Chapter III: Part THE FIRST: Page

The family, birth, and first residence of Cowper 1

His verses on the portrait of his mother 1

Epitaph on his mother by her niece 2

The schools that Cowper attended 2

His sufferings during childhood 2

His removal from Westminster to an attorney's office 3

Verses on his early afflictions 4

His settlement in the Inner Temple 4

His acquaintance with eminent authors 4

His translations in Duncombe's Horace 4

His own account of his early life 4

Stanzas on reading Sir Charles Grandison 4

His verses on finding the heel of a shoe 5

His nomination to the office of Reading Clerk in the
House of Lords 5

His nomination to be Clerk of the Journals in the House
of Lords 5

To Lady Hesketh. Journals of the House of Lords. Reflection
on the singular temper of his mind. Aug. 9, 1763 5

His extreme dread of appearing in public 6

His illness, and removal to St. Alban's 6

Change in his ideas of religion 7

His recovery 7

His settlement at Huntingdon to be near his brother 7

The translation of Voltaire's Henriade by the two
brothers 7

The origin of Cowper's acquaintance with the Unwins 7

His adoption into the family 8

His early friendship with Lord Thurlow, and J. Hill,
Esq 8

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Account of his situation at Huntingdon.
June 24, 1765 9

To Lady Hesketh. On his illness and subsequent recovery.
July 1, 1765 9

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Huntingdon and its amusements.
July 3, 1765 10

To Lady Hesketh. Salutary effects of affliction on the
human mind. July 4, 1765 10

To the same. Account of Huntingdon; distance from
his Brother, &c. July 5, 1765 11

To the same. Newton's Treatise on Prophecy; Reflections
of Dr. Young, on the Truth of Christianity. July 12, 1765 12

To the same. On the Beauty and Sublimity of Scriptural
Language. Aug. 1, 1765 12

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Expected excursion. Aug. 14,
1765 13

To Lady Hesketh. Pearsall's Meditations; definition of
faith. Aug. 17, 1765 14

To the same. On a particular Providence; experience
of mercy, &c. Sept. 4, 1765 14

To the same. First introduction to the Unwin family;
their characters. Sept. 14, 1765 15

To the same. On the thankfulness of the heart, its
inequalities, &c. Oct. 10, 1765 16

To the same. Miss Unwin, her character and piety.
Oct. 18, 1765 16

To Major Cowper. Situation at Huntingdon; his perfect
satisfaction, &c. Oct. 18, 1765 17

To Joseph Hill, Esq. On those who confine all merits
to their own acquaintance. Oct. 25, 1765 18

To the same. Agreement with the Rev. W. Unwin.
Nov. 5, 1765 18

To the same. Declining to read lectures at Lincoln's
Inn. Nov. 8, 1765 18

To Lady Hesketh. On solitude; on the desertion of his
friends. March 6, 1766 19

To Mrs. Cowper. Mrs. Unwin, and her son; his cousin
Martin. March 11, 1766 19

To the same. Letters the fruit of friendship; his conversion.
April 4, 1766 20

To the same. The probability of knowing each other in
Heaven. April 17, 1766 20

To the same. On the recollection of earthly affairs by
departed spirits. April 18, 1766 21

To the same. On the same subject; on his own state
of body and mind. Sept. 3, 1766 22

To the same. His manner of living; reasons for his
not taking orders. Oct. 20, 1766 23

To the same. Reflections on reading Marshall. March
11, 1767 24

To the same. Introduction of Mr. Unwin's son; his
gardening; on Marshall. March 14, 1767 24

To the same. On the motive of his introducing Mr.
Unwin's son to her. April 3, 1767 25

To Joseph Hill, Esq. General election. June 16, 1767 27

To Mrs. Cowper. Mr. Unwin's death; doubts concerning
Cowper's future abode. July 13, 1767 26

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Reflections arising from Mr. Unwin's
death. July 16, 1767 26

The origin of Cowper's acquaintance with Mr. Newton. 26

Cowper's removal with Mrs. Unwin to Olney. 27

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Invitation to Olney. Oct. 10, 1767 27

His devotion and charity in his new residence. 27

To Joseph Hill, Esq. On the occurrences during his
visit at St. Alban's. June 16, 1768 27

To the same. On the difference of dispositions; his
love of retirement. Jan. 21, 1769 27

To the same. On Mrs. Hill's late illness. Jan. 29, 1769 28

To the same. Declining an invitation. Fondness for
retirement. July 31, 1769 28

His poem in memory of John Thornton, Esq. 28

His beneficence to a necessitous child. 29

To Mrs. Cowper. His new situation; reasons for mixture
of evil in the world. 1769 29

To the same. The consolations of religion on the death
of her husband. Aug. 31, 1769 30

Cowper's journey to Cambridge on his brother's illness. 30

To Mrs. Cowper. Dangerous illness of his brother.
March 5, 1770 30

The death and character of Cowper's brother. 31

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Religious sentiments of his brother.
May 8, 1770 31

To Mrs. Cowper. The same subject. June 7, 1770 32

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Expression of his gratitude for instances
of friendship. Sept. 25, 1770 33

To the same. Congratulations on his marriage. Aug. 27,
1771 33

To the same. Declining offers of service. June 27, 1772 33

To the same. Acknowledging obligations. July 2, 1772 33

To the same. Declining an invitation to London. Nov. 5,
1772 33

The composition of the Olney Hymns by Mr. Newton and
Cowper. 34

The interruption of the Olney Hymns by the illness of
Cowper 35

His long and severe depression 35

His tame hares, one of his first amusements on his recovery. 35

The origin of his friendship with Mr. Bull. 35

His translations from Madame de la Mothe Guion. 35

To Joseph Hill, Esq. On Mr. Ashley Cooper's recovery
from a nervous fever. Nov. 12, 1776 36

To the same. On Gray's Works. April 20, 1777 36

To the same. On Gray's later epistles. West's Letters.
May 25, 1777 36

To the same. Selection of books. July 13, 1777 36

To the same. Supposed diminution of Cowper's income.
Jan. 1, 1778 37

To the same. Death of Sir Thomas Hesketh, Bart. April
11, 1778 37

To the same. Raynal's works. May 7, 1778 37

To the same. Congratulations on preferment. June 18,
1778 37

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Disapproving a proposed application
to Chancellor Thurlow. June 18, 1778 37

To the same. Johnson's Lives of the Poets. May 26,
1779 38

To the same. Remarks on the Isle of Thanet. July,
1779 38

To the same. Advice on sea-bathing. July 17, 1779 38

To the same. His hot house; tame pigeons; visit to
Gayhurst. Sept. 21, 1779 39

To Joseph Hill, Esq. With the fable of the Pine-apple
and the Bee. Oct. 2, 1779 39

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Johnson's Biography; his treatment
of Milton. Oct. 31, 1779 40

To Joseph Hill, Esq. With a poem on the promotion of
Edward Thurlow. Nov. 14, 1779 40

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Quick succession of human
events; modern patriotism. Dec. 2, 1779 40

To the same. Burke's speech on reform; Nightingale
and Glow-worm. Feb. 27, 1780 41

To Mrs. Newton. On Mr. Newton's removal from Olney.
March 4, 1780 41

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Congratulations on his professional
success. March 16, 1780 42

To the Rev. J. Newton. On the danger of innovation.
March 18, 1780 42

To the Rev. W. Unwin. On keeping the Sabbath.
March 28, 1780 43

To the same. Pluralities in the church. April 6, 1780 43

To the Rev. J. Newton. Distinction between a travelled
man, and a travelled gentleman. April 16, 1780 44

To the same. Serious reflections on rural scenery. May
3, 1780 44

To Joseph Hill, Esq. The Chancellor's illness. May 6,
1780 45

To the Rev. W. Unwin. His passion for landscape
drawing; modern politics. May 8, 1780 45

To Mrs. Cowper. On her brother's death. May 10, 1780 46

To the Rev. J. Newton. Pedantry of commentators;
Dr. Bentley, &c. May 10, 1780 46

To Mrs. Newton. Mishap of the gingerbread baker and
his wife. The Doves. June 2, 1780 47

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Cowper's fondness of praise--Can
a parson be obliged to take an apprentice?--Latin
translation of a passage in Paradise Lost; versification
of a thought. June 8, 1780 47

To the Rev. J. Newton. On the riots in 1780; danger of
associations. June 12, 1780 48

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Latin verses on ditto. June 18,
1780 49

To the same. Robertson's History; Biographia Britannica.
June 22, 1780 49

To the Rev. J. Newton. Ingenuity of slander; lace-makers'
petition. June 23, 1780 50

To the Rev. W. Unwin. To touch and retouch, the secret
of good writing; an epitaph; July 2, 1780 51

To Joseph Hill, Esq. On the riots in London. July 3,
1780 51

To the same. Recommendation of lace-makers' petition.
July 8, 1780 51

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Translation of the Latin verses
on the riots. July 11, 1780 52

To the Rev. J. Newton. With an enigma. July 12, 1780 52

To Mrs. Cowper. On the insensible progress of age. July
29, 1780 53

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Olney bridge. July 27, 1780 54

To the Rev. J. Newton. A riddle. July 30, 1780 54

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Human nature not changed; a
modern, only an ancient in a different dress. August
6, 1780 54

To Joseph Hill, Esq. On his recreations. Aug. 10, 1780 55

To the Rev. J. Newton. Escape of one of his hares.
Aug. 21, 1780 56

To Mrs. Cowper. Lady Cowper's death. Age a friend
to the mind. Aug. 31, 1780 56

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Biographia; verses, parson and
clerk. Sept. 3, 1780 57

To the same. On education. Sept. 7, 1780 57

To the same. Public schools. Sept. 17, 1780 58

To the same. On the same subject. Oct. 5, 1780 59

To Mrs. Newton. On Mr. Newton's arrival at Ramsgate.
Oct. 5, 1780 60

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Verses on a goldfinch starved to
death in his cage. Nov. 9, 1780 60

To Joseph Hill, Esq. On a point of law. Dec. 10,
1780 60

To the Rev. John Newton. On his commendations of
Cowper's poems. Dec. 21, 1780 60

To J. Hill, Esq. With the memorable law-case between
nose and eyes. Dec. 25, 1780 61

To the Rev. W. Unwin. With the same. Dec. 1780 62

To the Rev. John Newton. Progress of Error. Mr. Newton's
works. Jan. 21, 1781 62

To the Rev. W. Unwin. On visiting prisoners. Feb. 6,
1781 63

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Hurricane in West Indies. Feb. 8,
1781 63

To the same. On metrical law-cases; old age. Feb. 15,
1781 64

To the Rev. John Newton. With Table Talk. On classical
literature. Feb. 18, 1781 64

To Mr. Hill. Acknowledging a present received. Feb.
19, 1781 64

To the Rev. John Newton. Mr. Scott's curacies. Feb.
25, 1781 65

To the same. Care of myrtles. Sham fight at Olney.
March 5, 1781 65

To the same. On the poems, "Expostulation," &c. March
18, 1781. 66

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Consolations on the asperity of
a critic. April 2, 1781 67

To the Rev. John Newton. Requesting a preface to
"Truth." Enigma on a cucumber. April 8, 1781 68

To the same. Solution of the enigma. April 23, 1781 68

Cowper's first appearance as an author. 69

The subjects of his first poems suggested by Mrs. Unwin. 69

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Intended publication of his first
volume. May 1, 1781 69

To Joseph Hill, Esq. On the composition and publication
of his first volume. May 9, 1781 70

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Reasons for not showing his
preface to Mr. Unwin. May 10, 1781 70

To the same. Delay of his publication; Vincent Bourne,
and his poems. May 23, 1781 71

To the Rev. John Newton. On the heat; on disembodied
spirits. May 22, 1781 72

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Corrections of his proofs; on
his horsemanship. May 28, 1781 72

To the same. Mrs. Unwin's criticisms; a distinguishing
Providence. June 5, 1781 73

To the same. On the design of his poems; Mr. Unwin's
bashfulness. June 24, 1781 73

Origin of Cowper's acquaintance with Lady Austen. 74

Poetical epistle addressed to that lady by him. 75

Diffidence of the poet's genius. 76

To the Rev. John Newton. His late visit to Olney. Lady
Austen's first visit. Correction in "Progress of Error."
Intended portrait of Cowper. July 7, 1781 76

To the same. Humorous letter in rhyme, on his poetry.
July 12, 1781 77

To the same. Progress of the poem, "Conversation."
July 22, 1781. 77

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Though revenge and a spirit of
litigation are contrary to the Gospel, still it is the duty
of a Christian to vindicate his right. Anecdote of a
French Abbé, A fete champetre. July 29, 1781 77

To Mrs. Newton. Changes of fashion. Remarks on his
poem, "Conversation." Aug. 1781 78

To the Rev. John Newton. Conversion of the green-house
into a summer-parlour. Progress of his work. Aug.
16, 1781 79

To the same. State of Cowper's mind. Lady Austen's
intended settlement at Olney. Lines on cocoa-nuts
and fish. Aug. 21, 1781 80

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Congratulations on the birth of
a son. Remarks on his poem, "Retirement." Lady
Austen's proposed settlement at Olney. Her character.
Aug. 25, 1781 81

To the Rev. John Newton. Progress of the printing of
his poem, "Retirement." Mr. Johnson's corrections.
Aug. 25, 1781 82

To the same. Heat of the weather. Remarks on the
opinion of a clerical acquaintance concerning certain
amusements and music. Sept. 9, 1781 82

To Mrs. Newton. A poetical epistle on a barrel of oysters.
Sept. 16, 1781 83

To the Rev. John Newton. Dr. Johnson's criticism on
Watts and Blackmore. Smoking. Sept. 18, 1781 83

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Thoughts on the sea. Character
of Lady Austen. Sept. 26, 1781 84

To the Rev. John Newton. Religious poetry. Oct. 4,
1781 85

To the same. Brighton amusements. His projected Authorship.
Oct. 6, 1781 85

To the Rev. John Newton. Disputes between the Rev.
Mr. Scott and the Rev. Mr. R. Oct. 14, 1781 86

To Mrs. Cowper. His first volume. Death of a friend.
Oct. 19, 1781 87

Reasons why the Rev. Mr. Newton wrote the Preface to
Cowper's Poems 87

To the Rev. John Newton. Remarks on the proposed
Preface to the Poems. Mr. Scott and Mr. R. Oct. 22,
1781 87

To the Rev. W. Unwin. Brighton dissipation. Education
of young Unwin. Nov. 5, 1781 88

To the Rev. John Newton. Cowper's indifference to
Fame. Anecdote of the Rev. Mr. Bull. Nov. 7, 1781 89

To the Rev. Wm. Unwin. Apparition of Paul Whitehead,
at West Wycombe. Nov. 24, 1781 90

To Joseph Hill, Esq. In answer to his account of his
landlady and her cottage. Nov. 26, 1781 90

To the Rev. Wm. Unwin. Origin and causes of social
feeling. Nov. 26, 1781 91

To the Rev. John Newton. Unfavourable prospect of the
American war. Nov. 27, 1781 92

To the same. With lines on Mary and John. Same date 92

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Advantage of having a tenant who
is irregular in his payments. Sale of chambers. State
of affairs in America. Dec. 2, 1781 93

To the Rev. John Newton. With lines to Sir Joshua
Reynolds. Political and patriotic poetry. Dec. 4, 1781 93

Circumstances under which Cowper commenced his
career as an author 94

Letter to the Rev. John Newton, Dec. 17, 1781. Remarks
on his poems on Friendship, Retirement, Heroism
and Ætna; Nineveh and Britain 95

To the Rev. William Unwin, Dec. 19, 1781. Idea of a
theocracy; the American war 96

To the Rev. John Newton; shortest day, 1781. On a
national miscarriage; with lines on a flatting-mill 96

To the same, last day of 1781. Concerning the printing
of his Poems; the American contest 97

To the Rev. William Unwin, Jan. 5, 1782. Dr. Johnson's
critique on Prior and Pope 97

To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 13, 1782. The American
contest 98

To the Rev. William Unwin, Jan. 17, 1782. Conduct of
critics; Dr. Johnson's remarks on Prior's Poems; remarks
on Dr. Johnson's Lives of the Poets; poetry
suitable for the reading of a boy 99

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Jan. 31, 1782. Political reflections 101

To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 2, 1782. On his Poems
then printing; Dr. Johnson's character as a critic;
severity of the winter 102

To the Rev. William Unwin, Feb. 9, 1782. Bishop
Lowth's juvenile verses; acquaintance with Lady
Austen 102

Attentions of Lady Austen to Cowper 103

Letter from him to Lady Austen 103

She becomes his next door neighbour 103

To the Rev. William Unwin. On Lady Austen's opinion
of him; attempts at robbery; observations on religious
characters; genuine benevolence 104

To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 16, 1782. Charms of
authorship 104

To the Rev. William Unwin, Feb. 24, 1782. On the
publication of his poems; his letter to the Lord Chancellor 105

To Lord Thurlow, Feb. 25, 1782, enclosed to Mr. Unwin 105

To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 1782. On Mr. N.'s Preface
to his Poems. Remarks on a Fast Sermon 105

To the same, March 6, 1782. Political Remarks; character
of Oliver Cromwell 106

Decision and boldness of Cromwell 107

To the Rev. William Unwin, March 7, 1782. Remonstrance
against Sunday routs 107

Remarks on the reasons for rejecting the Rev. Mr. Newton's
Preface to Cowper's Poems 107

To the Rev. John Newton, March 14, 1782. On the intended
Preface to his Poems; critical tact of Johnson
the bookseller 108

To Joseph Hill, Esq., March 14, 1782. On the publication
of his Poems 108

To the Rev. William Unwin, March 18, 1782. On his
and Mrs. Unwin's opinion of his Poems 109

Improvements in prison discipline 109

To the Rev. John Newton, March 24, 1782. Case of
Mr. B. compared with Cowper's 110

To the Rev. William Unwin, April 1, 1782. On his
commendations of his Poems 110

To the same, April 27, 1782. Military music; Mr. Unwin's
expected visit; dignity of the Latin language;
use of parentheses 111

To the same, May 27, 1782. Dr. Franklin's opinion of
his poems; remarkable instance of providential deliverance
from dangers; effects of the weather; Rodney's
victory in the West Indies 111

To the same, June 12, 1712. Anxiety of Authors respecting
the opinion of others on their works 112

Reception of the first volume of Cowper's Poems 113

Portrait of the true poet 113

Picture of a person of fretful temper 113