ly restored to the common enjoyments of life, but successively endowed with new and marvellous funds of diversified talents, and courageous application. The spirit of Cowper, emerged by slow degrees from its very deep dejection; and before his mind was sufficiently recovered to employ itself on literary composition, it sought, and found, much salutary amusement in educating a little group of tame hares. On his expressing a wish to divert himself by rearing a single leveret, the good-nature of his neighbours supplied him with three. The variety of their dispositions became a source of great entertainment to his compassionate and contemplative spirit. One of the trio, he has celebrated in the Task, and a very animated minute account of this singular family, humanized, and described most admirably by himself, in prose, appeared first in the Gentleman's Magazine, and has been recently inserted in the second volume of his Poems. These interesting animals had not only the honour of being cherished and celebrated by a poet, but the pencil has also contributed to their renown. His three tame hares, Mrs. Unwin, and Mr. Newton, were, for a considerable time, the only com panions of Cowper; but as Mr. Newton was removed to a distance from his afflicted friend, by preferment in London, to which he was presented by that liberal encourager of active piety Mr. Thornton, the friendly divine, before he left Olney, in 1780, humanely triumphed over the strong reluctance of Cowper to see a stranger, and kindly introduced him to the regard, and good offices, of the Revd. Mr. Bull, of Newport-Pagnell, who, from that time, considering it as a duty to visit the invalide, once a fortnight, acquired, by degrees, his cordial and confidential esteem. The affectionate temper of Cowper, inclined him particularly to exert his talents, at the request of his friends; even in seasons, when such exertion could hardly have been made, without a painful degree of self-command. At the suggestion of Mr. Newton, we have seen him writing a series of Hymns: at the request of Mr. Bull, he translated several spiritual Songs, from the mystical poetry of Madam de la Mothe Guyon, the tender and fanciful enthusiast of France, whose talents and misfortunes, drew upon her, a long series of persecution, from many acrimonious bigots, and secured to her the friendship of the mild, and indulgent, Fenelon ! We shall perceive, as we advance, that the greater works of Cowper, were also written at the express desire of persons, whom he particularly regarded; and it may be remarked, to the honour of friendship, that he considered its influence, as the happiest inspiration; or to use his own expressive words, The poet's lyre, to fix his fame, Than ever blazed by art. The poetry of Cowper is itself an admirable illustration of this maxim; and perhaps, the maxim may point to the prime source of that uncommon force, and felicity, with which this most feeling poet commands the affection of his reader. In delineating the life of an author, it seems the duty of biography to indicate the degree of influence, which the warmth of his heart, produced on the fertility of his mind, But those mingled flames of friendship and poetry, which were to burst forth with the most powerful effect, in the compositions of Cowper, were not yet kindled. His depressive malady had suspended the exercise of his genius for several years, and precluded him from renewing his correspondence with the relation, whom he so cordially regarded, in Hartfordshire, except by brief Letters, on pecuniary concerns The first of the Letters very kindly imparted to me by Mr Unwin, (after the first publication of this Life) is a proof that the long-suffering recluse at Olney, had regained the free use of his admirable faculties, in the summer of 1778. In beginning to blend the Letters to the Revd. William Unwin, with the former series of Cowper's correspondence, I cannot refrain from observing, that the affectionate esteem, and unbounded confidence, with which he most deservedly honoured his young and amiable correspondent, give a peculiar charm to these Letters, displaying, without a shadow of reserve, the whole heart and mind of the poet. LETTER XXXV. To the Revd. WILLIAM UNWIN. June 18, 1778. DEAR UNWIN, I feel myself much obliged to you for your kind intimation, and have given the subject of it all my best attention, both before I received your Letter and since. The result is, that I am persuaded it will be better not to write. I know the man and his disposition well, he is very liberal in his way of thinking, generous, and discerning. He is well aware of the tricks, that are played upon such occasions, and after fifteen years interruption of all intercourse between us, would translate my Letter into this language-pray remember the poor. This would disgust him, because he would think our former intimacy disgraced by such an oblique application. He has not forgotten me, and if he had, there are those about him, who cannot come into his presence without reminding him of me, and he is also perfectly acquainted with my circumstances. It would perhaps give him pleasure to surprize me with a benefit, and if he means me such a favour, I should disappoint him by asking it. I repeat my thanks for your suggestion; you see a part of my reasons for thus conducting myself; if we were together, I could give you more. Yours affectionately, W. C. |
