his second Translation; so great were the alterations he made in a deliberate revisal of his work for a second edition. And in the Preface which he prepared for that edition, he has spoken of his own labour with the most frank and ingenuous veracity. Yet of the first edition it may, I think, be fairly said, that it accomplished more than any of his poetical predecessors had achieved before him. It made the nearest approach to that sweet majestic simplicity which forms one of the most attractive features in the great prince and father of Poets.

Cowper in reading Pope's Homer to Lady Austen and Mrs. Unwin, had frequently expressed a wish, and an expectation of seeing the simplicity of the ancient Bard more faithfully preserved in a new English version.-Lady Austen, with a kind severity, reproved him for expecting from others what he, of all men living, was best qualified to accomplish himself; and her solicitations on the subject, excited him to the arduous undertaking; though it seems not to have been actually begun till after her departure from Olney.

If he was not at first completely successful in this long and mighty work, the continual and voluntary application with which he pursued it, was to himself a blessing of the utmost importance.

In those admirable admonitions to men of a poetical temperament, with which Dr. Currie has closed his instructive and pleas

ing "Life of Burns," that accomplished Physician has justly pointed to a regular and constant occupation, as the true remedy for an inordinate sensibility, which may prove so perilous an enemy to the peace and happiness of a Poet. His remark appears to be particularly verified in the striking, and I may say, medicinal influence which a daily attachment of his thoughts to Homer produced, for a long time, on the tender spirits of my friend; an influence sufficiently proved by his frequent declarations, that he should be sorry to find himself at the end of his labour.-The work was certainly beneficial to his health; it contributed a little to his fortune; and ultimately, I am persuded, it will redound to his fame in a much higher degree than it has hitherto done. Time will probably prove, that if it is not a perfect representation of Homer, it is at least such a copy of the matchless original, as no modern writer can surpass in the two essential articles of fidelity and freedom.

I must not omit to observe one more advantage which Cowper derived from this extensive labour, for it is an advantage which reflects great honour on his sensibility as a man. I mean a constant flow of affectionate pleasure, that he felt in the many kind offices which he received, from several friends, in the course of this laborious occupation.

I cannot more clearly illustrate his feelings on this subject, than by introducing a passage from one of his Letters to his most asidu

ous

ous and affectionate amanuensis, his young kinsman of Norfolk !It breathes all the tender moral spirit of Cowper, and shall, therefore, close the second division of my Work.

MY DEAREST JOHNNY,

Weston, June 1, 1791.

Now you may rest-Now I can give you joy of the period, of which I gave you hope in my last; the period of all your labours in my service.—But this I can foretel you also, that if you persevere in serving your friends at this rate, your life is likely to be a life of labour :-Yet persevere ! your rest will be the sweeter hereafter. In the mean time I wish you, if at any time you should find occasion for him, just such a friend as you have proved to me.

END OF

THE SECOND PART,

AND OF

THE FIRST VOLUME.

W. C.