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To the Rev. Walter Bagot, Dec. 6, 1787.

B.'s sister at Chichely; Bishop Bagot; a case of ridi-

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

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

To Lady Hesketh, Jan. 30, 1788. His anxiety on ac-
count of her silence.

To the same, Feb. 1, 1788.

280

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THE

LIFE OF COWPER.

Part the Second-Continued.

THE Completion of the second volume of Cowper's poems formed an important period in his literary history. It was the era of the establishment of his poetical fame. His first volume had already laid the foundation; the second raised the superstructure, which has secured for him à reputation as honourable as it is likely to be lasting. He was more particularly indebted for this distinction to his inimitable production, "The Task," a work which every succeeding year has increasingly stamped with the seal of public approbation. If we inquire into the causes of its celebrity, they are to be found not merely in the multitude of poetical beauties, scattered throughout the poem; it is the faithful delineation of nature and of the scenes of real life; it is the vein of pure and elevated morality, the exquisite sensibility of feeling, and the powerful appeals to the heart and conscience, which constitute its great charm

VOL. III.

B

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