Chapter IV: Part THE SECOND

To the Rev. Wm. Bull, June 22, 1782. Poetical epistle
on Tobacco 114

To the Rev. Wm. Unwin, July 16, 1782. Remarks on
political affairs; Lady Austen and her project 114

To the same, August 3, 1782. On Dr. Johnson's expected
opinion of his Poems; encounter with a viper; Lady Austen;
Mr. Bull; Madame Guion's Poems 116

The Colubriad, a poem 117

Lady Austen comes to reside at the parsonage at Olney 117

Songs written for her by Cowper 117

His song on the loss of the Royal George 118

The same in Latin 118

Origin of his ballad of John Gilpin 118

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Sept. 6, 1782. Visit of Mr. Small 119

To the Rev. Wm. Unwin, Nov. 4, 1782. On the ballad
of John Gilpin; on Mr. Unwin's exertions in behalf
of the prisoners at Chelmsford; subscription for the
widows of seamen lost in the Royal George 119

To the Rev. William Bull, Nov. 5, 1783. On his expected
visit 120

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Nov. 11, 1782. On the state of
his health; encouragement of planting; Mr. P----,
of Hastings 120

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Nov. 1782. Thanks for a present
of fish; on Mr. Small's report of Mr. Hill and his
improvements 121

To the Rev. William Unwin, Nov. 18, 1782. Acknowledgments
to a beneficent friend to the poor of Olney;
on the appearance of John Gilpin in print 121

To the Rev. William Unwin. No date. Character of
Dr. Beattie and his poems; Cowper's translation of
Madame Guion's poems 122

To Mrs. Newton, Nov. 23, 1782. On his Poems; severity
of the winter; contrast between a spendthrift and an
Olney cottager; method recommended for settling
disputes 122

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Dec. 7, 1782. Recollections of the
coffee-house; Cowper's mode of spending his evenings;
political contradictions 123

To the Rev. William Unwin, Jan. 19, 1783. His occupations;
beneficence of Mr. Thornton to the poor of
Olney 124

To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 26, 1783. On the anticipations
of peace; conduct of the belligerent powers 124

To the Rev. Wm. Unwin, Feb. 2, 1783. Ironical congratulations
on the peace; generosity of England to
France 125

To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 8, 1783. Remarks on
the peace 125

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Feb. 13, 1783. Remarks on his
poems 126

To the same. Feb. 20, 1783. With Dr. Franklin's
letter on his poems 126

To the same. No date. On the coalition ministry;
Lord Chancellor Thurlow 127

Neglect of Cowper by Lord Thurlow 127

Lord Thurlow's generosity in the case of Dr. Johnson,
and Crabbe, the poet 127

To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 24, 1783. On the peace 127

To the Rev. William Bull, March 7, 1783. On the peace;
Scotch Highlanders at Newport Pagnel 128

To the Rev. John Newton, March 7, 1783. Comparison
of his and Mr. Newton's letters; march of Highlanders
belonging to a mutinous regiment 128

To the same. April 5, 1783. Illness of Mrs. C.; new
method of treating consumptive cases 129

To the same. April 20, 1783. His occupations and
studies; writings of Mr. ----; probability of his
conversion in his last moments 129

To the Rev. John Newton, May 5, 1783. Vulgarity in
a minister particularly offensive 130

To the Rev. William Unwin, May 12, 1783. Remarks
on a sermon preached by Paley at the consecration of
Bishop L. 130

Severity of Cowper's strictures on Paley 131

Important question of a church establishment 131

Increase of true piety in the Church of England 131

Language of Beza respecting the established church 132

To Joseph Hill, Esq., May 26, 1783. On the death of his
uncle's wife 132

To the Rev. John Newton, May 31, 1783. On Mrs. C.'s
death 132

To the Rev. William Bull, June 3, 1783. With stanzas
on peace 133

To the Rev. William Unwin, June 8, 1783. Beauties of
the green-house; character of the Rev. Mr. Bull 133

To the Rev. John Newton, June 13, 1783. On his Review
of Ecclesiastical History; the day of judgment;
observations of natural phenomena 133

Extraordinary natural phenomena in the summer of 1783 134

Earthquakes in Calabria and Sicily 134

To the Rev. John Newton, June 17, 1783. Ministers
must not expect to scold men out of their sins 135

Tenderness an important qualification in a minister 135

To the Rev. John Newton, June 19, 1783. On the
Dutch translation of his "Cardiphonia" 135

To the same, July 27, 1783. A country life barren of
incident; Cowper's attachment to his solitude; praise
of Mr. Newton's style as an historian 136

Remarks on the influence of local associations 136

Dr. Johnson's allusion to that subject 137

To the Rev. William Unwin, August 4, 1783. Proposed
inquiry concerning the sale of his Poems; remarks on
English ballads; anecdote of Cowper's goldfinches 137

To the same, Sept. 7, 1783. Fault of Madame Guion's
writings, too great familiarity in addressing the Deity 138

To the Rev. John Newton, Sept. 8, 1783. On Mr. Newton's
and his own recovery from illness; anecdote of
a clerk in a public office; ill health of Mr. Scott;
message to Mr. Bacon 138

To the same, Sept. 15, 1783. Cowper's mental sufferings 139

To the same, Sept. 23, 1783. On Mr. Newton's recovery
from a fever; dining with an absent man; his niche for
meditation 139

To the Rev. William Unwin, Sept. 29, 1783. Effect of
the weather on health; comparative happiness of the
natural philosopher; reflections on air balloons 140

To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 6, 1783. Religious animosities
deplored; more dangerous to the interests
of religion than the attacks of its adversaries; Cowper's
fondness for narratives of voyages 141

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Oct. 10, 1783. Cowper declines
the discussion of political subjects; epitaph on sailors
of the Royal George 142

To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 13, 1783. Neglect of
American loyalists; extraordinary donation sent to
Lisbon at the time of the great earthquake; prospects
of the Americans 142

To the same, Oct. 20, 1783. Remarks on Bacon's monument
of Lord Chatham 143

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Oct. 20, 1783. Anticipations of
winter 144

Cowper's winter evenings 144

The subject of his poem, "The Sofa," suggested 144

Circumstances illustrative of the origin and progress of
"The Task" 144

Extracts from letters to Mr. Bull on that subject 144

Particulars of the time in which "The Task" was
composed 145

To the Rev. John Newton, Nov. 3, 1783. Fire at Olney
described 145

To the Rev. William Unwin, Nov. 10, 1783. On the
neglect of old acquaintance; invitation to Olney;
exercise recommended; fire at Olney 146

To the Rev. John Newton, Nov. 17, 1783. Humorous
description of the punishment of a thief at Olney;
dream of an air-balloon 147

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Nov. 23, 1783. On his opinion
of voyages and travels; Cowper's reading 148

To the Rev. William Unwin, Nov. 24, 1783. Complaint
of the neglect of Lord Thurlow; character of
Josephus's History 148

To the Rev. John Newton, Nov. 30, 1783. Speculations
on the employment of the antediluvians; the Theological
Review 149

To the same, Dec. 15, 1783. Speculations on the
invention of balloons; the East India Bill 150

To the same, Dec. 27, 1783. Ambition of public men;
dismissal of ministers; Cowper's sentiments concerning
Mr. Bacon; anecdote of Mr. Scott 151

To the Rev. William Unwin, no date. Account of Mr.
Throckmorton's invitation to see a balloon filled; attentions
of the Throckmorton family to Cowper and
Mrs. Unwin 152

Circumstances which obliged Cowper to relinquish his
friendship with Lady Austen 153

Hayley's account of this event 153

To the Rev. William Unwin, Jan. 3, 1784. Dearth of
subjects for writing upon at Olney; reflections on the
monopoly of the East India Company 154

To Mrs. Hill, Jan. 5, 1784. Requesting her to send
some books 155

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Jan. 18, 1784. On his political
letters; low state of the public funds 155

To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 18, 1784. Cowper's
religious despondency; remark on Mr. Newton's predecessor 156

To the Rev. William Unwin, Jan. 1784. Proposed
alteration in a Latin poem of Mr. Unwin's; remarks on
the bequest of a cousin; commendations on Mr. Unwin's
conduct; on newspaper praise 156

To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 25, 1784. Cowper's
sentiments on East India patronage and East India
dominion 157

State of our Indian possessions at that time 158

Moral revolution effected there 158

Latin lines by Dr. Jortin, on the shortness of human life 158

Cowper's translation of them 158

To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 1784. On Mr. Newton's
"Review of Ecclesiastical History;" proposed
title and motto; Cowper declines contributing to a
Review 158

To the same, Feb. 10, 1784. Cowper's nervous state;
comparison of himself with the ancient poets; his
hypothesis of a gradual declension in vigour from
Adam downwards 159

To the same, Feb. 1784. The thaw; kindness of a
benefactor to the poor of Olney; Cowper's politics,
those of a reverend neighbour; projected translation
of Caraccioli on self-acquaintance 160

To the Rev. William Bull, Feb. 22, 1784. Unknown
benefactor to the poor of Olney; political profession 160

To the Rev. William Unwin, Feb. 29, 1784. On Mr.
Unwin's acquaintance with Lord Petre; unknown
benefactor to the poor of Olney; diffidence of a modest
man on extraordinary occasions 161

To the Rev. John Newton, March 8, 1784. The Theological
Miscellany; abandonment of the intended
translation of Caraccioli 161

To the same, March 11, 1784. Remarks on Mr. Newton's
"Apology;" East India patronage and dominion 162

To the same, March 15, 1784. Cowper's habitual
despondence; verse his favourite occupation, and why;
Johnson's "Lives of the Poets" 162

To the same, March 19, 1784. Works of the Marquis
Caraccioli; evening occupations 162

To the Rev. William Unwin, March 21, 1784. Cowper's
sentiments on Johnson's "Lives of the Poets;"
characters of the poets 163

To the Rev. John Newton, March 29, 1784. Visit of a
candidate and his train to Cowper; angry preaching of
Mr. S 164

To the same, April 14, 1784. Remarks on divine wrath;
destruction in Calabria 165

Effects of the earthquakes, and total loss of human
lives 165

To the Rev. William Unwin, April 5, 1784. Character
of Beattie and Blair; speculation on the origin of
speech 166

To the same, April 15, 1784. Further remarks on Blair's
"Lectures;" censure of a particular observation in
that book 167

To the same, April 25, 1784. Lines to the memory of a
halybutt 167

To the Rev. John Newton, April 26, 1784. Remarks
on Beattie and on Blair's "Lectures;" economy of the
county candidates, and its consequences 168

To the Rev. William Unwin, May 3, 1784. Reflections
on face-painting; innocent in Frenchwomen, but immoral
in English 168

To the same, May 8, 1784. Cowper's reasons for not
writing a sequel to John Gilpin, and not wishing that
ballad to appear with his Poems; progress made in
printing them 170

To the Rev. John Newton, May 10, 1784. Conversion
of Dr. Johnson; unsuccessful attempt with a balloon
at Throckmorton's 170

Circumstances attending Dr. Johnson's conversion 171

To the Rev. John Newton, May 22, 1784. On Dr.
Johnson's opinion of Cowper's "Poems;" Mr. Bull
and his refractory pupils 171

To the same, June 5, 1784. On the opinion of Cowper's
"Poems" attributed to Dr. Johnson 171

To the Rev. John Newton, June 21, 1784. Commemoration
of Handel; unpleasant summer; character of
Mr. and Mrs. Unwin 172

To the Rev. William Unwin, July 3, 1784. Severity
of the weather; its effects on vegetation 172

To the Rev. John Newton, July 5, 1784. Reference to
a passage in Homer; could the wise men of antiquity
have believed in the fables of the heathen mythology?
Cowper's neglect of politics; his hostility to the tax
on candles 173

To the Rev. William Unwin, July 12, 1784. Remarks
on a line in Vincent Bourne's Latin poems; drawing
of Mr. Unwin's house; Hume's "Essay on Suicide" 174

To the same, July 13, 1784. Latin Dictionary; animadversions
on the tax on candles; musical ass 174

To the Rev. John Newton, July 14, 1784. Commemoration
of Handel 175

Mr. Newton's sermon on that subject 175

To the Rev. John Newton, July 19, 1784. The world
compared with Bedlam 176

To the same, July 28, 1784. On Mr. Newton's intended
visit to the Rev. Mr. Gilpin at Lymington; his literary
adversaries 176

To the Rev. William Unwin, Aug. 14, 1784. Reflections
on travelling; Cowper's visits to Weston; difference
of character in the inhabitants of the South Sea
islands; cork supplements; franks 177

Original mode of franking, and reason for the adoption
of the present method 178

To the Rev. John Newton, August 16, 1784. Pleasures
of Olney; ascent of a balloon; excellence of the
Friendly islanders in dancing 178

To the Rev. William Unwin, Sept. 11, 1784. Cowper's
progress in his new volume of poems; opinions of a
visitor on his first volume 178

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Sept. 11, 1784. Character of
Dr. Cotton 179

To the Rev. John Newton, Sept. 18, 1784. Alteration
of franks; Cowper's green-house; his enjoyment of
natural sounds 179

To the Rev. William Unwin, Oct. 2, 1784. Punctuation
of poetry; visit to Mr. Throckmorton 180

To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 9, 1784. Cowper maintains
not only that his thoughts are unconnected, but
that frequently he does not think at all; remarks on
the character and death of Captain Cook 181

To the Rev. William Unwin, Oct. 10, 1784. With the
manuscript of the new volume of his Poems, and
remarks on them 182

To the same, Oct. 20, 1784. Instructions respecting
a publisher, and corrections in his Poems 182

To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 22, 1784. Remarks on
Knox's Essays 183

To the same. Oct. 30, 1784. Heroism of the Sandwich
islanders; Cowper informs Mr Newton of his intention
to publish a new volume 184

To the Rev. William Unwin, Nov. 1, 1784. Cowper's
reasons for not earlier acquainting Mr. Newton with
his intention of publishing again; he resolves to
include "John Gilpin" 184

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Nov. 1784. On the death of Mr.
Hill's mother; Cowper's recollections of his own
mother; departure of Lady Austen; his new volume
of Poems 185

To the Rev. John Newton, Nov. 27, 1784. Sketch of the
contents and purpose of his new volume 185

To the Rev. William Unwin, Olney, 1784. On the
transmission of his Poems; effect of medicines on the
composition of poetry 185

To the Rev. William Unwin, Nov. 29, 1784. Substance
of his last letter to Mr. Newton 186

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Dec. 4, 1784. Aërial voyages 188

To the Rev. John Newton, Dec. 13, 1784. On the
versification and titles of his new Poems; propriety of
using the word worm for serpent 188

Passages in Milton and Shakespeare in which worm is so
used 189

To the Rev. William Unwin, Dec. 18, 1784. Balloon
travellers; inscription to his new poem; reasons for
complimenting Bishop Bagot 189

To the Rev, John Newton, Christmas-eve, 1784. Cowper
declines giving a new title to his new volume of
Poems; remarks on a person lately deceased 190

General remarks on the particulars of Cowper's personal
history 190

Remarks on the completion of the second volume of
Cowper's Poems 190

Gibbon's record of his feelings on the conclusion of his
History 191

Moral drawn from the evanescence of life 191

To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 5, 1785. On the
renouncement of the Christian character; epitaph on
Dr. Johnson 191

To the Rev. William Unwin, Jan. 15, 1785. On delay in
letter-writing; sentiments of Rev. Mr. Newton; Cowper's
contributions to the Gentleman's Magazine; Lunardi's
narrative 192

Explanations respecting Cowper's poem, entitled "The
Poplar Field" 192

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Jan. 22, 1785. Breaking up of
the Frost; anticipations of proceedings in Parliament 193

To the Rev. William Unwin, Feb. 7, 1785. Progress of
Cowper's second volume of Poems; his pieces in the
Gentleman's Magazine; sentiments of a neighbouring
nobleman and gentleman respecting Cowper 193

To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 19, 1785. An ingenious
bookbinder; poverty at Olney; severity of the late
winter 194

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Feb. 27, 1785. Inquiry concerning
his health, and account of his own 195

To the Rev. John Newton, March 19, 1785. Uses and
description of an old card table; want of exercise
during the winter; petition against concessions to
Ireland 195

To the Rev. William Unwin, March 20, 1785. Remarks
on a Nobleman's eye; progress of his new volume;
political reflections; celebrity of "John Gilpin" 196

To the Rev. John Newton, April 9, 1785. On the
prediction of a destructive earthquake, by a German
ecclesiastic 197

To the Rev. John Newton, April 22, 1785. On the
popularity of "John Gilpin" 197

To the Rev. William Unwin, April 30, 1785. On the
celebrity of "John Gilpin;" progress of Cowper's
new volume; Mr. Newton's sentiments in regard to
him; mention of some old acquaintances; discovery
of a bird's nest in a gate-post 198

To the Rev. John Newton, May, 1785. Sudden death
of Mr. Ashburner; remarks on the state of Cowper's
mind; reference to his first acquaintance with Newton 199

To the Rev. John Newton, June 4, 1785. Character of
the Rev. Mr. Greatheed; completion of Cowper's new
volume; Bacon's monument to Lord Chatham 200

To Joseph Hill, Esq., June 25, 1785. Cowper's
summer-house; dilatoriness of his bookseller 200

To the Rev. John Newton, June 25, 1785. Allusion to
the mental depression under which Cowper laboured;
Nathan's last moments; complaint of Johnson's delay;
effects of drought; tax on gloves 201

To the Rev. John Newton, July 9, 1785. Mention of
letters in praise of his Poems; conduct of the Lord
Chancellor and G. Colman; reference to the
commemoration of Handel; cutting down of the spinney 202

To the Rev. William Unwin, July 27, 1785. Violent
thunder-storm; courage of a dog; on the love of
Christ 203

To the Rev. John Newton, Aug. 6, 1785. Feelings on
the subject of authorship; reasons for introducing
John Gilpin in his new volume 204

To the Rev. John Newton, Aug. 17, 1785. Reasons
for not writing to Mr. Bacon; Dr. Johnson's Diary;
illness of Mr. Perry 205

Character of Dr. Johnson's Diary 206

Extracts from it 207

Arguments for the necessity of conversion 207

Johnson's neglect of the Sabbath 207

Testimony of Sir William Jones respecting the Holy
Scriptures 208

To the Rev. William Unwin, Aug. 27, 1785. Thanks for
presents; his second volume of Poems; remarks on
Dr. Johnson's Journal; claims of _who_ and _that_ 208

To the Rev. John Newton, Sept. 24, 1785. Recollections
of Southampton; recovery of Mr. Perry; proposed
Sunday School 209

Origin of Sunday Schools 210

Their utility 210

Sentiments of the late Rev. Andrew Fuller on the Bible
Society and on Sunday Schools 210

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Oct. 11, 1785. Cowper excuses
himself for not visiting Wargrave; on his printed epistle
to Mr. Hill 210

Renewal of Cowper's intimacy with his cousin, Lady
Hesketh 211

To Lady Hesketh, Oct. 12, 1785. Recollections revived
by her letter; account of his own situation; allusion
to his uncle's health; necessity of mental employment
for himself 211

To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 16, 1785. On the death
of Miss Cunningham; expected removal of the Rev.
Mr. Scott from Olney; Mr. Jones, steward of Lord
Peterborough, burned in effigy 212

To the Rev. William Unwin, Oct. 22, 1785. Progress of
his translation of Homer; course of reading recommended
for Mr. Unwin's son 213

To the Rev. John Newton, Nov. 5, 1785. On his tardiness
in writing; remarks on Mr. N.'s narrative of
his life; strictures on Mr. Heron's critical opinions of
Virgil and the Bible; lines addressed by Cowper to
Heron 214

Remarks on Heron's "Letters on Literature" 215

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Nov. 7, 1785. On the interruptions
experienced by men of business from the idle 215

To Lady Hesketh, Nov. 9, 1785. Reference to his poems;
he signifies his acceptance of her offer of pecuniary
aid; his translation of Homer; description of his
person 215

To the same, without date. His feelings towards her
allusion to his translation of Homer 217

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Nov. 9, 1785. On Bishop
Bagot's Charge 217

To the Rev. John Newton, Dec. 3, 1785. Causes which
led him to undertake the translation of Homer; visit
from Mr. Bagot; renewal of his correspondence with
Lady Hesketh; complains of indigestion 217

To the same, Dec. 10, 1785. On the favourable reports
of his last volume of poems; censure of Pope's Homer 218

To the Rev. William Unwin, Dec. 24, 1785. On his
translation of Homer 219

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Dec. 24, 1785. On his translation
of Homer 219

To the Rev. William Unwin, Dec. 31, 1785. On his
negotiation with Johnson respecting the Translation
of Homer; want of bedding among the poor of Olney 220

To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 10, 1786. His consciousness of
defects in his poems; on his Translation of Homer 221

To the Rev. William Unwin, Jan. 14, 1786. On Mr.
Unwin's introduction to Lady Hesketh; specimen of
Cowper's translation of Homer, sent to General Cowper;
James's powder; what is a friend good for? unreasonable
censures 221

To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 14, 1786. On his
translation of Homer 222

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Jan. 15, 1786. Explanation
of the delay in the publication of his proposals; allusion
to Bishop Bagot 222

To the same, Jan. 23, 1786. Dr. Maty's intended review
of "The Task;" Dr. Cyril Jackson's opinion of
Pope's Homer 223

To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 31, 1786. Acknowledgment of
presents from Anonymous; state of his health; progress
of his translation of Homer; correspondence
with General Cowper 223

To the same, Feb. 9, 1786. Anticipations of a visit from
her; description of the vestibule of his residence 224

To the same, Feb. 11, 1786. He announces that he
has sent off to her a portion of his translation of
Homer; effect of criticisms on his health; promise
of Thurlow to Cowper 225

To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 18, 1786. On their
correspondence; his translation of Homer; proposed
mottoes 226

To Lady Hesketh, Feb. 19, 1786. Preparations for her
expected visit; character of Homer; criticism on
Cowper's specimen 226

To the Walter Bagot, Feb. 27, 1786. Condolence
on the death of his wife 227

To Lady Hesketh, March 6, 1786. On elisions in his
Homer; progress of the work 227

To the Rev. W. Unwin, March 13, 1786. Character of
the critic to whom he had submitted his Homer 229

To the Rev. John Newton, April 1, 1786. Expected
visitors 229

To Joseph Hill, Esq., April 5, 1786. Reasons for declining
to make any apology for his translation of
Homer 229

Motives which induced Cowper to undertake a new
version 230

To Lady Hesketh, April 17, 1786. Description of the
vicarage at Olney, where lodgings had been taken for
her; Mrs. Unwin's sentiments towards her; letter
from Anonymous; his early acquaintance with Lord
Thurlow 230

To Lady Hesketh, April 24, 1786. On her letters;
anticipations of her coming; General Cowper 231

To the same, May 8, 1786. On Dr. Maty's censure of
Cowper's translation of Homer; Colman's opinion of
it; Cowper's stanzas on Lord Thurlow; invitation to
Olney; specimen of Maty's animadversions;
recommendation of a house at Weston; blunder of Mr.
Throckmorton's bailiff; recovery of General Cowper 232

To the same, May 15, 1786. Anticipations of her arrival
at Olney; proposed arrangements for the occasion;
presumed motive of Maty's censures; confession
of ambition 233

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, May 20, 1786. His translation
of Homer; reasons for not adopting Horace's
maxim about publishing, to the letter 235

Secret sorrows of Cowper 235

To the Rev. John Newton, May 20, 1786. Cowper's
unhappy state of mind; his connexions 236

Remarks on Cowper's depression of spirit 237

Delusion of supposing himself excluded from the mercy
of God 237

Religious consolation recommended in cases of disordered
intellect 237

To Lady Hesketh, May 25, 1786. Delay of her coming;
visit to a house at Weston; the Throckmortons;
anecdote of a quotation from "The Task;" nervous
affections 238

To the same, May 29, 1786. Delay of her coming;
preparations for it; allusion to his fits of dejection 239

To the same, June 4 and 5, 1786. Cowper rallies her
on her fears of their expected meeting; dinner at Mr.
Throckmorton's 240

To Joseph Hill, Esq., June 9, 1786. Relapse of the Lord
Chancellor; renewal of correspondence with Colman;
the Nonsense Club; expectation of Lady Hesketh's
arrival 241

Arrival of Lady Hesketh at Olney 241

Influence of that event on Cowper 241

Extract from a letter from him to Mr. Bull 241

Description of a thunder-storm, from a letter to the
same 242

Cowper's House at Olney 242

His intimacy with Mr. Newton 242

His pious and benevolent habits 242

He removes from Olney to the Lodge at Weston 242

His acquaintance with Samuel Rose, Esq. and the late
Rev. Dr. Johnson 242

To Joseph Hill, Esq., June 19, 1786. His intended removal
from Olney 242

To the Rev. John Newton, June 22, 1786. His employments;
interruption given to them by Lady Hesketh's
arrival; Newton's Sermons 243

To the Rev. Wm. Unwin, July 3, 1786. Lady Hesketh's
arrival and character; state of his old abode and
description of the new one at Weston; books recommended
for Mr. Unwin's son 243

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, July 4, 1786. Particulars
relative to the translation of Homer 244

To the Rev. John Newton, Aug. 5, 1786. His intended
removal from Olney; its unhealthy situation; his unhappy
state of mind; comfort of Lady Hesketh's presence 245

Cowper's spirits not affected apparently by his mental
malady 246

To the Rev. William Unwin, Aug. 24, 1786. Progress of
his Translation; the Throckmortons 246

To the same, (without date.) His lyric productions;
recollections of boyhood 246

Extract of a letter to the Rev. Mr. Unwin 247

Lines addressed to a young lady on her birth-day 247

Proposed plan of Mr. Unwin for checking sabbath-breaking
and drunkenness 247

To the Rev. Wm. Unwin, (no date.) Cowper's opinion
of the inutility of Mr. Unwin's efforts 247

Exhortation to perseverance in a good cause 248

Hopes of present improvement 248

To the Rev. William Unwin, (no date.) State of the
national affairs 248

To the Rev. William Unwin, (no date.) Character of
Churchill's poetry 249

To the same, (no date.) Cowper's discovery in the Register
of poems long composed and forgotten by him 250

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Aug. 31, 1786. Defence of
elisions; intended removal to Weston 250

To the Rev. John Newton, Sept. 30, 1786. Defence of his
and Mrs. Unwin's conduct 251

Explanatory remarks on the preceding letter 251

Amiable spirit and temper of Newton 251

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Oct. 6, 1786. Loss of the MS. of
part of his translation 251

Cowper's removal to Weston 251

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Nov. 17, 1786. On his removal
from Olney; invitation to Weston 253

To the Rev. John Newton, Nov. 17, 1786. Excuse for
delay in writing; his new residence; affection for his
old abode 253

To Lady Hesketh, Nov. 26, 1786. Comforts of his new residence;
the cliffs; his rambles 254

Unexpected death of the Rev. Mr. Unwin 254

To Lady Hesketh, Dec. 4, 1786. On the death of Mr.
Unwin 255

To the same, Dec. 9, 1786. On a singular circumstance
relating to an intended pupil of Mr. Unwin's 255

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Dec. 9, 1786. Death of Mr. Unwin;
Cowper's new situation at Weston 256

To the Rev. John Newton, Dec. 16, 1786. Death of
Mr. Unwin; forlorn state of his old dwelling 256

To Lady Hesketh, Dec. 21, 1786. Cowper's opinion of
praise; Mr. Throckmorton's chaplain 257

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Jan. 3, 1787. Reason why a
translator of Homer should not be calm; praises of his
works; death of Mr. Unwin 257

Cowper has a severe attack of nervous fever 258

To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 8, 1787. State of his health;
proposal of General Cowper respecting his Homer;
letter from Mr. Smith, M.P. for Nottingham; Cowper's
song of "The Rose" reclaimed by him 258

To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 13, 1787. Inscription
for Mr. Unwin's tomb; government of Providence in
his poetical labours 258

To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 18, 1787. Suspension of his
translation by fever; his sentiments respecting dreams;
visit of Mr. Rose 259

To Samuel Rose, Esq., July 24, 1787. On Burns' poems 260

Remarks on Burns and his poetry 260

Passages from his poems 261

To Samuel Rose, Esq., Aug. 27, 1787. Invitation to
Weston; state of Cowper's health; remarks on Barclay's
"Argenis," and on Burns 261

To Lady Hesketh, August 30, 1787. Improvement in
his health; kindness of the Throckmortons 262

To the same, Sept. 4, 1787. Delay of her coming; Mrs.
Throckmorton's uncle; books read by Cowper 262

To the same, Sept. 15, 1787. His meeting with her
friend, Miss J----; new gravel-walk 263

To the same, Sept. 29, 1787. Remarks on the relative
situation of Russia and Turkey 263

To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 2, 1787. Cowper confesses
that for thirteen years he doubted Mr. N.'s
identity; acknowledgments for the kind offers of the
Newtons; preparations for Lady Hesketh's coming 263

To Samuel Rose, Esq., Oct. 19, 1787. State of his
health; strength of local attachments 264

To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 20, 1787. His miserable
state during his recent indisposition; petition to Lord
Dartmouth in behalf of the Rev. Mr. Postlethwaite 264

To Lady Hesketh, Nov. 10, 1787. On the delay of her
coming; Cowper's kitten; changes of weather foretold
by a leech 265

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Nov. 16, 1787. On his own present
occupation 266

To Lady Hesketh, Nov. 27, 1787. Walks and scenes about
Weston; application from a parish clerk for a copy of
verses; papers in "The Lounger;" anecdote of a beggar
and vermicelli soup 266

To Lady Hesketh, Dec. 4, 1787. Character of the Throckmortons 267

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Dec. 6, 1787. Visit to Mr.
B.'s sister at Chichely; Bishop Bagot; a case of ridiculous
distress 267

To Lady Hesketh, Dec. 10, 1787. Progress of his Homer;
changes in life 268

To Samuel Rose, Esq., Dec. 13, 1787. Requisites in a
translator of Homer 268

To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 1, 1788. Extraordinary coincidence
between a piece of his own and one of Mr.
Merry's; "The Poet's New Year's Gift;" compulsory
inoculation for small-pox 269

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Jan. 5, 1788. Translation
of the commencing lines of the Iliad, by Lord
Bagot; revisal of Cowper's translation; the clerk's
verses 270

To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 19, 1788. His engagement with
Homer prevents the production of occasional poems;
remarks on a new print of Bunbury's 270

To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 21, 1788. Reasons for
not writing to him; expected arrival of the Rev. Mr.
Bean; changes of neighbouring ministers; narrow
escape of Mrs. Unwin from being burned 271

To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 30, 1788. His anxiety on account
of her silence 272

To the same, Feb. 1, 1788. Excuse for his melancholy;
his Homer; visit from Mr. Greatheed 272

Causes of Cowper's correspondence with Mrs. King 273

To Mrs. King, Feb. 12, 1788. Reference to his deceased
brother; he ascribes the effect produced by his
poems to God 273

To Samuel Rose, Esq., Feb. 14, 1788. A sense of the
value of time the best security for its improvement;
Mr. C----; brevity of human life illustrated by Homer 273

Commencement of the efforts for the abolition of the
slave trade 274

To Lady Hesketh, Feb. 16, 1788. On negro slavery;
Hannah More's poem on the Slave Trade; extract from
it; advocates of the abolition of slavery; trial of Warren
Hastings 274

To Lady Hesketh, Feb. 22, 1788. Remarks on Burke's
speech impeaching Warren Hastings, and on the duty
of public accusers 276

To the Rev. John Newton, March 1, 1788. Excuse
for a lapse of memory in regard to a letter of Mr.
Bean's 276

To the same, March 3, 1788. Arrival of Mr. Bean at
Olney; Cowper's correspondence with Mrs. King 276

To Mrs. King, March 3, 1788. Brief history of his own
life 277

To Lady Hesketh, March 3, 1788. Catastrophe of a fox-chace;
Cowper in at the death 278

To the same, March 12, 1788. Remarks on Hannah
More's works, and on Wilberforce's book; the Throckmortons 278

Cowper is solicited to write in behalf of the negroes 279

To General Cowper. 1788. Songs written by him on
the condition of negro slaves 279

"The Morning Dream," a ballad 279

Efforts for the abolition of the Slave Trade 280

Wilberforce, the Liberator of Africa 280

Cowper's ballads on Negro slavery 280

The Negro's Complaint 280

The question why Great Britain should be the first to
sacrifice interest to humanity answered by Cowper 280

Lines from Goldsmith's "Traveller," on the English
character 281

Exposition of the cruelty and injustice of the slave trade,
by Granville Sharp 281

Proof of the slow progress of truth 281

Extracts from Cowper's poems on Negro slavery 282

Case of Somerset, a slave, and Lord Mansfield's judgment 282

Final abolition of slavery by Great Britain, and efforts
making for the religious instruction of the Negroes 282

Probability that Africa may be enlightened by their
means 283

Cowper's lines on the blessings of spiritual liberty 283

Letter to Mrs. Hill, March 17, 1788. Thanks for a present
of a turkey and ham; Mr. Hill's indisposition;
inquiry concerning Cowper's library 284

To the Rev. John Newton, March 17, 1788. With a
Song, written at Mr. N.'s request, for Lady Balgonie 284

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, March 19, 1788. Coldness of
the spring; remarks on "The Manners of the Great;"
progress of his Homer 284

To Samuel Rose, Esq., March 29, 1788. He expresses
his wonder that his company should be desirable to
Mr. R.; Mrs. Unwin's character; acknowledges the
receipt of some books; Clarke's notes on Homer; allusion
to his own ballads on Negro slavery 285

To Lady Hesketh, March 31, 1788. He makes mention
of his song, "The Morning Dream;" allusion to Hannah
More on the "Manners of Great" 286

Character of and extracts from Mrs. More's work 286

To Mrs. King, April 11, 1788. Allusion to his melancholy,
and necessity for constant employment; improbability
of their meeting 286

To the Rev. John Newton, April 19, 1788. Remarks on
the conduct of government in regard to the Slavery
Abolition question 287

To Lady Hesketh, May 6, 1788. Smollett's Don Quixote;
he thanks her for the intended present of a box
for letters and papers; renewal of his correspondence
with Mr. Rowley; remarks on the expression, "As
great as two inkle weavers" 288

To Joseph Hill, Esq., May 8, 1788. Lament for the loss
of his library; progress of his Homer 288

To Lady Hesketh, May 12, 1788. Mrs. Montagu and the
Blue-Stocking Club; his late feats in walking 288

To Joseph Hill, Esq., May 24, 1788. Thanks for the present
of prints of the Lacemaker and Crazy Kate;
family of Mr. Chester; progress of Homer; antique
bust of Paris 289

To the Rev. William Bull, May 25, 1788. He declines
the composition of hymns, which Mr. B. had urged
him to undertake 290

To Lady Hesketh, May 27, 1788. His lines on Mr.
Henry Cowper; remarks on Mrs. Montagu's Essay
on the Genius of Shakespeare; antique head of Paris;
remarks on the two prints sent him by Mr. Hill 290

To the same, June 3, 1788. Sudden change of the
weather; remarks on the advertisement of a dancing-master
of Newport-Pagnell 291

To the Rev. John Newton, June 5, 1788. His writing
engagements; effect of the sudden change of the weather
on his health; character of Mr. Bean; visit from
the Powleys; he declines writing further on the slave-trade;
invitation to Weston; verses on Mrs. Montagu 291

To Joseph Hill, Esq., June 8, 1788. On the death of his
uncle, Ashley Cowper 292

To Lady Hesketh, June 10, 1788. On the death of her
father, Ashley Cowper 292

To the same, June 15, 1788. Recollections of her father 293

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, June 17, 1788. Coldness of
the season; reasons for declining to write on slavery;
contrast between the awful scenes of nature and the
horrors produced by human passions 293

To Mrs. King, June 19, 1788. He excuses his silence on
account of inflammation of the eyes; sudden change of
weather; reasons why we are not so hardy as our forefathers;
his opinion of Thomson, the poet 294

To Samuel Rose, Esq., June 23, 1788. Apology for an
unanswered letter; providence of God in regard to the
weather; visitors at Weston; brevity of human life 294

To the Rev. John Newton, June 24, 1788. Difficulties
experienced by Mr. Bean in enforcing a stricter observance
of the Sabbath at Olney; remarks on the slave
trade 295

To Lady Hesketh, June 27, 1788. Anticipations of her
next visit; allusion to Lord Thurlow's promise to
provide for him; anecdote of his dog Beau; remarks
on his ballads on slavery 296

The Dog and the Water Lily 297

To Joseph Hill, Esq, July 6, 1788. He gives Mr. H. notice
that he has drawn on him; allusion to an engagement
of Mr. H.'s 297

To Lady Hesketh, July 28, 1788. Her talent at description;
the lime-walk at Weston; remarks on the "Account of Five
Hundred Living Authors" 297

To the same, August 9, 1788. Visitors at Weston;
motto composed by Cowper for the king's clock 298

To Samuel Rose, Esq., August 18, 1788. Circumstances
of their parting; he recommends Mr. R. to take due
care of himself in his pedestrian journeys; strictures
on Lavater's Aphorisms 298

Remarks on physiognomy, and on the merits of Lavater
as the founder of the Orphan House at Zurich. _Note_ 299

To Mrs. King, August 28, 1788. He playfully guesses
at Mrs. King's figure and features 299

To the Rev. John Newton, Sept. 2, 1788. Reference to
Mr. N.'s late visit; his own melancholy state of mind;
Mr. Bean's exertions for suppressing public houses 300

To Samuel Rose, Esq., Sept. 11, 1788. Remarkable oak;
lines suggested by it; exhortation against bashfulness 300

To Mrs. King, Sept. 25, 1788. Thanks for presents; invitation
to Weston 301

To Samuel Rose, Esq., Sept. 25, 1788. A riddle; superior
talents no security for propriety of conduct; progress
of Homer; Mrs. Throckmorton's bullfinch 302

To Mrs. King, Oct. 11, 1788. Account of his occupations
at different periods of his life 302

To the Rev. John Newton, Nov. 29, 1788. Declining
state of Jenny Raban; Mr. Greatheed 303

To Samuel Rose, Esq., Nov. 30, 1788. Vincent Bourne;
invitation to Weston 303

To Mrs. King, Dec. 6, 1788. Excuse for not being punctual
in writing; succession of generations; Cumberland's
"Observer" 304

To the Rev. John Newton, Dec. 9, 1788. Mr. Van Lier's
Latin MS.; Lady Hesketh and the Throckmortons;
popularity of Mr. C. as a preacher 304

To Samuel Rose, Esq., Jan. 19, 1789. Local helps to
memory; Sir John Hawkins' book 305

To the same, Jan. 24, 1789. Accidents generally occur
when and where we least expect them 305

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Jan. 29, 1789. Excuse for
irregularity in correspondence; progress of Homer;
allusion to political affairs 305

To Mrs. King, Jan. 29, 1789. Thanks for presents;
Mrs. Unwin's fall in the late frost; distress of the
Royal Family on the state of the King, and anecdote
of the Lord Chancellor 306

To the same, March 12, 1789. Excuse for long silence,
and for not having sent, according to promise, all the
small pieces he had written; his poem on the King's
recovery 306

To the same, April 22, 1789. He informs Mrs. K. that
he has a packet of poems ready for her; his verses on
the Queen's visit to London on the night of the illuminations
for the King's recovery; disappointment on
account of her not coming to Weston; Twinings' translation
of Aristotle 307

To the same, April 30, 1789. Thanks for presents; his
brother's poems 308

To Samuel Rose, Esq., May 20, 1789. Reference to his
lines on the Queen's visit; character of Hawkins
Brown 309

To Mrs. King, May 30, 1789. He acknowledges the receipt
of a packet of papers; reference to his poem on
the Queen's visit 309

To Samuel Rose, Esq., June 5, 1789. He commissions
Mr. R. to buy him a cuckoo-clock; Boswell's Tour to
the Hebrides; Hawkins' and Boswell's Life of Johnson 309

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, June 16, 1789. On his marriage;
allusion to his poem on the Queen's visit 310

To Samuel Rose, Esq., June 20, 1789. He expresses regret
at not receiving a visit from Mr. R.; acknowledges
the arrival of the cuckoo-clock; remark on Hawkins' and
Boswell's Life of Johnson 310

To Mrs. Throckmorton, July 18, 1789. Poetic turn of
Mr. George Throckmorton; news concerning the Hall 310

To Samuel Rose, Esq., July 23, 1789. Importance of
improving the early years of life; anticipations of Mr.
R.'s visit 311

To Mrs. King, August 1, 1789. Grumbling of his correspondents
on his silence; his time engrossed by
Homer; he professes himself an admirer of pictures,
but no connoisseur 311

To Samuel Rose, Esq., August 8, 1789. Mrs. Piozzi's
Travels; remark on the author of the "Dunciad" 312

To Joseph Hill, Esq., August 12, 1789. Unfavourable
weather and spoiled hay; multiplicity of his engagements;
Sunday school hymn 312

To the Rev. John Newton, August 16, 1789. Excuse for
long silence; progress of Homer 313

Remarks on Cowper's observation that authors are responsible
for their writings 313

To Samuel Rose, Esq., Sept. 24, 1789. Coldness of the
season 313

To the same, Oct. 4, 1789. Description of the receipt of
a hamper, in the manner of Homer 314

To the Rev. Walter Bagot (without date). Excuse for
long silence; why winter is like a backbiter; Villoison's
Homer; death of Lord Cowper 314

To the Rev. Walter Bagot (without date). Remarks on
Villoison's Prolegomena to Homer 314

Note on the reveries of learned men 315

To the Rev. John Newton, Dec. 1, 1789. Apology for
not writing; Mrs. Unwin's state of health; reference
to political events 315

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Dec. 18, 1789. Political reflections 316

Character of the French Revolution 316

Burke on the features which distinguish the French Revolution
from that of England in 1688 316

Political and moral causes of the French Revolution 317

Origin of the Revolution in America 317

The Established Church endangered by resistance to the
spirit of the age 318

To Samuel Rose, Esq., Jan. 3, 1790. Excuses for silence;
inquiry concerning Mr. R.'s health; laborious task of
revisal 318

To Mrs. King, Jan. 4, 1790. His anxiety on account of
her long silence; his occupations; Mrs. Unwin's state 319

To the same, Jan. 18, 1790. He contradicts a report that
he intends to quit Weston; reference to his Homer 319

Commencement of Cowper's acquaintance with his cousin
the Rev. John Johnson 320

To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 22, 1790. Particulars concerning
a poem of his cousin Johnson's; anticipations of the
Cambridge critics respecting his Homer 320

To Samuel Rose, Esq., Feb. 2, 1790. He impugns the
opinion of Bentley that the last Odyssey is spurious 320

To the Rev. John Newton, Feb. 5, 1790. Account of his
painful apprehensions in the month of January 321

To Lady Hesketh, Feb. 9, 1790. Service rendered by
her to his cousin Johnson; Cowper's lines on a transcript
of an Ode of Horace by Mrs. Throckmorton 321

To the same, Feb. 26, 1790. He promises to send her a
specimen of his Homer for the perusal of a lady; his
delight at being presented by a relative with his mother's
picture 322

To Mrs. Bodham, Feb. 27, 1790. He expresses his delight
at receiving his mother's picture from her; lines
written by him on the occasion; recollections of his
mother; invitation to Weston; remembrances of other
maternal relatives 323

To John Johnson, Esq., Feb. 28, 1790. He refers to the
present of his mother's picture; he mentions his invitation
of the family of the Donnes to Weston; inquires
concerning Mr. J.'s poem 324

To Lady Hesketh, March 8, 1790. On Mrs. ---- opinion
of his Homer; his sentiments on the Test Act; passage
from his poems on that subject; ill health of Mrs.
Unwin 324

To Samuel Rose, Esq., March 11, 1790. On the state of
his health: he condemns the practice of dissembling
indispositions 325

To Mrs. King, March 12, 1790. On her favourable
opinion of his poems; his mother's picture and his
poem on the receipt of it 325

To Mrs. Throckmorton, March 21, 1790. He regrets her
absence from Weston; Mrs. Carter's opinion of his
Homer; his new wig 326

To Lady Hesketh, March 22, 1790. His opinion of the
style best adapted to a translation of Homer 326

To John Johnson, Esq., March 23, 1790. Character of
the Odyssey; Cowper professes his affection for Mr. J. 327

To the same, April 17, 1790. Remark on an innocent
deception practised by Mr. J.; Cowper boasts of his
skill in physiognomy, and recommends the study of
Greek 328

To Lady Hesketh, April 19, 1790. His revisal of Homer;
anecdote of a prisoner in the Bastile, and lines on the
subject 328

To the same, April 30, 1790. Message to Bishop Madan;
remarks on General Cowper's approbation of his picture
verses 328

To Joseph Hill, Esq., May 2, 1790. On the approaching
termination of his employment with Homer 329

To Mrs. Throckmorton, May 2, 1790. Humorous account
of a boy sent with letters to her in Berkshire; Cowper's
adventure with a dog 329

To Lady Hesketh, May 28, 1790. He declines the offer
of her services to procure him the place of poet laureat 329

To the same, June 3, 1790. He is applied to by a Welshman
to get him made poet laureat 330

To John Johnson, Esq., June 7, 1790. Advice to Mr. J.
on his future plans and studies; with remarks on Cowper's
strictures on the University of Cambridge 330

Remarks on Cowper's exhortation respecting the divinity
of the glorious Reformation 330

To Samuel Rose, Esq., June 8, 1790. Congratulations on
his intended marriage; proposed riddle 331

To Mrs. King, June 14, 1790. His literary occupations;
state of Professor Martyn's health; ill health of Mrs.
Unwin 331

To Lady Hesketh, June 17, 1790. Grievance of going
a-visiting; his envy of a poor old woman; inscriptions
for two oak plantations 332

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, June 22, 1790. Snakes and
ants of Africa; Bishop Bagot and his mutinous clergy 333

To Mrs. Bodham, June 29, 1790. Anticipations of a
visit from her 333

To Lady Hesketh, July 7, 1790. State of Mrs. Unwin;
remarks on the abolition of ranks by the French 334

To John Johnson, Esq., July 8, 1790. Recommendation
of music as an amusement; expected visit from Mr. J.
and his sister 334

To Mrs. King, July 16, 1790. On their recent visit to
Weston; reference to his own singularities; regrets
for the distance between them 334

To John Johnson, Esq., July 31, 1790. Warning against
carelessness and shyness; proposed employments and
amusements 335

To the Rev. John Newton, Aug. 11, 1790. On the state
of Mrs. Newton's health; he refers to his own state,
and declines the offer of trying the effect of animal
magnetism 336

To Mrs. Bodham, Sept. 9, 1790. He informs her of the
termination of his labours with Homer, and the conveyance
of his translation to London by Mr. Johnson 336

To Samuel Rose, Esq., Sept. 13, 1790. On his marriage;
Cowper's preface to his Homer; solution of the riddle
in a former letter to Mr. R. 337

To Joseph Hill, Esq., Sept. 17, 1790. On the list of
subscribers to his Homer 337

To Mrs. King, Oct. 5, 1790. On her illness; allusion to
a counterpane which she had presented to him; reference
to the list of subscribers to his Homer, and the
time of publication 338

To the Rev. John Newton, Oct. 15, 1790. On the death
of Mrs. Scott; translation of Van Lier's letters; concern
for Mrs. Newton's sufferings 338

To the same, Oct. 26, 1790. His instructions to Johnson,
the bookseller, to affix to the first volume of his
poems the preface written for it by Mr. N.; fall of the
leaves a token of the shortness of human life 338

On Christian submission to the divine will in regard to
life and death 339

To Mrs. Bodham, Nov. 21, 1790. Character of her nephew,
Mr. Johnson; Mrs. Hewitt 340

To John Johnson, Esq., Nov. 26, 1790. On the study
of jurisprudence; visit from the Dowager Lady
Spencer 340

To Mrs. King, Nov. 29, 1790. On the praises of friends;
his obligations to Professor Martyn; progress in printing
his Homer 341

To Samuel Rose, Esq., Nov. 30, 1790. On his professional
exertions in behalf of a friend; revisal of proofs
of his Homer 341

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Dec. 1, 1790. He retorts the
charge of long silence, and boasts of his intention to
write; progress in printing his Homer; his reasons
for not soliciting the laureatship 341

To the Rev. John Newton, Dec. 5, 1790. Dying state of
Mrs. Newton 341

Remarks on the doubts and fears of Christians 342

To John Johnson, Esq., Dec. 18, 1790. Cambridge subscription
for Homer; progress in printing the work 342

To Mrs. King, Dec. 31, 1790. Thanks for the present
of a counterpane; his own indisposition; his poetical
operations 342

Cowper's verses on the visit of Miss Stapleton to Weston 343

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Jan. 4, 1791. On his own
state of health; on the quantity of syllables in verse 343

To the Rev. John Newton, Jan. 20, 1791. On the death
of Mrs. N. 344

To John Johnson, Esq., Jan. 21, 1791. He urges Mr. J.
to come to Weston; caution respecting certain singularities 344

To Samuel Rose, Esq., Feb. 5, 1791. Thanks for subscriptions
from Scotland, and for the present of Pope's Homer 344

To Lady Hesketh, Feb. 13, 1791. Influence of a poet's
reputation on an innkeeper 345

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Feb. 26, 1791. He playfully
gives Mr. B. leave to find fault with his verses; his
sentiments respecting blank verse 345

To John Johnson, Esq., Feb. 27, 1791. Progress in
printing Homer; neglect of his work by Oxford 346

To Mrs. King, March 2, 1791. Apology for forgetting
a promise, owing to his being engrossed by Homer;
success of his subscription at Cambridge; the Northampton
dirge 346

To Joseph Hill, Esq., March 6, 1791. Progress in Printing
his Homer 346

Commencement of Cowper's acquaintance with the Rev.
James Hurdis 347

To the Rev. James Hurdis, March 6, 1791. He compliments
Mr. H. on his poetical productions; thanks
him for offers of service; excuses himself from visiting
him, and invites him to Weston 347

To Joseph Hill, Esq., March 10, 1791. Simile drawn
from French and English prints of subjects in Homer 347

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, March 18, 1791. On Dr.
Johnson's taste for poetry; aptness of Mr. B.'s quotations;
Mr. Chester's indisposition 347

To John Johnson, Esq., March 19, 1791. On the poems
of Elizabeth Bentley, an untaught female of Norwich 348

To Samuel Rose, Esq., March 24, 1791. On his application
to Dr. Dunbar relative to subscriptions to Cowper's
Homer 348

To Lady Hesketh, March 25, 1791. Slight of Horace
Walpole; a night alarm and its effects; remarks on a
book sent by Lady H. 349

To the Rev. John Newton, March 29, 1791. Recollections
of past times; difference between dreams and
realities; reasons why the occasional pieces which he
writes do not reach Mr. N.; expected visit of his
maternal relations; his mortuary verses 349

To Mrs. Throckmorton, April 1, 1791. On the failure of
an attempt in favour of his subscription at Oxford; remarks
on a pamphlet by Mr. T. 350

To John Johnson, Esq., April 6, 1791. Thanks for Cambridge
subscriptions 350

To Samuel Rose, Esq., April 29, 1791. Subscriptions to
his Homer 351

To the Rev. Walter Bagot, May 2, 1791. Progress in
printing Homer; visit from Mr. B.'s nephew; Milton's
Latin poems 351

Dr. Johnson's remark on Milton's Latin poems 351

To the Rev. Mr. Buchanan, May 11, 1791. On a poem
of Mr. B.'s 352

To Lady Hesketh, May 18, 1791. Complaint of her not
writing; letter from Dr. Cogswell, of New York, respecting
his poems 352

To John Johnson, Esq., May 23, 1791. On his translation
of the Battle of the Frogs and the Mice 352

The Judgment of the Poets, a poem, by Cowper, on the
relative charms of May and June 352

To Lady Hesketh, May 27, 1791. Tardiness of the printer
of his Homer 353

To John Johnson, Esq., June 1, 1791. He congratulates
Mr. J. on the period of his labours as a transcriber 353