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, Will boast it their possession? Profusion apes the noble part And dulness of discretion. 2. But as the gem of richest cost Employs the utmost skill she can CICERO. VARIATIONS. I.-1. What virtue or what mental grace, II. If ev'ry polish'd gem we find, No wonder friendship does the same, Or rather constellation. 3. Some will pronounce me too severe, 4. Youth, unadmonish'd by a guide, For who but learns, with riper years, 5. But here again a danger lies; VARIATIONS. III.-No knave, but boldly will pretend Nor any fool he would deceive, 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 A mere Utopian pleasure. 6. An acquisition rather rare Nor should it seem distressful, 7. No friendship will abide the test And mean self-love erected; 8. Who hopes a friend, should have a heart VARIATIONS. V.-4. We should unwarily conclude VI.-3. Nor is it wise complaining, VII.-5. Between the sot and sensualist. VIII.-Who seeks a friend, should come dispos'd To show the virtue that he seeks; 9. A fretful temper will divide 10. In vain the talkative unite With hope of permanent delight: VARIATIONS. That form the character he seeks, Mutual attention is implied, 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. |