, a dog belonging to Lady Throckmorton	630
Sonnet to George Romney, Esq.	630
Mary and John	630
Epitaph on Mr. Chester, of Chicheley	630
To my Cousin, Anne Bodham	631
Inscription for a Hermitage in the Author's Garden	631
To Mrs. Unwin	631
To John Johnson, on his presenting me with an antique Bust of Homer	631
To a young Friend	631
On a Spaniel called Beau, killing a young bird	631
Beau's Reply	631
To William Hayley, Esq.	632
Answer to Stanzas addressed to Lady Hesketh, by Miss Catharine Fanshawe	632
On Flaxman's Penelope	632
To the Spanish Admiral Count Gravina	632
Inscription for the Tomb of Mr. Hamilton	632
Epitaph on a Hare	632
Epitaphium Alterum	633
Account of the Author's Treatment of his Hares	633
A Tale	634
To Mary	635
The Castaway	635
To Sir Joshua Reynolds	636
On the Author of "Letters on Literature"	636
The Distressed Travellers; or, Labour in Vain	636
Stanzas on Liberties taken with the Remains of Milton	637
To the Rev. William Bull	637
Epitaph on Mrs. Higgins	638
Sonnet to a Young Lady on her Birth-day	638
On a Mistake in his Translation of Homer	638
On the Benefit received by his Majesty from Sea-bathing	638
Addressed to Miss —— on reading the Prayer for Indifference	638
From a Letter to the Rev. Mr. Newton	639
The Flatting Mill	639
Epitaph on a free but tame Redbreast	640
Sonnet addressed to W. Hayley, Esq.	640
An Epitaph	640
On receiving Hayley's Picture	640
On a Plant of Virgin's Bower	640
On receiving Heyne's Virgil	640
Stanzas by a Lady	641
Cowper's Reply	641
Lines addressed to Miss T. J. Cowper	641
To the same	641
On a sleeping Infant	641
Lines	641
Inscription for a Moss-house in the Shrubbery at Weston	641
Lines on the Death of Sir William Russel	642
On the high price of Fish	642
To Mrs. Newton	642
Verses printed by himself on a flood at Olney	642
Extract from a Sunday-school Hymn	642
On the receipt of a Hamper (in the manner of Homer)	643
On the neglect of Homer	643
Sketch of the Life of the Rev. John Newton	643

OLNEY HYMNS.

Preliminary Remarks on the Olney Hymns			652
	Hymn I.	Walking with God	656
	II.	Jehovah-Jireh. The Lord will provide	656
	III.	Jehovah-Rophi. I am the Lord that healeth thee	656
	IV.	Jehovah-Nissi. The Lord my Banner	657
	V.	Jehovah-Shalom. The Lord send Peace	657
	VI.	Wisdom	657
	VII.	Vanity of the World	657
	VIII.	O Lord, I will praise thee	658
	IX.	The contrite Heart	658
	X.	The future Peace and Glory of the Church	658
	XI.	Jehovah our Righteousness	658
	XII.	Ephraim repenting	659
	XIII.	The Covenant	659
	XIV.	Jehovah-Shammah	659
	XV.	Praise for the Fountain opened	659
	XVI.	The Sower	659
	XVII.	The House of Prayer	660
	XVIII.	Lovest thou me?	660
	XIX.	Contentment	660
	XX.	Old Testament Gospel	661
	XXI.	Sardis	661
	XXII.	Praying for a Blessing on the Young	661
	XXIII.	Pleading for and with Youth	661
	XXIV.	Prayer for Children	661
	XXV.	Jehovah-Jesus	662
	XXVI.	On opening a Place for social Prayer	662
	XXVII.	Welcome to the Table	662
	XXVIII.	Jesus hasting to suffer	662
	XXIX.	Exhortation to Prayer	663
	XXX.	The Light and Glory of the Word	663
	XXXI.	On the Death of a Minister	663
	XXXII.	The shining Light	663
	XXXIII.	Seeking the Beloved	663
	XXXIV.	The Waiting Soul	664
	XXXV.	Welcome Cross	664
	XXXVI.	Afflictions sanctified by the Word	664
	XXXVII.	Temptation	664
	XXXVIII.	Looking upwards in a Storm	664
	XXXIX.	The Valley of the Shadow of Death	665
	XL.	Peace after a Storm	665
	XLI.	Mourning and Longing	665
	XLII.	Self-Acquaintance	665
	XLIII.	Prayer for Patience	666
	XLIV.	Submission	666
	XLV.	The happy Change	666
	XLVI.	Retirement	666
	XLVII.	The hidden Life	667
	XLVIII.	Joy and Peace in Believing	667
	XLIX.	True Pleasures	667
	L.	The Christian	667
	LI.	Lively Hope and Gracious Fear	668
	LII.	For the Poor	668
	LIII.	My Soul thirsteth for God	668
	LIV.	Love constraining to Obedience	668
	LV.	The Heart healed and changed by Mercy	668
	LVI.	Hatred of Sin	669
	LVII.	The new Convert	669
	LVIII.	True and false Comforts	669
	LIX.	A living and a dead Faith	669
	LX.	Abuse of the Gospel	669
	LXI.	The narrow Way	670
	LXII.	Dependence	670
	LXIII.	Not of Works	670
	LXIV.	Praise for Faith	670
	LXV.	Grace and Providence	670
	LXVI.	I will praise the Lord at all times	671
	LXVII.	Longing to be with Christ	671
	LXVIII.	Light shining out of darkness	671

TRANSLATIONS FROM THE FRENCH OF MADAME DE LA MOTHE GUION.

Brief Account of Madame Guion, and of the Mystic Writers	672
The Nativity	677
God neither known nor loved by the World	679
The Swallow	679
The Triumph of Heavenly Love desired	679
A Figurative Description of the Procedure of Divine Love	679
A Child of God longing to see him beloved	680
Aspirations of the Soul after God	680
Gratitude and Love to God	680
Happy Solitude—Unhappy Men	680
Living Water	680
Truth and Divine Love rejected by the World	681
Divine Justice amiable	681
The Soul that Loves God finds him everywhere	682
The Testimony of Divine Adoption	682
Divine Love endures no rival	682
Self-Diffidence	683
The Acquiescence of Pure Love	683
Repose in God	683
Glory to God alone	683
Self-Love and Truth incompatible	684
The Love of God, the End of Life	684
Love faithful in the Absence of the Beloved	684
Love pure and fervent	684
The entire Surrender	685
The perfect Sacrifice	685
God hides his People	685
The Secrets of Divine Love are to be kept	685
The Vicissitudes experienced in the Christian Life	686
Watching unto God in the Night Season	687
On the same	688
On the same	688
The Joy of the Cross	689
Joy in Martyrdom	689
Simple Trust	689
The necessity of Self-Abasement	690
Love increased by Suffering	690
Scenes favourable to Meditation	691

TRANSLATIONS OF THE LATIN AND ITALIAN POEMS OF MILTON.

Elegy I.	To Charles Deodati	691
II.	On the Death of the University Beadle at Cambridge	692
III.	On the Death of the Bishop of Winchester	692
IV.	To his Tutor, Thomas Young	693
V.	On the Approach of Spring	694
VI.	To Charles Deodati	695
VII.		696
	Epigrams. On the Inventor of Guns	697
	To Leonora singing at Rome	697
	To the same	697
	The Cottager and his Landlord. A Fable	697
	To Christina, Queen of Sweden, with Cromwell's Picture	697
	On the Death of the Vice-Chancellor, a Physician	697
	On the Death of the Bishop of Ely	698
	Nature unimpaired by Time	698
	On the Platonic Idea as it was understood by Aristotle	699
	To his Father	699
	To Salsillus, a Roman poet, much indisposed	700
	To Giovanni Battista Manso, Marquis of Villa	701
	On the Death of Damon	701
	An Ode, addressed to Mr. John Rouse, Librarian of the University of Oxford	704
	Sonnet—"Fair Lady! whose harmonious name"	705
	Sonnet—"As on a hill-top rude, when closing day"	705
	Canzone—"They mock my toil"	705
	Sonnet—To Charles Deodati	705
	Sonnet—"Lady! it cannot be but that thine eyes"	705
	Sonnet—"Enamour'd, artless, young, on foreign ground"	705
	Simile in Paradise Lost	706
	Translation of Dryden's Epigram on Milton	706

TRANSLATIONS FROM VINCENT BOURNE.

The Glowworm	706
The Jackdaw	706
The Cricket	706
The Parrot	707
The Thracian	707
Reciprocal Kindness the Primary Law of Nature	707
A Manual more ancient than the Art of Printing	708
An Enigma—"A needle, small as small can be"	708
Sparrows self-domesticated in Trinity Coll. Cambridge	708
Familiarity dangerous	709
Invitation to the Redbreast	709
Strada's Nightingale	709
Ode on the Death of a Lady who lived one hundred years	709
The Cause won	710
The Silkworm	710
The Innocent Thief	710
Denner's Old Woman	710
The Tears of a Painter	710
The Maze	711
No Sorrow peculiar to the Sufferer	711
The Snail	711
The Cantab	711

TRANSLATIONS OF GREEK VERSES.

From the Greek of Julianus	712
On the same by Palladas	712
An Epitaph	712
Another	712
Another	712
Another	712
By Callimachus	712
On Miltiades	712
On an Infant	712
By Heraclides	712
On the Reed	712
To Health	712
On Invalids	713
On the Astrologers	713
On an Old Woman	713
On Flatterers	713
On a true Friend	713
On the Swallow	713
On late acquired Wealth	713
On a Bath, by Plato	713
On a Fowler, by Isidorus	713
On Niobe	713
On a good Man	713
On a Miser	713
Another	713
Another	713
On Female Inconstancy	714
On the Grasshopper	714
On Hermocratia	714
From Menander	714
On Pallas bathing, from a Hymn of Callimachus	714
To Demosthenes	714
On a similar Character	714
On an ugly Fellow	714
On a battered Beauty	714
On a Thief	714
On Pedigree	715
On Envy	715
By Moschus	715
By Philemon	715

TRANSLATIONS FROM THE FABLES OF GAY.

Lepus multis Amicus	715
Avarus et Plutus	716
Papilio et Limax	716

EPIGRAMS TRANSLATED FROM THE LATIN OF OWEN.

On one ignorant and arrogant	716
Prudent Simplicity	716
To a Friend in Distress	716
Retaliation	716
"When little more than Boy in Age"	717
Sunset and Sunrise	717

TRANSLATIONS FROM VIRGIL, OVID, HORACE, AND HOMER.

The Salad, by Virgil	717
Translation from Virgil, Æneid, Book VIII. Line 18	718
Ovid. Trist. Book V. Eleg. XII.	721
Hor. Book I. Ode IX.	722
Hor. Book I. Ode XXXVIII.	722
Hor. Book II. Ode X.	722
A Reflection on the foregoing Ode	722
Hor. Book II. Ode XVI.	723
The Fifth Satire of the First Book of Horace	723
The Ninth Satire of the First Book of Horace	725
Translation of an Epigram from Homer	726

COWPER'S LATIN POEMS.

Montes Glaciales, in Oceano Germanico natantes	726
On the Ice Islands seen floating in the German Ocean	727
Monumental Inscription to William Northcot	727
Translation	727
In Seditionem Horrendam	727
Translation	727
Motto on a Clock, with Translation by Hayley	728
A Simile Latinised	728
On the Loss of the Royal George	728
In Submersionem Navigii, cui Georgius Regale Nomen inditum	728
In Brevitatem Vitæ Spatii Hominibus concessi	728
On the Shortness of Human Life	729
The Lily and the Rose	729
Idem Latine redditum	729
The Poplar Field	729
Idem Latine redditum	730
Votum	730
Translation of Prior's Chloe and Euphelia	730
Verses to the Memory of Dr. Lloyd	730
The same in Latin	730
Papers, by Cowper, inserted in "The Connoisseur"	731