of an immoral, nothing of improper tendency will be imputed to a piece of poetical playfulness, in fact, genuine praise, like all other species of truth, is known by its bearing full investigation: it is what the giver is happy that he can justly bestow, and the receiver conscious that he may boldly accept; but adulation must ever be afraid of enquiry, and must, in proportion to their degrees of moral sensibility, Be shame "to him that gives and him that takes." The verses in p. 191, want a title, nor does the motto, although it gave occasion to them, altogether express the sense of the writer, who meant to observe that some of our best acquisitions, and some of our nobler conquests are rendered ineffectual, by the passing away of opportunity and the changes made by time; an argument that such acquirements and moral habits are reserved for a state of being, in which they may have the uses here denied them. In the story of SIR EUSTACE GREY, an attempt is made to describe the wanderings of a mind first irritated by the consequences of error and misfortune, and afterwards soothed by a species of enthusiastic conversion, still keeping him insane: a task very difficult, and if the presumption of the attempt may find pardon, it will not be refused to the failure of the poet: It is said of our Shakespeare, respecting madness; "In that circle none dare walk but he ." yet be it granted to one, who dares not to pass the boundary fixed for common minds, at least to step near to the tremendous verge and form some idea of the terrors that are stalking in the interdicted space. When first I had written AARON, or THE GIPSEY; I had no unfavourable opinion of it; and had I been collecting my verses at that time for publication, I should certainly have included this tale. Nine years have since elapsed, and I continue to judge the same of it, thus literally obeying one of the directions given by the prudence of criticism to the eagerness of the poet: but how far I may have conformed to rules of more importance, must be left to the less partial judgement of the readers. The concluding poem, intitled WOMAN! was written at the time when the quotation from Mr. LEDYARD was first made public; the expression has since become hackneyed; but the sentiment is congenial with our feelings, and though somewhat amplified in these verses, it is hoped they are not so far extended as to become tedious. After this brief account of his subjects, the author leaves them to their fate, not presuming to make any remarks upon the kinds of versification he has chosen, or the merit of the execution; he has indeed brought forward the favourable opinion of his friends, and for that he earnestly hopes his motives will be rightly understood; it was a step of which he felt the advantage while he foresaw the danger; he was aware of the benefit, if his readers would consider him as one who puts on a defensive armour against hasty and determined severity, but he feels also the hazard, lest they should suppose he looks upon himself to be guarded by his friends and so secure in the defence, that he may defy the fair judgement of legal criticism: it will probably be said, 'he 'has brought with him his testimonials to the bar of 'the public;' and he must admit the truth of the remark but he begs leave to observe in reply, that, of those who bear testimonials of any kind, the greater number feel apprehension, and not security; they are indeed so far from the enjoyment of victory or the exultation of triumph, that, with all they can do for themselves, with all their friends have done for them, they are, like him, in dread of examination and in fear of disappointment. Muston, Leicestershire, |