harshness of a selfish and cowardly companion, was so crushed that its full healthy action was never attained. After residing with an eminent oculist for some time, he became a scholar at Westminster school, where he remained for seven years; and, although his timidity, increased by past ill-usage, still often subjected him to the taunts and jeers of some of his schoolmates, yet the simple truthfulness and gentleness of his disposition, together with the occasional bursts of vivacity and humour, won the hearts of the really noble of his schoolmates, while his industry gained for him the respect of his tutors and teachers. Having finished his general education at Westminster, Cowper entered upon the study of the law, in which the future lord chancellor, Thurlow, was his fellow apprentice. The chambers of the young students, however, more frequently resounded with the sounds of mirth, or witnessed the production of gay or satirical verses, than the earnest study of legal principles or nice cases of law. In 1751 he was called to the bar; but he still lived a somewhat idle life, writing occasionally for the serials of the day, and taking part in the "Nonsense Club," which consisted mainly of Westminster men. In 1763, when Cowper was thirty-two years of age, he lost his father; and his patrimony being small, it was necessary for him to enter upon some more profitable employment. A relative presented him to a clerkship in the House of Lords; but as it involved frequent appearances before the house, his timid nature recoiled, and the post was exchanged for one less lucrative but the duties of which were more private. It, however, involved an examination to test his fitness for the post. After months of hard work in preparation for the test, his mind gave way, and in a fit of despondency he tried to kill himself; but the issue was overruled, and as he himself observes, "My life, which I had called my own and claimed a right to dispose of, was kept for me by Him whose property indeed it was, and who alone had a right to dispose of it." For upwards of a year and a half the whilome lawyer was the inmate of a private lunatic asylum at St. Albans ; yet when the more dangerous forms of his malady had subsided he sank into a condition of religious melancholy, in which the belief that his soul was lost beyond the power of redemption hung as a thick cloud upon much of his after life. The busy capital, with its follies and vices, was no longer a congenial place for Cowper. His brother John procured him a quiet lodging at Huntingdon, where he went to reside in 1765, and soon afterwards became acquainted with the Rev. Morley Unwin and his family. In their house he became an inmate, where his spirit was soothed by the kindly ministrations of Mrs. Unwin, and his mind engaged, without being over-taxed, by the cheerful yet intellectual converse of the good clergyman and his son. Not more than a year had elapsed when death removed the head of this quiet but genial family circle. Mr. Unwin was thrown from his horse and died, and soon after the widow and her daughter removed to the neighbouring village of Olney in Buckinghamshire. Cowper, whose spirit nestled in this quiet home, could not bear the thought of separation, and he removed with them. The scenery accorded well with his mental condition and habits. Here, with his dog as his companion, he loitered upon the banks of the slow and reedy Ouse; at one time watching the fish in the shallows, gliding and revelling in the freedom of their water life; and again admiring the gold and silver of the water-lilies that floated on the deep stream; then making a round of calls upon the poor cottagers, he learned to share their joys and take part in their sorrows. The Rev. John Newton, a clergyman of great mental and bodily vigour, was at this time curate of Olney, and he exerted much influence upon Cowper. Jointly they produced the volume of hymns before referred to, sixty-eight of which were composed by Cowper. The collection contains some of the most popular songs of praise in our language; amongst others, those beginning "God moves in a mysterious way," and "Oh for a closer walk with God," are almost universally known. But again the terrible shadows gathered upon his brain, and from 1773 to 1776 all was dark and apparently hopeless. As light began once more to break upon the poor recluse, in addition to the amusement derived from his tamed hares, his flowers, his drawings and bird cages, Mrs. Unwin sought to call into more regular and constant exercise his poetical talent, and owing to her influence and encouragement the volume containing "The Progress of Error," "Truth," "Table Talk," and "Expostulation," was produced. Few recognised the merit of the poet, but amongst the few were Dr. Johnson and Benjamin Franklin. Soon after the appearance of this volume, Lady Austen came to reside near Cowper. To cheer the poet in one of his dark hours, she told the story of John Gilpin; the fact so told gave rise to Cowper's well-known ballad. Soon after, at the suggestion of the same genial and accomplished lady, Cowper began the work which gained for him general praise and popularity. "I want a subject for a poem," said he to Lady Austen one day. "Write on any-write on this sofa," was the reply. "The Task," of which "The Sofa" was the first book, was forthwith begun, and was completed in the next year. "The best didactic poems," says Southey, "when compared with the 'Task,' are like formal gardens in comparison with woodland scenery." Cowper's next prolonged work was his translation of Homer into English verse; this was carried through at the rate of forty lines a day, with a short interruption arising from his old malady. This work was completed 1791. As years passed on kind friends drew round the now appreciated poet. An annuity of £50 a year, probably from his cousin Theodora, to whom his early love had been given, added many comforts to his home; while Mr. Throckmorton (Benevolus of "The Task ") and his family cheered him by their friendly intercourse and hospitalities; and finally a pension of £300 per annum from the Crown secured for him ease and comfort. But soon a sad blow fell upon Cowper; two attacks of paralysis laid Mrs. Unwin low. Cowper mourned and watched by her side, but ere long his mind too gave way; and when that stricken lady died, the grey-haired poet stood by, and, after a passionate outburst of grief, never again mentioned her name. In less than four years Cowper passed away from the sorrows of earth to join those gone before in the brightness of the higher life. He died on the 25th of April, 1800. EXERCISE 1.-Define :-Maternal, vivacity, involved, malady, subsided, redemption, companion, popular, mysterious, recognise. EXERCISE 2.-What and where are St. Albans, Huntingdon, Olney, and the Ouse? EXERCISE. 3. Give a little sketch of the life of Cowper. ONCE went I forth, and found, till then unknown, 'Tis perched upon the green hill top, but close From such unpleasing sounds as haunt the ear Incessant, clinking hammers, grinding wheels, Its elevated site forbids the wretch To drink sweet waters of the crystal well; He dips his bowl into the weedy ditch, |