The LETTERS of Cowper, as most closely connected with his Life, follow next in order. The occasional obscurities which the lapse of more than half a century since their first composition had cast over these exquisite specimens of epistolary excellence, the editor has endeavoured to remove by copious notes. These are of a miscellaneous nature, historical, literary, and biographical, including, in short, whatever of collateral information seemed requisite to render the beautiful originals their own interpreters. In some cases, as will be observed, remarks have been added, more from considerations of utility than of necessity. A numerous class of the readers of every popular author possess only a floating unrealized acquaintance with dates, names, and occurrences, which it is irksome to rest satisfied with, and, in their case, always troublesome, often impossible, accurately to determine. It has therefore been deemed less reprehensible to abound, than to be deficient, in illustration. On a similar principle, some additions have been made to the present collection of Letters all those of former editions have been retained, partly because omissions, however slight, might by some be thought important, and at all events, would have given an appearance of incompleteness to the publication; but especially because no letter written by Cowper-even the briefest note—is altogether divested of a certain ease and gracefulness of expression peculiarly his own; consequently valuable as a model in one of the most delightful of all literary accomplishments. The POEMS, the number of which, as compared with the usual collections, is here considerably increased, are arranged, the more important compositions in the order first adopted by their author, the minor pieces according to their dates. The whole collection has been collated with, and restored from the original editions, the proof sheets of which were revised by the Poet himself; and explanatory notes have been added where such were deemed necessary. The principal poems are, besides, accompanied by introductory notices, containing such anecdotes of their origin and progress, or such views of their merits and design, as promised entertainment or instruction. On the whole, these volumes are offered with some degree of confidence, as presenting the most complete Life and edition of the works of Cowper yet before the public. J. S. M. MARCH, 1834. A new Edition of these volumes having been called for within a few months after the publication of the first, the Editor has carefully revised the Life, and made what he trusts will be found to be important additions and improvements. DECEMBER, 1834. CONTENTS OF VOLUME FIRST. PAGE 1. June 24-To Joseph Hill, Esq.-Cowper's recovery from his first illness Removal from St Albans-Situation at Huntingdon 2. July 1-To Lady Hesketh-Cowper describes the religious effects left by illness, and his present state of mind 3. July 4-To Lady Hesketh-Thanks for a letter-Christian effects of affliction-His treatment and conversation at St 4. July 5-To Lady Hesketh-Account of Huntingdon Epitaph- Distance from his brother at Cambridge 5. July 12—To Lady Hesketh-Conditions of Correspondence Bishop Newton on the Prophecies-Comfort of religious 6. August 1-To Lady Hesketh-Neglect of God's word the great cause of irreligion-Beauty and pathos of the language of 7. August 17-To Lady Hesketh-Pearsall's "Meditations"- Superiority of faith among the Christian virtues 8. September 4-To Lady Hesketh-Reflections on a particular 11. October 18-To Lady Hesketh-The Unwins-Comforts of 12. October 18-To Major Cowper_Excusing silence-Depen- dence upon Providence-Society at Huntingdon 13. October 25-To Joseph Hill, Esq.-Southampton— The 14. March 6-To Lady Hesketh-Pleasures of solitude to the pious -Comforts of divine communion and Christian society 15. March 11-To Mrs Cowper-His present agreeable situation— The Unwins-His cousin Martin Madan 16. April 4 To Mrs Cowper- Utility of letter writing of religious 17. April 17-To Mrs Cowper-Use of reason in religion-Pro- 18. April 18-To Mrs Cowper-In continuation, whether departed spirits will regard or remember earthly affairs 19. September 3-To Mrs Cowper-Happiness of heaven, and of meeting again with our friends Religious friendship 21. March 11-To Mrs Cowper-The nature of saving faith 27. To Joseph Hill, Esq.-Difference of dispositions-His own 30. March 5 To Mrs Cowper-Illness of his brother, John 31. March 31-To the Rev. John Newton-Demise of his brother -His state, and devotional exercises, on the approach of 32. May 8 To Joseph Hill, Esq.-The same subject-Earnestness of his brother in search of divine truth 33. June 7-To Mrs Cowper-The same subject continued 34. September 25-To Joseph Hill, Esq.-Thanks for former 40. February 27-To the Rev. William Unwin-The writer's 56 |