THE WORKS
OF
WILLIAM COWPER.
Drawn from the Life by Romney 1782. W. Greatbach.
WILLIAM COWPER.
BORN 1731 DIED 1800.
THE
LIFE AND WORKS
of
WILLIAM COWPER.
Complete
In one Volume.
J. L. Harding W. Greatbach
The House in which Cowper was born
Berkhamstead.
London.
WILLIAM TEGG & Co.
THE WORKS
OF
WILLIAM COWPER:
HIS LIFE, LETTERS, AND POEMS.
NOW FIRST COMPLETED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF
COWPER'S PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE.
EDITED BY THE
REV. T. S. GRIMSHAWE, A.M., F.S.A., M.R.S.L.,
VICAR OF BIDDENHAM, BEDFORDSHIRE;
AND AUTHOR OF "THE LIFE OF THE REV. LEGH RICHMOND."
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.
LONDON:
WILLIAM TEGG AND Co., CHEAPSIDE.
MDCCCXLIX.
LONDON:
J. HADDON, PRINTER, CASTLE STREET, FINSBURY.
PREFATORY REMARKS.
The very extensive sale of the former editions of the Works of Cowper, ineight volumes, now comprising an issue of no less than seventy thousand volumes,has led the publishers to contemplate the present edition in one volume 8vo.This form is intended to meet the demands of a numerous class of readers, dailybecoming more literary in taste, and more influential in their character on thegreat mass of our population. At a period like the present, when the greatframework of society is agitated by convulsions pervading nearly the whole ofcontinental Europe, and when so many elements of evil are in active operation,it becomes a duty of the highest importance to imbue the public mind with whateveris calculated to uphold national peace and order, and to maintain among us adue reverence for laws, both human and divine. The faculty also and taste forreading now exists to so great an extent, that it assumes a question of no smallmoment how this faculty is to be directed; whether it shall be the giant's powerto wound and to destroy, or like the Archangel's presence to heal and to save?Many readers require to be amused, but it is no less necessary that they shouldbe instructed. To seek amusement and nothing further, denotes a head withoutwit, and a heart and a conscience without feeling. An author, if he be aChristian and a patriot, will never forget to edify as well as to amuse. Thereare few writers who possess and employ this happy art with more skill thanCowper. His aim is evidently to interest his reader, but he never forgets theappeal to his heart and conscience. It is strange if amidst the flowers of hispoetic fancy,