the long separated and most seasonably re-united friends here enjoyed all the easy intercourse of a domestic union.

Cowper derived from this fortunate event not only the advantage of daily conversation with another cultivated mind, in affectionate unison with his own, but, as his new neighbour had brought her carriage and horses to Olney, he was gradually tempted to survey, in a wider range, the face of a country that he loved, and to mix a little more with its most worthy inhabitants. His life had been so retired at Olney that he had not even extended his excursions to the neighbouring town of Newport-Pagnell, in the course of many years; but the convenience of a carriage induced him, in August, to visit Mr. Bull, who resided there; the friend to whose assiduous attention he had felt himself much obliged in a season of mental depression. A few letters of Cowper to this gentleman are so expressive of cordial esteem, and so agreeably illustrate the character of each, that I shall take this opportunity of making a short selection from the private papers, of which the kindness of the person to whom they are addressed has enabled me to avail myself. When Cowper published the first volume of his poems, Mr. Bull wrote to him on the occasion. The answer of the poet, March 24, 1782, I reserve for a future part of my work. A subsequent letter, dated October 27th, in the same year, opens with this lively paragraph :

"Mon amiable and très cher Ami,

"It is not in the power of chaises, or chariots, to carry you where my affections will not follow you: if I heard that you were gone to finish your days in the moon, I should not love you the

ON FRIENDSHIP.

Amicitia nisi inter bonos esse non potest.

1.

What virtue can we name, or grace,
But men unqualified and base

Will boast it their possession?

Profusion apes the noble part
Of liberality of heart,

And dulness of discretion.

2.

But as the gem of richest cost
Is ever counterfeited most;
So always imitation

Employs the utmost skill she can
To counterfeit the faithful man,
The friend of long duration.

CICERO.

VARIATIONS.

I.-1. What virtue or what mental grace,

II. If ev'ry polish'd gem we find,
Illuminating heart or mind,
Provoke to imitation,

No wonder friendship does the same,
That jewel of the purest flame,

Or rather constellation.

3.

Some will pronounce me too severe,
But long experience speaks me clear,
Therefore, that censure scorning,
I will proceed to mark the shelves
On which so many dash themselves,
And give the simple warning.

4.

Youth, unadmonish'd by a guide,
Will trust to any fair outside-
An error soon corrected!

For who but learns, with riper years,
That man, when smoothest he appears,
Is most to be suspected?

5.

But here again a danger lies;
Lest, thus deluded by our eyes,
And taking trash for treasure,

VARIATIONS.

III.-No knave, but boldly will pretend
The requisites that form a friend,
A real and a sound one;

Nor any fool he would deceive,
But prove as ready to believe,

And dream that he has found one.

IV.-1. Candid, and generous, and just, 2. Boys care but little whom they trust.

V.-2. Lest, having misemploy'd our eyes,

We should, when undeceiv'd, conclude
Friendship imaginary good,

A mere Utopian pleasure.

6.

An acquisition rather rare
Is yet no subject of despair:

Nor should it seem distressful,
If either on forbidden ground,
Or where it was not to be found,
We sought it unsuccessful.

7.

No friendship will abide the test
That stands on sordid interest

And mean self-love erected;
Nor such, as may awhile subsist,
'Twixt sensualist and sensualist,
For vicious ends connected.

8.

Who hopes a friend, should have a heart
Himself, well furnish'd for the part,
And ready, on occasion,

VARIATIONS.

V.-4. We should unwarily conclude
5. Friendship a false ideal good.

VI.-3. Nor is it wise complaining,
6. We sought without attaining.

VII.-5. Between the sot and sensualist.

VIII.-Who seeks a friend, should come dispos'd
T'exhibit, in full bloom disclos'd,
The graces and the beauties

To show the virtue that he seeks;
For 'tis an union that bespeaks
A just reciprocation.

9.

A fretful temper will divide
The closest knot that may be tied,
By ceaseless sharp corrosion:
A temper passionate and fierce
May suddenly your joys disperse
At one immense explosion.

10.

In vain the talkative unite

With hope of permanent delight:
The secret just committed

VARIATIONS.

That form the character he seeks,
For 'tis an union that bespeaks
Reciprocated duties.

Mutual attention is implied,
And equal truth on either side,
And constantly supported:
'Tis senseless arrogance t' accuse
Another of sinister views,

Our own as much distorted.

But will sincerity suffice?

It is, indeed, above all price,

And must be made the basis;

But ev'ry virtue of the soul

Must constitute the charming whole, All shining in their places.