CHAP. II.

Entrance into the Temple. Employment there.

Depression of his mind. Religious impressions.

Visit to Southampton. Sudden removal of sor-

row. Death of his father. Appointment to the

office of reading clerk in the House of Lords.

Dread of appearing in public. Consequent aban-

donment of the situation. Is proposed as clerk

of the Journals. Feelings on the occasion. Vi-

sit to Margate. Return to London. Preparation

for entering upon his office. Distressing sensa-

tions on the occasion. Is compelled to relinquish

it for ever. Serious attack of depression. Visit

of his brother.

Removal to Huntingdon. Sensations there.

Engages in public worship for the first time after

his recovery. Delight it afforded him. Com-

mences a regular correspondence with some of

his friends. Pleasure he experienced in writing

on religious subjects. Anxiety of his mind for

the spiritual welfare of his former associates. At-

tributes their continuance in sin chiefly to infi-

delity. Folly of this. Beauty of the Scriptures.

Absurdity of attributing events to second causes,

instead of to the overruling providence of God.

Dependence upon Divine direction the best sup-

port in affliction. Forms some new connections.

Becomes acquainted with the Unwin family.

Happiness he experienced in their company.

105

which Christians will have of each other in bea-

ven. What will engage their thoughts there.

Just views of Christian friendship. Strength of

his religious affections. Humbling views of him-

self. Melancholy death of Mr. Unwin. Cow-

per's reflections upon it. Mr. Newton's nnex-

pected but providential visit to Mrs. Unwin. Cow-

per's determination to remain with the family.

Their removal from Huntingdon to Olney.

CHAP. VI.

His

Commencement of Cowper's intimacy with

Mr. Newton. Pleasure it afforded him.

charitable disposition. Means provided for its

indulgence, by the munificence of the late J.

Thornton, Esq. Mr. Thornton's death. Cow-

per's poetic tribute to his memory. Remarks on

the insufficiency of earthly objects to afford peace

to the mind. His great anxiety for the spiritual

welfare of his correspondents. Consolatory re-

marks addressed to his cousin. Severe affliction

of his brother. Cowper's great concern on his

behalf. Happy change that takes place in his

brother's sentiments on religious subjects. His

death. Cowper's reflections on it. Deep im-

pression it made upon his mind. Description of

his brother's character. Engages with Mr. New-

ton to write the Olney Hymns. Cowper's severe

indisposition.

CHAP. VII.

Great severity of Cowper's mental depression.

His presentiment of it. Its consequences. Re-

marks upon its probable cause. Absurdity of at-

tributing it, in any degree, to religion. Mrs. Un-

win's great attention to him. His aversion to the

company of strangers. Symptoms of his reco-

very. Domesticates three leverets. Amusement

they afford him. Mr. Newton's removal from

Oluey. Introduction of Mr. Bull to Cowper.

His translation of Madame de la Guyon's poems,

at Mr. Bull's request. Commences his original

productions, at the suggestion of Mrs. Unwin.

Renews his correspondence with Mr. and Mrs.

Newton. Describes the state of his mind. .

CHAP. VIII.

Makes preparations for publishing his first vo-

lume. Reasons assigned for it. Beneficial effects

of composition on his mind. His comparative

indifference to the success of his volume. Great

care, nevertheless, with which he composed it.

His readiness to avail himself of the assistance

and advice of his friends. The interest which

Mr. Newton took in his publication. Writes the

preface for the volume. Cowper's judicious re-

ply to some objections that had been made to it.

Publication of the volume. Manner in which it

was received. Continuance of Cowper's depres-

sion. State of his mind respecting religion. His

118

121

126

warm attachment to the leading truths of the gos-

pel Ardent desires to make his volume the

means of conveying them to others.

CHAP. IX.

Commencement of Cowper's acquaintance with

Lady Austin. Pleasure it affords him. Poetic

epistle to her. Her removal to Olney. Benefi-

cial influence of her conversational powers on

Cowper's mind. Occasion of his writing John

Gilpin. Lines composed at Lady Austin's re-

quest. Induced by her to commence writing The

Task. Principal object he had in view in com-

posing it. Sudden and final separation from

Lady Austin. Occasional severity of his depres-

sive malady. Hopes entertained by his friends of

his ultimate recovery. His own opinion upon it.

Pleasing proofs of the power of religion on his

mind. Tenderness of his conscience. Serious

reflections. Aversion to religious deception and

pretended piety. Bigotry and intolerance, with

their opposite vices, levity and indifference, deplor-

ed. Sympathy with the sufferings of the poor.

Enviable condition of such of them as are pious,

compared with the rich who disregard religion.

СНАР. Х.

Publication of Cowper's second volume of

poems. Manner in which it was received by the

public. His feelings on the occasion. Great self-

abasement. Renewal of his correspondence with

Lady Hesketh. Acceptance of her proffered as-

sistance. Her projected visit to Olney. Cow-

per's pleasing anticipations of its results. Her

arrival. Cowper's removal from Olney to Weston.

His intimacy with the Throckmortons. Happi-

ness it afforded him.

CHAP. XI

Extracts from his correspondence. Description

of the deep seriousness that generally pervaded

his mind. His remarks to justify his removal

from Olney. Vindicates himself and Mrs. Un-

win from unjust aspersions. Reasons for under-

taking the translation of Homer. His opinion of

Pope's. Unremitting attention to his own. In-

mense pains he bestowed upon it. His readiness

to avail himself of the assistance of others. Vex-

ation he experienced from a multiplicity of critics.

Just remarks upon criticism. Determination to

persevere in his work. Justifies himself for un-

dertaking it. Pleasure he took in relieving the

poor. Renewal of his correspondence with Ge-

neral Cowper and the Rev. Dr. Bagot. Conso-

latory letter to the latter.

CHAP. XII.

Pleasure he enjoyed in his new residence. Sud-

den death of Mrs. Unwin's son. Cowper's dis-

tress on the occasion. Experiences a severe at-

tack of illness. Is compelled to relinquish, for a

time, his labors of translation. Mr. Rose's first

visit to him. His sudden recovery. Manner of

spending his time. Peculiarities of his case. Is

dissuaded from resuming his translation. His de-

termination to persevere in it. Applies to it with

the utmost diligence. Great care with which he

translated it. His admiration of the original.

Providential preservation of Mrs. Unwin. His

painful depression unremoved.

CHAP. XIII.

Pressing invitations of his friends to write a

poem on the Slave Trade. Reasons for declining

it. Correspondence with Mrs. King. Particular

description of his feelings. Death of Sir Ashley

Cowper. Description of his character. Great

Page

130

134

140

severity of Cowper's depression. Is again urged

to write on the Slave Trade. Again declines it.

Assigns particular reasons for it. His indefa-

tigable application to Homer. Notice he took of

passing events. Mr. and Mrs. Newton's visit to

Weston. The pleasure it afforded Cowper. Lady

Hesketh's visit. Completion of the Iliad, and

commencement of the Odyssey. His unwearied

application to Homer not allowed to divert his at-

tention from religion. Occasional composition of

original poetry. Readiness to listen to any altera-`

tion that might be suggested in his productions.

CHAP. XIV.

Mrs. Unwin much injured by a fall. Cowper's

anxiety respecting her. Continues incessantly

engaged in his Homer. Expresses regret that it

should, in some measure, have suspended his cor-

respondence with his friends. Revises a small

volume of poems for children. State of his mind.

Receives as a present from Mrs. Bodham, a por-

trait of his mother. Feelings on the occasion.

Interesting description of her character. His af-

fectionate attachment to her. Translates a series

of Latin letters from a Dutch minister of the gos-

pel. Continuance of his depression. Is attack-

ed with a nervous fever. Completion of his trans-

lation. Death of Mrs. Newton. His reflections

on the occasion. Again revises his Homer. His

unalterable attachment to religion.

CHAP. XV.

Publication of his Homer. Anxiety respecting

it. To whom dedicated. Benefits he had derived

from it. Feels the want of employment. Pre-

pares materials for a splendid edition of Milton's

poetic works. Vindicates his character. Attempts

of his friends to dissuade him from his new en-

gagement. His replies. The commencement of

his acquaintance with Mr. Hayley. Pleasure it af-

forded Mr. Hayley. Mrs. Unwin's first attack of

paralysis. Manner in which it affected Cowper.

Remarks on Milton's labors. Reply to Mr. New-

ton's letter for original composition. Continu-

ance of his depression. First letter from Mr.

Hayley. Unpleasant circumstances respecting it.

Mr. Hayley's first visit to Weston. Kind manner

in which he was received. Mrs. Unwin's second

severe paralytic attack. Cowper's feelings on

the occasion. Mr. Hayley's departure. Cowper's

warm attachment to him. Reflections on the re-

cent changes he had witnessed. Promises to visit

Eartham. Makes preparations for the journey.

Peculiarity of his feelings on the occasion.

CHAP. XVI.

Journey to Eartham. Incidents of it. Safe

arrival Description of its beauties. Employ-

ment there. Reply to a letter from Mr. Hurdis,

on the death of his sister. State of Cowper's

mind at Eartham. His great attention to Mrs.

Unwin. Return to Weston. Interview with Ge-

neral Cowper. Safe arrival at their beloved re-

treat. Violence of his depressive malady. Re-

grets the loss of his studious habit. Ineffectual

efforts to obtain it. Warmth of his affection for

Mr. Hayley. Dread of January. Prepares for

a second edition of Homer. Commences writing

notes upon it. Labor it occasioned him. His

close application. Continuance of his depres-

sion. Judicious consolatory advice he gives to his

friends. Letter to Rev. J. Johnson on his taking

orders. Pleasure it afforded him to find that his

relative entered upon the work with suitable feel-

ings. Reply to Mr. Hayley respecting a joint

literary undertaking.

Page

155

160

166

173

CHAP. XVII.

Page

Latin. Rapid decay of his strength. Last illness.

Death.

178

Mr. Hayley's second visit to Weston. Finds

Cowper busily engaged. Great apprehensions

respecting him. Mrs. Unwin's increasing infirmi-

ties. Cowper's feelings on account of it. Vigor

of his own mind at this period. Severe attack of

depression. Deplorable condition to which he

was now reduced. Management of his affairs

kindly undertaken by Lady Hesketh. Mr. Hay-

ley's anxieties respecting him. Is invited by Mr.

Greathead to pay Cowper another visit. Com-

plies with the invitation. Arrival at Weston.

How he is received by Cowper. Inefficiency of

the means employed to remove his depression.

Handsome pension allowed him by His Majesty.

His removal from Weston to Norfolk, under the

care of the Rev. J. Johnson. Death of Mrs. Un-

win. How it affected Cowper. Recovers suffi-

ciently to resume his application to Homer. Fi-

nishes his notes. Letter to Lady Hesketh, de-

scriptive of his feelings. Composes some origi-

nal poems. Translates some of Gay's fables into

Page

CHAP. XVIII.

Description of his person, his manners, his dis-

position, his piety. His attachment to the Esta-

blished Church. His attainments. Originality

of his poetry. His religious sentiments. The

warmth of his friendship. His attachment to the

British constitution. His industry and persever-

ance. Happy manner in which he could console

the afflicted. His occasional intervals of enjoy-

ment. Character as a writer. Powers of de-

scription. Beauty of his letters. His aversion

to flattery, to affectation, to cruelty. His love of

liberty, and dread of its abuse. Strong attach-

ment to, and intimate acquaintance with the

Scriptures. Pleasure with which he sometimes

viewed the works of creation. Contentment of

his mind. Extract from an anonymous critic.

Poetic tribute to his memory.

185

Liverpool. Preaches at Newington chapel. His
popularity as a preacher. Correspondence. Re-
turn to the academy. Invited by the congregation
of Newington to become their pastor. Calls from
other congregations. Acceptance of the call from
Liverpool. Last sermon at Hoxton.

Mr. Spencer commences his pastoral labors at

Newington chapel. Correspondence. Success

of his ministry. Lays the foundation stone of a

new chapel for his congregation. Correspond-

ence. Ordination. His first administration of

the Lord's Supper. Death. Funeral. Sketch

of his character.

APPENDIX.-No. I. Hoxton academy. No. II.

Mr. Spencer's early exercises in preaching.

No. III. CHRIST AT EMMAUS-a sermon on Luke

xxiv. 32. No. IV. Farewell sermon at Hoxton.

No. V. Address at laying the foundation stone of

the new chapel. No. VI. Mr. Spencer's an-

swers to the questions proposed to him at his or-

dination. No. VII. Additional papers. No. VIII.

Additional letters.

A Poem on the Death of Mr. Spencer, by

James Montgomery.

228

236

257

269

Reflections on Mortality. By Charles Buck. 269