← Of such a nature, when viewed in a broad light, were the elements of Shelley's character. Nor is it difficult to reconcile them with the details of his opinions and the tenor of his life. It is easy to imagine a state of society in which such a being might freely develope, and felicit. ously realize principles and endowments so full of pro. mise; while, on the other hand, it is only necessary to look around on the world as it is, or back upon its past records, to lose all surprise that this fine specimen of humanity was sadly misunderstood and his immediate influence perverted. The happy agency which as an inde pendent thinker and humane poet might have been prophecied of Shelley, presupposed a degree of consideration and sympathy, not to say delicacy and reverence, on the part of society, a wisdom in the process of education, a scope of youthful experience, an entire integrity of treat. ment, to be encountered only in the dreams of the Utopian. To have elicited in forms of unadulterated good the characteristics of such a nature, "when his being overflowed," the world should have been to him, "As a golden chalice to bright wine Which else had sunk into the thirsty dust."* Instead of this, at the first sparkling of that fountain, the teachings of the world, and the lessons of life, were calculated to dam up its free tide in the formal embankments of custom and power. What wonder, then, that it overleaped such barriers, and wound waywardly aside into solitude, to hear no sound "save its own dashings?" * Prometheus Unbound. without ceasing, the fire of their devotion. They turn from the idols of fashion to worship their household gods. The fire-side, the accustomed window, the familiar garden bound their desires. To happy domestic influences Cowper owed all the peace of mind he enjoyed. He eulo gized the blessing with grateful sincerity. O friendly to the best pursuits of man, Friendly to thought, to virtue and to peace, "Constant occupation without care," was his ideal of existence. Even winter was endeared by its home-enjoyments. I crown thee king of intimate delights Fire-side enjoyments, home-born happiness. It was here that the poet struck a responsive chord in the hearts of his countrymen. He sung of the sofa-a memorial of English comfort; of home the castle of English happiness and independence ;—of the newspaper-the morning and evening pastime of Englishmen ;-of the 'hissing urn' and 'the cups that cheer, but not inebriate’— the peculiar luxury of his native land;—of the 'parlortwilight,' the winter evening,' the 'noon-day walk'--all subjects consecrated by national associations. Goldsmith and Thompson are the poets of rural life, and Cowper completes the charming triumvirate. The latter's love for the country was absolute. I never framed a wish, or formed a plan, That flattered me with hopes of earthly bliss, His description of the pursuits of horticulture, winter landscapes, and rustic pleasures, eloquently betray this peculiar fondness for the scenery and habits of rural life. Many of these pictures are unique, and constitute Cowper's best title to poetic fame. always general, even concerning And learned in suffering what he taught in song." " It is now about eighteen years since the waters of the Mediterranean closed over one of the most delicately organized and richly endowed beings of our era. A scion of the English aristocracy, the "nobility of his soul threw far into the shade all conventional distinctions; while his views of life and standard of action were infinitely broader and more elevated than the narrow limits of caste. Highly imaginative, susceptible and brave, even in boyhood he reverenced the honest convictions of his own mind above success or authority. With a deep thirst for knowledge, he united a profound interest in his race. Highly philosophical in his taste, truth was the prize for which he most earnestly contended; heroical in his temper, freedom he regarded as the dearest boon of existence; of a tender and ardent heart, love was the grand hope and consolation of his being, while beauty formed the most genial element of his existence. Of such a nature, when viewed in a broad light, were the elements of Shelley's character. Nor is it difficult to reconcile them with the details of his opinions and the tenor of his life. It is easy to imagine a state of society in which such a being might freely develope, and felicit ously realize principles and endowments so full of pro. mise; while, on the other hand, it is only necessary to look around on the world as it is, or back upon its past records, to lose all surprise that this fine specimen of humanity was sadly misunderstood and his immediate influence perverted. The happy agency which as an inde. pendent thinker and humane poet might have been prophecied of Shelley, presupposed a degree of consideration and sympathy, not to say delicacy and reverence, on the part of society, a wisdom in the process of education, a scope of youthful experience, an entire integrity of treat. ment, to be encountered only in the dreams of the Utopian. To have elicited in forms of unadulterated good the characteristics of such a nature, "when his being overflowed," the world should have been to him, "As a golden chalice to bright wine Which else had sunk into the thirsty dust.”* Instead of this, at the first sparkling of that fountain, the teachings of the world, and the lessons of life, were calculated to dam up its free tide in the formal embankments of custom and power. What wonder, then, that it overleaped such barriers, and wound waywardly aside into solitude, to hear no sound "save its own dashings?" * Prometheus Unbound. |