vidness of his affections in his poem to his mother's than the unhappy poet could ever have suspected. picture, the play of his fancy in John Gilpin, his The ideas about which his despair gathered, were reflective ingenuity in the Task. We recall the probably accidental. His melancholy naturally closing scene-the failing faculties of his faithful was referred to certain external causes, but its true companion, his removal from endeared scenes, his origin is to be sought among the mysteries of our sad walks by the sea-shore, his patient, but pro-nature. The avenues of joy were closed in his found melancholy and peaceful death-with the heart. He tells us, a sportive thought startled him. solemn relief that ensues from the termination of "It is as if a harlequin should intrude himself ina tragedy. And when we are told that an ex- to the gloomy chamber where a corpse is deposited." pression of "holy surprise" settled on the face of In reading his productions, with a sense of his the departed, we are tempted to exclaim with hon- mental condition, what a mingling of human digest Kentnity and woe is present to the imagination! A mind evolving the most rational and virtuous conceptions, yet itself the prey of absurd delusions; a heart overflowing with the truest sympathy for a sick hare, yet pained at the idea of the churchhonors paid to Handel; a soul gratefully recognizing the benignity of God, in the fresh verdure of the myrtle, and the mutual attachment of doves, and yet incredulous of His care for its own eternal

O, let him pass! he hates him

That would upon the rack of this rude world,
Stretch him out longer.

thoughtful man, expatiating in graceful numbers upon the laws of Nature and the claims of Religion, and the poor mortal deferring to an ignorant schoolmaster, and "hunted by spiritual hounds in the night-season;" the devout poet celebrating his Maker's Glory, and the mariner trembling at the waxing moon; the affectionate friend patient and devoted, and the timid devotee deprecating the displeasure of a clergyman, who reproved his limited and harmless pleasures!

At an age when most of his countrymen are confirmed in prosaic habits, William Cowper sat down to versify. No darling theory of the art, no restless thirst for fame, no bardic frenzy prompted his devotion. He sought in poetic labor oblivion of consciousness. He strove to make a Lethe destiny! What a striking incongruity between the of the waters of Helicon. The gift of a beautiful mind was marred by an unhappy temperament; the chords of a tender heart proved too delicate for the winds of life; and the unfortunate youth became an intellectual hypochondriac. In early manhood, when the first cloud of insanity had dispersed, he took, as it were, monastic vows-and turned aside from the busy metropolis, where his career began, to seek the solace of rural retirement. There, the tasteful care of a conservatory-the exercise of mechanical ingenuity, repose, seclusion and kind- It has been objected to Hamlet, that the sportiveness, gradually restored his spirit to calmness; and ness of the prince mars the effect of his thoughtfulthen the intellect demanded exercise, and this it ness. It is natural when the mind is haunted and found in the service of the muse. Few of her vo- oppressed by any painful idea which it is necestaries afford a more touching instance of suffering sary to conceal, to seek relief, and at the same than the bard of Olney. In the records of mental time increase the deception by a kind of playfuldisease, his case has a melancholy prominence-not ness. This is exemplified in Cowper's letters. that it is wholly isolated, but because the patient "Such thoughts," he says, 'as pass through my tells his own story, and hallows the memory of head when I am not writing, make the subject of my his griefs by uniform gentleness of soul and enga- letters to you." One overwhelming thought, howging graces of mind. To account for the misery ever, was gliding like a dark, deep stream beneath of Cowper, is not so important as to receive and the airy structures he thus reared to keep his mind act upon the lesson it conveys. His history is an from being swept off by its gloomy current. To ever-eloquent appeal in behalf of those, whose this end, he surrendered his pen to the most obvious delicate organization and sensitive temper expose pleasantry at hand, and dallied with the most casual them to moral anguish. Whether his gloom is as-thoughts of the moment, as Hamlet talks about the cribable to a state of the brain as physiologists "old true-penny in the cellerage," when the idea maintain, to the ministry of spirits as is argued by of his father's spirit is weighing with awful mysthe Swedenborgians, or to the influence of a creed teriousness upon his heart, and amuses himself as sectarians declare, is a matter of no compara-with joking Old Polonius, when the thought of tive moment-since there is no doubt the germs of filial revenge is swaying the very depths of his insanity existed in his very constitution. "I can- soul. Cowper speculates on baloons, moralizes on not bear much thinking," he says. "The meshes politics, chronicles the details of his home-experiof the brain are composed of such mere spinner's ence even to the accidents resulting from the use threads in me, that when a long thought finds its of a broken table, with the charming air of playfulway into them, it buzzes and twangs and bustles ness that marks the correspondence of a lively about at such a rate as seems to threaten the whole girl. How often are these letters the proofs of contexture." Recent discoveries have proved that rare heroism! How often were those flowers of there is more physiological truth in this remark, fancy watered by a bleeding heart! By what an ef

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fort of will was his mind turned from its sad fore- see the smile with which she 'restored his fiddle,' bodings, from the dread of his wretched anniver- when rest made it safe to resume the pen. We sary, from the one horrible idea that darkened his follow them with a gaze of affectionate respect as being, to the very trifles of common-life, the every- they walk at noon along the gravel-walk, and honor day circumstances which he knew so well how to the maternal solicitude that sustains her patient array with fresh interest and agreeable combination! vigils beside the sick-bed of the bard. In imagiCowper's story indicates what a world of experi- nation we trace her demeanor, as with true female ence is contained in one solitary life. It lifts the tact she contrived to make the people regard her veil from a single human bosom, and displays all charge only with reverence. Like a star of peace the element of suffering, adventure and peace, and promise, beams the memory of this excellent which we are apt to think so dependant upon out- woman upon Cowper's sad history; and Lady Hesward circumstances! There is more to be learned keth and Sister Anne' are the lesser, but still befrom such a record than most histories afford. nignant luminaries of that troubled sky. Such They relate things en masse, and battles, kings and glimpses of woman vindicate her true rights more courts pass before us, like mists along a mountain- than all the rhetoric of Mary Wolstonecraft. They range; but in such a life as that of Cowper's, we prove her claim to higher respect than can attach tremble at the capacity of woe involved in the to the trophies of valor or genius. They exhibit possession of sensibility, and trace with awe and her in all the dignity of pure affection, in the dispity the mystery of a "mind diseased." The charge of duties and the exercise of sentiment anatomy of the soul is, as it were, partially dis- more exalted than the statesman or soldier can closed. Its conflicting elements, its intensity of ever boast. They throw around Olney more sareflection, its marvellous action fill us with a new cred associations than those which consecrate Vauand more tender reverence. Nor are the darker cluse. Not to a selfish passion, not to ambitious shades of this remarkable mental portrait unre- display, not to petty triumphs did these women lieved. To the reader of his life, Cowper's en- minister, but to a kindred nature whose self-suscounter with young Unwin, under the trees at taining energies had been weakened, to a rare Huntingdon, is as bright a gleam of destiny as that spirit bereft of a hope, to a noble heart overwhich visited his heart at Southampton. At the shadowed by despair. It was an office worthy of very outset of his acquaintance with this delight-Angels-and even on earth was it thus fulfilled. ful family, he calls them "comfortable people." It is not surprising that Byron denied to CowHis term may seem rather humble compared with per the title of poet. To an impassioned imaginasuch epithets as brilliant,'gifted' and 'interest- tion, the tone of his writings cannot but appear ing; but to a refined mind it is full of significance. subdued even to absolute tameness. There are, Would there were more comfortable people in the however, in his poems flights of fancy, fine comworld! Where there is rare talent in a companion, parisons and beautiful descriptive sketches, enough there is seldom repose. Enthusiasm is apt to to quicken and impart singular interest to the 'still make very uncomfortable demands upon our sym-life' so congenial to his muse. He compared her pathies, and strong-sense is not infrequently ac-array not inaptly to a quaker-costume. Verse was companied by a dogmatical spirit. Erudite society, deliberately adopted by Cowper at a mature age, is generally devoid of freshness, and poetical spirits as a medium of usefulness. His poetry is not have the reputation of egotism. However im- therefore the overflowing of youthful feeling, and proving such companions may be, to sensitive per-, his good judgment probably warned him to avoid sons they are seldom comfortable. There is a si-exciting themes, even had his inclination tended in lent influence in the mere presence of every one, that direction. He became a lay-preacher in numwhich, whether Animal Magnetism is true or not, 'bers. His object was to improve men, not like the makes itself felt, unless the nerves are insensible; bard of Avon by powerfully unfolding their pas and then there is a decided character in the voice sions, nor like Pope by pure satire; but rather and manner, as well as in the conversation. In through the quiet teachings of a moralist. He comfortable people, all these are harmonized. The discourses upon hunting, cards, the abuses of the whole impression is cheering. We are at ease, clerical profession and other prevailing follies, like and yet gratified; we are soothed and happy. a man who is convinced of the vanity of worldly With such companionship was Cowper blessed in pleasure and anxious to dispel its illusions from the Unwins. No stricken deer' that ever left the other minds. His strain is generally characterherd of men, required such a solace more. We ized by good-sense, occasionally enlivened by quiet cannot wonder it proved a balm. The matronly humor, and frequently exhibits uncommon beauties figure of Mrs. Unwin and her 'sweet, serene face, of style and imagery. It is almost invariably calm. rise before the fancy as pictures of actual memory. Moral indignation is perhaps the only very warm We see her knitting beside the fire on a winter-day, sentiment with which it glows. It may be quesand Cowper writing opposite; hear her friendly tioned whether Cowper's previous experience was expostulation when he overtasked his mind, and the best adapted to educate a reformer. He was

I crown thee king of intimate delights Fire-side enjoyments, homeborn happiness. It was here that the poet struck a responsive chord in the hearts of his countrymen. He sung of the The only amaranthine flower on earth, Sofa-a memorial of English comfort;-of HomeIs Virtue; the only lasting treasure, Truth. the castle of English happiness and independence ;— In favor of these principles he addressed his coun- of the Newspaper-the morning and evening pastrymen, and the strain was worthier than any that time of Englishmen ;—of the ‘hissing urn' and 'the had long struck their ears. Gradually it found a cups that cheer, but not inebriate'-the peculiar response, confirmed the right intentions of lowly luxury of his native land;-of the 'parlor-twilight,' hearts, and carried conviction to many a thoughtful the winter evening, 'the 'noon-day walk'—all subyouth. There was little, however, in this improved jects consecrated by national associations. Goldpoetry, of the "richest music of humanity," or of the electrifying cheerfulness of true inspiration, and hence, much of it has lost its interest, and the bard of Olney is known chiefly by a few characteristic gems of moral meditation and graphic portraiture. Our obligations then to Cowper as a teacher, are comparatively limited. He was conscious of a good design, and felt himself a sincere advocate.

is because it never has been proposed to them by lowed to set what price he pleased on his works; those who are accustomed to lead in public affairs. and when sold, he would of course receive the Works of this nature do not suffer by use, nor balance. This patronage would sustain artists ;— much by the effects of time, and millions may en- to be remunerated, they must wait for the slow but joy them without their being impaired; and, since certain growth of their reputation: and, while it their cost is beyond the means of individuals, the is known that the multitude of works are of the purchase of them by combinations is obviously the quality which captivates most at first sight, and proper course. This has been attempted by pri- palls on acquaintance, no real artist will wish the vate associations, which would do much if you public to act on the principle of paying the full could make them powerful in numbers and wealth; value, to the encouragement of quacks, and the but this is not done ;-probably because there is not certain injury of art. No great artist is avaricious, confidence, to begin with, in their success and sta- though he may feel the want of money, and know bility. As in war, and in mechanics, so in affairs that his efficiency depends on having enough for of this nature, great results do not depend on the his convenience; and when this is sure, he is glad actual amount of power, so much as on its concen- to dismiss it from his thoughts. It is, however, tration; and this principle is well known to these necessary to the true interest of art, that there associations, which are formed for the very pur- should be no compulsory sales, at very small prices; pose of bringing into masses the small sums which but, in bargaining for such works, the consideraindividuals are willing to pay. But a more extend- tion of a purchaser should be, not whether some ed combination, one whose prominence cannot be needy artist will be obliged to abate his price, when doubted, is necessary to inspire confidence; for, such and such bills are due, but whether the sum though men are ready to contribute liberally if he demands can, in any other way, bring a greater they can believe that others will do the same, so amount of pleasure. In this way, the public and that a decided effect shall result, they are not dis- the artist-I mean the true and skilful artist-would posed to join in a small and spiritless effort, which mutually accommodate each other: he would al-. is not likely to survive through its feeble and trou- low for the uncertainty of taste, and give the use blesome non-age. The willingness to contribute of his works for less than an absolute equivalent : is our power, in this case; a guaranty that others they would furnish him the means of present effishall contribute, is the means to concentrate it. I ciency, and preserve his works in the best place have made a proposition, addressed more particu- for their merits to be discovered; and whenever a larly to the citizens of New-York, but which is purchaser would give their value, whether in the equally applicable to all parts of the country, in artist's old age, or after his death, they would give which this condition is embraced in its fullest sense, to him or his family the remainder of his due. as it requires every man to pay according to his There would be many other advantages attendability; that is, that the expense be paid from the ing an institution that should keep works constantly city treasury, and the institution open free to all. before the public; not the least important, the enWere a law passed to appropriate a respectable couragement of true criticism, and the certain ulsum, from thirty to a hundred thousand annually, timate exposure of that which is false. At preit would soon produce a magnificent collection; sent, you have exhibitions open but six or eight and generous individuals, having confidence in its weeks-not long enough to distinguish the good stability, would increase it by donations of such from the bad-which allows superficial critics an works as a careful policy might not allow the opportunity to mislead the inexperienced. It is managers to buy. All would aid in its support; known, too, that praise is purchased by good wine, the poor man's pence, and the rich man's shillings, oysters, pastry, dinners and suppers, and, when would be merged in an effective mass, capable of artists cannot afford these, by portraits: and, as purchasing works of magnitude and excellence ;- mean wretches will thrust themselves into every it would be burdensome to none;-it would be profession, especially where an ample chance of beneficial to all; for every one, for the trifle he deception exists, cliques will be formed for the would pay, would have the full use, if not the exclusive use, of property worth a thousand or perhaps a million times the amount of his contribution. The chief features of my plan are:-to pay the cost from the public treasury: to have the admittance free: to keep it constantly open: to make exchanges, for limited times, with galleries in other Another advantage is, that strangers, who visit cities and, in order that the funds may not be cities at all seasons, would see whatever artists squandered, to pay but a part-a half or fourth- might have for sale. There is now no place, conof the value of each work that is purchased; but stantly open, where you can see works of Amerito leave the artist at liberty to repurchase it, at can artists; but you may find abundance of very any time, for the same price. He would be al- old paintings, which will be shown you as the

purpose of reciprocating praise, and thus staggering those newspaper writers who are not confident of their own judgment. All this imposture would recoil on its authors, if a few years time were allowed; but now, before you discover the trick, the productions are removed.