there was no longer any motive for suppressing. Frequently it was found that one part of a letter had been published by Hayley, and another by Dr. J. Johnson; and that Hayley had put together parts from different letters. These disjointed fragments are now assorted and reunited, the connecting paragraphs replaced, and the letters presented as they were written. The cause therefore which has delayed the present volume in the press has very materially enhanced its value.

Mr. Newton's collection contains many of his own letters to Cowper and to Mrs. Unwin, and of Mrs. Unwin and her son to him. From these and other documents, which have reached the Editor during his progress, some particulars have come to his knowledge which should have, been stated in the Life of Cowper, had he been acquainted with them in time; and some letters have appeared which should have been inserted there: but where no diligence has been wanting, no apology can be needed for unavoidable defects. The most convenient manner in which such defects can now be supplied, will be by introducing these materials in the Life of Mr. Newton, and in brief Memoirs of other persons more or less intimately connected with Cowper; and for this a supplementary volume will be required.

KESWICK, May 5, 1836.

May 14.

WHILE this Advertisement was in the press, the writer has received an additional proof of the interest with which the nearest friends and relations of Cowper regard this careful and faithful collection of his works. The Publishers have transmitted to him the following sanction, and which they are authorised to give publicity to, in any and in all ways that they may think most serviceable to their Edition.

As Administratrix to my cousin, William Cowper, Esq. of Olney, and afterwards of WestonUnderwood, I freely authorise Messrs. Baldwin and Cradock to publish any of his Letters which may come into their possession, so far as their publication shall be sanctioned and approved by Robert Southey, Esq. the Editor of this Edition of Cowper's Works.

Signed

For Messrs. Baldwin and Cradock.

ANNE BODHAM,
May 10, 1836.

CONTENTS.

VOL. IV.

1780.

To the Rev. William Unwin. March 28. Presentation

to Christ's Hospital. Keeping the Sabbath

To the same. April 6. Pluralities. Cowper's amuse-

ments

To the Rev. John Newton. April 16. A loquacious

visitor

To the same. May 3. Variety of his topics. Rural

scenery. Amusement in trifles

To Joseph Hill, Esq. May 6. Cowper's reputation at

Olney as a lawyer. Thurlow's illness

To the Rev. William Unwin.

Ardour in his employ-

ment. Expects a visit from his friend. Remarks on the

great Rebellion

To Mrs. Cowper. May 10. On the loss of her brother,

Frederick Madan, a soldier, who died in America

To the Rev. John Newton. May 10. False reading of

Mr. Newton's in a former letter. Bentley

To the Rev. William Unwin. June 8. Pope's letters.

Question whether a clergyman can be compelled to take

a parish apprentice. Translation of a simile in the Para-

dise Lost. Versification of a thought

To the Rev. John Newton. June 12. Riots in London

To the Rev. William Unwin. June 18. Report that

French emissaries were concerned in the riots. Latin

epigram on that subject

:

To the same. June 22. Robertson. Summer idleness

Page

1

3

5

6

8

9

12

13

14

17

19

21

Page

To the Rev. John Newton. June 23. Prophecies unwit-

tingly made. Character of his own letters. Mr. New-

ton slandered. Lace-makers' petition

23

•

To the Rev. William Unwin.

July 2. Care in correct-

ing his verses. Latin epitaph

25

To Joseph Hill, Esq. July 8. Lace-makers' petition

27

To the Rev. William Unwin. July 11. Gardening. Epi-

To the Rev. William Unwin. July 27. Breaking silence.

Lawsuit concerning Olney Bridge

33

To the Rev. John Newton. July 30. Why he sends his

trifles in verse to Mr. Unwin rather than to him.

A

To the Rev. William Unwin. Aug. 6. Writing upon any

thing. Human nature continues the same, though fash-

ions change.

36

To the Rev. John Newton. Aug. 21. Escape of one of

his hares

38

To Mrs. Cowper. Aug. 31. Lady Cowper's death.

Effects of age. Separation from his kindred

40

Commission for books

To the Rev. William Unwin. Sept. 3. Biographia Bri-

tannica.

42

52

To Mrs. Newton. Oct. 5. On Mr. Newton's going to

Ramsgate

To the Rev. William Unwin. Nov. 9. Proposes a pay-
ment for his verses

To the same. Dec. 24. Declines writing upon certain
desired measures of reform. Mr. and Mrs. Powley.
Thelyphthora. Mr. Riland, of Birmingham. Cowper
not a Malthusite

To Joseph Hill, Esq. Dec. 25. Sending his "Report of

an adjudged Case."

53