Analysis of Part I.

THE Poem begins with the description of an obscure village, and of the pleasing melancholy which it excites on being revisited after a long absence... This mixed sensation is an effect of the Memory...From an effect we naturally ascend to the cause; and the subject proposed is then unfolded with an investigation of the nature and leading principles of this faculty.

It is evident that there is a continued succession of ideas in the mind, and that they introduce each other with a certain degree of regularity... Their complexion depends greatly on the different perceptions of pleasure and pain which we receive through the medium of sense; and in return, they have a considerable influence on the animal economy.

They are sometimes excited by sensible objects, and sometimes by an internal operation of the mind...Of the former species is most probably the memory of brutes;

and its many sources of pleasure to them, as well as to us, are considered in the first part...The latter is the most perfect degree of Memory, and forms the subject of

the second.

When ideas have any relation whatever, they are attractive of each other in the mind; and the perception of any object naturally leads to the idea of another which was connected with it either in time or place, or which can be compared or contrasted with it...Hence arises our attachment to inanimate objects; hence also, in some degree, the love of our country, and the emotion with which we contemplate the celebrated scenes of antiquity... Hence a picture directs our thoughts to the original : and, as cold and darkness suggest forcibly the ideas of heat and light; he, who feels the infirmities of age, dwells most on whatever reminds him of the vigour and vivacity of his youth.

The associating principle, as here employed, is no less conducive to virtue than to happiness; and, as such, it frequently discovers itself in the most tumultuous scenes of life...It addresses our finer feelings, and gives exercise to every mild and generous propensity.

Not confined to man, it extends through all animated nature; and its effects are peculiarly striking in the domestic tribes.

THE

PLEASURES OF MEMORY.

PART I.

TWILIGHT's soft dews steal o'er the village green,

With magic tints to harmonize the scene.
Still'd is the hum that thro' the hamlet broke,
When round the ruins of their ancient oak
The peasants flock'd to hear the minstrel play,
And games and carols clos'd the busy day.
Her wheel at rest, the matron charms no more,
With treasur❜d tales, and legendary lore.
All, all are fled; nor mirth nor music flows,
To chase the dreams of innocent repose.
All, all are fled; yet still I linger here!
What pensive sweets this silent spot endear?

Mark yon old mansion, frowning thro' the trees, Whose hollow turret woos the whistling breeze! That casement, arch'd with ivy's brownest shade, First to these eyes the light of Heav'n convey'd. The mould'ring gateway strews the grass-grown court, Once the calm scene of many a simple sport; When nature pleas'd, for life itself was new, And the heart promis'd what the fancy drew.

See, thro' the fractur'd pediment reveal'd, Where moss inlays the rudely-sculptur❜d shield, The martin's old hereditary nest

Long may the ruin spare its hallow'd guest!

As jars the hinge, what sullen echoes call!
Oh, haste, unfold the hospitable hall!
That hall, where once, in antiquated state,
The chair of justice held the grave debate.

Now stain'd with dews, with cobwebs darkly hungOft has its roof with peals of rapture rung;

When round yon ample board, in due degree
We sweeten'd every meal with social glee.

The heart's light laugh pursued the circling jest;
And all was sunshine in each little breast.

'Twas here we chas'd the slipper by the sound;
And turn'd the blindfold hero round and round.
'Twas here, at eve, we form'd our fairy ring.
And Fancy flutter'd on her wildest wing.
Giants and genii chain'd each wondering ear;
And orphan sorrows drew the ready tear.

Oft with the babes we wander'd in the wood,
Or view'd the forest-feats of Robin Hood:
Oft, fancy-led, at midnight's fearful hour,
With startling step we scal'd the lonely tow'r;
O'er infant innocence to hang and weep,
Murder'd by ruffian hands, when smiling in its sleep.

Ye household Deities! whose guardian eye
Mark'd each pure thought, ere register'd on high;
Still, still ye walk the consecrated ground,
And breathe the soul of inspiration round.

As o'er the dusky furniture I bend,
Each chair awakes the feelings of a friend.
The storied arras, source of fond delight,
With old achievements charms the wilder'd sight;
And still with heraldry's rich hues imprest,
On the dim window glows the pictur'd crest.
The screen unfolds its many colour'd chart;
The clock still points its moral to the heart.
That faithful monitor 'twas Heav'n to hear
When soft it spoke a promis'd pleasure near;
And has its sober hand, its simple chime,
Forgot to trace the feather'd feet of Time?

That massive beam, with curious carvings wrought,
Whence the caged linnet sooth'd my pensive thought;
Those muskets cas'd with venerable rust;

Those once lov'd forms, still breathing thro' their dust,
Still from the frame, in mould gigantic cast,
Starting to life-all whisper of the past!