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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/8580-8.txt b/8580-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3c8a2dc --- /dev/null +++ b/8580-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,17388 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Reminiscences of Samuel Taylor Coleridge +and Robert Southey, by Joseph Cottle + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Reminiscences of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey + +Author: Joseph Cottle + +Release Date: July, 2005 [EBook #8580] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on July 25, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OF COLERIDGE AND SOUTHEY *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Thomas Berger, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + +[Illustration: Portrait.] + + * * * * * + +REMINISCENCES OF SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE AND ROBERT SOUTHEY + + +by JOSEPH COTTLE + + * * * * * + +INTRODUCTION. + + +It is with a solemnized feeling that I enter on these Reminiscences. +Except one, I have survived all the associates of my earlier days. The +young, with a long life in perspective, (if any life can be called long, +in so brief an existence) are unable to realize the impressions of a man, +nearer eighty than seventy, when the shadows of evening are gathering +around, and, in a retrospective glance, the whole field of past vision +appears, in all its complexities, like the indistinct tumults of a dream. +The acute reasoner--the fiery politician--the eager polemic--the emulous +aspirant after fame; and many such have I known, where are they? and how +mournful, if any one of them should be found, at last, to have directed +his solicitudes, alone, to material objects;--should have neglected to +cultivate his own little plot of earth, more valuable than mines! and +have sown no seeds for eternity. It is not a light motive which could +have prompted me, when this world of "Eye and Ear" is fast receding, +while grander scenes are opening, and so near! to call up almost +long-forgotten associations, and to dwell on the stirring, by-gone +occurrences that tend, in some measure, to interfere with that calm which +is most desirable, and best accords with the feelings of one who holds +life by such slender ties. Yet through the goodness of the Almighty, +being at the present moment exempt from many of the common infirmities of +age, I am willing, as a last act, to make some sacrifice to obtain the +good which I hope this recurrence to the past is calculated to produce. + +With respect to Mr. Coleridge, it would be easy and pleasant to sail with +the stream; to admire his eloquence; to extol his genius; and to forget +his failings; but where is the utility, arising out of this homage paid +to naked talent? If the attention of posterity rested here, where were +the lessons of wisdom to be learnt from his example? His path through the +world was marked by strong outlines, and instruction is to be derived +from every feature of his mind, and every portion of his eventful and +chequered life. In all the aspects of his character, he was probably the +most singular man that has appeared in this country during the preceding +century, and the leading incidents of whose life ought to stand fairly on +record. The facts which I have stated are undeniable, the most important +being substantiated by his own letters; but higher objects were intended +by this narrative than merely to elucidate a character, (however +remarkable), in all its vicissitudes and eccentricities. Rising above +idle curiosity, or the desire of furnishing aliment for the +sentimental;--excitement the object, and the moral tendency disregarded, +these pages take a wider range, and are designed for the good of many, +where if there be much to pain the reader, he should moderate his +regrets, by looking through the intermediate to the end. + +There is scarcely an individual, whose life, if justly delineated, would +not present much whence others might derive instruction. If this be +applicable to the multitude, how much more essentially true is it, in +reference to the ethereal spirits, endowed by the Supreme with a lavish +portion of intellectual strength, as well as with proportionate +capacities for doing good? How serious therefore is the obligation to +fidelity, when the portraiture of a man is to be presented, like Samuel +Taylor Coleridge, in whom such diversified and contrary qualities +alternately predominated! Yet all the advantages to be derived from him, +and similar instructors of mankind, must result from a faithful +exhibition of the broad features of their earthly conduct and character, +so that they might stand out as landmarks, and pharos-towers, to guide, +or warn, or encourage, all succeeding voyagers on the Ocean of Life. + +In preparing the following work, I should gladly have withheld that one +letter of Mr. Coleridge to Mr. Wade, had not the obligation to make it +public been imperative. But concealment would have been injustice to the +living, and treachery to the dead. This letter is the solemnizing voice +of conscience. Can any reflecting mind, deliberately desire the +suppression of this document, in which Mr. Coleridge, for the good of +others, generously forgets its bearing on himself, and makes a full and +voluntary confession of the sins he had committed against "himself, his +friends, his children, and his God?" In the agony of remorse, at the +retrospection, he thus required that this his confession should hereafter +be given to the public. "AFTER MY DEATH, I EARNESTLY ENTREAT, THAT A FULL +AND UNQUALIFIED NARRATIVE OF MY WRETCHEDNESS, AND ITS GUILTY CAUSE, MAY +BE MADE PUBLIC, THAT AT LEAST SOME LITTLE GOOD MAY BE EFFECTED BY THE +DIREFUL EXAMPLE." This is the most redeeming letter Samuel Taylor +Coleridge ever penned. A callous heart could not have written it. A +Christian, awaking from his temporary lethargy, might. While it +powerfully propitiates the reader, it almost converts condemnation into +compassion. + +No considerate friend, it might be thought, would have desired the +suppression of this letter, but rather its most extended circulation; and +that, among other cogent reasons, from the immense moral lesson, enforced +by it, in perpetuity, on all consumers of opium; in which they will +behold, as well as in some of the other letters, the "tremendous +consequences," (to use Mr. Coleridge's own expressions) of such +practices, exemplified in his own person; and to which terrible effects, +he himself so often, and so impressively refers. It was doubtless a deep +conviction of the beneficial tendencies involved in the publication, that +prompted Mr. C. to direct publicity to be given to this remarkable +letter, after his decease. + +The incidents connected with the lives of Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Southey, +are so intimately blended, from relationship, association, and kindred +pursuits, that the biography of one, to a considerable extent, involves +that of the other. The following narrative, however, professes to be +annals of, rather than a circumstantial account of these two remarkable +men. + +Some persons may be predisposed to misconstrue the motive for giving +publicity to the following letter, but others, it is hoped, will admit +that the sole object has been, not to draw the reader's attention to the +writer, but to confer _credit on Southey_. Many are the individuals who +would have assisted, to a greater extent than myself, two young men of +decided genius, like Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Robert Southey, who +required, at the commencement of their literary career, encouragement, +and a little assistance. Few however, would have exhibited the +magnanimity which Southey displayed, in seasons of improved +circumstances, by referring to slender acts of kindness, long past, and +scarcely remembered but by himself. Few are the men, who, after having +surmounted their difficulties by honourable exertion, would have referred +to past seasons of perplexity, and have desired--that occurrences "might +be seen hereafter," which little minds would sedulously have concealed, +as discredit, rather than as conferring conspicuous honour. + +Ten years after the incidents had occurred to which the following letter +refers, in writing to Mr. Southey, among other subjects, I casually +expressed a regret, that when I quitted the business of a bookseller, I +had not returned him the copy-rights of his "Joan of Arc;" of his two +volumes of Poems; and of his letters from Spain and Portugal. The +following was his reply. + + "Wednesday evening, Greta Hall, April 28, 1808. + + My dear Cottle, + + ... What you say of my copy-rights affects me very much. Dear Cottle, + set your heart at rest on that subject. It ought to be at rest. They + were yours; fairly bought, and fairly sold. You bought them on the + chance of their success, what no London bookseller would have done; + and had they not been bought, they could not have been published at + all. Nay, if you had not published 'Joan of Arc,' the poem never + would have existed, nor should I, in all probability, ever have + obtained that reputation which is the capital on which I subsist, nor + that power which enables me to support it. + + But this is not all. Do you suppose, Cottle, that I have forgotten + those true and most essential acts of friendship which you showed me + when I stood most in need of them? Your house was my house when I had + no other. The very money with which I bought my wedding ring, and + paid my marriage fees, was supplied by you. It was with your sisters + that I left my Edith, during my six months' absence; and for the six + months after my return, it was from you that I received, week by + week, the little on which we lived, till I was enabled to live by + other means. It is not the settling of our cash account that can + cancel obligations like these. You are in the habit of preserving + your letters, and if you were not, _I would entreat you to preserve + this, that it might be seen hereafter_. Sure I am, that there never + was a more generous, nor a kinder heart than yours, and you will + believe me when I add, that there does not live that man upon earth, + whom I remember with more gratitude, and more affection. My heart + throbs, and my eyes burn with these recollections. Good night my dear + old friend and benefactor. + + Robert Southey." + +Gratitude is a plant indigenous to Heaven. Specimens are rarely found on +Earth. This is one. + +Mr. Southey, on previous occasions had advised me to write my +"Recollections of Persons and Things," and it having been understood that +I was about to prepare a memoir of Mr. Coleridge, (1836) Mr. S. renewed +his solicitation, as will appear by the following extracts. + + "Keswick, April 14, 1836. + + My dear Cottle, + + There is I hope, time enough for you to make a very interesting book + of your own 'Recollections,' a book which will be of no little value + to the history of our native city, and the literature of our times. + Your prose has a natural ease which no study could acquire. I am very + confident you could make as delightful a book on this subject as + Isaac Walton has in his way. If you are drawing up your + 'Recollections of Coleridge,' you are most welcome to insert anything + of mine which you may think proper. To be employed in such a work, + with the principles and frame of mind wherewith you would engage in + it, is to be instructing and admonishing your fellow-creatures; it is + employing your talents, and keeping up that habitual preparation for + the enduring inheritance in which the greater part of your life has + been spent. Men like us, who write in sincerity, and with the desire + of teaching others so to think, and to feel, as may be best for + themselves and the community, are labouring as much in their vocation + as if they were composing sermons, or delivering them from the + pulpit.... + + God bless you, my dear old friend. Always yours most affectionately, + + Robert Southey." + +On another occasion Mr. S. thus wrote. + + "My dear Cottle, + + I both wish and advise you to draw up your '_Reminiscences_', I + advise you for your own sake, as a valuable memorial, and wish it for + my own, that that part of my life might be faithfully reported by the + person who knows it best...." "You have enough to tell which is + harmless, as well as interesting, and not harmless only, but + instructive, and that ought to be told, _and which only you can + tell._" + +It may be proper to notice that the title here adopted, of +"REMINISCENCES" is to be understood as a general, rather than as a +strictly applicable phrase, since the present miscellaneous work is +founded on letters, and various memoranda, that for the most part, have +lain in a dormant state for many years, and which were preserved as +mementos of past scenes, personally interesting, but without, in the +first instance, the least reference to ultimate publication. + +I cannot withhold a final remark, with which my own mind is greatly +affected; from revolving on a most unexpected, as it is a singular +fact,--that these brief memorials of Mr. Coleridge, and Mr. Southey, +should be written by the _same individual_ who, more than _half a +century_ before, contributed his humble efforts to assist, and encourage +them, in their first entrance on a literary life. The whole of the events +thus recorded, appear through the dim vista of memory, already with the +scenes before the flood! while all the busy, the aspiring, and the +intellectual spirits here noticed, and once so well known, have been +hurried off our mortal stage!--Robert Lovell!--George Burnet!--Charles +Lloyd!--George Catcott!--Dr. Beddoes!--Charles Danvers!--Amos +Cottle!--William Gilbert!--John Morgan!--Ann Yearsley!--Sir H. +Davy!--Hannah More!--Robert Hall!--Samuel Taylor Coleridge!--Charles +Lamb!--Thomas Poole!--Josiah Wade!--Robert Southey!--and John +Foster!--confirming, with fresh emphasis, + + "What shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue!" + +Bristol, April 20, 1847. + +J. C. + + * * * * * + +CONTENTS. + + Pantisocracy and Robert Lovell + + Mr. Southey and Mr. Burnet arrive in Bristol + + Mr. Coleridge arrives in Bristol + + Fears for the Pantisocritans dissipated + + A London bookseller offers Mr. Coleridge six guineas for the + copyright of his Poems + + Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Southey each sells his 1st volume of Poems, for + thirty guineas + + Mr. Southey sells his Joan of Arc for fifty guineas + + Mr. Coleridge begins his lectures in Bristol + + Specimen of Mr. C.'s lecture + + Liberty's letter to Famine + + Mr. C.'s political lectures, &c. + + Death of Robert Lovell + + Mr. Southey's course of historical lectures + + Mr. Coleridge disappoints his audience + + Excursion to Tintern Abbey + + Dissension between Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Southey + + Incidents connected with Mr. Coleridge's volume of Poems + + Mr. Coleridge married to Miss Sarah Fricker + + Household articles required + + Notices of Wm. Gilbert, Ann Yearsley, H. More, and Robert Hall + + Mr. Coleridge removes, first to Bristol and then to Stowey + + --- --------- again to Bristol + + --- --------- woeful letter + + Mr. Coleridge's Poems now published + + --- --------- projects his "Watchman" + + --- --------- seven letters, while on his journey to collect + subscribers to the "Watchman" + + --- --------- inaugural sermon at Bath + + Mr. Lloyd domesticates with Mr. Coleridge + + Mr. Coleridge's melancholy letter + + Mr. Coleridge's views of Epic Poetry + + Quarrel between Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Southey. Reconciled + + Mr. Coleridge's letter to Miss Cruikshanks + + --- -------- diagram of the second bottle + + --- -------- Theological letter + + Mr. Coleridge prepares for a second edition of his Poems + + Mr. Coleridge's letter to George Catcott + + --- -------- on hexameters, &c. + + --- -------- Foster-mother's tale (extract) + + --- -------- ludicrous interview with a country woman + + --- -------- Poem relating to Burns + + --- -------- character of Mr. Wordsworth + + Herbert Croft and Chatterton (Note) + + Coleridge's character of Thelwall + + Letters from Charles Lamb + + Mr. Coleridge's lines to Joseph Cottle + + Sara's lines to the same + + Three Sonnets, by Nehemiah Higginbotham + + Coleridge, Lloyd, and Lamb, quarrel + + Lamb's sarcastic Theses to Mr. Coleridge + + Coleridge goes to Shrewsbury on probation + + Mr. Coleridge receives an annuity of £150 from the Messrs. Thomas and + Josiah Wedgewood + + Letters from Mr. Wordsworth,--Lyrical Ballads + + Mr. Wordsworth caballed against + + Disasters attending a dinner with Mr. Wordsworth + + Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Wordsworth depart for Germany + + Mr. Coleridge's character of Mr. Southey + + Mr. Southey marries Miss Edith Fricker + + Three letters of Mr. Southey, from Falmouth and Portugal + + Sundry letters from Mr. Southey to Joseph Cottle + + George Dyer, and a ludicrous incident + + Mr. Southey's rhyming letter from Lisbon + + Mr. Churchey, and incidents concerning him + + Mr. Southey in danger from an enraged author + + Mr. Southey and Wat Tyler + + Mr. Foster explains how Wat Tyler came to be published + + J. Morgan's ruined circumstances. Mr. S.'s proposal for a + subscription + + List of Mr. Southey's contributions to the Quarterly + + Discovery of first edition of Pilgrim's Progress + + Mr. Coleridge's letter on travelling in Germany + + Slow sale at first of Mr. Wordsworth's Lyrical Ballads + + Mr. Humphrey Davy arrives in Bristol + + Dr. Beddoe and the Pneumatic Institution + + Mr. Davy's dangerous experiments with the gases + + Mr. Coleridge's and Mr. Davy's anecdotes + + Mr. Coleridge relates his military adventures + + Mr. Coleridge's Epigrams from the German + + Character of Coleridge, by Professor Wilson, Mr. Sergeant Talfourd, + Dr. Dibdin, Mr. Justice Coleridge, Rev. Archdeacon Hare, Quarterly + Review, Rev. C. V. Le Grice + + Mr. Coleridge's letter to Mr. Cottle on his return from Malta, 1807 + + Rev. J. Foster's letter concerning Coleridge + + Mr. Coleridge's singular escape from Italy + + --- ----------- letter on the Trinity + + --- ----------- views of Unitarianism + + --- ----------- character of Sir H. Davy + + Sir H. Davy's rebuke of an Infidel + + Mr. Coleridge's character of Holcroft, the Atheist + + Rev. J. Foster's letter respecting his Essay on Doddridge + + Mr. Coleridge's letter to Mr. G. Fricker + + Mr. De Quincey presents Mr. Coleridge with £300 + + Mr. Coleridge's letter on Narrative Poems + + Reasons why Mr. Coleridge's opium habits should not be concealed + + Mr. Coleridge ill in Bath + + Mr. Coleridge engages to Lecture in Bristol, 1814. Disappoints his + Audience, by an excursion into North Wales + + Mr. Coleridge's lines for a transparency at the capture of Buonaparte + + Mr. Coleridge's approval of Infant Schools + + Mr. Cottle's letter of remonstrance respecting opium + + Mr. Coleridge's distressing letters in reply + + Mr. Coleridge wishes to be placed in an Asylum + + Mr. Southey's letters respecting Mr. Coleridge + + Mr. Coleridge's contrivance to cheat the doctor + + Mr. Coleridge leaves Bristol for Calne + + Letters of Mr. Southey respecting Mr. Coleridge + + Letter of Mr. Coleridge from Calne + + Mr. Coleridge's letter, requiring the truth to be told of his opium + habits, after his death + + Mr. Coleridge's letter to his god-son, Kinnaird + + Letters from Mr. Southey concerning Mr. Allsop, and the scheme of + Pantisocracy, and Mr. Coleridge + + Letters from Mr. Southey concerning "Early Recollections" + + Letter from Mr. Southey: his Western journey + + Letter from Mr. Southey. Melancholy foreboding + + Mr. Southey's mental malady + + Letter from Mr. Foster, relating to Mr. Southey + + Mr. Cottle's letter to Mr. Foster, respecting Mr. Southey + + Sixteen letters from Mr. Coleridge to Thomas and Josiah Wedgewood, + Esqs. + + List of works promised by Mr. Coleridge, but not written + + Mr. Coleridge sound in health, in 1800 + + --- --------- his health undermined by opium soon after + + Dr. Carlyon, relating to Mr. Coleridge (Note) + + Extracts from Mr. Poole's letters, respecting Mr. Coleridge + + Dr. Adam's letter to Mr. Gillman, respecting Mr. Coleridge + + Mr. Coleridge domesticates with Mr. Gillman + + Letter of Mr. Foster, respecting Mr. Coleridge + + Prayer of Mr. Coleridge, 1831 + + Mr. Coleridge's Epitaph on himself + + Mr. Coleridge's monument + +APPENDIX. + + Character of John Henderson + + Controversy of Rowley and Chatterton + + The Weary Pilgrim, a Poem + + * * * * * + +REMINISCENCES. + + * * * * * + +Ten years ago I published "Recollections of S. T. Coleridge." This work I +have revised, and embodied in the present "Reminiscences of S. T. +Coleridge, and Robert Southey." My views and motives have been explained +in the Introduction. + +If some Readers should consider that there are occasional documents +introduced into the following work, too unimportant and derogatory to +legitimate biography, I would observe, that it was designed that nothing +should be admitted which was not characteristic of the individual; and +that which illustrates _character_ in a man of genius, cannot well be +esteemed trifling and deserving of rejection.--In preparing those +Reminiscences, some effort has been required. I have endeavoured to +forget the intervening space of forty or fifty years, and, as far as it +was practicable, to enter on the scenes and circumstances described with +all the feelings coincident with that distant period. My primary design +has been to elucidate the incidents referring to the early lives of the +late Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Southey: yet I purposed, in addition, to +introduce brief notices of some other remarkable characters, known in +Bristol at this time. + +To account for my introduction to all the persons subsequently noticed, +it is necessary to apprise the Reader that I was a bookseller in Bristol +from the year 1791 to 1798; from the age of 21 to 28: and having imbibed +from my tutor and friend, the late John Henderson, (one of the most +extraordinary of men) some little taste for literature, I found myself, +during that period, generally surrounded by men of cultivated minds.[1] +With these preliminary remarks I shall commence the narrative. + +At the close of the year 1794, a clever young man, of the Society of +Friends, of the name of Robert Lovell, who had married a Miss Fricker, +informed me that a few friends of his from Oxford and Cambridge, with +himself, were about to sail to America, and, on the banks of the +Susquehannah, to form a Social Colony, in which there was to be a +community of property, and where all that was selfish was to be +proscribed. None, he said, were to be admitted into their number, but +tried and incorruptible characters; and he felt quite assured that he and +his friends would be able to realize a state of society free from the +evils and turmoils that then agitated the world, and to present an +example of the eminence to which men might arrive under the unrestrained +influence of sound principles. He now paid me the compliment of saying +that he would be happy to include _me_ in this select assemblage who, +under a state which he called PANTISOCRACY, were, he hoped, to regenerate +the whole complexion of society; and that, not by establishing formal +laws, but by excluding all the little deteriorating passions; injustice, +"wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking," and thereby setting an +example of "Human Perfectibility." + +Young as I was, I suspected there was an old and intractable leaven in +human nature that would effectually frustrate these airy schemes of +happiness, which had been projected in every age, and always with the +same result. At first the disclosure so confounded my understanding, that +I almost fancied myself transported to some new state of things, while +images of patriarchal and pristine felicity stood thick around, decked in +the rain-bow's colours. A moment's reflection, however, dissolved the +unsubstantial vision, when I asked him a few plain questions. + +"How do you go?" said I. My young and ardent friend instantly replied, +"We freight a ship, carrying out with us ploughs, and other implements of +husbandry." The thought occurred to me, that it might be more economical +to purchase such articles in America; but not too much to discourage the +enthusiastic aspirant after happiness, I forebore all reference to the +accumulation of difficulties to be surmounted, and merely inquired who +were to compose his company? He said that only four had as yet absolutely +engaged in the enterprise; Samuel Taylor Coleridge, from Cambridge; (in +whom I understood the plan to have originated;) Robert Southey and George +Burnet, from Oxford, and himself. "Well," I replied, "when do you set +sail?" He answered, "Very shortly. I soon expect my friends from the +Universities, when all the preliminaries will be adjusted, and we shall +joyfully cross the blue waves of the Atlantic." "But," said I "to freight +a ship, and sail out in the high style of gentlemen agriculturists, will +require funds. How do you manage this?" "We all contribute what we can," +said he, "and I shall introduce all my dear friends to you, immediately +on their arrival in Bristol." + +Robert Lovell (though inexperienced, and constitutionally sanguine) was a +good specimen of the open frankness which characterizes the well-informed +members of the Society of Friends; and he excited in me an additional +interest, from a warmth of feeling, and an extent of reading, above even +the ordinary standard of the estimable class to which he belonged. He now +read me some of the MS. poems of his two unknown friends, which at once +established their genius in my estimation.[2] + +My leisure having been devoted for many years to reading and composition, +and having a small volume of Poems at that time in the press, I +anticipated great pleasure from an introduction to two poets, who +superadded to talents of a high order, all the advantages arising from +learning, and a consequent familiarity with the best models of antiquity. +Independently of which, they excited an interest, and awakened a peculiar +solicitude, from their being about so soon to leave their father land, +and to depart permanently for a foreign shore. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration: Portrait.] + + * * * * * + +One morning shortly after, Robert Lovell called on me, and introduced +Robert Southey. Never will the impression be effaced, produced on me by +this young man. Tall, dignified, possessing great suavity of manners; an +eye piercing, with a countenance full of genius, kindliness, and +intelligence, I gave him at once the right hand of fellowship, and to the +moment of his decease, that cordiality was never withdrawn. I had read so +much of poetry, and sympathized so much with poets in all their +eccentricities and vicissitudes, that, to see before me the realization +of a character, which in the abstract most absorbed my regards, gave me a +degree of satisfaction which it would be difficult to express. + +I must now make a brief reference to George Burnet, who, in this epidemic +delusion, had given his sanction to, and embarked all his prospects in +life on this Pantisocratical scheme. He was a young man, about the age of +twenty; the son of a respectable Somersetshire farmer, who had bestowed +on him his portion, by giving him an University education as an +introduction to the Church, into which he would probably have entered but +for this his transatlantic pursuit of happiness. His talents were not +conspicuous, but his manners were unpresuming, and honesty was depicted +on his countenance. He possessed also that habitual good temper, and +those accommodating manners, which would prove a desirable accession in +any society; and it soon appeared, without indicating any disrespect, +that his was a subordinate part to act in the new drama, and not the less +valuable for its wanting splendour. + +After some considerable delay, it was at length announced, that on the +coming morning Samuel Taylor Coleridge would arrive in Bristol, as the +nearest and most convenient port; and where he was to reside but a short +time before the favouring gales were to waft him and his friends across +the Atlantic. Robert Lovell at length introduced Mr. C. I instantly +descried his intellectual character; exhibiting as he did, an eye, a +brow, and a forehead, indicative of commanding genius. Interviews +succeeded, and these increased the impression of respect. Each of my new +friends read me his productions. Each accepted my invitations, and gave +me those repeated proofs of good opinion, ripening fast into esteem, that +I could not be insensible to the kindness of their manners, which, it may +truly be affirmed, infused into my heart a brotherly feeling, that more +than identified their interests with my own. + +I introduced them to several intelligent friends, and their own merits +soon augmented the number, so that their acquaintance became +progressively extended, and their society coveted. Bristol was now found +a very pleasant residence; and though the ship was not engaged, nor the +least preparation made for so long a voyage, still the delights and +wide-spreading advantages of Pantisocracy formed one of their everlasting +themes of conversation; and, considering the barrenness of the subject, +it was in no common degree amusing, to hear these young enthusiasts repel +every objection to the practicability of their scheme, and magnify the +condition to which it was to introduce them; where thorns and briars +were, no doubt, to be expelled, and their couch to be strewed with down +and roses. + +It will excite merely an innocent smile in the reader at the extravagance +of a youthful and ardent mind, when he learns that Robert Lovell stated +with great seriousness, that, after the minutest calculation and inquiry +among practical men, the demand on their labour would not exceed two +hours a day; that is, for the production of absolute necessaries. The +leisure still remaining, might be devoted, in convenient fractions, to +the extension of their domain, by prostrating the sturdy trees of the +forest, where "lop and top," without cost, would supply their cheerful +winter fire; and the trunks, when cut into planks, without any other +expense than their own pleasant labour, would form the sties for their +pigs, and the linnies for their cattle, and the barns for their produce; +reserving their choicest timbers for their own comfortable log-dwellings. +But after every claim that might be made on their manual labour had been +discharged, a large portion of time, would still remain for their own +individual pursuits, so that they might read, converse, and even write +books. + +Cowper, in an unpublished letter now before me, says, "I know well that +publication is necessary to give an edge to the poetic turn, and that +what we produce in the closet, is never a vigorous birth, if we intend +that it should die there. For my own part I could no more amuse myself +with writing verse, if I did not print it when written, than with the +study of tactics, for which I can never have any real occasion." But our +young and ardent friends seemed to entertain a strong impression that the +mere pleasure of writing, that is, like virtue, writing for its own sake, +was all the mental and rational gratification wise men could desire. +Views and times alter, and these richly-endowed young men, in after life, +were prompt, and amongst the first to confess the fallacious schemes of +their youth; but at this time the pleasurable alone occupied their field +of vision, and confidence never stood more unencumbered with doubt. + +If any difficulties were now started, and many such there were, a +profusion of words demonstrated the reasonableness of the whole design; +impressing all who heard, with the conviction that the citadel was too +strong for assault. The Mercury at these times was generally Mr. +Coleridge, who, as has been stated, ingeniously parried every adverse +argument, and after silencing his hardy disputants, announced to them +that he was about to write and publish a quarto volume in defence of +Pantisocracy, in which a variety of arguments would be advanced in +defence of his system, too subtle and recondite to comport with +conversation. It would then, he said, become manifest that he was not a +projector raw from his cloister, but a cool calculating reasoner, whose +efforts and example would secure to him and his friends the permanent +gratitude of mankind. + +From the sentiments thus entertained, I shall represent Mr. Coleridge, in +the section of his days which devolves on me to exhibit, just as he was, +and that with a firm belief that by so doing, without injuring his +legitimate reputation, I shall confer an essential benefit on those to +come, who will behold in Mr. C. much to admire and imitate; and certainly +some things to regret. For it should be remembered, Mr. Coleridge, from +universal admission, possessed some of the highest mental endowments, and +many pertaining to the heart; but if a man's life be valuable, not for +the incense it consumes, but for the instruction it affords, to state +even defects, (in one like Mr. C. who can so well afford deduction +without serious loss) becomes in his biographer, not optional, but a +serious obligation. + +It is proper additionally to remark, that some apology or propitiation +may be necessary toward those who regard every approximation to poverty, +not as a misfortune, but a crime. Pecuniary difficulties, especially such +as occur in early life, and not ascribable to bad conduct, reflect no +discredit on men of genius. Many of them, subsequently, surmounted their +first embarrassments by meritorious exertion; and some of our first men +(like travellers, after having successfully passed through regions of +privation and peril) delight even to recall their former discouragements, +and, without the shame that luxuriates alone in little minds, +undisguisedly to tell of seasons, indelible in their memories, when, in +the prostration of hope, the wide world appeared one desolate waste! but +they ultimately found, that these seasons of darkness, (however +tenaciously retained by memory) in better times often administer a new +and refreshing zest to present enjoyment. Despair, therefore ill becomes +one who has follies to bewail, and a God to trust in. Johnson and +Goldsmith, with numerous others, at some seasons were plunged deep in the +waters of adversity, but halcyon days awaited them: and even those sons +of merit and misfortune whose pecuniary troubles were more permanent, in +the dimness of retrospection, only stand out invested in softer hues. + +Cervantes is not the less read, because the acclamations of praise were +heard by him in his abode of penury. Butler, Otway, Collins, Chatterton, +and Burns, and men like them, instead of suffering in public estimation +from the difficulties they encountered, absolutely challenge in every +generous mind an excess of interest from the very circumstances that +darkened the complexion of their earthly prospects. + +In corroboration of this remark, in our own day, the son of Crabbe, who +must have cherished the deepest solicitude for his father's reputation, +has laid bare to general inspection his parent's early perplexities, by +which impartial disclosures we behold the individual in his deepest +depressions; worth enriched by trial, and greatness, by a refining +process, struggling successfully with adversity. Does the example of such +a man nobly bearing up against the pressures that surrounded him inflict +obduracy on our hearts? On the contrary, while we feelingly sympathize +with the poet, and deplore the tardy hand of deliverance, we pause only +to transfer a reflex portion of praise to him whose magnanimous conduct +has furnished so ample a scope for the tenderest emotions of our nature. +This reflection will induce me not to withhold from false delicacy, +occurrences, the disclosure of which none but the inconsiderate will +condemn; and by which all the features of Mr. Coleridge's character will +be exhibited to the inspection of the inquisitive and philosophical mind. + +I proceed, therefore, to state that the solicitude I felt lest these +young and ardent geniuses should in a disastrous hour, and in their +mistaken apprehensions, commit themselves in this their desperate +undertaking, was happily dissipated by Mr. Coleridge applying for the +loan of a little cash,--to pay the voyager's freight? or passage? +No,--LODGINGS. They all lodged, at this time, at No. 48, College-Street. +Never did I lend money with such unmingled pleasure, for now I ceased to +be haunted day and night with the spectre of the ship! the ship! which +was to effect such incalculable mischief! The form of the request was the +following: + + +My dear Sir, + +Can you conveniently lend me five pounds, as we want a little more than +four pounds to make up our lodging bill, which is indeed much higher than +we expected; seven weeks, and Burnet's lodging for twelve weeks, +amounting to eleven pounds. + +Yours, affectionately, + +S. T. COLERIDGE. + + +Till this time, not knowing what the resources of my young friends were, +I could not wholly divest myself of fear; but now an effectual barrier +manifestly interposed to save them from destruction. And though their +romantic plan might linger in their minds, it was impossible not to be +assured that their strong good sense would eventually dissipate their +delusions. + +Finding now that there was a deficiency in that material, deemed of the +first consequence in all civilized states, and remembering Burgh's +feeling lamentation over the improvidence, or rather the indifference +with which many men of genius regard the low thoughts that are merely of +a pecuniary nature, I began to revolve on the means by which the two +poets might advantageously apply their talents. + +Soon after, finding Mr. Coleridge in rather a desponding mood, I urged +him to keep up his spirits, and recommended him to publish a volume of +his poems. "Oh," he replied, "that is a useless expedient." He continued: +"I offered a volume of my poems to different booksellers in London, who +would not even look at them! The reply being, 'Sir, the article will not +do.' At length, one, more accommodating than the rest, condescended to +receive my MS. poems, and, after a deliberate inspection, offered me for +the copy-right, six guineas, which sum, poor as I was, I refused to +accept." "Well," said I, "to encourage you, I will give you twenty +guineas." It was very pleasant to observe the joy that instantly diffused +itself over his countenance. "Nay," I continued, "others publish for +themselves, I will chiefly remember you. Instead of giving you twenty +guineas, I will extend it to thirty, and without waiting for the +completion of the work, to make you easy you may have the money as your +occasions require." The silence and the grasped hand, showed that at that +moment one person was happy. + +Every incident connected with the lives of literary men, especially at +the commencement of their career, always excites interest. I have been, +therefore, the more particular in detailing this circumstance, (except +for its connexion, of no consequence) and proceed further to state, that +now, meeting Mr. Southey, I said to him, "I have engaged to give Mr. +Coleridge thirty guineas for a volume of his poems; you have poems equal +to a volume, and if you approve of it, I will give you the same." He +cordially thanked me, and instantly acceded to my proposal. + +I then said to him, "you have read me several books of your 'Joan of Arc' +which Poem I perceive has great merit. If it meet with your concurrence, +I will give you fifty guineas for this work, and publish it in quarto, +when I will give you, in addition, fifty copies to dispose of amongst +your friends." Without a moment's hesitation, to this proposal also he +acceded. + +I could say much of Mr. Southey at this time; of his constitutional +cheerfulness; of the polish of his manners; of his dignified, and at the +same time, of his unassuming deportment; as well as of the general +respect which his talents, conduct, and conversation excited.[3] But +before reference be made to more serious publications, some notice will +be taken of other objects of pursuit. + +Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Southey, now determined by their best efforts, in +other ways than those detailed, to raise money for their projected +expedition. They resolved therefore, to give the citizens of Bristol +individual lectures, or series of lectures, on different subjects. Mr. +Coleridge chose Political and Moral subjects;[4] Mr. Southey chose +History. On examining my old papers, I find most of the notices or +prospectuses relating to these subjects. + +Mr. Coleridge's first two lectures were delivered in the Corn Market in +Wine-Street. + +Mr. Coleridge's next two lectures were delivered the latter end of +February, 1795, and afterwards were thrown into a small pamphlet, printed +under the title of _"Conciones ad Populum_, or Addresses to the people." +After this he consolidated two other of his lectures, and published them +under the title of "The Plot Discovered." Two detached lectures were +given at the Corn Market, and one at a room in Castle Green. All these +lectures were anti-Pitt-ite. + +The next lecture given by Mr. Coleridge was in reprobation of the Slave +Trade. The following was the prospectus:-- + + "To-morrow evening, June 16th, 1795, S. T. Coleridge, of Jesus + College, Cambridge, will deliver, (by particular desire) a lecture on + the Slave Trade, and the duties that result from its continuance. + + To begin at eight o'clock in the evening, at the Assembly Coffee + House, on the Quay. Admission, One shilling." + +His next lecture was (it is believed) on the Hair Powder Tax, in which +his audience were kept in good feeling, by the happy union of wit, +humour, and argument. Mr. C.'s lectures were numerously attended, and +enthusiastically applauded. + +It may amuse and gratify the reader, to receive a specimen of a +lecture,[5] descriptive of Mr. C.'s composition and reasoning, delivered +at this time, and by which it will appear that his politics were not of +that inflammable description which would set a world in flames. + + "... But of the propriety and utility of holding up the distant mark + of attainable perfection, we shall enter more fully toward the close + of this address. We turn with pleasure to the contemplation of that + small but glorious band, whom we may truly distinguish by the name of + thinking and disinterested patriots.[6] These are the men who have + encouraged the sympathetic passions till they have become + irresistible habits, and made their duty a necessary part of their + self-interest, by the long-continued cultivation of that moral taste, + which derives our most exquisite pleasures from the contemplation of + possible perfection. + + Accustomed to regard all the affairs of man as a process, they never + hurry, and they never pause. Theirs is not the twilight of political + knowledge, which gives us just light enough to place one foot before + the other: as they advance, the scene still opens upon them, and they + press right onward, with a vast and varied landscape of existence + around them. Calmness and energy mark all their actions. Benevolence + is the silken thread that runs through the pearl-chain of all their + virtues. The unhappy children of vice and folly, whose tempers are + adverse to their own happiness, as well as to the happiness of + others, will at times awaken a natural pang, but he looks forward + with gladdened heart to that glorious period when justice shall have + established the universal fraternity of love. These soul-ennobling + views bestow the virtues which they anticipate. He whose mind is + habitually impressed with them, soars above the present state of + humanity, and may be justly said to dwell in the presence of the Most + High. Regarding every event, as he that ordains it, evil vanishes + from before him, and he views the eternal form of universal beauty." + +At one of his lectures, Mr. Coleridge amused his audience by reciting the +following letter from Liberty to his dear friend Famine; the effect of +which was greatly heightened by Mr. C.'s arch manner of recitation. It +should be understood that there was at this time a great scarcity in the +land. + + Dear Famine, + + You will doubtless be surprised at receiving a petitionary letter + from a perfect stranger, but, _Fas est vel ab hoste_. All whom I once + supposed my unalterable friends, I have found unable, or unwilling to + assist me. I first applied to GRATITUDE, entreating her to whisper + into the ear of Majesty, that it was I who had placed his forefathers + on the throne of Great Britain. She told me that she had frequently + made the attempt, but had as frequently been baffled by FLATTERY: + and, that I might not doubt the truth of her apology, she led me (as + the Spirit did the prophet Ezekiel) "to the door of the COURT, and I + went in and saw--and behold! every form of creeping things." I was + however somewhat consoled, when I heard that RELIGION was high in + favour there, and possessed great influence. I myself had been her + faithful servant, and always found her my best protectress: her + service being indeed perfect freedom. Accordingly, in full confidence + of success, I entered her mansion, but, alas! instead of my kind + mistress, horror-struck, I beheld a painted, patched-up old ----. She + was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and + precious stones and pearls, and on her forehead was written + "MYSTERY." I shrieked, for I knew her to be the dry-nurse of that + detested Imp, DESPOTISM. + + I next addressed myself to PRUDENCE, and earnestly besought her to + plead my cause to the Ministers; to urge the distresses of the lower + orders, and my fears lest, so distressed, they should forget their + obedience. For the prophet Isaiah had informed me "that it shall come + to pass, that when the people shall be hungry, they shall fret + themselves and curse the King." The grave matron heard me, and, + shaking her head, learnedly replied, "_Quos Deus vult perdere + dementat._" Again I besought her to speak to the rich men of the + nation, concerning Ministers, of whom it might soon become illegal + even to complain--of long and ruinous wars, and whether _they_ must + not bear the damage. All this quoth PRUDENCE, I have repeatedly + urged, but a sly imposter named EXPEDIENCE has usurped my name, and + struck such a panick of property, as hath steeled the hearts of the + wealthy, and palsied their intellects. Lastly I applied to + CONSCIENCE. She informed me that she was indeed a perfect + ventriloquist, and could throw her voice into any place she liked, + but that she was seldom attended to unless when she spoke out of the + _pocket_. + + Thus baffled and friendless, I was about to depart, and stood a + fearful lingerer on the isle which I had so dearly loved--when + tidings were brought me of your approach. I found myself impelled by + a power superior to me to build my last hopes on you. Liberty, the + MOTHER of PLENTY, calls Famine to her aid. O FAMINE, most eloquent + Goddess! plead thou my cause. I in the mean time, will pray fervently + that heaven may unstop the ears of her Vicegerent, so that they may + listen to your _first_ pleadings, while yet your voice is faint and + distant, and your counsels peaceable. + + "I remain your distressed suppliant, + + LIBERTY. + +The following is the prospectus of Mr. Coleridge's series of Political +lectures. + + S. T. Coleridge proposes to give, in Six Lectures, a comparative view + of the English Rebellion under Charles the First, and the French + Revolution. + + The subjects of the proposed Lectures are, + + FIRST. The distinguishing marks of the French and English character, + with their probable causes. The national circumstances precursive + to--1st, the English Rebellion.--2nd, the French Revolution. + + SECOND. The Liberty of the Press. Literature; its Revolutionary + powers. Comparison of the English, with the French Political Writers, + at the time of the several Revolutions. Milton. Sydney. + Harrington.--Brissot. Sieyes. Mirabeau. Thomas Paine. + + THIRD. The Fanaticism of the first English and French Revolutionists. + English Sectaries. French Parties. Feuillans. Girondists. Faction of + Hebert. Jacobins. Moderants. Royalists. + + FOURTH. 1st, Characters of Charles the First, and Louis the + Sixteenth. 2nd, of Louis the Fourteenth and the present Empress of + Russia. 3rd, Life and Character of Essex and Fayette. + + FIFTH. Oliver Cromwell, and Robespierre.--Cardinal Mazarine, and + William Pitt.--Dundas, and Barrere. + + SIXTH. On Revolution in general. Its moral causes, and probable + effects on the Revolutionary People, and surrounding nations. + + It is intended that the Lectures should be given once a week; on + Tuesday Evenings, at eight o'clock, at the Assembly Coffee House, on + the Quay. The First Lecture, on Tuesday, June 23d, 1795. As the + author wishes to ensure an audience adequate to the expenses of the + room, he has prepared subscription tickets for the whole course, + price Six Shillings, which may be had at the Lecture Room, or of Mr. + Cottle, or Mr. Reed, Booksellers. + +Mr. Coleridge's Theological lectures succeeded, of which the following is +the prospectus. + + Six Lectures will be given by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, on Revealed + Religion, its Corruptions, and its Political Views. + + These Lectures are intended for two classes of men, Christians and + Infidels; to the former, that they be able to give a reason for the + hope that is in them; to the latter, that they may not determine + against Christianity, from arguments applicable to its corruptions + only. + + The subjects of the FIRST LECTURE, are--The Origin of Evil. The + Necessity of Revelation deduced from the Nature of man. An + Examination and Defence of the Mosaic Dispensation. + + SECOND.--The Sects of Philosophy, and the Popular Superstitions of + the Gentile World, from the earliest times to the Birth of Christ. + + THIRD.--Concerning the Time of the Appearance of Christ. The Internal + Evidences of Christianity. The External Evidences of Christianity. + + FOURTH.--The External Evidences of Christianity continued. Answers to + Popular and Philosophical objections. + + FIFTH.--The Corruptions of Christianity, in Doctrines. Political + Application. + + SIXTH.--The grand Political Views of Christianity--far beyond other + Religions, and even Sects of Philosophy. The Friend of Civil Freedom. + The probable state of Society and Governments, if all men were + Christians. + + Tickets to be had of Mr. Cottle, Bookseller. + +Sometimes a single Lecture was given. The following is an Advertisement +of one of them. + + To-morrow Evening, Tuesday, June 16th, 1795, S. T. Coleridge will + deliver (by particular desire) a Lecture on the Slave Trade, and the + duties that result from its continuance. + + To begin at 8 o'clock, at the Assembly Coffee House, on the Quay. + Admittance, One Shilling. + +It may be proper to state that all three of my young friends, in that day +of excitement, felt a detestation of the French war then raging, and a +hearty sympathy with the efforts made in France to obtain political +ameliorations. Almost every young and unprejudiced mind participated in +this feeling; and Muir, and Palmer, and Margarot, were regarded as +martyrs in the holy cause of freedom. The successive enormities, however, +perpetrated in France and Switzerland by the French, tended to moderate +their enthusiastic politics, and progressively to produce that effect on +them which extended also to so many of the soberest friends of rational +freedom. Mr. Coleridge's zeal on these questions was by far the most +conspicuous, as will appear by some of his Sonnets, and particularly by +his Poem of "Fire, Famine, and Slaughter;" though written some +considerable time after. When he read this Poem to me, it was with so +much jocularity as to convince me that, without bitterness, it was +designed as a mere joke. + +In conformity with my determination to state occurrences, plainly, as +they arose, I must here mention that strange as it may appear in +Pantisocritans, I observed at this time a marked coolness between Mr. +Coleridge and Robert Lovell, so inauspicious in those about to establish +a "Fraternal Colony;" and, in the result, to renovate the whole face of +society! They met without speaking, and consequently appeared as +strangers. I asked Mr. C. what it meant. He replied, "Lovell, who at +first, did all in his power to promote my connexion with Miss Fricker, +now opposes our union." He continued, "I said to him, 'Lovell! you are a +villain!'" "Oh," I replied, "you are quite mistaken. Lovell is an honest +fellow, and is proud in the hope of having you for a brother-in-law. Rely +on it he only wishes you from prudential motives to delay your union." In +a few days I had the happiness of seeing them as sociable as ever. + +This is the last time poor Robert Lovell's name will be mentioned in this +work, as living. He went to Salisbury, caught a fever, and, in eagerness +to reach his family, travelled when he ought to have lain by; reached his +home, and died! We attended his funeral, and dropt a tear over his grave! + +Mr. Coleridge, though at this time embracing every topic of conversation, +testified a partiality for a few, which might be called stock subjects. +Without noticing his favorite Pantisocracy, (which was an everlasting +theme of the laudatory) he generally contrived, either by direct +amalgamation or digression, to notice in the warmest encomiastic +language, Bishop Berkeley, David Hartley, or Mr. Bowles; whose sonnets he +delighted in reciting. He once told me, that he believed, by his constant +recommendation, he had sold a whole edition of some works; particularly +amongst the fresh-men of Cambridge, to whom, whenever he found access, he +urged the purchase of three works, indispensable to all who wished to +excel in sound reasoning, or a correct taste;--Simpson's Euclid; Hartley +on Man; and Bowles's Poems. + +In process of time, however, when reflection had rendered his mind more +mature, he appeared to renounce the fanciful and brain-bewildering system +of Berkeley; whilst he sparingly extolled Hartley; and was almost silent +respecting Mr. Bowles. I noticed a marked change in his commendation of +Mr. B. from the time he paid that man of genius a visit. Whether their +canons of criticisms were different, or that the personal enthusiasm was +not mutual; or whether there was a diversity in political views; whatever +the cause was, an altered feeling toward that gentleman was manifested +after his visit, not so much expressed by words, as by his subdued tone +of applause. + +The reflux of the tide had not yet commenced, and Pantisocracy was still +Mr. Coleridge's favourite theme of discourse, and the banks of the +Susquehannah the only refuge for permanent repose. It will excite great +surprise in the reader to understand that Mr. C.'s cooler friends could +not ascertain that he had received any specific information respecting +this notable river. "It was a grand river;" but there were many other +grand and noble rivers in America; (the Land of Rivers!) and the +preference given to the Susquehannah, seemed almost to arise solely from +its imposing name, which, if not classical, was at least poetical; and it +probably by mere accident became the centre of all his pleasurable +associations. Had this same river been called the Miramichi or the +Irrawaddy, it would have been despoiled of half its charms, and have sunk +down into a vulgar stream, the atmosphere of which might have suited well +enough Russian boors, but which would have been pestiferous to men of +letters. + +The strong hold which the Susquehannah had taken on Mr. Coleridge's +imagination may be estimated by the following lines, in his Monody on +Chatterton. + + "O, Chatterton! that thou wert yet alive; + Sure thou would'st spread the canvass to the gale, + And love with us the tinkling team to drive + O'er peaceful freedom's UNDIVIDED dale; + And we at sober eve would round thee throng, + Hanging enraptured on thy stately song! + And greet with smiles the young-eyed POSEY + All deftly masked, as hoar ANTIQUITY. + Alas, vain phantasies! the fleeting brood + Of woe self-solaced in her dreamy mood! + Yet I will love to follow the sweet dream, + Where Susquehannah pours his untamed stream, + And on some hill, whose forest-frowning side + Waves o'er the murmurs of his calmer tide; + And I will build a cenotaph to thee, + Sweet harper of time-shrouded minstrelsy! + And there soothed sadly by the dirgeful wind, + Muse on the sore ills I had left behind." + +In another poem which appeared only in the first edition, a reference is +again made to the American "undivided dell," as follows: + + TO W. J. H. + + While playing on his flute. + + Hush! ye clamorous cares! be mute. + Again, dear Harmonist! again, + Through the hollow of thy flute, + Breathe that passion-warbled strain: + + Till memory each form shall bring + The loveliest of her shadowy throng; + And hope that soars on sky-lark whig, + Carol wild her gladdest song! + + O skill'd with magic spell to roll + The thrilling tones, that concentrate the soul! + Breathe through thy flute those tender notes again, + While near thee sits the chaste-eyed maiden mild; + And bid her raise the poet's kindred strain + In soft empassioned voice, correctly wild. + + "In freedom's UNDIVIDED DELL + Where toil and health, with mellowed love shall dwell, + Far from folly, far from men, + In the rude romantic glen, + Up the cliff, and through the glade, + Wand'ring with the dear-loved maid, + I shall listen to the lay, + And ponder on thee far away." + + +Mr. Coleridge had written a note to his Monody on Chatterton, in which he +caustically referred to Dean Milles. On this note being shown to me, I +remarked that Captain Blake, whom he occasionally met, was the son-in-law +of Dean Milles. "What," said Mr. Coleridge, "the man with the great +sword?" "The same," I answered. "Then," said Mr. C. with an assumed +gravity, "I will suppress this note to Chatterton; the fellow might have +my head off before I am aware!" To be sure there was something rather +formidable in his huge dragoon's sword, constantly rattling by his side! +This Captain Blake was a member of the Bristol Corporation, and a +pleasant man, but his sword, worn by a short man, appeared +prodigious!--Mr. C. said, "The sight of it was enough to set half a dozen +poets scampering up Parnassus, as though hunted by a wild mastodon." + +In examining my old papers I found this identical note in Mr. Coleridge's +hand writing, and which is here given to the reader; suggesting that this +note, like the Sonnet to Lord Stanhope, was written in that portion of +C.'s life, when it must be confessed, he really was hot with the French +Revolution. Thus he begins: + + By far the best poem on the subject of Chatterton, is, "Neglected + Genius, or Tributary Stanzas to the memory of the unfortunate + Chatterton." Written by Rushton, a blind sailor. + + Walpole writes thus. "All the House of Forgery are relations, + although it be but just to Chatterton's memory to say, that his + poverty never made him claim kindred with the more enriching + branches; yet he who could so ingeniously counterfeit styles, and the + writer believes, hands, might easily have been led to the more facile + imitation of Prose Promissory Notes!" O, ye who honor the name of + man, rejoice that this Walpole is called a Lord! Milles, too, the + editor of Rowley's Poem's, a priest; who (though only a Dean, in + dulness and malignity was most episcopally eminent) foully + calumniated him.--An Owl mangling a poor dead nightingale! Most + injured Bard! + + "To him alone in this benighted age + Was that diviner inspiration given + Which glows in Milton's, and in Shakspeare's page, + The pomp and prodigality of heaven!" + +Mr. Southey's course of Historical Lectures, comprised the following +subjects, as expressed in his prospectus. + + Robert Southey, of Baliol College, Oxford, proposes to read a course + of Historical Lectures in the following order. + + 1st. Introductory: on the origin and Progress of Society. + 2nd. Legislation of Solon and Lycurgus. + 3rd. State of Greece, from the Persian War to the Dissolution + of the Achaian League. + 4th. Rise, Progress, and Decline of the Roman Empire. + 5th. Progress of Christianity. + 6th. Manners and Irruptions of the Northern Nations. + Growth of the European States. Feudal System. + 7th. State of the Eastern Empire, to the Capture of + Constantinople by the Turks; including the Rise and + Progress of the Mahommedan Religion, and the Crusades. + 8th. History of Europe, to the Abdication of the Empire + by Charles the Fifth. + 9th. History of Europe, to the Establishment of the Independence + of Holland. + 10th. State of Europe, and more particularly of England, + from the Accession of Charles the First, to the Revolution, + in 1688. + 11th. Progress of the Northern States. History of Europe + to the American War. + 12th. The American War. + + Tickets for the whole course, 10s. 6d. to be had of Mr. Cottle, + bookseller, High-Street. + +These Lectures of Mr. Southey were numerously attended, and their +composition was greatly admired; exhibiting as they did a succinct view +of the various subjects commented upon, so as to chain the hearers' +attention. They at the same time evinced great self-possession in the +lecturer; a peculiar grace in the delivery; with reasoning so judicious +and acute, as to excite astonishment in the auditory that so young a man +should concentrate so rich a fund of valuable matter in lectures, +comparatively so brief, and which clearly authorized the anticipation of +his future eminence. From this statement it will justly be inferred, that +no public lecturer could have received stronger proofs of approbation +than Mr. S. from a polite and discriminating audience. + +Mr. Coleridge had solicited permission of Mr. Southey, to deliver his +fourth lecture, "On the Rise, Progress, and Decline of the Roman Empire," +as a subject to which he had devoted much attention. The request was +immediately granted, and at the end of the third lecture it was formally +announced to the audience, that the next lecture would be delivered by +Mr. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, of Jesus College, Cambridge. + +At the usual hour the room was thronged. The moment of commencement +arrived. No lecturer appeared! Patience was preserved for a quarter, +extending to half an hour!--but still no lecturer! At length it was +communicated to the impatient assemblage, that a circumstance, +exceedingly to be regretted! would prevent Mr. Coleridge from giving his +lecture that evening, as intended. Some few present learned the truth, +but the major part of the company retired not very well pleased, and +under the impression that Mr. C. had either broken his leg, or that some +severe family affliction had occurred. Mr. C's rather habitual absence of +mind, with the little importance he generally attached to engagements,[7] +renders it likely that at this very time he might have been found at No. +48, College-Street; composedly smoking his pipe, and lost in profound +musings on his divine Susquehannah! + +Incidents of the most trifling nature must sometimes be narrated; when +they form connecting links with events of more consequence. + +Wishing to gratify my two young friends and their ladies elect with a +pleasant excursion, I invited them to accompany me in a visit to the Wye, +including Piercefield and Tintern Abbey; objects new to us all. It so +happened the day we were to set off was that immediately following the +woeful disappointment! but here all was punctuality. It was calculated +that the proposed objects might be accomplished in two days, so as not to +interfere with the Friday evening's lecture, which Mr. Southey had now +wisely determined to deliver himself. + +The morning was fine. The party of five all met in high spirits, +anticipating unmingled delight in surveying objects and scenery, scarcely +to be surpassed in the three kingdoms. We proceeded to the Old Passage; +crossed the Severn, and arrived at the Beaufort Arms, Chepstow, time +enough to partake of a good dinner, which one of the company noticed +Homer himself had pronounced to be no bad thing: a sentiment in which we +all concurred, admiring his profound knowledge of human nature! But prior +to our repast, we visited the fine old Castle, so intimately connected +with by-gone days; and as soon as possible we purposed to set off toward +the Abbey, distant about six or seven miles; taking Piercefield in our +way. + +Proceeding on my principle of impartial narration, I must here state, +that, after dinner, an unpleasant altercation occurred between--no other +than the two Pantisocritans! When feelings are accumulated in the heart, +the tongue will give them utterance. Mr. Southey, whose regular habits +scarcely rendered it a virtue in him, never to fail in an engagement, +expressed to Mr. Coleridge his deep feelings of regret, that _his_ +audience should have been disappointed on the preceding evening; +reminding him that unless he had determined punctually to fulfil his +voluntary engagement he ought not to have entered upon it. Mr. C. thought +the delay of the lecture of little or no consequence. This excited a +remonstrance, which produced a reply. At first I interfered with a few +conciliatory words, which were unavailing; and these two friends, about +to exhibit to the world a glorious example of the effects of concord and +sound principles, with an exemption from all the selfish and unsocial +passions, fell, alas! into the common lot of humanity, and in so doing +must have demonstrated, even to themselves, the rope of sand to which +they had confided their destinies! + +In unspeakable concern and surprise I retired to a distant part of the +room, and heard with dismay the contention continued, if not extending; +for now the two young ladies entered into the dispute, (on adverse sides, +as might be supposed) each confirming or repelling the arguments of the +belligerents. A little cessation in the storm afforded me the opportunity +of stepping forward and remarking that, however much the disappointment +was to be regretted, it was an evil not likely again to occur, (Mr. S. +shook his head) and that the wisest way, was to forget the past and to +remember only the pleasant objects before us. In this opinion the ladies +concurred, when placing a hand of one of the dissentients in that of the +other, the hearty salutation went round, and with our accustomed spirits, +we prepared once more for Piercefield and the Abbey. + +Being an indifferent walker (from a former dislocation of my ancle, +arising out of a gig accident) I had engaged a horse, while the four +pedestrians set forward, two on each side of my Rosinante. After quitting +the extensive walks of Piercefield, we proceeded toward that part of the +road, where we were to turn off to the right, leading down to Tintern +Abbey. We had been delayed so long at Chepstow, and afterward, by various +enchanting scenes, particularly that from the Wind-cliff, that we were +almost benighted, before we were aware. We recalled all our minute +directions. Every object corresponded. A doubt expressed, at a most +unlucky moment, whether we were to turn to the right, or to the left, +threw ice into some hearts; but at length we all concurred, that it was +to the right, and that this must be the road. + +These complicated deliberations, allowed the night rapidly to advance, +but the grand preliminaries being settled, we approached the "road" and +strove to penetrate with our keenest vision into its dark recesses. A +road! this it could not be. It was a gross misnomer! It appeared to our +excited imaginations, a lane, in the tenth scale of consanguinity to a +road; a mere chasm between lofty trees, where the young moon strove in +vain to dart a ray! To go or not to go, that was the question! A new +consultation was determined upon, what proceeding should be adopted in so +painful a dilemma. At length, with an accession of courage springing up +as true courage always does in the moment of extremity, we resolutely +determined to brave all dangers and boldly to enter on the road, lane, or +what it was, where perchance, Cadwallader, or Taliesen, might have +trodden before! + +On immerging into the wood, for such it was, extending the whole downward +way to Tintern, we all suddenly found ourselves deprived of sight; +obscurity aggravated almost into pitchy darkness! We could see nothing +distinctly whilst we floundered over stones, embedded as they appeared in +their everlasting sockets, from the days of Noah. The gurgling of the +unseen stream, down in the adjacent gully, (which we perchance might soon +be found, reluctantly to visit!) never sounded so discordant before. +Having some respect for my limbs (with no bone-setter near) I dismounted, +resolving to lead my steed who trembled as though conscious of the +perilous expedition on which he had entered. Mr. Coleridge who had been +more accustomed to rough riding than myself, upon understanding that I +through cowardice had forsaken the saddle, without speaking a word put +his foot in the stirrup and mounting, determined to brave at all hazards, +the dangers of the campaign. + +Our General on his charger floundered on before us over channels that the +storms had made, and the upstarting fragments of rocks that seemed +confederated to present an insurmountable barrier to every rash and +roving wight. We were in a forlorn condition! and never before did we so +feelingly sympathize with the poor babes in the wood; trusting, in the +last extremity, (should it occur) a few kind robins with their sylvan +pall, would honour also our obsequies. This kind of calming ulterior hope +might do very well for poets, but it was not quite so consolatory to the +ladies, who with all their admiration of disinterested pity, wished to +keep off the dear tender-hearted robins a little longer. + +These desponding thoughts were of short continuance, for whether the moon +had emerged from clouds, or that our sight had become strengthened by +exercise, we rejoiced now in being able to see a little, although it +might be to reveal only sights of woe. Mr. Southey marched on like a +pillar of strength, with a lady pressing on each arm, while the relator +lagged in the rear, without even a pilgrim's staff to sustain his +tottering steps. Our condition might have been more forlorn, had not Mr. +Coleridge from before cheered on his associates in misfortune; and +intrepidity produces intrepidity. + +The deepest sorrow often admits of some alleviation, and at present our +source of beguilement was to invent some appropriate name, in designation +of this most[*] horrible channel of communication between man and man. +Various acrimonious epithets were propounded, but they all wanted an +adequate measure of causticity; when Mr. Southey censuring in us our want +of charity, and the rash spirit that loaded with abuse objects which +if beheld in noon-day might be allied even to the picturesque, +proposed that our path-way, whatever it was, should simply be +called--"Bowling-green-lane." + +[* Transcriber's note: Corrected from original 'mot'.] + +We should have smiled assent, but we had just arrived at a spot that +overshadowed every countenance with ten-fold seriousness! This was no +moment for gratuitous triflings. We had arrived at a spot, where there +was just light enough to descry three roads, in this bosom of the wood, +diverging off in different directions! two of them must be collaterals; +and to fix on the one which was honest, where all had equal claims to bad +pre-eminence, exceeded our divining power. Each awhile ruminated in +silence; reflecting that we were far from the habitations of man, with +darkness only not intense around us! We now shouted aloud, in the faint +hope that some solitary woodman might hear, and come to our relief. The +shrill voices of the ladies, in the stillness of night, formed the +essence of harmony. All was silence! No murmur! No response! The three +lanes lay before us. If we pursued one, it might by the next morning, +conduct us safe back to Chepstow; and if we confided in the other, it +might lead us in due time, half-way toward Ragland Castle! What was to be +done? One in the company now remarked, "Of what service is it to boast a +pioneer, if we do not avail ourselves of his services?" Mr. Coleridge +received the hint, and set off up one of the lanes at his swiftest speed, +namely, a cautious creep; whilst we four stood musing on the wide extent +of human vicissitudes! A few hours before, surrounded by a plethora of +enjoyments, and now desponding and starving in the depth of what appeared +an interminable forest. To augment our trouble, fresh anxieties arose! +From Mr. Coleridge's long absence, we now almost feared whether hard +necessity might not force us to go in search of our way-bewildered or +quagmired companion! + +To our great joy, we now faintly heard, in the stillness of night, the +horse's hoofs sliding over the loose stones! The sound drew nearer. Mr. +Coleridge approached and pensively said, that could not be the way, for +it led to an old quarry which the quick sight of his steed discovered +just in time to save both their necks! Mr. C. was next ordered instantly +to explore one of the other two ominous lanes; when like a +well-disciplined orderly man, he set off gallantly on his new commission. +After waiting a time, which in our state of suspense might almost be +called a period, he leisurely returned, significantly saying, that +neither man nor beast could pass that way! rubbing his thorn-smitten +cheek. Now came the use of the syllogism, in its simplest form. "If the +right road must be A, B, or C, and A and B were wrong, then C must be +right." Under this conviction, we marched boldly on, without further +solicitude or exploration,' and at length joyfully reached--Tintern +Abbey! + +On arriving at this celebrated place, to which so many travellers resort, +(thanks now to his Grace of Beaufort for a better road than ours) the +first inquiry that hunger taught us to make of a countryman, was for the +hotel. "Hotel! Hotel! Sir? Oh, the sign of the Tobacco Pipe! There it is +over the way." Rusticity and comfort often go together. We entered the +inn, homely as it was, quite certain that any transition must be +paradisaical, compared with our late hopeless condition. + +After supper, I proposed to avail ourselves of the darkness, and to +inspect the Abbey by torch-light. This being acceded to, we all set off +to view the beautiful but mouldering edifice, where, by an artificial +light, the ruins might present a new aspect, and, in dim grandeur, assist +the labouring imagination. At the instant the huge doors unfolded, the +horned moon appeared between the opening clouds, and shining through the +grand window in the distance. It was a delectable moment; not a little +augmented by the unexpected green sward that covered the whole of the +floor, and the long-forgotten tombs beneath; whilst the gigantic ivies, +in their rivalry, almost concealed the projecting and dark turrets and +eminences, reflecting back the lustre of the torch below. In this season, +which ought to have been consecrated to reflection and silence, the daws, +nestling in their abodes of desolation, aroused from their repose by the +unusual glare, sailed over our heads in sable multitudes that added depth +to the darkness of the sky, while, in their hoarsest maledictions, they +seemed to warn off the intruders on "their ancient solitary reign." + +On returning late to the Inn, I informed my companions, that there was at +no great distance a large iron foundry, never seen to perfection but at +night, and proposed our visiting it. Mr. Coleridge felt downright horror +at the thought of being again moved; considering that he had had quite +enough exercise for one day, and infinitely preferring the fire of his +host to the forge of the Cyclops. The ladies also rather shrunk from +encountering a second night expedition; but Mr. Southey cordially +approved the suggestion, and we ushered forth, in the dreariness of +midnight, to behold this real spectacle of sublimity! Our ardour indeed, +was a little cooled when, by the glimmering of the stars, we perceived a +dark expanse stretched by our path,--an ugly mill-pond, by the side of +which we groped, preserving, as well as we could, a respectful distance, +and entering into a mutual compact that if (after all) one should fall +in, the other should do all that in him lay to pull him out. + +But I leave further extraneous impositions on the reader's +attention,--the Wye, and other etceteras, briefly to remark, that we +safely returned the next day, after an excursion where the reality +exceeded the promise: and it may be added, quite in time to enable Mr. +Southey to prepare for, and deliver his Lecture, "on the Rise, Fall, and +Decline of the Roman Empire." Mr. Coleridge was not present. + +The publication of Mr. C.'s volume of Poems having been attended with +some rather peculiar circumstances, to detail them a little may amuse the +reader. On my expressing to him a wish to begin the printing as early as +he found it convenient, he sent me the following note. + + +"My dear friend, + +The printer may depend on copy on Monday morning, and if he can work a +sheet a day, he shall have it. + +S. T. C." + + +A day or two after, and before the receipt of the copy, I received from +Mr. C. the following cheerful note. + + +"Dear Cottle, + +By the thick smoke that precedes the volcanic eruptions of Etna, +Vesuvius, and Hecla, I feel an impulse to fumigate, at [now] 25, +College-Street, one pair of stairs room; yea, with our Oronoko, and if +thou wilt send me by the bearer, four pipes, I will write a panegyrical +epic poem upon thee, with as many books as there are letters in thy name. +Moreover, if thou wilt send me "the copy book" I hereby bind myself, by +to-morrow morning, to write out enough copy for a sheet and a half. + +God bless you! + +July 31st, 1795. + +S. T. C." + + +This promising commencement was soon interrupted by successive and +long-continued delays. The permission I had given to anticipate payment +was remembered and complied with, before the work went to the press. +These delays I little heeded, but they were not quite so acceptable to +the printer, who grievously complained that his types, and his leads, and +his forms, were locked up, week after week, to his great detriment. + +Being importuned by the printer, I stated these circumstances to Mr. +Coleridge in a note, expressed in what I thought the mildest possible +way, but which excited, it appeared, uncomfortable feelings in his mind, +never in the least noticed to or by myself, but evidenced to my surprise, +by the following passage in a note to Mr. Wade. + + +"My very dear Friend, + +... Mr. Cottle has ever conducted himself towards me with unbounded +kindness, and one unkind act, no, nor twenty, can obliterate the grateful +remembrance of it. By indolence, and frequent breach of promise, I had +deserved a severe reproof from him, although my present brain-crazing +circumstances, rendered this an improper time for it.... + +S. T. C." + + +I continued to see Mr. Coleridge every day, and occasionally said to him, +smiling, "Well, how much copy;" "None, to day," was the general reply, +"but to-morrow you shall have some." To-morrow produced, if any, perhaps +a dozen lines; and, in a favourable state of mind, so much, it might be, +as half a dozen pages: and here I think I can correctly state, that Mr. +C. had repeated to me at different times nearly all the poems contained +in his volume, except the "Religious Musings," which I understood to be +wholly a new poem. It may amuse the reader to receive one or two more of +Mr. C.'s little apologies. + + +"My dear Friend, + +The Printer may depend on copy by to-morrow. + +S. T. C." + + +"My dear Cottle, + +The Religious Musings are finished, and you shall have them on Thursday. + +S. T. C." + + +Sometimes sickness interfered. + + +"Dear Cottle, + +A devil, a very devil, has got possession of my left temple, eye, cheek, +jaw, throat, and shoulder. I cannot see you this evening. I write in +agony. + +Your affectionate Friend and Brother, + +S. T. C." + + +Sometimes his other engagements were of a pressing nature. + + +"Dear Cottle, + +Shall I trouble you (I being over the mouth and nose, in doing something +of importance, at Lovell's) to send your servant into the market, and buy +a pound of bacon, and two quarts of broad beans; and when he carries it +down to College St. to desire the maid to dress it for dinner, and tell +her I shall be home by three o'clock. Will you come and drink tea with +me, and I will endeavour to get the etc. ready for you. + +Yours affectionately, + +S. T. C." + + +Whatever disappointments arose, plausible reasons were always assigned +for them, but when ingenuity was fairly taxed with excuses, worn out, Mr. +C. would candidly admit, that he had very little "finger industry," but +then, he said, his mind was always on "full stretch."--The Herculean +labour now appeared drawing to a close; as will be clear from the +following letter. + + +"My dear, very dear Cottle, + +I will be with you at half past six; if you will give me a dish of tea, +between that time and eleven o'clock at night, I will write out the whole +of the notes, and the preface, as I give you leave to turn the lock and +key upon me. + +I am engaged to dine with Michael Castle, but I will not be one minute +past my time. If I am, I permit you to send a note to Michael Castle, +requesting him to send me home to fulfil engagements, like an honest man. + +S. T. C." + + +Well knowing that it was Mr. Coleridge's intention to do all that was +right, but aware at the same time that, however prompt he might be in +resolving, he had to contend, in the fulfilment, with great +constitutional indecision, I had long resolved to leave the completion of +his work wholly to himself, and not to urge him to a speed which would +render that a toil, which was designed to be a pleasure. + +But we must instantly leave, alike excuses, and printer, and copy, to +notice a subject of infinitely more importance! + +It was now understood that Mr. Coleridge was about to be married. Aware +of his narrow circumstances, and not doubting the anxieties he must +necessarily feel, in the prospect of his altered condition, and to render +his mind as easy in pecuniary affairs, as the extreme case would admit; I +thought it would afford a small relief to tell him that I would give him +one guinea and a-half, (after his volume was completed,) for every +hundred lines he might present to me, whether rhyme or blank verse. This +offer appeared of more consequence in the estimation of Mr. C., than it +did in his who made it; for when a common friend familiarly asked him +"how he was to keep the pot boiling, when married?" he very promptly +answered, that Mr. Cottle had made him such an offer, that he felt no +solicitude on that subject. + +Mr. Coleridge, in prospect of his marriage, had taken a cottage at +Clevedon, a village, happily on the banks not of the Susquehannah, but +the Severn. He was married to Miss Sarah Fricker, October the 4th, 1795, +and immediately after set off for his country abode. + +The following is a copy of the certificate:-- + + "ST. MARY REDCLIFFE CHURCH, BRISTOL. + + Married, + + Samuel Taylor Coleridge, to Sarah Fricker, Oct. 4th, 1795. + + Benj. Spry, Vicar. + + Witnesses,--Martha Fricker, Josiah Wade." + +It happened in this case, as it often does where a duty devolves equally +on two; both neglect it. The cottage at Clevedon, it appeared, had walls, +and doors, and windows; but only such furniture as became a philosopher +who was too well disciplined to covet inordinately, non-essentials. +Beside which there might have been more of system in this deliberate +renunciation of luxury. For would it have been consistent in those who +anticipated a speedy location on the marge of one of the great American +rivers, to intrench themselves in comforts that must so soon be exchanged +for little more than primeval supplies and the rugged privations of the +desert? (For even at this time Mr. C. still fondly dwelt on the joys of +the Susquehannah.) + +Two days after his marriage, I received a letter from Mr. Coleridge +(which now lies before me) requesting the kindness of me to send him +down, with all dispatch, the following little articles. + + "A riddle slice; a candle box; two ventilators; two glasses for the + wash-hand stand; one tin dust pan; one small tin tea kettle; one pair + of candlesticks; one carpet brush; one flower dredge; three tin + extinguishers; two mats; a pair of slippers; a cheese toaster; two + large tin spoons; a bible; a keg of porter; coffee; raisins; + currants; catsup; nutmegs; allspice; cinnamon; rice; ginger; and + mace." + +With the aid of the grocer, and the shoemaker, and the brewer, and the +tinman, and the glassman, and the brazier, &c., I immediately sent him +all that he had required, and more; and the next day rode down to pay my +respects to the new-married couple; being greeted, not with the common, +and therefore vulgar, materials of cake and wine, but with that which +moved the spirit, hearty gratulations! + +I was rejoiced to find that the cottage possessed every thing that heart +could desire. The situation also was peculiarly eligible. It was in the +western extremity, not in the centre of the village. It had the benefit +of being but one story high, and as the rent was only five pounds per +ann., and no taxes, Mr. Coleridge had the satisfaction of knowing, that +by fairly "mounting his Pegasus," he could write as many verses in a week +as would pay his rent for a year. There was also a small garden, with +several pretty flowers; and the "tallest rose tree," was not failed to be +pointed out, which "peeped at the chamber window," (and which has been +honoured with some beautiful lines). I observed, however, that the +parlour, from my perverted taste, looked rather awkward in being only +whitewashed, and the same effected in rather the "olden time;" to remedy +which fanciful inconvenience, on my return to Bristol, I sent an +upholsterer[8] down to this retired and happy abode with a few pieces of +sprightly paper, to tarnish the half immaculate sitting-room walls. + +Mr. Coleridge being now comfortably settled at Clevedon, I shall there +for the present leave him to write verses on his beloved Sarah, while in +the mean time, I introduce the reader to an ingenious young barrister +whom I had known some years previously under the following peculiar +circumstances. + +William Gilbert, author of the "Hurricane," was the son of the eminent +philanthropist, Nathaniel Gilbert, of Antigua, who is usually noticed as +"The excellent Gilbert who first set an example to the planters, of +giving religious instruction to the slaves." In the year 1787, a want of +self-control having become painfully evident, he was placed by his +friends in the Asylum of Mr. Richard Henderson at Hanham, near Bristol, +when I first knew him. He occasionally accompanied John Henderson into +Bristol, on one of which occasions he introduced him to my brother and +myself, as the "Young Counsellor!" I spent an afternoon with them, not +readily to be forgotten. Many and great talkers have I known, but William +Gilbert, at this time, exceeded them all. His brain seemed to be in a +state of boiling effervescence, and his tongue, with inconceivable +rapidity, passed from subject to subject, but with an incoherence that +was to me, at least, marvellous. For two hours he poured forth a verbal +torrent, which was only suspended by sheer physical exhaustion. + +John Henderson must have perceived a thousand fallacies in his +impassioned harangue; but he allowed them all to pass uncommented upon, +for he knew there was no fighting with a vapour. He continued in the +Asylum about a year, when his mind being partially restored, his friends +removed him, and he wholly absented himself from Bristol, till the year +1796, when he re-appeared in that city. + +Being so interesting a character, I felt pleasure in introducing him to +Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Southey, with whom he readily coalesced, and they, +I believe, truly respected him, soon however perceiving there was +"something unsound in Denmark;" but still there was so much general and +obvious talent about him, and his manners were so conciliating, that they +liked his company, and tolerated some few peculiarities for the sake of +the much that was good. The deference he paid Mr. C. and Mr. S. was some +evidence that reason had partly reassumed her seat in his mind, for when +before them, he withheld many of his most extravagant notions, and +maintained such a comparative restraint on his tongue, as evidently arose +from the respect with which he was impressed. + +At one time he very gravely told me, that to his certain knowledge there +was in the centre of Africa, bordering on Abyssinia, a little to the +south-east, an extensive nation of the Gibberti, or Gilberti, and that +one day or other he intended to visit them, and claim kindred.[9] + +One morning, information was brought to us that W. Gilbert, at an early +hour, had departed precipitately from Bristol, without speaking to any +one of his friends. We felt great concern at this unexpected movement, +and by comparing recent conversations, we thought it highly probable +that, in obedience to some astrological monition he had determined, +forthwith, to set off on a visit to his relatives in Africa. So convinced +was Mr. Southey that this long-cherished design had influenced poor +Gilbert in his sudden withdrawment, that he wrote to Mr. Roscoe, at +Liverpool, begging him to interfere, to prevent any African captain from +taking such a person as Mr. S. described. Mr. Roscoe appeared to have +taken much trouble; but after a vigilant inquiry, he replied, by saying +that no such person had sailed from, or appeared in Liverpool. So that we +remained in total uncertainty as to what was become of him; many years +afterwards it appeared he had gone to Charleston, United States, where he +died. + +Mr. Southey thus refers to W. Gilbert in his "Life of Wesley." + + "In the year 1796, Mr. G. published the 'Hurricane, a Theosophical + and Western Eclogue,' and shortly afterwards placarded the walls of + London with the largest bills that had at that time been seen, + announcing 'the Law of Fire.' I knew him well and look back with a + melancholy pleasure to the hours which I have passed in his society, + when his mind was in ruins. His madness was of the most + incomprehensible kind, as may be seen in the notes to his + 'Hurricane;' but the Poem possesses passages of exquisite beauty. I + have among my papers some memorials of this interesting man. They who + remember him (as some of my readers will,) will not be displeased at + seeing him thus mentioned, with the respect and regret which are due + to a noble mind." + +Mr. Wordsworth, also at the end of his "Excursion," has quoted the +following note to the "Hurricane," with the remark that it "is one of the +finest passages of modern English prose." + + "A man is supposed to improve by going out into the world, by + visiting London. Artificial man does, he extends with his sphere; + but, alas! that sphere is microscopic; it is formed of minutiae, and + he surrenders his genuine vision to the artist, in order to embrace + it in his ken. His bodily senses grow acute, even to barren and + inhuman pruriency; while his mental become proportionally obtuse. The + reverse is the man of mind. He who is placed in the sphere of nature + and of God, might be a mock at Tattersall's and Brookes's, and a + sneer at St. James's: he would certainly be swallowed alive by the + first Pizarro that crossed him; but when he walks along the river of + Amazons; when he rests his eye on the unrivalled Andes: when he + measures the long and watered savannah, or contemplates from a sudden + promontory, the distant, vast Pacific, and feels himself in this vast + theatre, and commanding each ready produced fruit of this wilderness, + and each progeny of this stream--his exaltation is not less than + imperial. He is as gentle too as he is great: his emotions of + tenderness keep pace with his elevation of sentiment; for he says, + 'These were made by a good Being, who, unsought by me, placed me here + to enjoy them.' He becomes at once a child and a king. His mind is in + himself; from hence he argues and from hence he acts, and he argues + unerringly, and acts magisterially. His mind in himself is also in + his God; and therefore he loves, and therefore he soars.'" + +As these pages are designed, by brief incidental notices, to furnish a +view of the Literature of Bristol during a particular portion of time; +and having introduced the name of Ann Yearsley, I here, in reference to +her, subjoin a few additional remarks. + + * * * * * + +I was well acquainted with Ann Yearsley, and my friendship for Hannah +More did not blind my eyes to the merits of her opponent. Candour exacts +the acknowledgment that the Bristol Milkwoman was a very extraordinary +individual. Her natural abilities were eminent, united with which, she +possessed an unusually sound masculine understanding; and altogether +evinced, even in her countenance, the unequivocal marks of genius. If her +education and early advantages had been favourable, there is no limiting +the distinction to which she might have attained; and the respect she did +acquire, proves what formidable barriers may be surmounted by native +talent when perseveringly exerted, even in the absence of those +preliminary assistances which are often merely the fret-work, the +entablature, of the Corinthian column. + +Ann Yearsley's genius was discoverable in her Poems, but perhaps the +extent of her capacity chiefly appeared in her Novel, "The Man in the +Iron Mask;" in itself a bad subject, from the confined limit it gives to +the imagination; but there is a vigour in her style which scarcely +appeared compatible with a wholly uneducated woman. The late Mr. G. +Robinson, the bookseller, told me that he had given Ann Yearsley two +hundred pounds for the above work, and that he would give her one hundred +pounds for every volume she might produce. This sum, with the profits of +her Poems, enabled her to set up a circulating library, at the Hot Wells. +I remember, in the year 1793, an imposition was attempted to be practised +upon her, and she became also involved in temporary pecuniary +difficulties, when by timely interference and a little assistance I had +the happiness of placing her once more in a state of comfort. From a +grateful feeling she afterwards sent me a handsome copy of verses. + +It has been too customary to charge her with ingratitude, (at which all +are ready to take fire,) but without sufficient cause, as the slight +services I rendered her were repaid with a superabundant expression of +thankfulness; what then must have been the feelings of her heart toward +Mrs. Hannah More, to whom her obligations were so surpassing? + +The merits of the question involved in the dissension between Ann +Yearsley and Mrs. H. More, lay in a small compass, and they deserve to be +faithfully stated; the public are interested in the refutation of charges +of ingratitude, which, if substantiated, would tend to repress assistance +toward the humbler children of genius. The baneful effects arising from a +charge of ingratitude in Ann Yearsley towards her benefactress, might be +the proximate means of dooming to penury and death some unborn +Chatterton, or of eclipsing the sun of a future Burns. + +Hannah More discovered that the woman who supplied her family daily with +milk, was a really respectable poetess. She collected her productions, +and published them for her benefit, with a recommendatory address. The +Poems, as they deserved, became popular; doubtless, in a great degree, +through the generous and influential support of Mrs. H. More, and the +profits of the sale amounted to some hundreds of pounds. + +The money, thus obtained, the milkwoman wished, to receive herself: for +the promotion of herself in life, and the assistance of her two promising +sons, who inherited much of their mother's talent. Hannah More on the +contrary, in conjunction with Mrs. Montague, thought it most advisable to +place the money in the Funds, in the joint names of herself and Mrs. M. +as trustees for Ann Yearsley, so that she might receive a small permanent +support through life. In this, Hannah More acted with the purest +intention. If any judicious friend had stated to her that Ann Yearsley, +whom she had so greatly served, was a discreet woman and would not be +likely to squander her little all: that she wanted to educate her two +sons, and to open for herself a circulating library, neither of which +objects could be accomplished without trenching on her capital, no doubt +could have been entertained of her instantly acceding to it. + +The great error on the part of the milkwoman, was in not prevailing on +some friend thus to interfere, and calmly to state her case; instead of +which, in a disastrous moment, she undertook to plead her own cause; and, +without the slightest intention of giving offence, called on her +patroness. Both parties meant well, but from the constitution of the +human mind, it was hardly possible for one who had greatly obliged +another in a subordinate station to experience the least opposition +without at least an uncomfortable feeling. There must have existed a +predisposition to misconstrue motives, as well as a susceptibility, in +the closest alliance with offence. And now the experiment commenced. + +Here was a strong-minded illiterate woman on one side, impressed with a +conviction of the justice of her cause; and further stimulated by a deep +consciousness of the importance of success to herself and family; and on +the other side, a refined mind, delicately alive to the least +approximation to indecorum, and, not unreasonably, requiring deference +and conciliation. Could such incongruous materials coalesce? Ann +Yearsley's suit, no doubt was urged with a zeal approaching to +impetuosity, and not expressed in that measured language which propriety +might have dictated; and any deficiency in which could not fail to offend +her polished and powerful patroness. + +Ann Yearsley obtained her object, but she lost her friend. Her name, from +that moment, was branded with ingratitude; and severe indeed was the +penalty entailed on her by this act of indiscretion! Her good name, with +the rapidity of the eagle's pinion, was forfeited! Her talents, in a +large circle at once became questionable, or vanished away. Her assumed +criminality also was magnified into audacity, in daring to question the +honour, or oppose the wishes of two such women as Mrs. H. More, and Mrs. +Montague! and thus, through this disastrous turn of affairs, a dark veil +was suddenly thrown over prospects, so late the most unsullied and +exhilarating; and the favorite of fortune sunk to rise no more! + +Gloom and perplexities in quick succession oppressed the Bristol +milkwoman, and her fall became more rapid than her ascent! The eldest of +her sons, William Cromartie Yearsley, who had bidden fair to be the prop +of her age; and whom she had apprenticed to an eminent engraver, with a +premium of one hundred guineas, prematurely died; and his surviving +brother soon followed him to the grave! Ann Yearsley, now a childless and +desolate widow, retired, heart-broken from the world, on the produce of +her library; and died many years after, in a state of almost total +seclusion, at Melksham. An inhabitant of the town lately informed me that +she was never seen, except when she took her solitary walk in the dusk of +the evening! She lies buried in Clifton church-yard. + +In this passing notice of the Bristol milkwoman, my design has been to +rescue her name from unmerited obloquy, and not in the remotest degree to +criminate Hannah More, whose views and impressions in this affair may +have been somewhat erroneous, but whose intentions it would be impossible +for one moment to question.[10] + +The reader will not be displeased with some further remarks on Mrs. +Hannah More, whose long residence near Bristol identified her so much +with that city. + +Mrs. H. More lived with her four sisters, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah, and +Martha, after they quitted their school in Park-Street, Bristol, at a +small neat cottage in Somersetshire, called Cowslip Green. The Misses M. +some years afterward built a better house, and called it Barley Wood, on +the side of a hill, about a mile from Wrington. Here they all lived, in +the highest degree respected and beloved: their house the seat of piety, +cheerfulness, literature, and hospitality; and they themselves receiving +the honour of more visits from bishops, nobles, and persons of +distinction, than, perhaps, any private family in the kingdom. + +My sisters having been educated by them, and myself having two intimate +friends, who were also the friends of the Misses More; the Rev. James +Newton,[11] and my old tutor, John Henderson, they introduced me to the +family in Park Street, and the acquaintance then commenced was +progressively ripened into respect that continued to the termination of +all their lives. Hannah More gave me unrestricted permission to bring +down to Barley-Wood, any literary or other friend of mine, at any time; +and of which privilege, on various occasions I availed myself. + +Many years before, I had taken down, then by express, invitation, Mr. +Southey, to see these excellent ladies; and in the year 1814, I conducted +Mr. Coleridge to Barley Wood, and had the pleasure of introducing him to +Hannah More and her sisters. For two hours after our arrival, Mr. C. +displayed a good deal of his brilliant conversation, when he was listened +to with surprise and delight by the whole circle; but at this time, +unluckily, Lady--was announced, when Mrs. Hannah, from politeness, +devoted herself to her titled visitant, while the little folks retired to +a snug window with one or two of the Misses More, and there had their own +agreeable converse. + +Hannah More's eminently useful life manifested itself in nothing more +than the effort she made to instruct the ignorant through the medium of +moral and religious _tracts_, and by the establishment of schools. These +were made blessings on a wide scale, whilst their good effects are +continued to this time, and are likely to be perpetuated. + +It is here proper to mention that after superintending these various +schools, either personally or by proxy, for more than a quarter of a +century, and after the decease of her four benevolent and excellent +sisters, Hannah More found it necessary to leave Barley Wood, and to +remove to Clifton. Here her expenses were reduced one half, and her +comforts greatly increased. The house she occupied, No. 4, Windsor +Terrace, Clifton, was even more pleasant than the one she had left, and +the prospects from it much more enlivening. I remember to have called on +her with the late Robert Hall, when she discovered a cheerfulness which +showed that Barley Wood was no longer regretted. She brought us to the +windows of her spacious drawing room, and there, in the expanse beneath, +invited us to behold the new docks, and the merchants' numerous ships, +while the hill of Dundry appeared (at the distance of four miles) far +loftier than her own Mendip, and equally verdant. From the window of her +back room also, directly under her eye, a far more exquisite prospect +presented itself than any Barley Wood could boast; Leigh Woods, St. +Vincent's Rocks, Clifton Down, and, to crown the whole, the winding Avon, +with the continually shifting commerce of Bristol; and we left her with +the impression that the change in her abode was a great accession to her +happiness. + +In a letter to Mr. Wilberforce, Hannah More thus rather pleasantly +writes:-- + + +"4, Windsor Terrace, Oct. 29, 1828. + +My Very Dear Friend, + +... I am diminishing my worldly cares. I have sold Barley Wood. I have +exchanged the eight "pampered minions," for four sober servants. As I +have sold my carriage and horses, I want no coachman: as I have no +garden, I want no gardener. I have greatly lessened my house expenses, +which enables me to maintain my schools, and enlarge my charities. My +schools alone, with clothing, rents, &c., cost me £150 a year." + + +Mrs. H. More was sometimes liberally assisted in the support of these +schools (as I learned from Miss Martha More,) by three philanthropic +individuals, the late Mr. Henry Thornton, the late Mr. Wilberforce, and +the late Sir W. W. Pepys, Bart. + +Mrs. H. More, in a letter to Sir W. W. Pepys, acknowledging the receipt +of one hundred pounds, says, "My most affectionate respects to Lady +Pepys. The young race, of course, have all forgotten me; but I have not +forgotten the energy with which your eldest son, at seven years old, ran +into the drawing room, and said to me, "After all, Ferdinand would never +have sent Columbus to find out America if it had not been for Isabella: +it was entirely her doing." How gratifying it would have been to H. More, +had she lived two or three years longer, to have found in the round of +human things, that this energetic boy of seven years, had become (1837) +the Lord High Chancellor of England! and now again in 1846. + +All the paintings, drawings, and prints which covered the walls of the +parlour, on Hannah More's quitting Barley Wood, she gave to her friend, +Sir T. D. Ackland, Bart, with the exception of the portrait, by Palmer, +of John Henderson, which she kindly presented to myself. + + * * * * * + +As I purposed, in projecting the present work, to allow myself a certain +latitude in commenting on persons of talent connected recently with +Bristol, and with whom Mr. C. and Mr. S. were acquainted, and especially +when those persons are dead, I shall here in addition briefly refer to +the late Robert Hall. + +Mr. Hall is universally admitted to have possessed a mind of the first +order. He united qualities, rarely combined, each of which would have +constituted greatness; being a writer of pre-eminent excellence, and a +sacred orator that exceeded all competition. + +Posterity will judge of Robert Hall's capacity by his writings alone, but +all who knew him as a preacher, unhesitatingly admit that in his pulpit +exercises (when the absorption of his mind in his subject rendered him +but half sensible to the agony of internal maladies which scarcely knew +cessation, and which would have prostrated a spirit less firm) that in +these exercises, the superiority of his intellect became more undeniably +manifest than even in his deliberate compositions. Here some might +approach, who could not surpass; but, as a preacher, he stood, collected, +in solitary grandeur. + +Let the reader who was never privileged to see or hear this extraordinary +man, present to his imagination a dignified figure[12] that secured the +deference which was never exacted; a capacious forehead; an eye, in the +absence of excitement, dark, yet placid, but when warmed with argument, +flashing almost coruscations of light, as the harmonious accompaniments +of his powerful language. + +But the pulpit presented a wider field for the display of this +constitutional ardour. Here, the eye, that always awed, progressively +advanced in expression; till warmed with his immortal subject it kindled +into absolute radiance, that with its piercing beams penetrated the very +heart, and so absorbed the spirit that the preacher himself was forgotten +in the magnificent and almost overpowering array of impassioned thoughts +and images. With this exterior, let the reader associate a voice, though +not strong, eminently flexible and harmonious; a mind that felt, and +therefore never erred in its emphasis; alternately touching the chord of +pathos, or advancing with equal ease into the region of argument or +passion; and then let him remember that every sentiment he uttered was +clothed in expressions as mellifluous as perhaps ever fell from the +tongue of man. + +Few would dispute the testimony of Dugald Stewart on subjects of +composition; and still fewer would question his authority in ascribing, +as he does, to Robert Hall, the excellencies of Addison, Johnson, and +Burke, without their defects: and to the works of Mr. H. reference will +hereafter doubtless be made, as exhibiting some of the finest specimens +that can be adduced, of the harmony, the elegance, the energy, and +compass of the English tongue. + +After noticing the excellencies of Mr. Hall as a Christian advocate, it +appears almost bordering on the anti-climax, to name, that a great +accession to this his distinction as a writer arose from his exquisite +taste in composition, sedulously cultivated through life; and which (as +the reward of so chastened a judgment, attained with such labour) at +length superseded toil in the arrangement of his words,'since every +thought, as it arose in his mind, when expression was given to it, +appeared spontaneously, clothed in the most appropriate language. + +Often has Mr. H. expatiated to me on the subject of style, so as to +manifest the depth and acuteness of his criticisms; as well as to leave a +firm conviction that the superiority he had acquired arose from no lax +endeavour and happy casualty, but from severe and permanent effort, +founded on the best models; at least, in that period of his life when the +structure of his mind was formed, or forming. He said that _Cicero_ had +been his chief model. + +This habit of minute and general analysis, combined as it was with his +fine luminous intellect, enabled him with almost intuitive discernment, +to perceive promptly whatever was valuable or defective in the +productions of others; and this faculty being conjoined with solid +learning, extensive reading, a retentive memory, a vast |tore of +diversified knowledge, together with a creative fancy and a logical mind, +gave him at all times, an unobtrusive reliance on himself; with an +inexhaustible mental treasury that qualified him alike to shine in the +friendly circle, or to charm, and astonish, and edify, in the crowded +assembly. + +That the same individual should so far excel both as a preacher and a +writer, and at the same time be equally distinguished for his brilliant +conversational talent, is scarcely conceivable, and would be too much +reputation for any man, unless tempered, as it was in Mr. Hall, by no +ordinary measure of Christian humility, and a preference ever expressed, +for the moral over the intellectual character. + +It is not meant to imply that Mr. Hall was perfect, (a condition reserved +for another state) but he made gigantic strides towards that point, at +which all should aim. That such rare talents should have been devoted, +through a long and consistent life, to the cause of his Redeemer, must +excite thankfulness in the breast of every Christian, and at the same +time deepen the hue with which he contemplates some others, whose talents +and influences, were, and are, all banefully exercised, from what might +appear a design to corrupt man, and madly to oppose and defy the Supreme +himself! + +Some of Mr. Hall's later admirers may resist the idea that there ever was +a period when his ministerial exercises were more eloquent than at the +last; but without hesitation, I adopt a different opinion. The estimate +formed of him in this place is chiefly founded on the earlier part of +life, when, without any opposing influences, a more unbridled range was +given to his imagination; when there was an energy in his manner, and a +felicity and copiousness in his language, which vibrated on the very +verge of human capability. + +It is incredible to suppose that intense and almost unceasing pain, +should not partially have unnerved his mind; that he should not have +directed a more undiverted concentration of thought, and revelled with +more freedom and luxuriance of expression, before, rather than during the +ravages of that insidious and fatal disease, under which he laboured for +so many years, and which never allowed him, except when in the pulpit, to +deviate from a recumbent posture. However combated by mental firmness, +such perpetual suffering must have tended in some degree to repress the +vehemence of his intellectual fire; and the astonishment prevails, that +he possessed fortitude enough to contend so long with antagonists so +potent. Except for the power of religion, and the sustaining influence of +faith, nothing could have restrained him from falling back on despondency +or despair. Yet even to his final sermon, he maintained his preeminence; +and in no one discourse of his last years, did he decline into +mediocrity, or fail to remind the elder part of his audience of a period +when his eloquence was almost superhuman.[13] + +After allowing, that many humble but sincere preachers of the gospel of +Christ may be as accepted of God, and be made as useful to their +fellow-men as the most prodigally endowed, yet the possession of great +and well-directed talents must not be underrated. Different soils require +different culture, and that which is inoperative on one man may be +beneficial to another, and it is hardly possible for any one to form a +due estimate of the elevation of which pulpit oratory is susceptible who +never heard Robert Hall. This character of his preaching refers more +particularly to the period when his talents were in their most vigorous +exercise; a little before the time when he published his celebrated +sermon on "Infidelity." + +This sermon I was so happy as to hear delivered, and have no hesitation +in expressing an opinion that the oral was not only very different from +the printed discourse, but greatly its superior. In the one case he +expressed the sentiments of a mind fully charged with matter the most +invigorating, and solemnly important; but, discarding notes, (which he +once told me always "hampered him") it was not in his power to display +the same language, or to record the same evanescent trains of thought; so +that in preparing a sermon for the press, no other than a general +resemblance could be preserved. In trusting alone to his recollection, +when the stimulus was withdrawn of a crowded and most attentive auditory, +the ardent feeling; the thought that "burned," was liable, in some +measure, to become deteriorated by the substitution of cool philosophical +arrangement and accuracy for the spontaneous effusions of his overflowing +heart; so that what was gained by one course was more than lost by the +other. + +During Mr. Hall's last visit to Bristol, (prior to his final settlement +there) I conducted him to view the beautiful scenery in the +neighbourhood, and no one could be more alive to the picturesque than Mr. +H. On former occasions, when beholding the expanse of water before him, +he has said, with a pensive ejaculation, "We have no water in +Cambridgeshire;" and subsequently, in noticing the spreading foliage of +Lord de Clifford's park, he has observed with the same mournful accent; +"Ah, sir, we have no such trees as these in Leicestershire." And when at +this time he arrived at a point which presented the grandest assemblage +of beauty, he paused in silence to gaze on the rocks of St. Vincent, and +the Avon, and the dense woods, and the distant Severn, and the dim blue +mountains of Wales, when with that devotional spirit which accorded with +the general current of his feelings, in an ecstacy he exclaimed; "Oh, if +these outskirts of the Almighty's dominion can, with one glance, so +oppress the heart with gladness, what will be the disclosures of +eternity, when the full revelation shall be made of the things not seen, +and the river of the city of God!" + +But "Recollections" of Mr. Hall are not intended, although it may be +named, he stated, in one of these rides, that he had arisen from his bed +two or three times in the course of the night, when projecting his +"Sermon on the Death of the Princess Charlotte" to record thoughts, or to +write down passages that he feared might otherwise escape his memory. +This, at least, showed the intensity of the interest he felt, though a +superabundance of the choicest matter was ever at his command; and if one +idea happened accidentally to be lost, one that was better immediately +supplied its place. + +Perhaps this notice may be deemed, by some, too extended, if not +misplaced; but if the present occasion of referring to Mr. Hall, had been +neglected, no other might have occurred. The man whose name is recorded +on high stands in no need of human praise; yet survivors have a debt to +pay, and whilst I disclaim every undue bias on my mind in estimating the +character of one who so ennobled human nature, none can feel surprise +that I should take a favorable retrospect of Mr. H. after an intercourse +and friendship of more than forty years. Inadequate as is the present +offering, some satisfaction is felt at the opportunity presented of +bestowing this small tribute to the memory of one whom I ever venerated, +and, in so doing, of adding another attestation to the merits of so good +and great a man. + + * * * * * + +The reader after this long digression, will have his attention directed +once more, to Mr. Coleridge, who was left at Clevedon in the possession +of domestic comfort, and with the hope, if not the prospect, of +uninterrupted happiness. It could hardly be supposed, that in the element +of so much excitement, the spirit of inspiration should remain +slumbering. On my next seeing Mr. C. he read me, with more than his +accustomed enthusiasm, those tenderly affectionate lines to his "Sara," +beginning + + "My pensive Sara, thy soft cheek reclined." &c, + +Mr. Coleridge now began to console himself with the suspicion, not only +that felicity might be found on this side the Atlantic, but that Clevedon +concentrated the sum of all that Earth had to bestow. He was now even +satisfied that the Susquehannah itself retired into shade before the +superior attractions of his own native Severn. He had, in good truth, +discovered the grand secret; the abode of happiness, after which all are +so sedulously inquiring; and this accompanied with the cheering +assurance, that, by a merely pleasurable intellectual exertion, he would +be able to provide for his moderate expenses, and experience the +tranquillizing joys of seclusion, while the whole country and Europe were +convulsed with war and changes. + +Alas, repose was not made for man, nor man for repose! Mr. Coleridge at +this time little thought of the joys and sorrows, the vicissitudes of +life, and revolutions of feeling, with which he was ordained ere long to +contend! Inconveniences connected with his residence at Clevedon, not at +first taken into the calculation, now gradually unfolded themselves. The +place was too far from Bristol. It was difficult of access to friends; +and the neighbours were a little too tattling and inquisitive. And then +again, Mr. Coleridge could not well dispense with his literary +associates, and particularly with his access to that fine institution, +the Bristol City Library; and, in addition, as he was necessitated to +submit to frugal restraints, a walk to Bristol was rather a serious +undertaking; and a return the same day hardly to be accomplished, in the +failure of which, his "Sara," was lonely and uneasy; so that his friends +urged him to return once more to the place he had left; which he did, +forsaking, with reluctance, his rose-bound cottage, and taking up his +abode on Redcliff-hill. There was now some prospect that the printer's +types would be again set in motion, although it was quite proper that +they should remain in abeyance while so many grand events were +transpiring in the region of the domestic hearth. This was late in the +year 1795. + +After Mr. Coleridge had been some little time settled in Bristol, he +experienced another removal. To exchange the country, and all the +beauties of nature, for pent-up rooms on Redcliff-hill, demanded from a +poet, sacrifices for which a few advantages would but ill compensate. In +this uneasy state of mind, Mr. C. received an invitation from his friend, +Mr. T. Poole, of Stowey, Somersetshire, to come and visit him in that +retired town, and to which place Mr. and Mrs. Coleridge repaired. + +The volume of poems, that, in the presence of so many more important +affairs, had retired into shade, was now about to reappear, as will be +found by the following letter. + + +"Stowey, + +My dear Cottle, + +I feel it much, and very uncomfortable, that, loving you as a brother, +and feeling pleasure in pouring out my heart to you, I should so seldom +be able to write a letter to you, unconnected with business, and +uncontaminated with excuses and apologies. I give every moment I can +spare from my garden and the Reviews (i. e.) from my potatoes and meat to +the poem, (Religious Musings) but I go on slowly, for I torture the poem +and myself with corrections; and what I write in an hour, I sometimes +take two or three days in correcting. You may depend on it, the poem and +prefaces will take up exactly the number of pages I mentioned, and I am +extremely anxious to have the work as perfect as possible, and which I +cannot do, if it be finished immediately. The "Religious Musings" I have +altered monstrously, since I read them to you and received your +criticisms. I shall send them to you in my next. The Sonnets I will send +you with the Musings. God love you! + +From your affectionate friend, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +Mr. Coleridge at this time meditated the printing of two volumes of his +poems. He thus expresses his intention. + +"I mean to have none but large poems in the second volume; none under +three hundred lines; therefore I have crowded all my little pieces into +this." + +He speaks in the same letter, of two poems which I never saw. Perhaps +they were composed in his own mind, but never recorded on paper; a +practice which Mr. C. sometimes adopted. He thus writes. "The 'Nativity' +is not quite three hundred lines. It has cost me much labour in +polishing; more than any poem I ever wrote, and I believe deserves it +more. The epistle to Tom. Poole, which will come with the 'Nativity,' is +I think one of my most pleasing compositions." + +In a letter of Mr. C. dated from Stowey, Mr. Coleridge also says, "I have +written a Ballad of three hundred lines, and also a plan of general +study." It appeared right to make these statements, and it is hoped the +productions named may still be in existence. + +Mr. Coleridge now finding it difficult to superintend the press at so +great a distance as Stowey, and that it interfered also with his other +literary engagements, he resolved once more to remove to Bristol, the +residence of so many friends; and to that city he repaired, the beginning +of 1796. A conviction now also rested on his mind, as there was the +prospect of an increase in his family, that he must bestir himself, and +effectually call his resolutions into exercise. Soon after he was fairly +settled, he sent me the following letter. + + +"My dear Cottle, + +I have this night and to-morrow for you, being alone, and my spirits +calm. I shall consult my poetic honour, and of course your interest, more +by staying at home, than by drinking tea with you. I should be happy to +see my poems out even by next week, and I shall continue in stirrups, +that is, shall not dismount my Pegasus, till Monday morning, at which +time you will have to thank God for having done with + +Your affectionate friend always, but author evanescent. + +S. T. C." + + +Except for the serious effect, unintentionally produced, a rather +ludicrous circumstance some time after this occurred, that is, after Mr. +C. had "mounted his Pegasus" for the last time, and, permitted, so long +ago, "the lock and key to be turned upon him." + +The promised notes, preface, and some of the text, not having been +furnished, I had determined to make no further application, but to allow +Mr. C. to consult his own inclination and convenience. Having a friend +who wanted an introduction to Mr. Coleridge, I invited him to dinner, and +sent Mr. C. a note, to name the time, and to solicit his company. The +bearer of the note was simply requested to give it to Mr. C. and not +finding him at home, inconsiderately brought it back. Mr. Coleridge +returning home soon after, and learning that I had sent a letter, which +was taken back, in the supposition that it could relate but to _one +subject_, addressed to me the following astounding letter. + + +"Redcliff-hill, Feb. 22, 1796. + +My dear Sir, + +It is my duty and business to thank God for all his dispensations, and to +believe them the best possible; but, indeed, I think I should have been +more thankful, if he had made me a journeyman shoemaker, instead of an +author by trade. I have left my friends: I have left plenty; I have left +that ease which would have secured a literary immortality, and have +enabled me to give the public, works conceived in moments of inspiration, +and polished with leisurely solicitude, and alas! for what have I left +them? for--who deserted me in the hour of distress, and for a scheme of +virtue impracticable and romantic! So I am forced to write for bread! +write the flights of poetic enthusiasm, when every minute I am hearing a +groan from my wife. Groans, and complaints, and sickness! The present +hour I am in a quick-set hedge of embarrassment, and whichever way I +turn, a thorn runs into me! The future is cloud, and thick darkness! +Poverty, perhaps, and the thin faces of them that want bread, looking up +to me! Nor is this all. My happiest moments for composition are broken in +upon by the reflection that I must make haste. I am too late! I am +already months behind! I have received my pay beforehand! Oh, wayward and +desultory spirit of genius! Ill canst thou brook a taskmaster! The +tenderest touch from the hand of obligation, wounds thee like a scourge +of scorpions. + +I have been composing in the fields this morning, and came home to write +down the first rude sheet of my preface, when I heard that your man had +brought a note from you. I have not seen it, but I guess its contents. I +am writing as fast as I can. Depend on it you shall not be out of pocket +for me! I feel what I owe you, and independently of this, I love you as a +friend; indeed, so much, that I regret, seriously regret, that you have +been my copyholder. + +If I have written petulantly, forgive me. God knows I am sore all over. +God bless you, and believe me that, setting gratitude aside, I love and +esteem you, and have your interest at heart full as much as my own. + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +At the receipt of this painful letter, which made me smile and sigh at +the same moment, my first care was to send the young and desponding Bard +some of the precious metal, to cheer his drooping spirits; to inform him +of his mistake; and to renew my invitation; which was accepted, and at +this interview he was as cheerful as ever. He saw no difference in my +countenance, and I perceived none in his. The "thick cloud" and the +"thorn" had completely passed away, whilst his brilliant conversation +charmed and edified the friend for whose sake he had been invited. + +At length, Mr. Coleridge's volume of poems was completed. On the blank +leaf of one of the copies, he asked for a pen, and wrote the following: + + +"Dear Cottle, + +On the blank leaf of my poems, I can most appropriately write my +acknowledgments to you, for your too disinterested conduct in the +purchase of them. Indeed, if ever they should acquire a name and +character, it might be truly said, the world owed them to you. Had it not +been for you, none perhaps of them would have been published, and some +not written. + +Your, obliged and affectionate friend, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +Bristol, April 15, 1796." + + +The particulars respecting the publication of Mr. Coleridge's volume of +Poems have been continued unbroken, to the exclusion of some antecedent +circumstances, which will now be noticed. + +If it were my object to give a fictitious, and not a real character; to +remove, scrupulously, all protuberances that interfered with the polish, +I might withhold the following letter, which merely shows the solicitude +with which Mr. C. at this time, regarded small profits. His purse, soon +after his return to Bristol, being rather low, with the demands on it +increasing, he devised an ingenious, and very innocent plan for +replenishing it, in a small way, as will thus appear. + + +"My ever dear Cottle, + +Since I last conversed with you on the subject, I have been thinking over +again the plan I suggested to you, concerning the application of Count +Rumford's plan to the city of Bristol. I have arranged in my mind the +manner, and matter of the Pamphlet, which would be three sheets, and +might be priced at one shilling. + + 'Considerations + Addressed to the Inhabitants of Bristol, + on a subject of importance, + (unconnected with Politics.) + BY S. T. C.' + +Now I have by me the history of Birmingham, and the history of +Manchester. By observing the names, revenues, and expenditures of their +different charities, I could easily alter the calculations of the +"Bristol Address," and, at a trifling expense, and a few variations, the +same work might be sent to Manchester and Birmingham. "Considerations +addressed to the inhabitants of Birmingham." &c. I could so order it, +that by writing to a particular friend, at both places, the pamphlet +should be thought to have been written _at_ each place, as it certainly +would be _for_ each place. I think therefore 750 might be printed in all. +Now will you undertake this? either to print it and divide the profits, +or (which indeed I should prefer) would you give me three guineas, for +the copy-right? I would give you the first sheet on Thursday, the second +on the Monday following, the third on the Thursday following. To each +pamphlet I would annex the alterations to be made, when the press was +stopped at 250.[14] + +God love you! + +S. T. C." + + +Mr. Coleridge used occasionally to regret, with even pungency of feeling, +that he had no relation in the world, to whom, in a time of extremity, he +could apply "for a little assistance." He appeared like a being dropped +from the clouds, without tie or connection on earth; and during the years +in which I knew him, he never once visited any one of his relations, nor +exchanged a letter with them. It used to fill myself and others with +concern and astonishment, that such a man should, apparently, be +abandoned. On some occasions I urged him to break through all +impediments, and go and visit his friends at Ottery; this his high spirit +could not brook. I then pressed him to dedicate his Poems to one of his +relatives, his brother George, of whom he occasionally spoke with +peculiar kindness. He was silent; but some time after, he said in a +letter, "You, I am sure will be glad to learn, that I shall follow your +advice." + +In the poem which thus arose, what can be more touching than these lines +in his dedication to his brother? (Second edition.) + + "To me the Eternal Wisdom hath dispensed + A different fortune, and more different mind-- + Me from the spot where first I sprang to light + Too soon transplanted, ere my soul had fixed + Its first domestic loves; and hence through life + Chasing chance--started friendships. A brief while, + Some have preserved me from life's pelting ills." + +In certain features of their character, there was a strong resemblance +between Chatterton and S. T. Coleridge, with a reverse in some points, +for Chatterton was loved and cherished by his family, but neglected by +the world. In the agony of mind which Mr. C. sometimes manifested on this +subject, I have wished to forget those four tender lines in his Monody on +Chatterton. + + "Poor Chatterton! farewell! Of darkest hues, + This chaplet cast I on thy unshaped tomb: + But dare no longer on the sad theme muse, + Lest kindred woes persuade a kindred doom!" + +Mr. C. would not have felt so much, if his own natural and unshaken +affections had been less ardent. + +Before I enter on an important incident in Mr. Coleridge's Bristol life, +I must previously observe, that his mind was in a singular degree +distinguished for the habit of projecting. New projects and plans, at +this time, followed each other in rapid succession, and while the +vividness of the impression lasted, the very completion could scarcely +have afforded more satisfaction than the vague design. To project, with +him, was commonly sufficient. The execution, of so much consequence in +the estimation of others, with him was a secondary point. I remember him +once to have read to me, from his pocket book; a list of eighteen +different works which he had resolved to write, and several of them in +quarto, not one of which he ever effected. At the top of the list +appeared the word "Pantisocracy! 4to." Each of these works, he could have +talked, (for he often poured forth as much as half an 8vo. volume in a +single evening, and that in language sufficiently pure and connected to +admit of publication) but talking merely benefits the few, to the +exclusion of the many. The work that apparently advanced the nearest to +completion, was "Translations of the modern Latin Poets;" two vols. 8vo. +This work, which no man could better have accomplished than himself, he +so far proceeded in, as to allow of the Proposals being issued. It was to +be published by subscription, and he brought with him from Cambridge a +very respectable list of university subscribers. His excuses for not +showing any part of the work, justified the suspicion that he had not +advanced in it further than these said "Proposals." + +Another prominent feature in Mr. Coleridge's mind, was procrastination. +It is not to be supposed that he ever made a promise or entered on an +engagement without intending to fulfil it, but none who knew him could +deny that he wanted much of that steady, persevering determination which +is the precursor of success, and the parent of all great actions. His +strongest intentions were feebly supported after the first paroxysms of +resolve, so that any judicious friend would strenuously have dissuaded +him from an undertaking that involved a race with time. Mr. Coleridge, +however, differently regarded his mental constitution, and projected at +this time a periodical miscellany, called "The Watchman." + +When the thought of this magazine first suggested itself to his mind, he +convened his chief friends one evening at the Rummer Tavern, to determine +on the size, price, and time of publishing, with all other preliminaries, +essential to the launching this first-rate vessel on the mighty deep. +Having heard of the circumstance the next day, I rather wondered at not +having also been requested to attend, and while ruminating on the +subject, I received from Mr. C. the following communication. + + +"My dear friend, + +I am fearful that you felt hurt at my not mentioning to you the proposed +'Watchman,' and from my not requesting you to attend the meeting. My dear +friend, my reasons were these. All who met were expected to become +subscribers to a fund; I knew there would be enough without you, and I +knew, and felt, how much money had been drawn from you lately. + +God Almighty love you! + +S. T. C." + + +In a few days the following prospectus of the new work was circulated far +and near. + + "To supply at once the places of a Review, Newspaper, and Annual + Register. + + On Tuesday, the 1st of March, 1796, will be published, No. 1, price + fourpence, of a Miscellany, to be continued every eighth day, under + the name of + + THE WATCHMAN, + BY SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE, + + This Miscellany will be comprised in two sheets, or thirty-two pages, + closely printed in 8vo. the type, long primer. + + ITS CONTENTS. + + 1st. A History of the Domestic and Foreign Policy of the preceding + days. + + 2nd. The Speeches in both Houses of Parliament, and during the + recess. Select Parliamentary Speeches, from the commencement of the + reign of Charles the First, to the present Aera, with Notes, + Historical and Biographical. + + 3rd. Original Essays and Poetry. + + 4th. Review of interesting and important Publications. + + ITS ADVANTAGES. + + FIRST. There being no Advertisements, a greater quantity of Original + matter will be given, and the Speeches in Parliament will be less + abridged. + + SECOND. From its form, it may be bound up at the end of the year, and + become an Annual Register. + + THIRD. This last circumstance may induce men of letters to prefer + this miscellany to more perishable publications as the vehicle of + their effusions. + + FOURTH. Whenever the Ministerial and Opposition Prints differ in + their accounts of occurrences, &c. such difference will always be + faithfully stated." + +Of all men, Mr. Coleridge was the least qualified to display periodical +industry. Many of his cooler friends entertained from the beginning no +sanguine expectations of success, but now that the experiment was fairly +to be tried, they united with him in making every exertion to secure it. + +As a magazine it was worth nothing without purchasers. Bristol was the +strong-hold, where about two hundred and fifty subscribers were obtained +by myself, and one hundred and twenty by Mr. Reed. These were +insufficient. What was to be done? A bold measure was determined upon. +Mr. Coleridge, conceiving that his means of subsistence depended upon the +success of this undertaking, armed himself with unwonted resolution, and +expressed his determination to travel over half England and take the +posse comitatus by storm. + +In conformity with such resolution, he obtained letters of introduction +to influential men in the respective towns he meant to visit, and, like a +shrewd calculator, determined to add the parson's avocation to that of +the political pamphleteer. The beginning of Jan. 1796, Mr. Coleridge, +laden with recommendatory epistles, and rich in hope, set out on his +eventful journey, and visited in succession, Worcester, Birmingham, +Nottingham, Lichfield, Derby, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, &c. and +as a crowning achievement, at the last, paid his respects to the great +metropolis; in all which places, by bills, prospectuses, advertisements, +and other expedients, the reading public were duly apprised of the "NEW +REVIEW, NEWSPAPER, and ANNUAL REGISTER," about to be published. + +The good people, in all the towns through which Mr. Coleridge passed, +were electrified by his extraordinary eloquence. At this time, and during +the whole of his residence in Bristol, there was, in the strict sense, +little of the true, interchangeable conversation in Mr. C. On almost +every subject on which he essayed to speak, he made an impassioned +harangue of a quarter, or half an hour; so that inveterate talkers, while +Mr. Coleridge was on the wing, generally suspended their own flight, and +felt it almost a profanation to interrupt so impressive and mellifluous a +speaker. This singular, if not happy peculiarity, occasioned even Madame +de Stael to remark of Mr. C. that "He was rich in a Monologue, but poor +in a Dialogue." + +From the brilliant volubility before noticed, admiration and astonishment +followed Mr. C. like a shadow, through the whole course of his +peregrinations. This new "Review, Newspaper, and Annual Register," was +largely patronized; for who would not give fourpence every eighth day, to +be furnished, by so competent a man as Mr. Coleridge, with this +quintessence, this concentration of all that was valuable, in Politics, +Criticism, and Literature; enriched in addition, with Poetry of the first +waters, luminous Essays, and other effusions of men of letters? So choice +a morçeau was the very thing that every body wanted; and, in the course +of his journey, subscriptions poured in to the extent of one thousand; +and Mr. C. on his return, after what might be called a triumph, +discovered the elasticity of his spirit; smiling at past depressions, and +now, on solid ground, anticipating ease, wealth, and fame. + +The first of March arrived. The "Watchman" was published. Although +deprived of the pleasure of contributing to Mr. Coleridge's fund, I +determined to assist him in other ways, and that far more effectually. On +the publication of the first Number, besides my trouble in sending round +to so many subscribers,--with all the intense earnestness attending the +transaction of the most weighty concerns, it occupied Mr. Coleridge and +myself four full hours to arrange, reckon, (each pile being counted by +Mr. C. after myself, to be quite satisfied that there was no extra 3-1/2 +d. one slipped in unawares,) pack up, and write invoices and letters for +the London and country customers, all expressed thus, in the true +mercantile style: + + +Bristol, March 1st, 1796. + +Mr. Pritchard, (Derby) + +Dr. to Samuel Taylor Coleridge. + +To 73 No. 1 of the Watchman ... 3-1/2 d. ... £1 1 3-1/2 + + +This routine was repeated with every fresh number. My part was zealously +and cheerfully discharged, with the encouraging hope that it would +essentially serve my anxious and valued friend. But all would not do! + +A feeling of disappointment prevailed early and pretty generally, amongst +the subscribers. The Prospectus promised too much. In the Review +department, no one article appeared embodying any high order of talent. +The Newspaper section pleased no one, from the confined limits to which +the editor was restricted, independently of which, nearly all the +subscribers had seen the Debates in their length, through other mediums; +and yet this profitless part of the work gave most trouble to the +compiler. Its dulness, I know, fretted Mr. Coleridge exceedingly.[15] + +The theory of publishing was delightful; but the exemplification--the +practice, proved, alas! teasing, if not tormenting. One pitiful +subscriber of fourpence, every eighth day, thought his boys did not +improve much under it. Another expected more from his "Annual Register!" +Another wanted more Reviews! Another, more Politics! and those a little +sharper. As the work proceeded, joys decreased, and perplexities +multiplied! added to which, subscribers rapidly fell off, debts were +accumulated and unpaid, till, at the Tenth Number, the Watchman at the +helm cried "Breakers" and the vessel stranded!--It being formally +announced, that "The work did not pay its expenses!" + +The "Address to the readers of the Watchman," in the last page, was the +following: + + "This is the last Number of the Watchman.--Henceforward I shall cease + to cry the state of the Political atmosphere. While I express my + gratitude to those friends who exerted themselves so liberally in the + establishment of this Miscellany, I may reasonably be expected to + assign some reason for relinquishing it thus abruptly. The reason is + short and satisfactory.--The work does not pay its expences. Part of + my subscribers have relinquished it, because it did not contain + sufficient original composition; and a still larger number, because + it contained too much. Those who took it in as a mere journal of + weekly events, must have been unacquainted with 'FLOWER'S CAMBRIDGE + INTELLIGENCER;' a Newspaper, the style and composition of which would + claim distinguished praise, even among the productions of literary + leisure; while it breathes everywhere the severest morality; fighting + fearlessly the good fight against tyranny, yet never unfaithful to + that religion, whose service is perfect freedom. Those, on the other + hand, who expected from it much and varied original composition, have + naturally relinquished it in favour of the 'NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE;' a + work which has almost monopolized the talent of the country, and with + which I should have continued a course of literary rivalship, with as + much success as might be expected to attend a young recruit, who + should oppose himself to a phalanx of disciplined warriors. Long may + it continue to deserve the support of the patriot and the + philanthropist; and while it teaches its readers NATIONAL LIBERTY, + prepare them for the enjoyment of it; strengthening the intellect by + SCIENCE, and softening our affections by the GRACES! To return to + myself. I have endeavoured to do well: and it must be attributed to + defect of ability, not of inclination or effort, if the words of the + Prophet be altogether applicable to me. + + "O, Watchman! thou hast watched in vain." + +Many readers will feel a concern in the arrangements and perplexities of +Mr. Coleridge at the time of publishing his "Watchman;" for he had a more +vital interest involved in the success of that work than he had, +individually, in the rise and fall of empires. When he returned from his +northern journey laden with subscribers, and with hope ripened into +confidence, all that had yet been done was the mere scaffolding; the +building was now to be erected. Soon after this time I received from Mr. +Coleridge the following letter. + + +"1796. + +My ever dear Cottle, + +I will wait on you this evening at 9 o'clock, till which hour I am on +"Watch." Your Wednesday's invitation I of course accept, but I am rather +sorry that you should add this expense to former liberalities. + +Two editions of my Poems would barely repay you. Is it not possible to +get twenty-five, or thirty of the Poems ready by to-morrow, as Parsons, +of Paternoster Row, has written to me pressingly about them. 'People are +perpetually asking after them.' All admire the Poetry in the 'Watchman;' +he says, I can send them with one hundred "of the First Number," which he +has written for. I think if you were to send half a dozen 'Joans of Arc,' +[4to. £1. 1. 0] on sale or return, it would not be amiss. To all the +places in the North, we will send my 'Poems,' my 'Conciones,' and the +'Joans of Arc,' together, per waggon. You shall pay the carriage for the +London and the Birmingham parcels; I for the Sheffield, Derby, +Nottingham, Manchester, and Liverpool. + +With regard to the Poems I mean to give away, I wish to make it a common +interest; that is, I will give away a sheet full of Sonnets. One to Mrs. +Barbauld; one to Wakefield; one to Dr. Beddoes: one to Wrangham, (a +College acquaintance of mine, an admirer of me, and a pitier of my +principles!) one to George Augustus Pollen, Esq. one to C. Lamb; one to +Wordsworth; one to my brother G. and one to Dr. Parr. These Sonnets I +mean to write on the blank leaf, respectively, of each copy.[16] + +Concerning the paper for the 'Watchman,' I was vexed to hear your +proposal of trusting it to Biggs, who, if he undertook it at all, would +have a profit, which heaven knows, I cannot afford. My plan was, either +that you should write to your paper-maker, saying that you had +recommended him to me, and ordering for me twenty or forty reams, at a +half year's credit; or else, in your own name; in which case I would +transfer to you, Reed's[17] weekly account, amounting to 120 3-1/2 d's, +(or 35 shillings) and the Birmingham monthly account, amounting to £14. a +month. + +God bless you, + +and S. T. Coleridge." + + +This letter requires a few explanations. In recommending that Biggs, the +printer, should choose the paper, it was not designed for him to provide +it, which, had he been so requested, he would not have done, but merely +to select one, out of different samples to be submitted to him, as that +which he, as a printer, thought the best. This was explained to Mr. C. It +will be perceived, that Mr. Coleridge's two proposals were virtually one: +as, if I ordered the paper for myself or for another, the responsibility +would rest with me. The plain fact is, I purchased the whole of the paper +for the "Watchman," allowing Mr. C. to have it at prime cost, and +receiving small sums from him occasionally, in liquidation. I became +responsible, also, to Mr. B. for printing the work, by which means I +reduced the price per sheet, as a bookseller, (1000) from fifty shillings +to thirty five shillings. Mr. C. paid me for the paper in fractions, as +he found it convenient, but from the falling off of his own receipts, I +never received the whole. It was a losing concern altogether, and I was +willing to bear, uncomplaining, my proportion of the loss. There is some +difference between this statement, and that of Mr. Coleridge in his +"Biographia Literaria."[18] A defect of memory must have existed, arising +out of the lapse of twenty two years; but my notices, made at that time, +did not admit of mistake. + +My loss was also augmented from another cause. Mr. C. states in the above +work, that his London publisher never paid him "one farthing," but "set +him at defiance." I also was more than his equal companion in this +misfortune. The thirty copies of Mr. C.'s poems, and the six "Joans of +Arc" (referred to in the preceding letter) found a ready sale, by this +said "indefatigable London publisher," and large and fresh orders were +received, so that Mr. Coleridge and myself participated in two very +opposite feelings, the one of exultation that our publications had found +_so good a sale_; and the other of _depression_, that the time of +_payment_ never arrived! + +All the copies also, of Mr. C.'s Poems, and the "Joan's of Arc," which +were sent to the North, so far as I am concerned, shared the same fate. I +do not know that they were ever paid for. If they were, in combination +with other things, it was my wish that the entanglement should never be +unravelled, for who could take from Mr. C. any portion of his slender +remittances. + +The most amusing appendage to this unfortunate "Miscellany," will now be +presented to the reader, in the seven following letters of Mr. Coleridge, +addressed to his friend Mr. Josiah Wade, and written in the progress of +his journey to collect subscribers for the "Watchman." + + +"Worcester, Jan. 1796. + +My dear Wade, + +We were five in number, and twenty-five, in quantity. The moment I +entered the coach, I stumbled on a huge projection, which might be called +a belly, with the same propriety that you might name Mount Atlas a +mole-hill. Heavens! that a man should be unconscionable enough to enter a +stage coach, who would want elbow room if he were walking on Salisbury +Plain! + +This said citizen was a most violent aristocrat, but a pleasant humourous +fellow in other respects, and remarkably well-informed in agricultural +science; so that the time passed pleasantly enough. We arrived at +Worcester at half-past two: I of course dined at the inn, where I met Mr. +Stevens. After dinner I christianized myself; that is, washed and +changed, and marched in finery and cleanliness to High-Street. With +regard to business, there is no chance of doing any thing at Worcester. +The aristocrats are so numerous, and the influence of the clergy so +extensive, that Mr. Barr thinks no bookseller will venture to publish the +'Watchman.' + +P.S. I hope and trust that the young citizeness is well, and also Mrs. +Wade. Give my love to the latter, and a kiss for me to little Miss +Bratinella. + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +"Birmingham, Jan. 1796. + +My dear friend, + +... My exertions have been incessant, for in whatever company I go, I am +obliged to be the figurante of the circle. Yesterday I preached twice, +and, indeed, performed the whole service, morning and afternoon. There +were about fourteen hundred persons present, and my sermons (great part +extempore) were _preciously peppered with Politics_. I have here, at +least, double the number of subscribers, I had expected...." + + +"Nottingham, Jan. 7, 1796. + +My dear friend, + +You will perceive by this letter I have changed my route. From +Birmingham, on Friday last, (four o'clock in the morning) I proceeded to +Derby, stayed there till Monday morning, and am now at Nottingham. From +Nottingham I go to Sheffield; from Sheffield to Manchester; from +Manchester to Liverpool? from Liverpool to London, from London to +Bristol. Ah, what a weary way! My poor crazy ark has been tossed to and +fro on an ocean of business, and I long for the Mount Ararat on which it +is to rest. At Birmingham I was extremely unwell; a violent cold in my +head and limbs confined me for two days. Business succeeded very well; +about a hundred subscribers, I think. + +At Derby, also, I succeeded tolerably well. Mr. Strutt, the successor of +Sir Richard Arkwright, tells me, I may count on forty or fifty in Derby. +Derby is full of curiosities; the cotton and silk mills; Wright, the +painter, and Dr. Darwin, the every thing but Christian! Dr. Darwin +possesses, perhaps, a greater range of knowledge than any other man in +Europe, and is the most inventive of philosophical men. He thinks in a +new train on all subjects but religion. He bantered me on the subject of +religion. I heard all his arguments, and told him, it was infinitely +consoling to me--to find that the arguments of so great a man, adduced +against the existence of a God and the evidences of revealed religion, +were such as had startled me at fifteen, but had become the objects of my +smile at twenty. Not one new objection; not even an ingenious one! He +boasted 'that he had never read one book in favour of such stuff! but +that he had read all the works of infidels.' + +What would you think, Mr. Wade, of a man, who having abused and ridiculed +you, should openly declare, that he had heard all that your enemies had +to say against you, but had scorned to inquire the truth from any one of +your friends? Would you think him an honest man? I am sure you would not. +Yet such are all the infidels whom I have known. They talk of a subject, +yet are proud to confess themselves profoundly ignorant of it. Dr. Darwin +would have been ashamed to reject 'Hutton's Theory of the Earth,' without +having minutely examined it: yet what is it to us, how the earth was +made, a thing impossible to be known. This system the Dr. did not reject +without having severely studied it; but all at once he makes up his mind +on such important subjects, as, whether we be the outcasts of a blind +idiot, called Nature, or, the children of an All-wise and Infinitely Good +God! Whether we spend a few miserable years on this earth, and then sink +into a clod of the valley; or, endure the anxieties of mortal life, only +to fit us for the enjoyment of immortal happiness. These subjects are +unworthy a philosopher's investigation! He deems that there is a certain +self-evidence in Infidelity, and becomes an Atheist by intuition! Well +did St. Paul say, 'Ye have an evil heart of unbelief.' + +... What lovely children Mr. Barr, of Worcester has! After church, in the +evening, they sat round and sung hymns, so sweetly that they overpowered +me. It was with great difficulty that I abstained from weeping aloud! and +the infant, in Mrs. B.'s. arms, leant forward, and stretched his little +arms, and stared, and smiled! It seemed a picture of heaven, where the +different orders of the blessed, join different voices in one melodious +hallelulia! and the babe like a young spirit just that moment arrived in +heaven, startled at the seraphic songs, and seized at once with wonder +and rapture!... + +From your affectionate friend, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +"Sheffield, Jan. 1796. + +My very dear friend, + +I arrived at this place, late last night, by the mail from Nottingham, +where I have been treated with kindness and friendship, of which I can +give you but a faint idea. I preached a charity sermon there last sunday; +I preached in colored clothes. With regard to the gown at Birmingham (of +which you inquire) I suffered myself to be over-persuaded:--first of all, +my sermon being of so political a tendency, had I worn my blue coat, it +would have impugned Edwards. They would have said, he had stuck a +political lecturer in his pulpit. Secondly,--the society is of all sorts. +Unitarians, Arians, Trinitarians, &c.! and I must have shocked a +multitude of prejudices. And thirdly,--there is a difference between an +Inn, and a place of residence. In the first, your example, is of little +consequence; in a single instance only, it ceases to operate as example; +and my refusal would have been imputed to affectation, or an +unaccommodating spirit. Assuredly I would not do it in a place where I +intended to preach often. And even in the vestry at Birmingham, when they +at last persuaded me, I told them, I was acting against my better +knowledge, and should possibly feel uneasy after. So these accounts of +the matter you must consider as reasons and palliations, concluding, 'I +plead guilty my Lord!' Indeed I want firmness. I perceive I do. I have +that within me which makes it difficult to say, No! (repeatedly) to a +number of persons who seem uneasy and anxious.... + +My kind remembrances to Mrs. Wade. God bless her, and you, and (like a +bad shilling slipped in between two guineas.) + +Your faithful and affectionate friend, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +Mr. Coleridge, in the course of his extensive journey, having had to act +the tradesman on rather an extended scale; conferring and settling with +all the booksellers in the respective towns, as to the means of +conveyance, allowance, remittances, &c. he thus wrote in a dejected mood, +to his friend Mr. Wade,--an unpropitious state of mind for a new +enterprise, and very different from those sanguine hopes which he had +expressed on other occasions. + + +"My dear friend, + +... I succeeded very well here at Litchfield. Belcher, bookseller, +Birmingham; Sutton, Nottingham; Pritchard, Derby; and Thomson, +Manchester, are the publishers. In every number of the 'Watchman,' there +be printed these words, 'Published in Bristol, by the Author, S. T. +Coleridge, and sold, &c. &c.' + +I verily believe no poor fellow's idea-pot ever bubbled up so vehemently +with fears, doubts and difficulties, as mine does at present. Heaven +grant it may not boil over, and put out the fire! I am almost heartless! +My past life seems to me like a dream, a feverish dream! all one gloomy +huddle of strange actions, and dim-discovered motives! Friendships lost +by indolence, and happiness murdered by mismanaged sensibility! The +present hour I seem in a quickset hedge of embarrassments! For shame! I +ought not to mistrust God! but indeed, to hope is far more difficult than +to fear. Bulls have horns, Lions have talons. + + The Fox, and Statesman subtle wiles ensure, + The Cit, and Polecat stink and are secure: + Toads with their venom, Doctors with their drug, + The Priest, and Hedgehog, in their robes are snug! + Oh, Nature! cruel step-mother, and hard, + To thy poor, naked, fenceless child the Bard! + No Horns but those by luckless Hymen worn, + And those, (alas! alas!) not Plenty's Horn! + With naked feelings, and with aching pride, + He bears th' unbroken blast on every side! + Vampire booksellers drain him to the heart, + And Scorpion critics cureless venom dart![19] + +S. T. C." + + +"Manchester, Jan. 7, 1796. + +My dear friend, + +I arrived at Manchester, last night, from Sheffield, to which place I +shall only send about thirty numbers. I might have succeeded there, at +least, equally well with the former towns, but I should injure the sale +of the 'Iris.' the editor of which Paper (a very amiable and ingenious +young man, of the name of 'James Montgomery') is now in prison, for a +libel on a bloody-minded magistrate there. Of course, I declined publicly +advertising or disposing of the 'Watchman' in that town. + +This morning I called on Mr. ---- with H's letter. Mr. ---- received me +as a rider, and treated me with insolence that was really amusing from +its novelty. 'Overstocked with these Articles.' 'People always setting up +some new thing or other.' 'I read the Star and another paper; what can I +want with this paper, which is nothing more.' 'Well, well, I'll consider +of it.' To these entertaining bon mots, I returned the following +repartee,--'Good morning, sir.' ... + +God bless you, S. T. C." + + +"Mosely, near Birmingham, 1796. + +My very dear Wade, + +Will it be any excuse to you for my silence, to say that I have written +to no one else, and that these are the very first lines I have written? + +I stayed a day or two at Derby, and then went on in Mrs. ---- carriage to +see the beauties of Matlock. Here I stayed from Tuesday to Saturday, +which time was completely filled up with seeing the country, eating, +concerts, &c. I was the first fiddle, not in the concerts, but everywhere +else, and the company would not spare me twenty minutes together. Sunday +I dedicated to the drawing up my sketch of education, which I meant to +publish, to try to get a school. + +Monday I accompanied Mrs. E. to Oakover, with Miss W.--, to the thrice +lovely valley of Ham; a vale hung by beautiful woods all round, except +just at its entrance, where, as you stand at the other end of the valley, +you see a bare, bleak mountain, standing as it were to guard the +entrance. It is without exception, the most beautiful place I ever +visited, and from thence we proceeded to Dove-Dale, without question +tremendously sublime. Here we dined in a cavern, by the side of a divine +little spring. We returned to Derby, quite exhausted with the rapid +succession of delightful emotions. + +I was to have left Derby on Wednesday; but on the Wednesday, Dr. +Crompton, who had been at Liverpool, came home. He called on me, and made +the following offer. That if I would take a house in Derby, and open a +day-school, confining my number to twelve, he would send his three +children. That, till I had completed my number, he would allow me one +hundred a year; and and when I had completed it, twenty guineas a year +for each son. He thinks there is no doubt but that I might have more than +twelve in a very short time, if I liked it. If so, twelve times twenty +guineas is two hundred and forty guineas per annum; and my mornings and +evenings would be my own: the children coming to me from nine to twelve, +and from two to five: the two last hours employed with the writing and +drawing masters, in my presence: so that only four hours would be +thoroughly occupied by them. The plan to commence in November. I agreed +with the Doctor, he telling me, that if, in the mean time, anything more +advantageous offered itself, I was to consider myself perfectly at +liberty to accept it. On Thursday I left Derby for Burton. Prom Burton I +took chaise, slept at Litchfield, and in the morning arrived at my worthy +friend's, Mr. Thomas Hawkes, at Mosely, three miles from Birmingham, in +whose shrubbery I am now writing. I shall stay at Birmingham a week +longer. + +I have seen a letter from Mr. William Roscoe, (Author of the life of +Lorenzo the magnificent; a work in two quarto volumes, of which the whole +first edition sold in a month) it was addressed to Mr. Edwards, the +minister here, and entirely related to me. Of me, and my composition, he +writes in terms of high admiration, and concludes by desiring Mr. Edwards +to let him know my situation and prospects, and saying, if I would come +and settle at Liverpool, he thought a comfortable situation might be +procured for me. This day Edwards will write to him. + +God love you, and your grateful and affectionate friend, S. T. Coleridge. + +N. B. I preached yesterday." + + +Mr. Coleridge, in the preceding letters, states his having preached +occasionally. There must have been a first sermon. It so happened that I +heard Mr. C. preach his first and also his second sermon, with some +account of which I shall now furnish the reader; and that without +concealment or embellishment. But it will be necessary, as an +illustration of the whole, to convey some previous information, which, as +it regards most men, would be too unimportant to relate. + +When Mr. Coleridge first came to Bristol, he had evidently adopted, at +least to some considerable extent, the sentiments of Socinus. By persons +of that persuasion, therefore, he was hailed as a powerful accession to +their cause. From Mr. C.'s voluble utterance, it was even believed that +he might become a valuable Unitarian minister, (of which class of +divines, a great scarcity then existed, with a still more gloomy +anticipation, from most of the young academicians at their chief academy +having recently turned infidels.) But though this presumption in Mr. +Coleridge's favour was confidently entertained, no certainty could exist +without a trial, and how was this difficulty to be overcome? The +Unitarians in Bristol might have wished to see Mr. C. in their pulpit, +expounding and enforcing their faith; but, as they said, "the thing, in +Bristol, was altogether impracticable," from the conspicuous stand which +he had taken in free politics, through the medium of his numerous +lectures.[20] + +It was then recollected by some of his anxious and importunate friends, +that Bath was near, and that a good judge of requisite qualifications was +to be found therein in the person of the Rev. David Jardine, with whom +some of Mr. C.'s friends were on terms of intimacy; so that it was +determined that Mr. Coleridge, as the commencement of his brilliant +career, should be respectfully requested to preach his inaugural +discourse in the Unitarian chapel at Bath. + +The invitation having been given and accepted, I felt some curiosity to +witness the firmness with which he would face a large and enlightened +audience, and, in the intellectual sense, grace his canonical robes. No +conveyance having been provided, and wishing the young ecclesiastic to +proceed to the place of his exhibition with some decent respectability, I +agreed with a common friend, the late Mr. Charles Danvers, to take Mr. C. +over to Bath in a chaise. + +The morning of the important day unfolded, and in due time we arrived at +the place of our destination. When on the way to the chapel, a man +stopped Charles Danvers, and asked him if he could tell where the Rev. +Mr. Coleridge preached. "Follow the crowd," said Danvers, and walked on. +Mr. C. wore his blue coat and white waistcoat; but what was Mr. Jardine's +surprise, when he found that his young probationer peremptorily refused +to wear the hide-all sable gown! Expostulation was unavailing, and the +minister ascended to the pulpit in his coloured clothes! + +Considering that it had been announced on the preceding Sunday, that "the +Rev. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, from Cambridge University" would preach +there on this day, we naturally calculated on an overflowing audience, +but it proved to be the most meagre congregation I had ever seen. The +reader will but imperfectly appreciate Mr. C.'s discourse, without the +previous information that this year (1796) was a year of great scarcity, +and consequent privation, amongst the poor; on which subject the sermon +was designed impressively to bear. And now the long-expected service +commenced. + +The prayer, without being intended, was formal, unimpressive, and +undevotional; the singing was languid; but we expected that the sermon +would arouse the inattentive, and invigorate the dull. The moment for +announcing the text arrived. Our curiosity was excited. With little less +than famine in the land, our hearts were appalled at hearing the words, +"When they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their +king, and their God, and look upward." (Isaiah viii. 21.) Mr. +Winterbotham, a little before, had been thrown into prison for the +freedom of his political remarks in a sermon at Plymouth, and we were +half fearful whether in his impetuous current of feeling, some stray +expressions might not subject our friend to a like visitation. Our fears +were groundless. Strange as it may appear in Mr. Coleridge's vigorous +mind, the whole discourse consisted of little more than a Lecture on the +Corn Laws! which some time before he had delivered in Bristol, at the +Assembly Boom. + +Returning from our edifying discourse to a tavern dinner, we were +privileged with more luminous remarks on this inexhaustible subject: but +something better (or worse, as the reader's taste may be) is still in +reserve. After dinner, Mr. Coleridge remarked that he should have no +objection to preach another sermon that afternoon. In the hope that +something redeeming might still appear, and the best be retained for the +last, we encouraged his proposal, when he rang the bell, and on the +waiter appearing, he was sent, with Mr. Coleridge's compliments, to the +Rev. Mr. Jardine, to say "If agreeable, Mr. C. would give his +congregation another sermon, this afternoon, on the Hair Powder Tax!"[21] +On the departure of the waiter, I was fully assured that Mr. Jardine +would smile, and send a civil excuse, satisfied that he had had quite +enough of political economy, with blue coat and white waistcoat, in the +morning; but to my great surprise, the waiter returned with Mr. Jardine's +compliments, saying, "he should be happy to hear Mr. Coleridge!" + +Now all was hurry lest the concourse should be kept waiting. What +surprise will the reader feel, on understanding that, independently of +ourselves and Mr. Jardine, there were but seventeen persons present, +including men, women, and children! We had, as we expected, a +recapitulation of the old lecture, with the exception of its humorous +appendages, in reprobation of the Hair Powder Tax; and the twice-told +tale, even to the ear of friendship, in truth sounded rather dull! + +Two or three times Mr. C. looked significantly toward our seat, when +fearful of being thrown off my guard into a smile, I held down my head, +from which position I was aroused, when the sermon was about half over, +by some gentleman throwing back the door of his pew, and walking out of +the chapel. In a few minutes after, a second individual did the same; and +soon after a third door flew open, and the listener escaped! At this +moment affairs looked so very ominous, that we were almost afraid Mr. +Jardine himself would fly, and that none but ourselves would fairly sit +it out. A little before, I had been in company with the late Robert Hall, +and S. T. Coleridge, when the collision of equal minds elicited light and +heat; both of them ranking in the first class of conversationalists, but +great indeed was the contrast between them in the pulpit. The parlour was +the element for Mr. Coleridge, and the politician's lecture, rather than +the minister's harangue. We all returned to Bristol with the feeling of +disappointment;--Mr. C. from the little personal attention paid to him by +Mr. Jardine; and we, from a dissatisfying sense of a Sunday desecrated. +Although no doubt can be entertained of Mr. Coleridge having, in the +journey before noticed, surpassed his first essay, yet, with every +reasonable allowance, the conviction was so strong on my mind that Mr. C. +had mistaken his talent, that my regard for him was too genuine to +entertain the wish of ever again seeing him in a pulpit. + +It is unknown when the following letter was received, (although quite +certain that it was not the evening in which Mr. Coleridge wrote his "Ode +to the Departing Year,") and it is printed in this place at something of +an uncertainty.[22] + + +"January 1st. + +My dear Cottle, + +I have been forced to disappoint not only you, but Dr. Beddoes, on an +affair of some importance. Last night I was induced by strong and joint +solicitation, to go to a card-club, to which Mr. Morgan belongs, and, +after the playing was over, to sup, and spend the remainder of the night: +having made a previous compact, that I should not drink; however just on +the verge of twelve, I was desired to drink only one wine glass of punch, +in honour of the departing year; and, after twelve, one other in honour +of the new year. Though the glasses were very small, yet such was the +effect produced during my sleep, that I awoke unwell, and in about twenty +minutes after had a relapse of my bilious complaint. I am just now +recovered, and with care, I doubt not, shall be as well as ever +to-morrow. If I do not see you then, it will be from some relapse, which +I have no reason, thank heaven, to anticipate. + +Yours affectionately, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +In consequence of Mr. Coleridge's journey to the north, to collect +subscribers for the "Watchman," an incident occurred, which produced a +considerable effect on his after life. During Mr. C.'s visit to +Birmingham, an accident had introduced him to the eldest son of Mr. +Lloyd, the eminent banker of that town. Mr. Lloyd had intended his son +Charles to unite with him in the bank, but the monotonous business of the +establishment, ill accorded with the young man's taste, which had taken a +decidedly literary turn. If the object of Charles Lloyd had been to +accumulate wealth, his disposition might have been gratified to the +utmost, but the tedious and unintellectual occupation of adjusting +pounds, shillings, and pence, suited, he thought, those alone who had +never, eagle-like, gazed at the sun, or bathed their temples in the dews +of Parnassus. The feelings of this young man were ardent; his reading and +information extensive; and his genius, though of a peculiar cast, +considerable. His mind appeared, however, subject to something of that +morbid sensibility which distinguished Cowper. The admiration excited in +Mr. L. by Mr. Coleridge's pre-eminent talents, induced him to relinquish +his connexion with the bank; and he had now arrived in Bristol to seek +Mr. C. out, and to improve his acquaintance with him. + +To enjoy the enviable privilege of Mr. Coleridge's conversation, Mr. +Lloyd proposed even to domesticate with him; and made him such a +pecuniary offer, that Mr. C. immediately acceded to the proposal; and to +effect this, as an essential preliminary, removed from Redcliff-hill, to +a house on Kingsdown. + +In this his new abode, Mr. Coleridge appeared settled and comfortable. +Friends were kind and numerous. Books, of all kinds, were at his command. +Of the literary society now found in Bristol, he expressed himself in +terms of warm approval, and thought, in this feature, that it was +surpassed by no city in the kingdom. His son Hartley, also, was now born; +and no small accession to his comfort arose from his young and +intelligent domestic associate, Charles Lloyd. This looked something like +permanence; but the promise was fallacious, for Mr. Coleridge now +experienced another removal. + +His friend, Mr. Thomas Poole, of Nether Stowey, near Bridgwater, was +desirous of obtaining Mr. C. again, as a permanent neighbour, and +recommended him to take a small house at Stowey, then to be let, at seven +pounds a year, which he thought would well suit him. Mr. Poole's personal +worth; his friendly and social manners; his information, and taste for +literature; all this, combined with the prospect of a diminished expense +in his establishment, unitedly, formed such powerful inducements, that +Mr. C. at once decided, and the more so, as Mr. Lloyd had consented to +accompany him. To this place, consequently, the whole party repaired. + +On Mr. Coleridge reaching his new abode, I was gratified by receiving +from him the following letter. + + +"Stowey, 1796. + +My dear Cottle, + +We arrived safe. Our house is set to rights. We are all--wife, bratling, +and self, remarkably well. Mrs. Coleridge likes Stowey, and loves Thomas +Poole and his mother, who love her. A communication has been made from +our orchard into T. Poole's garden, and from thence to Cruikshank's, a +friend of mine, and a young married man, whose wife is very amiable, and +she and Sara are already on the most cordial terms; from all this you +will conclude we are happy. By-the-bye, what a delightful poem, is +Southey's 'Musings on a Landscape of Gaspar Poussin.' I love it almost +better than his 'Hymn to the Penates.' In his volume of poems. The +following, namely, + + 'The Six Sonnets on the Slave Trade.--The Ode to the Genius of + Africa.--To my own Miniature Picture.--The Eight + Inscriptions.--Elinor, Botany-bay Eclogue.--Frederick, ditto.--The + Ten Sonnets, (pp. 107-116.) On the death of an Old Spaniel.--The + Soldier's Wife, Dactylics.--The Widow, Sapphics.--The Chapel + Bell.--The Race of Banco. Rudiger.' + +All these Poems are worthy the Author of 'Joan of Arc.' And + 'The Musings on a Landscape,' &c. and + 'The Hymn to the Penates,' +deserve to have been published after 'Joan of Arc,' as proofs of +progressive genius. + +God bless you, + +S. T. C." + + +The account of Mr. Coleridge's residence at Stowey, lies in the +department of another; although he occasionally visited Bristol, with +Mrs. C., as engagements or inclination prompted; some notice of which +visits will here be taken. + +Mr. Charles Lloyd was subject to fits, to one of which the second +following letter refers. In the above letter Mr. C. pronounces himself +happy, but as no condition, in this changeable world, is either perfect +happiness or misery, so the succeeding letter presents Mr. C. +over-powered, almost, with a feeling of despondency! The calculation of +the course which genius, combined with eccentricity, would be likely to +pursue, must be attended with uncertainty, but the probability is, that +had Mr. C's mind been easy at this time, surrounded by domestic quiet and +comparative seclusion, he might have been equal to any intellectual +achievement; but soon after he settled at Stowey, he was reduced to the +most prostrate state of depression, arising purely from the darkness of +his pecuniary horizon. Happily for the reader, a brief mental respite +succeeded, in which, if trouble existed, the letter which expressed that +trouble, soon exhibits him (half forgetful) expatiating in those +comprehensive surveys of possible excellence which formed the habit of +his mind. + + +"Stowey, 1796. + +My dearest Cottle, + +I love and respect you as a brother, and my memory deceives me woefully, +if I have not evidenced, by the animated tone of my conversation when we +have been tete a tete, how much your conversation interested me. But when +last in Bristol, the day I meant to devote to you, was such a day of +sadness, I could do nothing. On the Saturday, the Sunday, and ten days +after my arrival at Stowey, I felt a depression too dreadful to be +described. + + So much I felt my genial spirits droop, + My hopes all flat; Nature within me seemed + In all her functions, weary of herself, + +Wordsworth's[23] conversation aroused me somewhat, but even now I am not +the man I have been, and I think I never shall. A sort of calm +hopelessness diffuses itself over my heart. Indeed every mode of life +which has promised me bread and cheese, has been, one after another, torn +away from me, but God remains. I have no immediate pecuniary distress, +having received ten pounds from Lloyd. I employ myself now on a book of +morals in answer to Godwin, and on my tragedy. + + * * * * * + +There are some poets who write too much at their ease, from the facility +with which they please themselves. They do not often enough + + 'Feel their burdened breast + Heaving beneath incumbent Deity.' + +So that to posterity their wreaths will look unseemly. Here, perhaps, an +everlasting Amaranth, and, close by its side, some weed of an hour, sere, +yellow, and shapeless. Their very beauties will lose half their effect, +from the bad company they keep. They rely too much on story and event, to +the neglect of those lofty imaginings that are peculiar to, and definite +of the Poet. + +The story of Milton might be told in two pages. It is this which +distinguishes an epic poem from a romance in metre. Observe the march of +Milton; his severe application; his laborious polish; his deep +metaphysical researches; his prayer to God before he began his great +work; all that could lift and swell his intellect, became his daily food. + +I should not think of devoting less than twenty years to an epic poem. +Ten years to collect materials and warm my mind with universal science. I +would be a tolerable Mathematician. I would thoroughly understand +Mechanics; Hydrostatics; Optics, and Astronomy; Botany; Metallurgy; +Fossilism; Chemistry; Geology; Anatomy; Medicine; then the mind of man; +then the minds of men, in all Travels, Voyages, and Histories. So I would +spend ten years; the next five in the composition of the poem, and the +five last in the correction of it. So would I write, haply not unhearing +of that divine and nightly-whispering voice, which speaks to mighty +minds, of predestinated garlands, starry and unwithering.[24] + +God love you. + +S. T. Coleridge. + +P. S. David Hartley is well and grows. Sara is well, and desires a +sister's love to you." + + +In the spirit of impartiality, it now devolves on me to state a temporary +misunderstanding between even the two Pantisocratans; Mr. Coleridge and +Mr. Southey! The affair occurred in the autumn of 1795, but it could not +be noticed at that time, without interrupting the narrative. + +It is difficult to assign any other reason for the wild scheme of +Pantisocracy, than the inexperience of youth, acting on sanguine +imaginations. At its first announcement, every reflecting mind saw that +the plan, in its nature, and in the agents who were to carry it into +effect, was liable to insurmountable objections; but the individuals with +whom the design originated, were young, ardent, and enthusiastic, and at +that time entertained views of society erroneous in themselves, and which +experience alone could correct. The fullest conviction was entertained by +their friends, that as reason established itself in their minds, the +delusion would vanish; and they themselves soon smile at extravagances +which none but their own ingenious order of minds could have devised; but +when the dissension occurred, before noticed, at Chepstow, Mr. Southey +must have had conviction flashed on his mind, that the habits of himself +and his friend were so essentially opposed, as to render harmony and +success impossible. + +Mr. Southey now informed Mr. Coleridge, that circumstances, and his own +views had so altered, as to render it necessary for him candidly to state +that he must abandon Pantisocracy, and the whole scheme of colonizing in +America; and that he should accept an invitation from his uncle, to +accompany him through Spain to Lisbon. The reader has had cause to +believe that Mr. C. himself had relinquished this wild plan, but it was +by implication, rather than by direct avowal. Perhaps, in the frustration +of so many of his present designs, a latent thought might linger in his +mind, that America, after all, was to be the fostering asylum, where, +alone, unmingled felicity was to be found. The belief is hardly +admissible, and yet the admission, extravagant as it is, derives some +support from the unexpected effect produced on him by the disclosure of +his friend. + +On this announcement, or soon after, a tumult of fearful intensity arose +in Mr. Coleridge's mind, which filled the whole circle of their friends +with grief and dismay. This unexpected effect, perhaps, may be ascribed +to the consciousness now first seriously awakened, of the erroneous +principles on which all his calculations had been founded. He perceived +at length, (it may be) that he had been pursuing a phantom; and the +conviction must have been associated with self-upbraidings. It is +commonly found, that the man who is dissatisfied with himself, is seldom +satisfied long with those around him; and these compound and accumulated +feelings must necessarily be directed against some object. At this +brain-crazing moment, the safety-valve of feeling was Mr. Southey. + +Being familiar with the whole affair, I completely justified Mr. S. as +having acted with the strictest honour and propriety, and in such a way +as any wise man, under such circumstances, would have acted. The great +surprise with their friends was, that the crisis should not have occurred +earlier, as a result certain to take place, and delayed alone by the +vivid succession of objects that gave, it must be said, a temporary +suspension to the full exercise of their understandings. Justice to Mr. +S. requires it to be stated, that he acted purely on the defensive; +adopting no epithets, and repelling offensive accusations and +expressions, with sober argument and remonstrance alone. I spoke to each +in succession, and laboured to procure a reconciliation; but oil and +water would sooner have united than the accuser and the accused. + +This difference occurred only two or three days before Mr. S. set off on +his Spanish and Portuguese expedition. During his absence, the fire lay +smouldering, and on his return to England, in May, 1796, the +conflagration was renewed. Charges of "desertion," flew thick around; of +"dishonourable retraction, in a compact the most binding"--I again spoke +to Mr. Coleridge, and endeavoured to soften his asperity. I also wrote to +Mr. Southey, and expressed a hope, that if he found it impossible at the +present moment to return to cordiality, he would at least consent when he +met Mr. Coleridge, to restrain the indignant look, which was painfully +manifest on both countenances. + +The most pleasant part of the narrative will now be unfolded. Mr. +Coleridge and Mr. Southey met at the house of a relation when, without +explanation, the relentings of nature threw them silently into each +other's arms! I knew nothing of this happy reconciliation, the first +intimation of which was their calling on me, arm in arm, after having +taken a pleasant walk together into the country. Each seemed to relish +the surprise and the delight which it was impossible for me to conceal; +and I had reason afterwards to think, that this sprightly scene was a +preconcerted arrangement to heighten the stage-effect. I shall now +withdraw the reader's attention from Mr. Southey, and proceed with the +narrative of Mr. Coleridge. + +When Mr. Southey departed for the continent, Mr. Coleridge repaired to +his own calm retreat at Stowey, from which place he sent me the following +letter. + + +"Stowey, 1796. + +Dear Cottle, + +I write under great agony of mind, Charles Lloyd being very ill. He has +been seized with his fits three times in the space of seven days: and +just as I was in bed last night, I was called up again; and from twelve +o'clock at night, to five this morning, he remained in one continued +state of agonized delirium. What with bodily toil, exerted in repressing +his frantic struggles, and what with the feelings of agony for his +sufferings, you may suppose that I have forced myself from bed, with +aching temples, and a feeble frame.... + +We offer petitions, not as supposing we influence the Immutable; but +because to petition the Supreme Being, is the way most suited to our +nature, to stir up the benevolent affections in our hearts. Christ +positively commands it, and in St. Paul you will find unnumbered +instances of prayer for individual blessings; for kings, rulers, &c. &c. +We indeed should all join to our petitions: 'But thy will be done, +Omniscient, All-loving Immortal God!' + +Believe me to have towards you, the inward and spiritual gratitude and +affection, though I am not always an adept in the outward and visible +signs. + +God bless you, + +S. T. C." + + +A letter written by Mr. Coleridge to Miss Cruikshanks, living near Stowey +during Mr. C.'s residence at that place, exhibits the law of association +in a new light; and shows the facility with which ingenious men can +furnish excuses, at all times, for doing that which they desire. + + +"Dear Mary, + +I wandered on so thought-bewildered, that it is no wonder I became +way-bewildered; however, seeing a road-post, in two places, with the +name, 'Stowey;' one by some water and a stone-bridge, and another on a +tree, at the top of the ascent, I concluded I was only gone a new way, +when coming to a place where four roads met, I turned to my left, merely +because I saw some houses, and found myself at Plansfield. Accordingly, I +turned upward, and as I knew I must pay a farewell visit to Ashhalt, I +dined with the B--s', and arrived at Stowey, just before dark. + +I did not lose my way then, though I confess that Mr. B. and myself, +disobedient to the voice of the ladies, had contrived to finish two +bottles of Port between us, to which I added two glasses of mead. All +this was in consequence of conversing about John Cruikshanks' coming +down. Now John Cruikshanks' idea being regularly associated in Mr. B.'s +mind, with a second bottle, and S. T. C. being associated with John +Cruikshanks, the second bottle became associated with the idea, and +afterwards with the body of S. T. C. by necessity of metaphysical law, as +you may see in the annexed figure, or diagram. + +[Illustration: +Second Bottle. B + + [Image of bottle.] + /\ + / \ + / \ + / \ + / \ +J. C./__________\ S. T. C.] + +God bless you, + +S. T. C." + + +Miss Cruikshanks has favored me with a letter of Mr. Coleridge to +herself, explanatory of his political principles, when he had receded in +a good measure from the sentiments pervading his "Conciones ad Populum." +This letter was written at a later period, but is made to follow the +preceding, to preserve a continuity of subject. + +Miss C. it appears, had lent the first edition of Mr. Coleridge's poems +to Lady Elizabeth Perceval,[25] in some parts of which volume the +sentiments of an earlier day were rather too prominently displayed. To +counteract the effect such parts were calculated to produce, Mr. +Coleridge wrote the following letter, in the hope that by being shown to +her ladyship, it might efface from her mind any unfavorable impression +she might have received. In this letter he also rather tenderly refers to +his American scheme. + + +(No date, supposed to be 1803.) + +"My dear Miss Cruikshanks, + +With the kindest intentions, I fear you have done me some little +disservice, in borowing the first edition of my poems from Miss B--. I +never held any principles indeed, of which, considering my age, I have +reason to be ashamed. The whole of my public life may be comprised in +eight or nine months of my 22nd year; and the whole of my political sins +during that time, consisted in forming a plan of taking a large farm in +common, in America, with other young men of my age. A wild notion indeed, +but very harmless. + +As to my principles, they were, at all times, decidedly anti-jacobin and +anti-revolutionary, and my American scheme is a proof of this. Indeed at +that time, I seriously held the doctrine of passive obedience, though a +violent enemy of the first war. Afterwards, and for the last ten years of +my life, I have been fighting incessantly in the good cause, against +French ambition, and Trench principles; and I had Mr. Addington's +suffrage, as to the good produced by my Essays, written in the Morning +Post, in the interval of the peace of Amiens, and the second war, +together with my two letters to Mr. Fox.[26] + +Of my former errors, I should be no more ashamed, than of my change of +body, natural to increase of age; but in that first edition, there was +inserted (without my consent!) a Sonnet to Lord Stanhope, in direct +contradiction, equally, to my _then_, as to my present principles. A +Sonnet written by me in ridicule and mockery of the bloated style of +French Jacobinical declamation, and inserted by Biggs, (the fool of a +printer,) in order forsooth, that he might send the book, and a letter to +Earl Stanhope; who, to prove that he was not mad in all things, treated +both book and letter with silent contempt.[27] I have therefore sent Mr. +Poole's second edition, and if it be in your power, I could wish you to +read the 'dedication to my brother,' at the beginning, to Lady E. +Perceval, to obtain whose esteem, so far at least as not to be confounded +with the herd of vulgar mob flatterers, I am not ashamed to confess +myself solicitous. + +I would I could be with you, and your visitors. Penelope, you know, is +very high in my esteem. With true warmth of heart, she joins more +strength of understanding; and, to steady principle, more variety of +accomplishments, than it has often been my lot to meet with among the +fairer sex. When I praise one woman to another I always mean a compliment +to both. My tenderest regards to your dear mother, whom I really long to +spend a few hours with, and believe me with sincere good wishes, Yours, +&c. + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +Fragment of a Theological letter of Mr. Coleridge, date unknown. + + +... The declaration that the Deity is "the sole Operant" (Religious +Musings) is indeed far too bold: may easily be misconstrued into +Spinosism; and, therefore, though it is susceptible of a pious and +justifiable interpretation, I should by no means now use such a phrase. I +was very young when I wrote that poem, and my religious feelings were +more settled than my theological notions. + +As to eternal punishments, I can only say, that there are many passages +in Scripture, and these not metaphorical, which declare that all flesh +shall be finally saved; that the word _aionios_ is indeed used sometimes +when eternity must be meant, but so is the word 'Ancient of Days,' yet it +would be strange reasoning to affirm, that therefore, the word ancient +must always mean eternal. The literal meaning of '_aionios_' is, 'through +ages;' that is indefinite; beyond the power of imagination to bound. But +as to the effects of such a doctrine, I say, First,--that it would be +more pious to assert nothing concerning it, one way or the other. + +Ezra says well, 'My Son, meditate on the rewards of the righteous, and +examine not over-curiously into the fate of the wicked. (This apocryphal +Ezra is supposed to have been written by some Christian in the first age +of Christianity.) Second,--that however the doctrine is now broached, and +publicly preached by a large and increasing sect, it is no longer +possible to conceal it from such persons as would be likely to read and +understand the 'Religious Musings.' Third.--That if the offers of eternal +blessedness; if the love of God; if gratitude; if the fear of punishment, +unknown indeed as to its kind and duration, but declared to be +unimaginably great; if the possibility, nay, the probability, that this +punishment may be followed by annihilation, not final happiness, cannot +divert men from wickedness to virtue; I fear there will be no charm in +the word Eternal. + +Fourth, that it is a certain fact, that scarcely any believe eternal +punishment practically with relation to themselves. They all hope in +God's mercy, till they make it a presumptuous watch-word for religious +indifference. And this, because there is no medium in their faith, +between blessedness and misery,--infinite in degree and duration; which +latter they do not practically, and with their whole hearts, believe. It +is opposite to their clearest views of the divine attributes; for God +cannot be vindictive, neither therefore can his punishments be founded on +a vindictive principle. They must be, either for amendment, or warning +for others; but eternal punishment precludes the idea of amendment, and +its infliction, after the day of judgment, when all not so punished shall +be divinely secured from the possibility of falling, renders the notion +of warning to others inapplicable. + +The Catholics are far more afraid of, and incomparably more influenced in +their conduct by, the doctrine of purgatory, than Protestants by that of +hell! That the Catholics practise more superstitions than morals, is the +effect of other doctrines. Supererogation; invocation of saints; power of +relics, &c. &c. and not of Purgatory, which can only act as a general +motive, to what must depend on other causes. + +Fifth, and lastly.--It is a perilous state in which a christian stands, +if he has gotten no further, than to avoid evil from the fear of hell! +This is no part of the Christian religion, but a preparatory awakening of +the soul: a means of dispersing those gross films which render the eye of +the spirit incapable of any religion, much less of such a faith as that +of the love of Christ. + +The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but perfect love +shutteth out fear. It is sufficient for the utmost fervour of gratitude +that we are saved from punishments, too great to be conceived; but our +salvation is surely not complete, till by the illumination from above, we +are made to know 'the exceeding sinfulness of sin,' and that horribleness +in its nature, which, while it involves all these frightful consequences, +is yet, of itself more affrightful to a regenerated soul than those +consequences. To him who but for a moment felt the influence of God's +presence, the thought of eternal exclusion from the sense of that +presence, would be the worst hell his imagination could conceive. + +N.B. I admit of no right, no claim of a creature on its Creator. I speak +only of hopes and of faith deduced from inevitable reason, the gift of +the Creator; from his acknowledged attributes. Above all, immortality is +a free gift, which we neither do, nor can deserve.... + +S. T. C." + + +To descend now to humbler things. + +There are persons who will be interested in learning how the bard and his +bookseller managed their great pecuniary affairs. A second edition of Mr. +Coleridge's poems being demanded, I was under no obligation, the +copy-right being mine, in publishing a second edition, to make Mr. +Coleridge any payment, alterations or additions being optional with him: +but in his circumstances, and to show that my desire was to consider Mr. +C. even more than myself, I promised him, on the sale of the second +edition of 500, twenty guineas. The following was his reply: (not viewing +the subject quite in the right light; but this was of little +consequence.) + + +"Stowey, Oct. 18th, 1796. + +My dear Cottle, + +I have no mercenary feelings, I verily believe; but I hate bartering at +any time, and with any person; with you it is absolutely intolerable. I +clearly perceive that by giving me twenty guineas, on the sale of the +second edition, you will get little or nothing by the additional poems, +unless they should be sufficiently popular to reach a third edition, +which soars above our wildest expectations. The only advantage you can +derive therefore from the purchase of them on such terms, is, simply, +that my poetry is more likely to sell when the whole may be had in one +volume, price 5s., than when it is scattered in two volumes; the one 4s., +the other possibly 3s. In short, you will get nothing directly, but only +indirectly, from the probable circumstance, that these additional poems +added to the former, will give a more rapid sale to the second edition +than could otherwise be expected, and cause it possibly to be reviewed at +large. Add to this, that by omitting every thing political, I widen the +sphere of my readers. So much for you. Now for myself. You must see, +Cottle, that whatever money I should receive from you, would result from +the circumstances that would give me the same, or more--if I published +them on my own account. I mean the sale of the poems. I can therefore +have no motive to make such conditions with you, except the wish to omit +poems unworthy of me, and the circumstance that our separate properties +would aid each other by the union; and whatever advantage this might be +to me, it would, of course, be equally so to you. The only difference +between my publishing the poems on my own account, and yielding them up +to you; the only difference I say, independent of the above stated +differences, is, that, in one case, I retain the property for ever, in +the other case, I lose it after two editions. + +However, I am not solicitous to have any thing omitted, except the sonnet +to Lord Stanhope and the ludicrous poem; I should like to publish the +best pieces together, and those of secondary splendour, at the end of the +volume, and think this is the best quietus of the whole affair. + +Yours affectionately, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +In consequence of a note received from Mr. Coleridge, I called at the +Bristol Library, where I found Mr. George Catcott, the Sub-Librarian, +much excited. "See," said he, immediately I entered the room, "here is a +letter I have just received from Mr. Coleridge. Pray look at it." I read +it. "Do you mean to give the letter to me, with its ponderous contents?" +I said. "O yes, take it," he replied. This gift enables me to lay the +letter in question before the reader. Mr. George Catcott though of +singular manners, was a person of worth. He was the patron of Chatterton, +and chiefly through his efforts, the Poems of "Rowley" were preserved. + + +"Stowey, May, 1797. + +My dear Cottle, + +I have sent a curious letter to George Catcott. He has altogether made me +pay five shillings! for postage, by his letters sent all the way to +Stowey, requiring me to return books to the Bristol Library.... + +"Mr. Catcott, + +I beg your acceptance of all the enclosed letters. You must not think +lightly of the present, as they cost me, who am a very poor man, five +shillings. + +With respect to the 'Bruck. Hist. Crit,' although by accident they were +registered on the 23d of March, yet they were not removed from the +Library for a fortnight after; and when I received your first letter, I +had had the books just three weeks. Our learned and ingenious Committee +may read through two quartos, that is, one thousand and four hundred +pages of close printed Latin and Greek, in three weeks, for aught I know +to the contrary. I pretend to no such intenseness of application, or +rapidity of genius. + +I must beg you to inform me, by Mr. Cottle, what length of time is +allowed by the rules and customs of our institution for each book. +Whether their contents, as well as their size, are consulted, in +apportioning the time; or whether, customarily, any time at all is +apportioned, except when the Committee, in individual cases, choose to +deem it proper. I subscribe to your library, Mr. Catcott, not to read +novels, or books of quick reading and easy digestion, but to get books +which I cannot get elsewhere,--books of massy knowledge; and as I have +few books of my own, I read with a common-place book, so that if I be not +allowed a longer period of time for the perusal of such books, I must +contrive to get rid of my subscription, which would be a thing perfectly +useless, except so far as it gives me an opportunity of reading your +little expensive notes and letters. + +Yours in Christian fellowship, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +Mr. C. was now preparing for a second edition of his Poems, and had sent +the order in which they were to be printed, with the following letter, +accompanying two new Poems. + + +"Stowey, Friday Morning. + +My dear Cottle. + +... If you do not like the following verses, or if you do not think them +worthy of an edition in which I profess to give nothing but my choicest +fish, picked, gutted, and cleaned, please to get some one to write them +out and send them, with my compliments, to the editor of the New Monthly +Magazine. But if you think of them as I do (most probably from parental +dotage for my last born) let them immediately follow 'The Kiss.' + +God love you, + +S. T. C." + + TO AN UNFORTUNATE YOUNG WOMAN. + WHOM I HAD KNOWN IN THE DAYS OF HER INNOCENCE. + + Maiden! that with sullen brow, + Sitt'st behind those virgins gay; + Like a scorched, and mildew'd bough, + Leafless mid the blooms of May. + + Inly gnawing, thy distresses + Mock those starts of wanton glee; + And thy inmost soul confesses + Chaste Affection's majesty. + + Loathing thy polluted lot, + Hie thee, Maiden! hie thee hence! + Seek thy weeping mother's cot, + With a wiser innocence! + + Mute the Lavrac[28] and forlorn + While she moults those firstling plumes + That had skimm'd the tender corn, + Or the bean-field's od'rous blooms; + + Soon with renovating wing, + Shall she dare a loftier flight, + Upwards to the day-star sing, + And embathe in heavenly light. + + ALLEGORICAL LINES ON THE SAME SUBJECT. + + Myrtle Leaf, that, ill besped, + Pinest in the gladsome ray, + Soiled beneath the common tread, + Far from thy protecting spray; + + When the scythes-man o'er his sheaf, + Caroll'd in the yellow vale, + Sad, I saw thee, heedless leaf, + Love the dalliance of the gale. + + Lightly didst thou, poor fond thing! + Heave and flutter to his sighs + While the flatterer on his wing, + Woo'd, and whisper'd thee to rise. + + Gaily from thy mother stalk + Wert thou danced and wafted high; + Soon on this unsheltered walk, + Hung to fade, and rot, and die! + + +The two poems as printed in Mr. Coleridge's edition of 1835, here follow, +which by being compared with the same poems, in their preceding original +form, will exhibit a study, particularly to the Poet.[29] + + ON AN UNFORTUNATE WOMAN AT THE THEATRE. + + _With Mr. Coleridge's last corrections_. + + + Maiden, that with sullen brow + Sitt'st behind those virgins gay, + Like a scorched and mildew'd bough, + Leafless mid the blooms of May. + + Him who lured thee and forsook, + Oft I watch'd with angry gaze, + Fearful saw his pleading look, + Anxious heard his fervid phrase. + + Soft the glances of the youth, + Soft his speech, and soft his sigh; + But no sound like simple truth, + But no true love in his eye. + + Loathing thy polluted lot, + Hie thee, maiden, hie thee hence! + Seek thy weeping mother's cot, + With a wiser innocence. + + Thou hast known deceit and folly, + Thou hast felt that vice is woe; + With a musing melancholy, + Inly armed, go, maiden! go. + + Mother, sage of self dominion, + Firm thy steps, O melancholy! + The strongest plume in wisdom's pinion + Is the memory of past folly. + + Mute the sky-lark and forlorn + While she moults the firstling plumes, + That had skimm'd the tender corn, + Or the bean-field's odorous blooms. + + Soon with renovated wing, + Shall she dare a loftier flight, + Upward to the day-star spring, + And embathe in heavenly light. + + + ON AN UNFORTUNATE WOMAN, + Whom The Author Had Known In The Days Of Her Innocence. + + (_With Mr. Coleridge's last corrections_.) + + + Myrtle-leaf that ill-besped, + Pinest in the gladsome ray; + Soiled beneath the common tread, + Far from thy protecting spray! + + When the partridge o'er the sheaf + Whirred along the yellow vale, + Sad I saw thee, heedless leaf! + Love the dalliance of the gale. + + Lightly didst thou, foolish thing! + Heave and flutter to his sighs, + While the flatterer on his wing, + Woo'd and whispered thee to rise. + + Gaily from thy mother stalk + Wert thou danced and wafted high-- + Soon upon this sheltered walk, + Flung to fade, to rot, and die. + +Mr. Coleridge having requested me to decide concerning the introduction +into his volume of the two preceding Poems, I approved of the second, +with certain alterations, (which was accordingly printed,) and rejected +the first, for the reasons assigned in the following letter. This letter +is introduced for the sake of Mr. C.'s reply, and to exhibit the candid +and untenacious quality of his mind. As a mark of Mr. Coleridge's +solicitude to obtain the observations of another, without surrendering +his own ultimate judgment, he always encouraged my remarks on his +compositions. When about to send the second edition of his Poems to the +press, he thus wrote to me. + + +"My dear Cottle, + +... On Thursday morning, by Milton, the Stowey carrier, I shall send you +a parcel, containing the book of my Poems interleaved, with the +alterations, and likewise the prefaces, which I shall send to you, for +your criticisms...." + + +This is mentioned as an apology for the freedom of the remarks I then +took, for it was always my principle not to spare a friend through +mistaken kindness;--however much I might spare myself. + + +"Dear Coleridge, + +You have referred your two last Poems to my judgment. I do not think your +first, 'Maiden! that with sullen brow,' admissible, without a little more +of your nice picking. + +The first verse is happy, but two objections apply to the second. To my +ear, (perhaps too fastidious) 'inly,' and 'inmost,' are too closely +allied for the same stanza; but the first line presents a more serious +objection, in containing a transition verb, (or rather a participle, with +the same government) without an objective: + + 'Inly gnawing, thy distresses + Mock those starts of sudden glee.' + +Gnawing what? surely not distresses; though the bar of a comma can hardly +keep them apart. In order to give it any decent meaning, a tortuous +ellipsis is necessary; to pursue which, gives the reader too much toil. +Rejecting the first horse in the team, the three last are beautiful +animals. + +To the last line in the third stanza, I rather object; 'With a wiser +innocence.' The meaning, it appears to me, would be more definite and in +character, if you were to say, as you do not represent her utterly +debased, 'With thy wreck of innocence.' The apostrophe to the 'Weeping +mother's cot,' is then impressive. In the fourth stanza, why do you +introduce the old word 'Lavrac' a word requiring an explanatory note? Why +not say at once, sky-lark? A short poem, _you_ know better than _I_, +should be smooth as oil, and lucid as glass. The two last stanzas, with +their associates, will require a few of your delicate touches, before you +mount them on the nautilus which is to bear them buoyant round the world. +These two last stanzas, about the 'Lavrac' though good in themselves, +(with the exception of one line, which I will not point out, its +roughness absolutely reminds one of 'Bowling-green Lane!') appear to me +to be awkward appendages. The illustration is too much extended. It is +laboured; far-fetched. It is an infelicitous attempt to blend sportive +fancy with fact that has touched the heart, and which, in this its +sobered mood, shrinks from all idle play of imagination. The transition +is too abrupt from truth to fancy. This simile of two stanzas, also, out +of five, is a tail disproportioned to the size of so small a body:--A +thought elongated, ramified, attenuated, till its tendril convolutions +have almost escaped from their parent stem. I would recommend you to let +this Lavrac fly clean away, and to conclude the Poem with the third +affecting stanza, unless you can continue the same train of feeling. This +you might readily effect, by urging the 'unfortunate' in seeking her +'weeping mother's cot' to cheer that mother by moral renovation. + +I now come to the second Poem, 'Allegorical lines.' This poem has sound +materials, but it wants some of your hard tinkering. Pardon my +unceremonious language. I do not like that affected old word, +'ill-besped' in the first line. To ascribe human feelings to a leaf, as +you have done through the whole Poem, notwithstanding your authority, as +I conceive, offensively violates reason. There is no analogy; no +conceivable bond of union between thought and inanimate things, and it is +about as rational as though, in sober reasoning, you were to make the +polished shoe remonstrate with its wearer, in being soiled so soon after +it had received its lustre. It is the utmost stretch of human concession, +to grant thought and language to living things;--birds, beasts, and +fishes; rights which the old fablers have rendered inalienable, as +vehicles of instruction; but here, as I should think, the liberty ends. +It is always a pity when sense and poetry cannot go together. They are +excellent arm-in-arm companions, but quarrelsome neighbours, when a stile +separates them. The first line in the second stanza I do not like. + + 'When the scythesman o'er his sheaf.' + +Two objections apply to this line. The word scythesman, for a short poem, +is insufferably rough; and furthermore requires the inhalation of a good +breath, before it can be pronounced; besides which, as the second +objection, by connecting sheaves with scythesman, it shows that the +scythe is cutting wheat, whereas, wheat is cut with a hook or sickle. If +my agricultural knowledge be correct, barley and oats are cut with a +scythe, but these grains are not put into sheaves. Had you not better +substitute rustic, for scythesman? + +The first line in the third stanza is not happy. The spondee, in a +compound word, sometimes gives a favourable emphasis; but to my taste, +rarely, when it is formed of a double epithet. It has the appearance of +labour, like tugging against a hill. Would not 'foolish' be simpler and +better than 'poor fond?' I have one other objection, and that, +unfortunately, is in the last line. + + 'Flung to fade, and rot, and die!' + +Surely, if it rots, it must die, or have died. + +Query. 'Flung to wither and to die.' + +I am astonished at my own temerity. This is reversing the order of +things; the pupil correcting his master. But, candidly speaking, I do +think these two poems the most defective of any I ever saw of yours, +which, usually, have been remarkably free from all angles on which the +race of snarlers can lay hold. + +From, &c. &c., + +Joseph Cottle." + + +Mr. Coleridge's reply to the preceding letter. + + +"Wednesday morning, 10 o'clock. + +My dearest Cottle, + +... 'Ill besped' is indeed a sad blotch; but after having tried at least +a hundred ways, before I sent the Poem to you, and often since, I find it +incurable. This first Poem is but a so so composition. I wonder I could +have been so blinded by the ardour of recent composition, as to see +anything in it. + +Your remarks are _perfectly just_ on the 'Allegorical lines,' except +that, in this district, corn is as often cut with a scythe, as with a +hook. However, for '_Scythesman_' read _Rustic_. For '_poor fond thing_' +read _foolish thing_, and for '_flung to fade, and rot, and die_,' read +_flung to wither and to die_.[30] + + * * * * * + +Milton (the carrier) waits impatiently. + +S. T. C." + + +Having once inquired of Mr. Coleridge something respecting a nicety in +hexameters, he asked for a sheet of paper, and wrote the following. These +hexameters appear in the last edition of Mr. C.'s Poems, though in a less +correct form, and without the condensed and well-expressed preliminary +remarks. Two new lines are here also added. + +"The Hexameter consists of six feet, or twelve times. These feet, in the +Latin and Greek languages, were always either dactyls, or spondees; the +time of a dactyl, being only that of a spondee. In modern languages, +however, metre being regulated by the emphasis, or intonation of the +syllables, and not by the position of the letters, spondees can scarcely +exist, except in compound words, as dark-red. Our dissyllables are for +the most part, either iambics, as desire; or trochees, as languid. These +therefore, but chiefly the latter, we must admit, instead of spondees. +The four first feet of each line may be dissyllable feet, or dactyls, or +both commingled, as best suits the melody, and requisite variety; but the +two last feet must, with rare exceptions, be uniformly, the former a +dactyl, the latter a dissyllable. The amphimacer may, in English, be +substituted for the dactyl, occasionally. + +EXAMPLES. + + Oh, what a life is the eye! What a fine and inscrutable essence! + He that is utterly blind, nor glimpses the fire that warms him; + He that never beheld the swelling breast of his mother, + He that smiled at the bosom, the babe that smiles in its slumber, + Even to him it exists. It moves, and stirs in its prison; + Lives with a separate life, and "Is it a spirit?" he murmurs, + Sure it has thoughts of its own, and to see is only a language. + +ANOTHER SPECIMEN, DESCRIBING HEXAMETERS IN HEXAMETERS. + + Strongly it tilts us along, o'er leaping and limitless billows, + Nothing before, and nothing behind, but the sky and the ocean. + +ANOTHER SPECIMEN. + + In the Hexameter rises the fountain's silvery column + In the Pentameter still, falling melodious down. + + * * * * * + +THE ENGLISH DUODECASYLLABLE. + +This consists of two dactyls, and three trochees; the two dactyls first; +and the trochees following. + + Hear, my beloved! an old Milesian story; + High and embosomed in congregated laurels, + Glimmered a temple, upon a breezy headland + In the dim distance, amid the skyey billows, + Rose a fair island; the God of flocks had blest it: + From the dim shores of this bleak resounding island, + Oft in the moon-light a little boat came floating, + Came to the sea-cave beneath the breezy headland, + Where between myrtles a path-way stole in mazes, + Up to the groves of the high embosomed temple. + There in a thicket of consecrated roses, + Oft did a Priestess, as lovely as a vision, + Pouring her soul to the son of Cytherea, + Pray him to hover around the light canoe boat, + And with invisible pilotage to guide it + Over the dusky waves, till the nightly sailor + Shiv'ring with ecstacy sank upon her bosom. + Now, by the immortals! he was a beauteous stripling, + Worthy to dream the sweet dream of young Endymion." + +In the last edition of Mr. Coleridge's poems, (3 vols., 1835) there is a +poem, called "The Destiny of Nations, a Vision;"--a sounding title, with +which the contents but ill accord. No note conveys information to the +reader, what was the origin of this poem; nor does any argument show its +object, or train of thought. Who the maid is, no one can tell, and if +there be a vision respecting the destiny of nations, it is nearly as +confused and incoherent as a true vision of the night; exciting in the +mind some such undefined wonderment, as must have accompanied the descent +of one of Peter Wilkins' winged Aerials. + +The reader may here be informed, that the Second book of Mr. Southey's +"Joan of Arc," to line 452, as acknowledged, was written by Mr. +Coleridge, with the intermixture of 97 lines, written by Mr. Southey, in +which there are noble sentiments, expressed in the loftiest poetical +diction; and in which also there is a tutelary spirit introduced to +instruct and counsel the Maid of Orleans. In the second edition of "Joan +of Arc," Mr. Southey omitted the whole of these lines, and intimated to +Mr. C. his intention so to do, as early as the autumn of 1795. I advised +Mr. Coleridge, from the intrinsic merit of the lines, to print them in +the second edition of his poems. To this he assented, but observed, that +he must greatly extend them. + +Some considerable time after, he read me the poem in its enlarged state, +calling it "The Progress of Liberty, or the Visions of the Maid of +Orleans." After hearing it read, I at once told him, it was all very +fine, but what it was all about, I could not tell: that it wanted, I +thought, an obvious design, a definite purpose, a cohesion of parts, so +as to make it more of a whole, instead of its being, as it then was, +profuse, but detached splendour, and exhibiting in the management, +nothing like construction. Thus improved, I told him the poem would be +worthy of him. Mr. C. was evidently partial to the lines, and said, "I +shall consider of what you say, and speak again about them." + +Amongst my papers I find two or three notes from Mr. C. on this subject, +subsequently received. + + +"Stowey. + +My dear Cottle, + +If you delay the press it will give me the opportunity I so much wish, of +sending my "Visions of the Maid of Arc" to Wordsworth, who lives[31] not +above twenty miles from this place; and to Charles Lamb, whose taste and +judgment, I see reason to think more correct and philosophical than my +own, which yet I place pretty high...." + + +In a succeeding letter Mr. Coleridge says, + + +"My dear Cottle, + +The lines which I added to my lines in the 'Joan of Arc' have been so +little approved by Charles Lamb, to whom I sent them, that although I +differ from him in opinion, I have not heart to finish the poem." Mr. +Coleridge in the same letter, thus refers to his "Ode to the Departing +Year." + +"... So much for an 'Ode,' which some people think superior to the 'Bard' +of Gray, and which others think a rant of turgid obscurity; and the +latter are the more numerous class. It is not obscure. My 'Religious +Musings' I know are, but not this 'Ode.'" + + +Mr. C. still retained a peculiar regard for these lines of the "Visions" +and once meant to remodel the whole, as will appear from the following +letter. + + +"Stowey, 1797. + +My dear Cottle, + +I deeply regret, that my anxieties and my slothfulness, acting in a +combined ratio, prevented me from finishing my 'Progress of Liberty, or +Visions of the Maid of Orleans' with that Poem at the head of the volume, +with the 'Ode' in the middle, and the 'Religious Musings' at the end. + +... In the 'Lines on the Man of Ross' immediately after these lines, + + 'He heard the widow's heaven-breathed prayer of praise, + He mark'd the shelter'd orphan's tearful gaze.' + +Please to add these two lines. + + 'And o'er the portioned maiden's snowy cheek, + Bade bridal love suffuse its blushes meek.' + +And for the line, + + 'Beneath this roof, if thy cheer'd moments pass.' + +I should be glad to substitute this, + + 'If near this roof thy wine-cheer'd moments pass.' + + +These emendations came too late for admission in the second edition; nor +have they appeared in the last edition. They will remain therefore for +insertion in any future edition of Mr. Coleridge's Poems.[32] + + +"Stowey, 1797. + +My dear Cottle, + +... Public affairs are in strange confusion. I am afraid that I shall +prove, at least, as good a Prophet as Bard. Oh, doom'd to fall, my +country! enslaved and vile! But may God make me a foreboder of evils +never to come! + +I have heard from Sheridan, desiring me to write a tragedy. I have no +genius that way; Robert Southey has. I think highly of his 'Joan of Arc' +and cannot help prophesying, that he will be known to posterity, as +Shakspeare's great grandson. I think he will write a tragedy or +tragedies. + +Charles Lloyd has given me his Poems, which I give to you, on condition +that you print them in this Volume, after Charles Lamb's Poems; the title +page, 'Poems, by S. T. Coleridge. Second Edition; to which are added +Poems, by C. Lamb, and C. Lloyd.' C. Lamb's poems will occupy about forty +pages; C. Lloyd's at least one hundred, although only his choice fish. + +P. S. I like your 'Lines on Savage.'[33] + +God bless you, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +In a letter received from Mr. Coleridge soon after, he says, "I shall now +stick close to my tragedy (called Osorio,) and when I have finished it, +shall walk to Shaftesbury to spend a few days with Bowles. From thence I +go to Salisbury, and thence to Christchurch, to see Southey." + +This letter, as was usual, has no date, but a letter from Mr. Wordsworth +determines about the time when Mr. C. had nearly finished his Tragedy. + + +"September 13, 1797. + +... Coleridge is gone over to Bowles with his Tragedy, which he has +finished to the middle of the 5th Act. He set off a week ago." + + +Mr. Coleridge, in the summer of 1797 presented me with an extract from +his "Osorio," which is here given to the reader, from Mr. C.'s own +writing. + + FOSTER-MOTHER'S TALE. + + _Scene, Spain._ + + FOSTER-MOTHER. + + Now blessings on the man, whoe'er he be, + That joined your names with mine! O my sweet lady + As often as I think of those dear times, + When you two little ones would stand, at eve, + On each side of my chair, and make me learn + All you had learnt in the day, and how to talk + In gentle phrase, then bid me sing to you-- + 'Tis more like heaven to come than what _has_ been. + + MARIA. + + O my dear mother! this strange man has left us, + Troubled with wilder fancies than the moon + Breeds in the love-sick maid who gazes at it, + Till lost in inward vision, with wet eye + She gazes idly!--But that _entrance_, Mother! + + FOSTER-MOTHER. + + Can no one hear? It is a perilous tale! + + MARIA. + + No one. + + FOSTER-MOTHER. + + My husband's father told it me, + Poor Old Leoni--Angels rest his soul! + He was a woodman, and could fell and saw + With lusty arm. You know that huge round beam + Which props the hanging wall of the old Chapel. + Beneath that tree, while yet it was a tree + He found a baby wrapt in mosses, lined + With thistle beards, and such small locks of wool + As hang on brambles. Well, he brought him home, + And reared him at the then Lord Velez' cost. + And so the babe grew up a pretty boy, + A pretty boy but most unteachable-- + And never learnt a prayer nor told a bead, + But knew the names of birds, and mocked their notes, + And whistled, as he were a bird himself. + And all the autumn 'twas his only play + To get the seeds of wild flowers and to plant them + With earth and water on the stumps of trees. + A Friar who gathered simples in the wood, + A grey-haired man--he loved this little boy, + The boy loved him--and, when the Friar taught him, + He soon could write with the pen; and from that time + Lived chiefly at the Convent or the Castle. + So he became a very learned man. + But O! poor youth!--he read, and read, and read, + 'Till his brain turned--and ere his twentieth year, + He had unlawful thoughts of many things: + And though he prayed, he never loved to pray + With holy men, nor in a holy place-- + But yet his speech, it was so soft and sweet, + The late Lord Velez ne'er was wearied with him. + And once as by the north side of the Chapel + They stood together, chained in deep discourse, + The earth heaved under them with such a groan, + That the wall tottered, and had well-nigh fallen + Right on their heads. My Lord was sorely frightened: + A fever seized the youth; and he made confession + Of all the heretical and lawless talk + Which brought this judgment: so the youth was seized, + And cast into that hole. My husband's father + Sobbed like a child--it almost broke his heart: + And once, as he was working in the cellar, + He heard a voice distinctly; 'twas the youth's, + Who sung a doleful song about green fields, + How sweet it were on lake or wild savannah + To hunt for food, and be a naked man, + And wander up and down at liberty. + He always doated on the youth, and now + His love grew desperate; and defying death, + He made that cunning _entrance_ I described: + And the young man escaped. + + MARIA. + + 'Tis a sweet tale: + Such as would lull a listening child to sleep, + His rosy face besoiled with unwiped tears. + And what became of him? + + FOSTER-MOTHER. + + He went on ship-board + With those bold voyagers, who made discovery + Of golden lands: Leoni's younger brother + Went likewise, and when he returned to Spain, + He told Leoni, that the poor mad youth, + Soon after they arrived in that new world, + In spite of his dissuasion, seized a boat, + And all alone set sail by silent moonlight, + Up a great river, great as any sea, + And ne'er was heard of more: but 'tis supposed, + He lived and died among the savage men. + +The following letter of Mr. C. was in answer to a request for some +long-promised copy, and for which the printer importuned. + + +"Stowey, 1797. + +My dear, dear Cottle, + +Have patience, and everything shall be done. I think now entirely of your +brother:[34] in two days I will think entirely for you. By Wednesday next +you shall have Lloyd's other Poems, with all Lamb's, &c. &c.... + +S. T. C." + + +A little before this time, a singular occurrence happened to Mr. C. +during a pedestrian excursion into Somersetshire, as detailed in the +following letter to Mr. Wade. + + +"My dear friend, + +I am here after a most tiresome journey; in the course of which, a woman +asked me if I knew one Coleridge, of Bristol, I answered, I had heard of +him. 'Do you know, (quoth she) that that vile jacobin villain drew away a +young man of our parish, one Burnet' &c. and in this strain did the woman +continue for near an hour; heaping on me every name of abuse that the +parish of Billingsgate could supply. I listened very particularly; +appeared to approve all she said, exclaiming, 'dear me!' two or three +times, and, in fine, so completely won the woman's heart by my +civilities, that I had not courage enough to undeceive her.... + +S. T. Coleridge. + +P. S. You are a good prophet. Oh, into what a state have the scoundrels +brought this devoted kingdom. If the House of Commons would but melt down +their faces, it would greatly assist the copper currency--we should have +brass enough." + + +To refer now to another subject. Robert Burns had died in 1796. Finding +that his family had little more than their father's fame to support them, +I consulted with Mr. Coleridge, whether it would not be possible to add +to the fund then being raised, by promoting a subscription in Bristol, in +furtherance of such design. It being deemed feasible, while Mr. C. +undertook to write a Poem on the subject for a Bristol paper, I sent the +following advertisement to the same vehicle. + + TO THE CITIZENS OF BRISTOL. + + It will doubtless afford much pleasure to the liberal portion of the + inhabitants of this city, to understand that a subscription has been + set on foot in different parts of the kingdom, for the wife and five + small children of poor Burns, the Scotch poet. There has already been + subscribed-- + + At Dumfries (where the Bard lived) £104 12 0 + At Edinburgh ... ... ... 64 16 0 + At Liverpool ... ... ... 67 10 0 + + Whoever, in Bristol, from their admiration of departed genius, may + wish to contribute, in rescuing from distress the family of Robert + Burns, will be pleased to leave their donations with Mr. Cottle, + High-Street. Mr. Nichol, of Pall-Mall, London, will publicly + acknowledge the receipt of all monies subscribed in this city. + +The sum we transmitted to the general fund, did credit to the liberality +of Bristol. + +Mr. Coleridge had often, in the keenest terms, expressed his contemptuous +indignation at the Scotch patrons of the poet, in making him an +exciseman! so that something biting was expected. + +The Poem was entitled, "To a Friend, who had declared his intention of +writing no more Poetry." In reading the Poem immediately after it was +written, the rasping force which Mr. C. gave to the following concluding +lines was inimitable. + + "Is thy Burns dead? + And shall he die unwept, and sink to earth, + Without the meed of one melodious tear? + Thy Burns, and nature's own beloved Bard, + Who to 'the illustrious of his native land,'[35] + So properly did look for patronage. + Ghost of Maecenas! hide thy blushing face! + They took him from the sickle and the plough-- + To guage ale firkins! + O, for shame return! + On a bleak rock, midway the Aonian Mount, + There stands a lone and melancholy tree, + Whose aged branches to the midnight blast + Make solemn music, pluck its darkest bough, + Ere yet th' unwholesome night dew be exhaled, + And weeping, wreath it round thy Poet's tomb: + Then in the outskirts, where pollutions grow, + Pick stinking henbane, and the dusky flowers + Of night-shade, or its red and tempting fruit; + These, with stopped nostril, and glove-guarded hand, + Knit in nice intertexture, so to twine + Th' illustrious brow of Scotch Nobility!" + +If Mr. C.'s nature had been less benevolent, and he had given full vent +to the irascible and satirical, the restrained elements of which abounded +in his spirit, he would have obtained the least enviable of all kinds of +pre-eminence, and have become the undisputed modern Juvenal. + +Mr. George Burnet resided sometimes with his relations, sometimes with +Mr. Coleridge, at Stowey. Mr. and Mrs. C. happened to be now in Bristol, +when the former was summoned home on account of Burnet's sudden and +serious illness. On reaching Stowey, Mr. C. sent me the following letter. + + +"Stowey. + +My dear friend, + +I found George Burnet ill enough, heaven knows, Yellow Jaundice,---the +introductory symptoms very violent. I return to Bristol on Thursday, and +shall not leave till _all be done._ + +Remind Mrs. Coleridge of the kittens, and tell her that George's brandy +is just what smuggled spirits might be expected to be, execrable! The +smack of it remains in my mouth, and I believe will keep me most horribly +temperate for half a century. He (Burnet) was bit, but I caught the +Brandiphobia.[36] [obliterations ...]--scratched out, well knowing that +you never allow such things to pass, uncensured. A good joke, and it +slipped out most impromptu--ishly. + +The mice play the very devil with us. It irks me to set a trap. By all +the whiskers of all the pussies that have mewed plaintively, or +amorously, since the days of Whittington, it is not fair. 'Tis telling a +lie. 'Tis as if you said, 'Here is a bit of toasted cheese; come little +mice! I invite you!' when, oh, foul breach of the rites of hospitality! I +mean to assassinate my too credulous guests! No, I cannot set a trap, but +I should vastly like to make a Pitt--fall. (Smoke the Pun!). But +concerning the mice, advise thou, lest there be famine in the land. Such +a year of scarcity! Inconsiderate mice! Well, well, so the world wags. + +Farewell, S. T. C. + +P. S. A mad dog ran through our village, and bit several dogs. I have +desired the farmers to be attentive, and to-morrow shall give them, in +writing, the first symptoms of madness in a dog. + +I wish my pockets were as yellow as George's phiz!"[37] + + +The preceding letter is about a fair example of that playful and +ebullient imagination for which Mr. Coleridge, at this time, was +distinguished. Subjects high and low received the same embellishment. +Figure crowded on figure, and image on image, in new and perpetual +variety. + +He was once reprobating the introduction of all bull and bear similes +into poetry. "Well," I replied, "whatever your antipathies may be to +bulls and bears, you have no objection to wolves." "Yes," he answered, "I +equally abominate the whole tribe of lion, bull, bear, boar, and wolf +similes. They are more thread-bare than a beggar's cast-off coat. From +their rapid transition from hand to hand, they are now more hot and +sweaty than halfpence on a market day. I would as soon meet a wolf in the +open field, as in a friend's poem." I then rejoined, "Your objection, +once at least, to wolf similes, was not quite so strong, seeing you +prevailed on Mr. Southey to throw into the first book of "Joan of Arc," a +five-line flaming wolf simile of yours. One could almost see the wolf +leap, he was so fierce!" "Ah" said Mr. C. "but the discredit rests on +him, not on me." + +The simile, in question, if not a new subject, is at least, perhaps, as +energetically expressed as any five lines in Mr. Coleridge's writings. + + As who, through many a summer night serene + Had hover'd round the fold with coward wish; + Horrid with brumal ice, the fiercer wolf, + From his bleak mountain and his den of snows + Leaps terrible and mocks the shepherd's spear. +Book 1. L. 47. + + +"June, 1796. + +My dear Cottle, + +I am sojourning for a few days at Racedown, Dorset, the mansion of our +friend Wordsworth; who presents his kindest respects to you.... + +Wordsworth admires my tragedy, which gives me great hopes. Wordsworth has +written a tragedy himself. I speak with heartfelt sincerity, and I think, +unblinded judgment, when I tell you that I feel myself a little man by +his side, and yet I do not think myself a less man than I formerly +thought myself. His drama is absolutely wonderful. You know I do not +commonly speak in such abrupt and unmingled phrases, and therefore will +the more readily believe me. There are, in the piece, those profound +touches of the human heart, which I find three or four times in the +"Robbers" of Schiller, and often in Shakspeare, but in Wordsworth there +are no inequalities.... + +God bless you, and eke, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +Respecting this tragedy of Mr. W.'s, parts of which I afterwards heard +with the highest admiration, Mr. Coleridge in a succeeding letter gave me +the following information. "I have procured for Wordsworth's tragedy, an +introduction to Harris, the manager of Covent Garden, who has promised to +read it attentively, and give his answer immediately; and if he accepts +it, to put it in preparation without an hour's delay. + +This tragedy may or may not have been deemed suitable for the stage. +Should the latter prove the case, and the closet be its element, the +public after these intimations, will importunately urge Mr. W. to a +publication of this dramatic piece, so calculated still to augment his +high reputation. + +There is a peculiar pleasure in recording the favorable sentiments which +one poet and man of genius entertains of another, I therefore state that +Mr. Coleridge says, in a letter received from him March 8th, 1798, "The +Giant Wordsworth-God love him! When I speak in the terms of admiration +due to his intellect, I fear lest these terms should keep out of sight +the amiableness of his manners. He has written near twelve hundred lines +of blank verse, superior, I hesitate not to aver, to any thing in our +language which any way resembles it." + +And in a letter received from Mr. Coleridge, 1807, he says--speaking of +his friend Mr. W. "He is one, whom God knows, I love and honour as far +beyond myself, as both morally and intellectually he is above me." + + +"Stowey, 1797. + +My dear Cottle, + +Wordsworth and his exquisite sister are with me. She is a woman indeed! +in mind I mean, and heart; for her person is such, that if you expected +to see a pretty woman, you would think her rather ordinary; if you +expected to see an ordinary woman, you would think her pretty! but her +manners are simple, ardent, impressive. In every motion, her most +innocent soul outbeams so brightly, that who saw would say, + + "Guilt was a thing impossible in her." + +Her information various. Her eye watchful in minutest observation of +nature; and her taste, a perfect electrometer. It bends, protrudes, and +draws in, at subtlest beauties, and most recondite faults. + +She and W. desire their kindest respects to you. + +Your ever affectionate friend. + +S. T. C." + + +"Stowey, Sept. 1797. + +My very dear Cottle, + +Your illness afflicts me, and unless I receive a full account of you by +Milton, I shall be very uneasy, so do not fail to write. + +Herbert Croft is in Exeter gaol! This is unlucky. Poor devil! He must now +be unpeppered.[39] We are all well. Wordsworth is well. Hartley sends a +grin to you? He has another tooth! + +In the wagon, there was brought from Bath, a trunk, in order to be +forwarded to Stowey, directed, 'S. T. Coleridge, Stowey, near +Bridgwater.' This, we suppose, arrived in Bristol on Tuesday or +Wednesday, last week. + + +It belonged to Thelwall. If it be not forwarded to Stowey, let it be +stopped, and not sent. + +Give my kind love to your brother Robert, and _ax_ him to put on his hat, +and run, without delay to the inn, or place, by whatever bird, beast, +fish, or man distinguished, where Parsons's Bath wagon sets up. + +From your truly affectionate friend, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +A letter, written, at this time, by Mr. Coleridge to Mr. Wade, more +particularly refers to Mr. Thelwall's visit at Stowey. + + +"Stowey, 1797. + +My very dear friend, + +... John Thelwall is a very warm-hearted, honest man; and disagreeing as +we do, on almost every point of religion, of morals, of politics, and +philosophy, we like each other uncommonly well. He is a great favorite +with Sara. Energetic activity of mind and of heart, is his master +feature. He is prompt to conceive, and still prompter to execute; but I +think he is deficient in that patience of mind which can look intensely +and frequently at the same subject. He believes and disbelieves with +impassioned confidence. I wish to see him doubting, and doubting. He is +intrepid, eloquent, and honest. Perhaps, the only acting democrat that is +honest, for the patriots are ragged cattle; a most execrable herd. +Arrogant because they are ignorant, and boastful of the strength of +reason, because they have never tried it enough to know its weakness. Oh! +my poor country! The clouds cover thee. There is not one spot of clear +blue in the whole heaven! + +My love to all whom you love, and believe me, with brotherly affection, +with esteem and gratitude, and every warm emotion of the heart, + +Your faithful + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +"London, 1797. + +Dear Cottle, + +If Mrs. Coleridge be in Bristol, pray desire her to write to me +immediately, and I beg you, the moment you receive this letter, to send +to No. 17, Newfoundland Street to know whether she be there. I have +written to Stowey, but if she be in Bristol, beg her to write to me of it +by return of post, that I may immediately send down some cash for her +travelling expenses, &c. We shall reside in London for the next four +months. God bless you, Cottle, I love you, + +S. T. Coleridge." + +P. S. The volume (second edition, Coleridge, Lloyd, and Lamb) is a most +beautiful one. You have determined that the three Bards shall walk up +Parnassus, in their best bib and tucker. + + +"Stowey, June 29th, 1797. + +My very dear Cottle, + +... Charles Lamb will probably be here in about a fortnight. Could you +not contrive to put yourself in a Bridgwater coach, and T. Poole would +fetch you in a one-horse chaise to Stowey. What delight would it not give +us.... + + +It was not convenient at this time to accept Mr. C.'s invitation, but +going to Stowey two or three weeks afterwards, I learnt how pleasantly +the interview had been between Charles Lamb and himself. It is +delightful, even at the present moment, to recal the images connected +with my then visit to Stowey, (which those can best understand, who, like +myself, have escaped from severe duties to a brief season of happy +recreation). Mr. Coleridge welcomed me with the warmest cordiality. He +talked with affection of his old school-fellow, Lamb, who had so recently +left him; regretted he had not an opportunity of introducing me to one +whom he so highly valued. Mr. C. took peculiar delight in assuring me (at +least, at that time) how happy he was; exhibiting successively, his +house, his garden, his orchard, laden with fruit; and also the +contrivances he had made to unite his two neighbours' domains with his +own. + +After the grand circuit had been accomplished, by hospitable contrivance, +we approached the "Jasmine harbour," when to our gratifying surprise, we +found the tripod table laden with delicious bread and cheese, surmounted +by a brown mug of true Taunton ale. We instinctively took our seats; and +there must have been some downright witchery in the provisions which +surpassed all of its kind; nothing like it on the wide terrene, and one +glass of the Taunton, settled it to an axiom. While the dappled sun-beams +played on our table, through the umbrageous canopy, the very birds seemed +to participate in our felicities, and poured forth their selectest +anthems. As we sat in our sylvan hall of splendour, a company of the +happiest mortals, (T. Poole, C. Lloyd, S. T. Coleridge, and J. C.) the +bright-blue heavens; the sporting insects; the balmy zephyrs; the +feathered choristers; the sympathy of friends, all augmented the +pleasurable to the highest point this side the celestial! Every +interstice of our hearts being filled with happiness, as a consequence, +there was no room for sorrow, exorcised as it now was, and hovering +around at unapproachable distance. With our spirits thus entranced, +though we might weep at other moments, yet joyance so filled all within +and without, that, if, at this juncture, tidings had been brought us, +that an irruption of the ocean had swallowed up all our brethren of +Pekin; from the pre-occupation of our minds, "poor things," would have +been our only reply, with anguish put off till the morrow. While thus +elevated in the universal current of our feelings, Mrs. Coleridge +approached, with her fine Hartley; we all smiled, but the father's eye +beamed transcendental joy! "But, all things have an end." Yet, pleasant +it is for memory to treasure up in her choicest depository, a few such +scenes, (these sunny spots in existence!) on which the spirit may repose, +when the rough, adverse winds shake and disfigure all besides. + +Although so familiar with the name and character of Charles Lamb, through +the medium of S. T. Coleridge, yet my intercourse (with the exception of +one casual visit) commenced with him in the year 1802, during a residence +of many months in London, when we often met. After this period, from my +residing permanently in Bristol, our acquaintance was intermitted, till +1819, when he requested the loan of a portrait, for the purpose expressed +in the following letter. + + +"Dear Sir, + +It is so long since I have seen or heard from you, that I fear that you +will consider a request I have to make, as impertinent. About three years +since, when I was in Bristol, I made an effort to see you, by calling at +Brunswick Square, but you were from home. The request I have to make, is, +that you would very much oblige me, if you have any small portrait of +yourself, by allowing me to have it copied, to accompany a selection, of +the likenesses of 'Living Bards,' which a most particular friend of mine +is making. If you have no objection, and would oblige me by transmitting +such portrait, I will answer for taking the greatest care of it, and for +its safe return. I hope you will pardon the liberty, + +From an old friend and well wisher, + +Charles Lamb." + + +In consequence of this application, I sent Charles Lamb a portrait, by +Branwhite, and enclosed for his acceptance, the second part of my +"Messiah." When the portrait was returned, it was accompanied with the +following letter, containing a few judicious remarks, such as might have +been expected from one whose judgment Mr. Coleridge so highly estimated. + + +"Dear Sir, + +My friend, whom you have obliged by the loan of your picture, has had it +very nicely copied (and a very spirited drawing it is; so every one +thinks who has seen it.) The copy is not much inferior to yours, done by +a daughter of Joseph's, R. A. + +I accompany the picture with my warm thanks, both for that, and your +better favour the 'Messiah' which I assure you I have read through with +great pleasure. The verses have great sweetness, and a New Testament +plainness about them which affected me very much. I could just wish that +in page 63, you had omitted the lines 71 and 72, and had ended the period +with, + + The willowy brook was there, but that sweet sound-- + When to be heard again on earthly ground!" + +Two very sweet lines, and the sense perfect. + +And in page 154, line 68, + + He spake, 'I come, ordain'd a world to save, + To be baptis'd by thee in Jordan's wave." + +These words are hardly borne out by the story, and seem scarce accordant +with the modesty with which our Lord came to take his common portion +among the baptismal candidates. They also anticipate the beauty of John's +recognition of the Messiah, and the subsequent confirmation by the Voice +and Dove. + +You will excuse the remarks of an old brother bard, whose career, though +long since pretty well stopped, was coeval in its beginning with your +own, and who is sorry his lot has been always to be so distant from you. +It is not likely that C. L. will see Bristol again, but if J. C. should +ever visit London, he will be a most welcome visitor to C. L. My sister +joins in cordial remembrances. + +Dear sir, Yours truly, + +Charles Lamb." + + +Having always entertained for Charles Lamb a very kind feeling, +independently of my admiration of his wit and genius, I requested his +acceptance of my poem of the "Fall of Cambria," to which he sent the +following characteristic reply. + + +"London, India House, May 26, 1829. + +My dear Sir, + +I am quite ashamed of not having acknowledged your kind present earlier, +but that unknown something which was never yet discovered, though so +often speculated upon, which stands in the way of lazy folks' answering +letters, has presented its usual obstacle. It is not forgetfulness, nor +disrespect, nor incivility, but terribly like all these bad things. + +I have been in my time a great Epistolatory scribbler, but the passion, +and with it the facility, at length wears out, and it must be pumped up +again by the heavy machinery of duty or gratitude, when it should run +free. I have read your 'Fall of Cambria' with as much pleasure as I did +your 'Messiah.' Your Cambrian Poem I shall be tempted to repeat oftenest, +as human poems take me in a mood more frequently congenial than divine. +The character of Llewellyn pleases me more than anything else perhaps; +and then some of the Lyrical pieces are fine varieties. + +It was quite a mistake that I could dislike anything you should write +against Lord Byron, for I have a thorough aversion to his character, and +a very moderate admiration of his genius; he is great in so little a way. +To be a poet is to be the man; not a petty portion of occasional low +passion worked up into a permanent form of humanity. Shakspeare has +thrust such rubbishly feelings into a corner--the dark dusky heart of Don +John, in the 'Much Ado about Nothing.' The fact is, I have not seen your +'Expostulatory Epistle' to him. I was not aware, till your question, that +it was out. I shall inquire and get it forthwith. + +Southey is in town, whom I have seen slightly. Wordsworth expected, whom +I hope to see much of. I write with accelerated motion, for I have two or +three bothering clerks and brokers about me, who always press in +proportion as you seem to be doing something that is not business. I +could exclaim a little profanely, but I think you do not like swearing. + +I conclude, begging you to consider that I feel myself much obliged by +your kindness, and shall be most happy at any and at all times to hear +from you. + +Dear Sir, yours truly, + +Charles Lamb." + + +Mr. Coleridge, in the second edition of his poems, transferred some of +the poems which appeared in the first, to a supplement, and, amongst +others, some verses addressed to myself, with the following notice. + +"The first in order of these verses which I have thus endeavoured to +reprieve from immediate oblivion, was originally addressed "To the Author +of Poems published anonymously at Bristol." A second edition of these +poems has lately appeared with the author's name prefixed: (Joseph +Cottle) and I could not refuse myself the gratification of seeing the +name of that man amongst my poems, without whose kindness, they would +probably have remained unpublished; and to whom I know myself greatly, +and variously obliged, as a poet, a man, and a Christian. + + LINES ADDRESSED TO JOSEPH COTTLE. + + My honor'd friend! whose verse concise, yet clear, + Tunes to smooth melody unconquer'd sense, + May your fame fadeless live, "as never seer" + The ivy wreathes yon oak, whose broad defence + Embow'rs me from noon's sultry influence! + For like that nameless riv'let stealing by, + Your modest verse to musing quiet dear + Is rich with tints heaven-borrow'd, the charm'd eye + Shall gaze undazzled there, and love the soften'd sky. + + Circling the base of the poetic mount + A stream there is, which rolls in lazy flow; + Its cold-black waters from oblivion's fount; + The vapour poison'd birds that fly too low, + Fall with dead swoop, and to the bottom go. + Escaped that heavy stream on pinion fleet, + Beneath the mountain's lofty frowning brow, + Ere aught of perilous ascent you meet, + A mead of mildest charm delays the unlab'ring feet. + + Not there the cloud-climb rock, sublime and vast, + That like some giant king, o'er-glooms the hill; + Nor there the pine-grove to the midnight blast + Makes solemn music! But the unceasing rill + To the soft wren or lark's descending trill + Murmurs sweet under-song 'mid jasmine bowers. + In this same pleasant meadow at your will, + I ween, you wander'd--there collecting flow'rs + Of sober tint, and herbs of medicinal powers! + + There for the monarch-murder'd soldier's tomb + You wove the unfinish'd[40] wreath of saddest hues, + And to that holier[41] chaplet added bloom + Besprinkling it with Jordan's cleansing dews. + But lo! your[42] Henderson awakes the Muse-- + His spirit beckon'd from the mountain's height! + You left the plain and soar'd mid richer views! + So nature mourn'd, when sank the first day's light, + With stars, unseen before, spangling her robe of night! + + Still soar my friend those richer views among, + Strong, rapid, fervent, flashing fancy's beam! + Virtue and truth shall love your gentler song: + But Poesy demands th' impassion'd theme: + Wak'd by heaven's silent dews at Eve's mild gleam + What balmy sweets Pomona breathes around? + But if the vex'd air rush a stormy stream, + Or autumn's shrill gust moan in plaintive sound + With fruits and flowers she loads the tempest honor'd ground." + +While the first edition of Mr. Coleridge's poems was in the press, I +received from him the following letter. + + +"My dear Sir, + +... There is a beautiful little poetic epistle of Sara's, which I mean to +print here. What if her epistle to you were likewise printed, so as to +have two of her poems? It is remarkably elegant, and would do honour to +any volume of poems." + + +The first epistle I never received. The second was printed in the first +edition of Mr. C.'s poems, and in no other. On account of its merit it is +here inserted. + + "THE PRODUCTION OF A YOUNG LADY,[43] ADDRESSED TO HER FRIEND, J. + COTTLE. + + * * * * * + + She had lost her thimble, and her complaint being accidentally + overheard by her friend, he immediately sent her four others to take + her choice from. + + * * * * * + + As oft mine eye, with careless glance, + Has gallop'd o'er some old romance, + Of speaking birds, and steeds with wings, + Giants and dwarfs, and fiends, and kings: + Beyond the rest, with more attentive care, + I've loved to read of elfin-favor'd fair-- + How if she longed for aught beneath the sky, + And suffered to escape one votive sigh, + Wafted along on viewless pinions airy, + It kid itself obsequious at her feet: + Such things I thought we might not hope to meet, + Save in the dear delicious land of fairy! + But now (by proof I know it well) + There's still some peril in free wishing-- + Politeness is a licensed spell, + And you, dear sir, the arch-magician. + + You much perplexed me by the various set: + They were indeed an elegant quartette! + My mind went to and fro, and wavered long; + At length I've chosen (Samuel thinks me wrong) + That around whose azure brim, + Silver figures seem to swim, + Like fleece-white clouds, that on the skyey blue, + Waked by no breeze, the self-same shapes retain; + Or ocean nymphs, with limbs of snowy hue, + Slow floating o'er the calm cerulean plain. + + Just such a one, mon cher ami + (The finger-shield of industry,) + The inventive gods, I deem, to Pallas gave, + What time the vain Arachne, madly brave, + Challenged the blue-eyed virgin of the sky + A duel in embroidered work to try. + And hence the thimbled finger of grave Pallas, + To th' erring needle's point was more than callous. + + But, ah, the poor Arachne! she, unarmed, + Blund'ring, through hasty eagerness, alarmed + With all a rival's hopes, a mortal's fears, + Still miss'd the stitch, and stained the web with tears. + Unnumbered punctures, small, yet sore, + Full fretfully the maiden bore, + Till she her lily finger found + Crimson'd with many a tiny wound, + And to her eyes, suffused with watery woe, + Her flower-embroidered web danced dim, I wist, + Like blossom'd shrubs, in a quick-moving mist; + Till vanquish'd, the despairing maid sank low. + + O, Bard! whom sure no common muse inspires, + I heard your verse that glows with vestal fires; + And I from unwatch'd needle's erring point + Had surely suffered on each finger joint, + Those wounds, which erst did poor Arachne meet; + While he, the much-loved object of my choice, + (My bosom thrilling with enthusiast heat) + Pour'd on my ear, with deep impressive voice, + How the great Prophet of the desert stood, + And preach'd of penitence by Jordan's flood: + On war; or else the legendary lays, + In simplest measures hymn'd to Alla's praise; + Or what the Bard from his heart's inmost stores, + O'er his friend's grave in loftier numbers pours: + Yes, Bard polite! you but obey'd the laws + Of justice, when the thimble you had sent; + What wounds your thought-bewildering muse might cause, + 'Tis well, your finger-shielding gifts prevent. + + SARA." + + +"Dear Cottle, + +I have heard nothing of my Tragedy, except some silly remarks of +Kemble's, to whom a friend showed it; it does not appear to me that there +is a shadow of probability that it will be accepted. It gave me no pain, +and great pleasure, in finding that it gave me no pain. + +I had rather hoped than believed that I was possessed of so much +philosophical capability. Sheridan most certainly has not used me with +common justice. The proposal came from himself, and although this +circumstance did not bind him to accept the tragedy, it certainly bound +him to every, and that the earliest, attention to it. I suppose it is +snugly in his green bag, if it have not emigrated to the kitchen. + +I sent to the Monthly Magazine, (1797) three mock Sonnets, in ridicule of +my own Poems, and Charles Lloyd's, and Lamb's, &c. &c. exposing that +affectation of unaffectedness, of jumping and misplaced accent, in +common-place epithets, flat lines forced into poetry by italics, +(signifying how well and mouthishly the author would read them) puny +pathos, &c. &c. the instances were almost all taken from myself, and +Lloyd, and Lamb. + +I signed them 'Nehemiah Higginbotham.' I think they may do good to our +young Bards. + +God love you, + +S. T. C." + +P. S. I am translating the 'Oberon' of Wieland; it is a difficult +language, and I can translate at least as fast as I can construe. I have +made also a very considerable proficiency in the French language, and +study it daily, and daily study the German; so that I am not, and have +not been idle.... + + +SONNETS. + +ATTEMPTED IN THE MANNER OP CONTEMPORARY WRITERS. + + * * * * * + + SONNET I. + + Pensive, at eve, on the hard world I mus'd, + And my poor heart was sad: so at the moon + I gazed, and sigh'd, and sigh'd! for ah! how soon + Eve darkens into night! Mine eye perus'd + With tearful vacancy the dampy grass, + Which wept and glitter'd in the paly ray: + And I did pause me on my lonely way, + And muse me on those wretched ones, who pass + O'er the black heath of sorrow. But alas! + Most of MYSELF I thought: when it befel + That the sooth SPIRIT of the breezy wood + Breath'd in mine ear--"All this is very well; + But much of _one_ thing is for _no-thing_ good." + Ah! my poor heart's inexplicable swell! + + NEHEMIAH HIGGINBOTHAM. + + + SONNET II. + + TO SIMPLICITY. + + O! I do love thee, meek simplicity! + For of thy lays, the lulling simpleness + Goes to my heart, and soothes each small distress, + Distress, though small, yet haply great to me! + 'Tis true, on lady fortune's gentlest pad, + I amble on; yet, though I know not why, + So sad I am!--but should a friend and I + Grow cool and miff, oh, I am very sad! + And then with sonnets, and with sympathy. + My dreamy bosom's mystic woes I pall; + Now of my false friend 'plaining plaintively, + Now raving at mankind in gener-al + But whether sad or fierce, 'tis simple all, + All very simple, meek SIMPLICITY! + + NEHEMIAH HIGGINBOTHAM. + + + SONNET III. + + ON A RUINED HOUSE WHICH JACK BUILT. + + And this reft house is that, the which he built, + Lamented Jack! and here his malt he piled, + Cautious in vain! These rats that squeak'd so wild, + Squeak, not unconscious of their fathers' guilt. + Did ye not see her gleaming through the glade? + Belike 'twas she, the Maiden all forlorn. + What though she milk no cow with crumpled horn, + Yet, aye she haunts the dale where erst she stray'd: + And, aye beside her stalks her amorous knight! + Still on his thighs his wonted brogues are worn, + And through those brogues, still tatter'd and betorn, + His hindward charms gleam an unearthly white; + As when through broken clouds, at night's high moon. + Peeps in fair fragments forth--the full-orb'd harvest moon! + + NEHEMIAH HIGGINBOTHAM.[44] + +The moralist rightly says, "There is nothing permanent in this uncertain +world;" and even most friendships do not partake of the "Munition of +Rocks." + +Alas! the spirit of impartiality now compels me to record, that the +inseparable Trio; even the three "Groscolliases" themselves, had, somehow +or other, been touched with the negative magnet, and their particles, in +opposition, flew off "as far as from hence to the utmost pole." I never +rightly understood the cause of this dissension, but shrewdly suspected +that that unwelcome and insidious intruder, Mr. Nehemiah Higginbotham, +had no inconsiderable share in it. + +Mr. C. even determined in his third projected edition, (1798) that the +production of his two late friends should be excluded. The three next +letters refer to this unpleasant affair. It is hardly necessary to add, +that the difference was of short continuance. + +The Latin motto, prefixed to the second edition of Mr. C.'s poems, +puzzled everybody to know from what author it was derived. One and +another inquired of me, to no purpose, and expressed a wish that Mr. C. +had been clearer in his citation, as "no one could understand it." On my +naming this to Mr. Coleridge, he laughed heartily, and said, "It was all +a hoax." "Not meeting" said he, "with a suitable motto, I invented one, +and with references purposely obscure," as will be explained in the next +letter.[45] + + +"March 8th, 1798. + +My dear Cottle, + +I have been confined to my bed for some days, through a fever occasioned +by the stump of a tooth, which baffled chirurgical efforts to eject, and +which, by affecting my eye, affected my stomach, and through that my +whole frame. I am better, but still weak, in consequence of such long +sleeplessness and wearying pains; weak, very weak. I thank you, my dear +friend, for your late kindness, and in a few weeks will either repay you +in money, or by verses, as you like. "With regard to Lloyd's verses, it +is curious that I should be applied to, 'to be persuaded to resign' and +in hopes that I might 'consent to give up' (unknown by whom) a number of +poems which were published at the earnest request of the author, who +assured me, that the circumstance was of 'no trivial import to his +happiness'! + +Times change and people change; but let us keep our souls in quietness! I +have no objection to any disposal of Lloyd's poems except that of their +being republished with mine. The motto which I had prefixed--"Duplex, +&c." from Groscollias, has placed me in a ridiculous situation, but it +was a foolish and presumptuous start of affectionateness, and I am not +unwilling to incur the punishment due to my folly. By past experiences we +build up our moral being. God bless you, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +A reference to this "stump of a tooth." was more particularly made, in +the following letter to Mr. Wade. + + +"March 21st, 1798. + +My very dear friend, + +I have even now returned from a little excursion that I have taken for +the confirmation of my health, which had suffered a rude assault from the +anguish of the stump of a tooth which had baffled the attempts of our +surgeon here, and which confined me to my bed. I suffered much from the +disease, and more from the doctor; rather than again put my mouth into +his hands, I would put my hands into a lion's mouth. I am happy to hear +of, and should be most happy to see, the plumpness and progression of +your dear boy; but-yes, my dear Wade, it must be a but, much as I hate +the word but. Well,--but I cannot attend the chemical lectures. I have +many reasons, but the greatest, or at least the most ostensible reason, +is, that I cannot leave Mrs. C. at that time; our house is an +uncomfortable one; our surgeon may be, for aught I know, a lineal +descendant of Esculapius himself, but if so, in the repeated transfusion +of life from father to son, through so many generations, the wit and +knowledge, being subtle spirits, have evaporated.... + +Ever your grateful and affectionate friend, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +"1798. + +My dear Cottle, + +I regret that aught should have disturbed our tranquillity; respecting +Lloyd, I am willing to believe myself in part mistaken, and so let all +things be as before. I have no wish respecting these poems, either for or +against re-publication with mine. As to the third edition, if there be +occasion for it immediately, it must be published with some alterations, +but no additions or omissions. The Pixies, Chatterton, and some dozen +others, shall be printed at the end of the volume, under the title of +Juvenile Poems, and in this case I will send you the volume immediately. +But if there be no occasion for the volume to go to press for ten weeks, +at the expiration of that time, I would make it a volume worthy of me, +and omit utterly near one-half of the present volume--a sacrifice to +pitch black oblivion.[46] + +Whichever be the case, I will repay you the money you have paid for me, +in money, and in a few weeks; or if you should prefer the latter +proposal, i. e. the not sending me to the press for ten weeks, I should +insist on considering the additions, however large, as my payment to you +for the omissions, which, indeed, would be but strict justice. + +I am requested by Wordsworth, to put to you the following questions. What +could you, conveniently and prudently, and what would you give +for--first, our two Tragedies, with small prefaces, containing an +analysis of our principal characters? Exclusive of the prefaces, the +tragedies are, together, five thousand lines; which, in printing, from +the dialogue form, and directions respecting actors and scenery, are at +least equal to six thousand. To be delivered to you within a week of the +date of your answer to this letter; and the money which you offer, to be +paid to us at the end of four months from the same date; none to be paid +before, all to be paid then. + +Second.--Wordsworth's 'Salisbury Plain,' and 'Tale of a Woman'; which two +poems, with a few others which he will add, and the notes, will make a +volume. This to be delivered to you within three weeks of the date of +your answer, and the money to be paid as before, at the end of four +months from the present date. + +Do not, my dearest Cottle, harass yourself about the imagined great merit +of the compositions, or be reluctant to offer what you can prudently +offer, from an idea that the poems are worth more. But calculate what you +can do, with reference simply to yourself, and answer as speedily as you +can; and believe me your sincere, grateful, and affectionate friend and +brother, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +I offered Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Wordsworth, thirty guineas each, as +proposed, for their two tragedies; but which, after some hesitation, was +declined, from the hope of introducing one, or both, on the stage. The +volume of Poems was left for some future arrangement. + + +"My dear Cottle, + +I never involved you in the bickering, and never suspected you, in any +one action of your life, of practising guile against any human being, +except yourself. + +Your letter supplied only one in a link of circumstances, that informed +me of some things, and perhaps deceived me in others. I shall write +to-day to Lloyd. I do not think I shall come to Bristol for these +lectures of which you speak.[47] I ardently wish for the knowledge, but +Mrs. Coleridge is within a month of her confinement, and I cannot, I +ought not to leave her; especially as her surgeon is not a John Hunter, +nor my house likely to perish from a plethora of comforts. Besides, there +are other things that might disturb that evenness of benevolent feeling, +which I wish to cultivate. + +I am much better, and at present at Allfoxden, and my new and tender +health is all over me like a voluptuous feeling. God bless you, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +When the before noticed dissension occurred, Charles Lamb and Charles +Lloyd, between whom a strong friendship had latterly sprung up, became +alienated from Mr. Coleridge, and cherished something of an indignant +feeling. Strange as it may appear, C. Lamb determined to desert the +inglorious ground of neutrality, and to commence active operations +against his late friend; but the arrows were taken from his own peculiar +armoury; tipped, not with iron, but wit. He sent Mr. Coleridge the +following letter. Mr. Coleridge gave me this letter, saying, "These young +visionaries will do each other no good." The following is Charles Lamb's +letter to Mr. C. + + + "THESES QUAEDAM THEOLOGICAE. + + 1st. Whether God loves a lying angel better than a true man? + + 2nd. Whether the archangel Uriel could affirm an untruth, and if he + could, whether he would? + + 3rd. Whether honesty be an angelic virtue, or not rather to be + reckoned among those qualities which the school-men term 'Virtutes + minus splendidae'? + + 4th. Whether the higher order of Seraphim illuminati ever sneer? + + 5th. Whether pure intelligences can love? + + 6th. Whether the Seraphim ardentes do not manifest their virtues, by + the way of vision and theory; and whether practice be not a + sub-celestial and merely human virtue? + + 7th. Whether the vision beatific be anything more or less than a + perpetual representment, to each individual angel, of his own present + attainments, and future capabilities, somehow in the manner of mortal + looking-glasses, reflecting a perpetual complacency and self + satisfaction? + + 8th. and last. Whether an immortal and amenable soul may not come to + be condemned at last, and the man never suspect it beforehand? + +Learned Sir, my friend, + +Presuming on our long habits of friendship, and emboldened further by +your late liberal permission to avail myself of your correspondence, in +case I want any knowledge, (which I intend to do, when I have no +Encyclopedia, or Ladies Magazine at hand to refer to, in any matter of +science,) I now submit to your enquiries the above theological +propositions, to be by you defended or oppugned, or both, in the schools +of Germany, whither, I am told, you are departing, to the utter +dissatisfaction of your native Devonshire, and regret of universal +England; but to my own individual consolation, if, through the channel of +your wished return, learned sir, my friend, may be transmitted to this +our island, from those famous theological wits of Leipsic and Gottingen, +any rays of illumination, in vain to be derived from the home growth of +our English halls and colleges. Finally wishing, learned sir, that you +may see Schiller, and swing in a wood, (vide poems) and sit upon a tun, +and eat fat hams of Westphalia, + +I remain, + +Your friend and docile pupil, to instruct, + +Charles Lamb." + + +Mr. Coleridge, at first, appeared greatly hurt at this letter; an +impression which I endeavoured to counteract, by considering it as a +slight ebullition of feeling that would soon subside; and which happily +proved to be the case. I also felt concern, not only that there should be +a dissension between old friends, but lest Mr. Coleridge should be +inconvenienced in a pecuniary way by the withdrawal of C. Lloyd from his +domestic roof. To restore and heal, therefore, I wrote a conciliatory +letter to Charles Lloyd, to which he thus replied. + + +"Birmingham, 7th June, 1798. + +My dear Cottle, + +I thank you many times for your pleasing intelligence respecting +Coleridge. I cannot think that I have acted with, or from, passion +towards him. Even my solitary night thoughts have been easy and calm when +they have dwelt on him.... I love Coleridge, and can forget all that has +happened. + +At present, I could not well go to Stowey. I could scarcely excuse so +sudden a removal from my parents. Lamb quitted me yesterday, after a +fortnight's visit. I have been much interested in his society. I never +knew him so happy in my life. I shall write to Coleridge today. + +God bless you, my dear friend, + +C. Lloyd, Jun." + + +Mr. C. up to this day, Feb. 18th, 1798, held, though laxly, the doctrines +of Socinus. On the Rev. Mr. Rowe, of Shrewsbury, the Unitarian minister, +coming to settle in Bristol, Mr. Coleridge was strongly recommended by +his friends of that persuasion, to offer himself as Mr. R.'s successor; +and he accordingly went on probation to Shrewsbury. + +It is proper here to mention, in order that this subject may be the +better understood, that Mr. Poole, two or three years before, had +introduced Mr. Coleridge to Mr. Thomas Wedgewood. This gentleman formed a +high opinion of Mr. C.'s talents, and felt an interest in his welfare. At +the time Mr. Coleridge was hesitating whether or not he should persist in +offering himself to the Shrewsbury congregation, and so finally settle +down into an Unitarian minister, Mr. T. Wedgewood having heard of the +circumstance, and fearing that a pastoral engagement might operate +unfavourably on his literary pursuits, interfered, as will appear by the +following letter of Mr. Coleridge to Mr. Wade. + + +"Stowey, + +My very dear friend, + +This last fortnight has been very eventful. I received one hundred pounds +from Josiah Wedgewood, in order to prevent the necessity of my going into +the ministry. I have received an invitation from Shrewsbury, to be +minister there; and after fluctuations of mind, which have for nights +together robbed me of sleep, and I am afraid of health, I have at length +returned the order to Mr. Wedgwood, with a long letter, explanatory of my +conduct, and accepted the Shrewsbury invitation...." + + +Mr. T. Wedgewood still adhering to his first opinion that Mr. Coleridge's +acceptance of the proposed engagement, would seriously obstruct his +literary efforts; sent Mr. C. a letter, in which himself and his brother, +Mr. Josiah Wedgwood, promised, conjointly, to allow him for his life, one +hundred and fifty pounds a year. This decided Mr. Coleridge to reject the +Shrewsbury invitation. He was oppressed with grateful emotions to these +his liberal benefactors, and always spoke, in particular, of the late Mr. +Thomas Wedgewood as being one of the best talkers, and as possessing one +of the acutest minds, of any man he had known. + +The following is Mr. Coleridge's hasty reply to Mr. Wedgewood. + + +"Shrewsbury, Friday night, 1798. + +My dear sir, + +I have this moment received your letter, and have scarcely more than a +moment to answer it by return of post. If kindly feeling can be repaid by +kindly feeling, I am not your debtor. I would wish to express the, same +thing which is big at my heart, but I know not how to do it without +indelicacy. As much abstracted from personal feeling as possible, I honor +and esteem you for that which you have done. + +I must of necessity stay here till the close of Sunday next. On Monday +morning I shall leave it, and on Tuesday will be with you at Cote-House. + +Very affectionately yours, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +T. Wedgewood, Esq." + + +While the affair was in suspense, a report was current in Bristol, that +Mr. Coleridge had rejected the Messrs. Wedgewoods' offer, which the +Unitarians in both towns ardently desired. Entertaining a contrary wish, +I addressed a letter to Mr. C. stating the report, and expressing a hope +that it had no foundation. The following satisfactory answer was +immediately returned. + + +"My very dear Cottle, + +The moment I received Mr. T. Wedgewood's letter, I accepted his offer. +How a contrary report could arise, I cannot guess.... + +I hope to see you at the close of next week. I have been respectfully and +kindly treated at Shrewsbury. I am well, and now, and ever, + +Your grateful and affectionate friend, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +In the year 1798, Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Wordsworth determined upon +visiting Germany. A knowledge of this fact will elucidate some of the +succeeding letters. + + +"Feb. 18, 1798. + +My dear Cottle, + +I have finished my Ballad, it is 340 lines; I am going on with my +'Visions': altogether (for I shall print two scenes of my Tragedy, as +fragments) I can add 1500 lines; now what do you advise? Shall I add my +Tragedy, and so make a second volume? or shall I pursue my first +intention of inserting 1500 in the third edition? If you should advise a +second volume, should you wish, i. e. find it convenient, to be the +purchaser? I ask this question, because I wish you to know the true state +of my present circumstances. I have received nothing yet from the +Wedgewoods, and my money is utterly expended. + +A friend of mine wanted five guineas for a little while, which I borrowed +of Poole, as for myself, I do not like therefore to apply to him. Mr. +Estlin has some little money I believe in his hands, but I received from +him before I went to Shrewsbury, fifteen pounds, and I believe that this +was an anticipation of the five guinea presents, which my friends would +have made in March. But (this affair of the Messrs. Wedgewoods turning +out) the money in Mr. Estlin's hand must go towards repaying him that sum +which he suffered me to anticipate. Meantime I owe Biggs £5. which is +heavy on my thoughts, and Mrs. I has not been paid her last quarter which +is still heavier. As to myself, I can continue to go on here, but this +£10 I must pay somehow, that is £5 to Biggs, and £5 to Mrs. F.... + +God bless you, + +S. T. Coleridge." + +P.S. This week I purpose offering myself to the Bridgwater Socinian +congregation, as assistant minister, without any salary, directly, or +indirectly; but of this say not a word to any one, unless you see Mr. +Estlin. + + +A visit to Mr. Coleridge at Stowey, had been the means of my introduction +to Mr. Wordsworth, who read me many of his Lyrical Pieces, when I +immediately perceived in them extraordinary merit, and advised him to +publish them, expressing a belief that they would be well received. I +further said he should be at no risk; that I would give him the same sum +which I had given to Mr. Coleridge and to Mr. Southey, and that it would +be a gratifying circumstance to me, to have been the publisher of the +first volumes of three such poets, as Southey, Coleridge, and Wordsworth; +such a distinction might never again occur to a Provincial bookseller. + +To the idea of publishing he expressed a strong objection, and after +several interviews, I left him, with an earnest wish that he would +reconsider his determination. + +Soon after Mr. Wordsworth sent me the following letter. + + +"Allfoxden, 12th April, 1798. + +My dear Cottle, + +... You will be pleased to hear that I have gone on very rapidly adding +to my stock of poetry. Do come and let me read it to you, under the old +trees in the park. We have a little more than two months to stay in this +place. Within these four days the season has advanced with greater +rapidity than I ever remember, and the country becomes almost every hour +more lovely. God bless you, + +Your affectionate friend, + +W. Wordsworth." + + +A little time after, I received an invitation from Mr. Coleridge to pay +himself and Mr. Wordsworth another visit. At about the same time, I +received the following corroborative invitation from Mr. Wordsworth. + + +"Dear Cottle, We look for you with great impatience. We will never +forgive you if you do not come. I say nothing of the 'Salisbury Plain' +till I see you. I am determined to finish it, and equally so that you +shall publish. + +I have lately been busy about another plan, which I do not wish to +mention till I see you; let this be very, very soon, and stay a week if +possible; as much longer as you can. God bless you, dear Cottle, + +Yours sincerely, + +W. Wordsworth. + +Allfoxden, 9th May, 1798." + + +The following letter also on this subject, was received from Mr. +Coleridge. + + +"My dear Cottle, + +Neither Wordsworth nor myself could have been otherwise than +uncomfortable, if any but yourself had received from us the first offer +of our Tragedies, and of the volume of Wordsworth's Poems. At the same +time, we did not expect that you could with prudence and propriety, +advance such a sum as we should want at the time we specified. In short, +we both regard the publication of our Tragedies as an evil. It is not +impossible but that in happier times, they may be brought on the stage: +and to throw away this chance for a mere trifle, would be to make the +present moment act fraudulently and usuriously towards the future time. + +My Tragedy employed and strained all my thoughts and faculties for six or +seven months; Wordsworth consumed far more time, and far more thought, +and far more genius. We consider the publication of them an evil on any +terms; but our thoughts were bent on a plan for the accomplishment of +which, a certain sum of money was necessary, (the whole) at that +particular time, and in order to this we resolved, although reluctantly, +to part with our Tragedies: that is, if we could obtain thirty guineas +for each, and at less than thirty guineas Wordsworth will not part with +the copy-right of his volume of Poems. We shall offer the Tragedies to no +one, for we have determined to procure the money some other way. If you +choose the volume of Poems, at the price mentioned, to be paid at the +time specified, i. e. thirty guineas, to be paid sometime in the last +fortnight of July, you may have them; but remember, my dear fellow! I +write to you now merely as a bookseller, and intreat you, in your answer, +to consider yourself only; as to us, although money is necessary to our +plan, [that of visiting Germany] yet the plan is not necessary to our +happiness; and if it were, W. could sell his Poems for that sum to some +one else, or we could procure the money without selling the Poems. So I +entreat you, again and again, in your answer, which must be immediate, +consider yourself only. + +Wordsworth has been caballed against _so long and so loudly_, that he has +found it impossible to prevail on the tenant of the Allfoxden estate, to +let him the house, after their first agreement is expired, so he must +quit it at Midsummer; whether we shall be able to procure him a house and +furniture near Stowey, we know not, and yet we must: for the hills, and +the woods, and the streams, and the sea, and the shores, would break +forth into reproaches against us, if we did not strain every nerve, to +keep their poet among them. Without joking, and in serious sadness, Poole +and I cannot endure to think of losing him. + +At all events, come down, Cottle, as soon as you can, but before +Midsummer, and we will procure a horse easy as thy own soul, and we will +go on a roam to Linton and Limouth, which, if thou comest in May, will be +in all their pride of woods and waterfalls, not to speak of its august +cliffs, and the green ocean, and the vast Valley of Stones, all which +live disdainful of the seasons, or accept new honours only from the +winter's snow. At all events come down, and cease not to believe me much +and affectionately your friend, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +In consequence of these conjoint invitations, I spent a week with Mr. C. +and Mr. W. at Allfoxden house, and during this time, (beside the reading +of MS. poems) they took me to Limouth, and Linton, and the Valley of +Stones. This beautiful and august scenery, might suggest many remarks, as +well as on our incidents upon the way, but I check the disposition to +amplify, from recollecting the extent to which an unconstrained +indulgence in narrative had formerly led me, in the affair of Tintern +Abbey. + +At this interview it was determined, that the volume should be published +under the title of "Lyrical ballads," on the terms stipulated in a former +letter: that this volume should not contain the poem of "Salisbury +Plain," but only an extract from it; that it should not contain the poem +of "Peter Bell," but consist rather of sundry shorter poems, and, for the +most part, of pieces more recently written. I had recommended two +volumes, but one was fixed on, and that to be published anonymously. It +was to be begun immediately, and with the "Ancient Mariner;" which poem I +brought with me to Bristol. A day or two after I received the following. + + +"My dear Cottle, + +You know what I think of a letter, how impossible it is to argue in it. +You must therefore take simple statements, and in a week or two, I shall +see you, and endeavour to reason with you. + +Wordsworth and I have duly weighed your proposal, and this is an answer. +He would not object to the publishing of 'Peter Bell,' or the 'Salisbury +Plain' singly; but to the publishing of his poems in two volumes, he is +decisively repugnant and oppugnant. + +He deems that they would want variety, &c. &c. If this apply in his case, +it applies with ten-fold more force to mine. We deem that the volumes +offered to you, are, to a certain degree, one work in kind, though not in +degree, as an ode is one work; and that our different poems are, as +stanzas, good, relatively rather than absolutely: mark you, I say in +kind, though not in degree. As to the Tragedy, when I consider it in +reference to Shakspeare's, and to one other Tragedy, it seems a poor +thing, and I care little what becomes of it. When I consider it in +comparison with modern dramatists, it rises: and I think it too bad to be +published, too good to be squandered. I think of breaking it up; the +planks are sound, and I will build a new ship of the old materials. + +The dedication to the Wedgewoods, which you recommend, would be +indelicate and unmeaning. If, after four or five years, I shall have +finished some work of importance, which could not have been written, but +in an unanxious seclusion, to them I will dedicate it; for the public +will have owed the work to them who gave me the power of that unanxious +seclusion. + +As to anonymous publications, depend on it, you are deceived. +Wordsworth's name is nothing to a large number of persons; mine stinks. +The 'Essay on Man,' the 'Botanic Garden,' the 'Pleasures of Memory,' and +many other most popular works, were published anonymously. However, I +waive all reasoning, and simply state it as an unaltered opinion, that +you should proceed as before, with the 'Ancient Mariner.' + +The picture shall be sent.[48] For your love gifts and book-loans accept +our hearty love. The 'Joan of Arc' is a divine book; it opens lovelily. I +hope that you will take off some half dozen of our Poems on great paper, +even as the 'Joan of Arc.' + +Cottle, my dear Cottle, I meant to have written you an Essay on the +Metaphysics of Typography, but I have not time. Take a few hints, without +the abstruse reasons for them, with which I mean to favour you. 18 lines +in a page, the line closely printed, certainly more closely printed than +those of the 'Joan;'[49] ('Oh, by all means, closer, _W. Wordsworth_') +equal ink, and large margins; that is beauty; it may even, under your +immediate care, mingle the sublime! And now, my dear Cottle, may God love +you and me, who am, with most unauthorish feelings, + +Your true friend, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +P. S. I walked to Linton the day after you left us, and returned on +Saturday. I walked in one day, and returned in one." + + +A reference is made by Mr. Coleridge, in a letter (p. 177 [Letter +starting with "Neither Wordsworth nor myself...." Transcriber.]) to the +"caballing, long and loud" against Mr. Wordsworth, and which occasioned +him to remove from Somersetshire. To learn the nature of this annoyance, +may furnish some little amusement to the reader, while Mr. W. himself +will only smile at trifling incidents, that are now, perhaps, scarcely +remembered. + +Mr. W. had taken the Allfoxden House, near Stowey, for one year, (during +the minority of the heir) and the reason why he was refused a +continuance, by the ignorant man who had the letting of it, arose, as Mr. +Coleridge informed me, from a whimsical cause, or rather a series of +causes. The wiseacres of the village had, it seemed, made Mr. W. the +subject of their serious conversation. One said that "He had seen him +wander about by night, and look rather strangely at the moon! and then, +he roamed over the hills, like a partridge." Another said, "He had heard +him mutter, as he walked, in some outlandish brogue, that nobody could +understand!" Another said, "It's useless to talk, Thomas, I think he is +what people call a 'wise man.'" (a conjuror!) Another said, "You are +every one of you wrong. I know what he is. We have all met him, tramping +away toward the sea. Would any man in his senses, take all that trouble +to look at a parcel of water! I think he carries on a snug business in +the smuggling line, and, in these journies, is on the look out for some +wet cargo!" Another very significantly said, "I know that he has got a +private still in his cellar, for I once passed his house, at a little +better than a hundred yards distance, and I could smell the spirits, as +plain as an ashen fagot at Christmas!" Another said, "However that was, +he is sure_ly_ a desperd French jacobin, for he is so silent and dark, +that nobody ever heard him say one word about politics!" And thus these +ignoramuses drove from their village, a greater ornament than will ever +again be found amongst them. + +In order to continue the smile on the reader's countenance, I may be +allowed to state a trifling circumstance, which at this moment forces +itself on my recollection. + +A visit to Mr. Coleridge, at Stowey, in the year 1797, had been the means +of my introduction to Mr. Wordsworth. Soon after our acquaintance had +commenced, Mr. W. happened to be in Bristol, and asked me to spend a day +or two with him at Allfoxden. I consented, and drove him down in a gig. +We called for Mr. Coleridge, Miss Wordsworth, and the servant, at Stowey, +and they walked, while we rode on to Mr. W.'s house at Allfoxden, distant +two or three miles, where we purposed to dine. A London alderman would +smile at our prepation, or bill of fare. It consisted, of philosophers' +viands; namely, a bottle of brandy, a noble loaf, and a stout piece of +cheese; and as there were plenty of lettuces in the garden, with all +these comforts we calculated on doing very well. + +Our fond hopes, however, were somewhat damped, by finding, that our +"stout piece of cheese" had vanished! A sturdy _rat_ of a beggar, whom we +had relieved on the road, with his olfactories all alive, no doubt, +_smelt_ our cheese, and while we were gazing at the magnificent clouds, +contrived to abstract our treasure! Cruel tramp! An ill return for our +pence! We both wished the rind might not choke him! The mournful fact was +ascertained a little before we drove into the courtyard of the house. Mr. +Coleridge bore the loss with great fortitude, observing, that we should +never starve with a loaf of bread, and a bottle of brandy. He now, with +the dexterity of an adept, admired by his friends around, unbuckled the +horse, and, putting down the shafts with a jerk, as a triumphant +conclusion of his work, lo! the bottle of brandy that had been placed +most carefully behind us on the seat, from the force of gravity, suddenly +rolled down, and before we could arrest this spirituous avalanche, +pitching right on the stones, was dashed to pieces. We all beheld the +spectacle, silent and petrified! We might have collected the broken +fragments of glass, but the brandy! that was gone! clean gone![50] + +One little untoward thing often follows another, and while the rest stood +musing, chained to the place, regaling themselves with the Cogniac +effluvium, and all miserably chagrined, I led the horse to the stable, +when a fresh perplexity arose. I removed the harness without difficulty, +but after many strenuous attempts, I could not get off the collar. In +despair, I called for assistance, when aid soon drew near. Mr. Wordsworth +first brought his ingenuity into exercise, but after several unsuccessful +efforts, he relinquished the achievement, as a thing altogether +impracticable. Mr. Coleridge now tried his hand, but showed no more +grooming skill than his predecessors; for after twisting the poor horse's +neck almost to strangulation, and to the great danger of his eyes, he +gave up the useless task, pronouncing that the horse's head must have +grown, (gout or dropsy!) since the collar was put on! for, he said, it +was a downright impossibility for such a huge Os Frontis to pass through +so narrow a collar! Just at this instant the servant girl came near, and +understanding the cause of our consternation, "La, Master," said she, +"you do not go about the work in the right way. You should do like as +this," when turning the collar completely upside down, she slipped it off +in a moment, to our great humiliation and wonderment; each satisfied, +afresh, that there were heights of knowledge in the world, to which we +had not yet attained. + +We were now summoned to dinner, and a dinner it was, such as every +_blind_ and starving man in the three kingdoms would have rejoiced to +_behold_. At the top of the table stood a superb brown loaf. The centre +dish presented a pile of the true coss lettuces, and at the bottom +appeared an empty plate, where the "stout piece of cheese" _ought_ to +have stood! (cruel mendicant!) and though the brandy was "clean gone," +yet its place was well, if not _better_ supplied by an abundance of fine +sparkling Castalian champagne! A happy thought at this time started into +one of our minds, that some condiment would render the lettuces a little +more palatable, when an individual in the company, recollected a +question, once propounded by the most patient of men, "How can that which +is unsavoury be eaten without _salt?_" and asked for a little of that +valuable culinary article. "Indeed, sir," Betty replied, "I quite forgot +to buy salt." A general laugh followed the announcement, in which our +host heartily joined. This was nothing. We had plenty of other good +things, and while crunching our succulents, and munching our crusts, we +pitied the far worse condition of those, perchance as hungry as +ourselves, who were forced to dine, off aether alone. For our next meal, +the mile-off village furnished all that could be desired, and these +trifling incidents present the sum and the result of half the little +passing disasters of life. + +The "Lyrical Ballads" were published about Midsummer, 1798. In September +of the same year, Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Wordsworth left England for +Germany, and I quitted the business of a bookseller. Had I not once been +such, this book would never have appeared. + + * * * * * + +The narrative of Mr. Coleridge being concluded to the time when he left +Bristol, with Mr. Wordsworth, to visit Germany, I shall now, for the +present, leave him; and direct the reader's attention to Mr. Southey, by +introducing a portion of his long-continued correspondence with myself; +but it may not be inappropriate to offer a few preliminary remarks:-- + +The following letters will exhibit the genuine character of Mr. Southey +through the whole of his literary life. In the earlier periods, a playful +hilarity will be found; but this buoyancy of spirit, when prevailing to +excess, (in the constitutionally cheerful, such as was Mr. S.) is +generally modified, if not subdued, by the sobering occurrences of after +life. Letters, like the present, possess some peculiar advantages. +Whenever, as in this instance, epistles are written through a series of +years, to one person, the writer's mind is presented, under different +aspects, while the identity is preserved. This benefit is greatly +diminished, when, in a promiscuous correspondence, letters are addressed +to a diversity of persons; often of different habits, and pursuits, where +the writer must be compelled, occasionally, to moderate his expressions; +to submit in some measure to mental restraint, by the necessity he is +under to curb the flow of his spontaneous feeling. Besides this freedom +from comparative bondage, one other advantage is derived from these +continuous, and unconstrained letters to a single friend. A writer, in +all his letters, from addressing one, for the most part, of congenial +sympathies, expresses himself with less reserve; with more of the +interior poured out; and consequently he maintains a freedom from that +formality of essay-like sentences, which often resemble beautiful +statues, fair, but cold and wanting life. + +When, during the Revolutionary war, disgusted with the excesses of the +Trench, Mr. Southey saw it right, from a Foxite, to become a Pittite, +some who did not know him, ascribed his change of sentiment to unworthy +motives; of this number was my esteemed friend the late Rev. John Foster, +who whilst freely admitting Mr. Southey's great attainments and +distinguished genius, regarded his mind as injuriously biassed. He +thought Mm a betrayer of his political friends. No countervailing effect +was produced by affirming his uprightness, and the temperance with which +he still spake of those from whom he was compelled to differ. He was told +that Mr. Southey was no blind political partisan, but an honest +vindicator of what, in his conscience, he believed to be right--that no +earthly consideration could have tempted him to swerve from the plain +paths of truth and justice. An appeal was made to his writings, which +manifested great moderation: and as it respected the Church, the London, +and the Baptist Missionary Societies, it might be said, that he +courageously stood forth to vindicate them in the Quarterly, at a +critical time, when those Societies had been assailed by Sydney Smith, in +the Edinburgh Review. All proved unavailing. At length I submitted to Mr. +Foster's inspection, Mr. Southey's correspondence for more than forty +years, where, in the disclosure of the heart's deepest recesses, the +undisguised character distinctly appears. He read, he admired, he +recanted. In a letter to myself on returning the MS. he thus wrote: "The +letters exhibit Southey as a man of sterling worth,--of sound +principles;--faithfulness to old friendship, generosity, and, I trust I +may say, genuine religion." And Mr. F. ever after expressed the same +sentiments to his friends. It is confidently hoped that similar instances +of unfavourable prepossession, may be corrected by the same means. + +In his "Friend" Mr. Coleridge thus refers to his early schemes of +Pantisocracy. + + "Truth I pursued, as fancy led the way + And wiser men than I went worse astray." + + "From my earliest manhood I perceived that if the people at large + were neither ignorant nor immoral, there could be no motive for a + sudden and violent change of Government; and if they were, there + could be no hope but a change for the worse. My feelings and + imagination did not remain unkindled in this general conflagration + (the French Revolution) and I confess I should be more inclined to be + ashamed than proud of myself if they had. I was a sharer in the + general vortex, though my little world described the path of its + revolution in an orbit of its own. What I dared not expect from + constitutions of Government and whole nations, I hoped from religion, + and a small company of chosen individuals, formed a plan, as harmless + as it was extravagant, of trying the experiment of human + perfectibility on the banks of the Susquehannah; where our little + society, in its second generation, was to have combined the innocence + of the patriarchal age with the knowledge and genuine refinements of + European culture; and where I dreamt that in the sober evening of my + life, I should behold the cottages of Independence in the undivided + dale of liberty, + + 'And oft, soothed sadly by the dirgeful wind + Muse on the sore ills I had left behind.' + + Strange fancies! and as vain as strange! Yet to the intense interest + and impassioned zeal, which called forth and strained every faculty + of my intellect for the organization and defence of this scheme, I + owe much of whatever I at present possess,--my clearest insight into + the nature of individual man, and my most comprehensive views of his + social relations, of the true uses of trade and commerce, and how far + the wealth and relative power of nations promote or impede their + inherent strength." + +The following is Mr. Coleridge's estimate of Mr. Southey. + + "Southey stands second to no man, either as an historian or as a + bibliographer; and when I regard him as a popular essayist, I look in + vain for any writer who has conveyed so much information, from so + many and such recondite sources, with so many just and original + reflections, in a style so lively and poignant, yet so uniformly + classical and perspicuous; no one, in short, who has combined so much + wisdom, with so much wit; so much truth and knowledge, with so much + life and fancy. His prose is always intelligible, and always + entertaining. It is Southey's almost unexampled felicity, to possess + the best gifts of talent and genius, free from all their + characteristic defects. As son, brother, husband, father, master, + friend, he moves with firm, yet light steps, alike unostentatious, + and alike exemplary. As a writer he has uniformly made his talents + subservient to the best interests of humanity, of public virtue, and + domestic piety; his cause has ever been the cause of pure religion, + and of liberty, of national independence, and of national + illumination."--_Bio. Lit._ + +The reader has several times heard of Pantisocracy; a scheme perfectly +harmless in itself, though obnoxious to insuperable objections. The +ingenious devisers of this state of society, gradually withdrew from it +their confidence; not in the first instance without a struggle; but cool +reflection presented so many obstacles, that the plan, of itself, as the +understanding expanded, gradually dissolved into "thin air." A friend had +suggested the expediency of first trying the plan in Wales, but even this +less exceptionable theatre of experiment was soon abandoned, and sound +sense obtained its rightful empire. + +It was mentioned in a former part, that Mr. Southey was the first to +abandon the scheme of American colonization; and that, in confirmation, +towards the conclusion of 1795, he accompanied his uncle, the Rev. +Herbert Hill, Chaplain to the English factory at Lisbon, through some +parts of Spain and Portugal; of which occurrence, Mr. S.'s entertaining +"Letters" from those countries are the result; bearing testimony to his +rapid accumulation of facts, and the accuracy of his observations on +persons and things. + +The very morning on which Mr. Southey was married to Miss Edith +Fricker,[51] he left his wife in the family of kind friends, and set off +with his Uncle, to pass through Spain to Lisbon. But this procedure marks +the delicacy and the noble character of his mind; as will appear from the +following letter, received from him, just before he embarked. + + +"Falmouth, 1795. + +My dear friend, + +I have learnt from Lovell the news from Bristol, public and private, and +both of an interesting nature. My marriage is become public. You know +that its publicity can give me no concern. I have done my duty. Perhaps +you may think my motives for marrying (at that time) not sufficiently +strong. One, and that to me of great weight, I believe was not mentioned +to you. There might have arisen feelings of an unpleasant nature, at the +idea of receiving support from one not legally a husband; and (do not +show this to Edith) should I perish by shipwreck, or any other casualty, +I have relations whose prejudices would then yield to the anguish of +affection, and who would then love and cherish, and yield all possible +consolation to my widow. Of such an evil there is but a possibility, but +against possibility it was my duty to guard.[52] + +Farewell, + +Yours sincerely, + +Robert Southey." + + +Mr. Southey having sent me two letters from the Peninsula, they are here +presented to the reader. + + +"Corunna, Dec. 15th, 1795. + +Indeed my dear friend, it is strange that you are reading a letter from +me now, and not an account of our shipwreck. We left Falmouth on Tuesday +mid-day; the wind was fair till the next night, so fair that we were +within twelve hours' sail of Corunna; it then turned round, blew a +tempest, and continued so till the middle of Saturday. Our dead lights +were up fifty hours, and I was in momentary expectation of death. You +know what a situation this is. I forgot my sickness, and though I thought +much of the next world, thought more of those at Bristol, who would daily +expect letters; daily be disappointed, and at last learn from the +newspapers, that the Lauzarotte had never been heard of. + +Of all things it is most difficult to understand the optimism of this +difference of language; the very beasts of the country do not understand +English. Say "poor fellow" to a dog, and he will probably bite you; the +cat will come if you call her "Meeth-tha," but "puss" is an outlandish +phrase she has not been accustomed to; last night I went to supper to the +fleas, and an excellent supper they made; and the cats serenaded me with +their execrable Spanish: to lie all night in _Bowling-Green Lane_,[53] +would be to enjoy the luxury of soft and smooth lying. + +At sight of land a general shaving took place; no subject could be better +for Bunbury than a Packet cabin taken at such a moment. For me, I am as +yet whiskered, for I would not venture to shave on board, and have had no +razor on shore till this evening. Custom-house officers are more +troublesome here than in England, I have however got everything at last; +you may form some idea of the weather we endured; thirty fowls over our +head were drowned; the ducks got loose, and ran with a party of half +naked Dutchmen into our cabin: 'twas a precious place, eight men lying on +a shelf much like a coffin. Mr. Wahrendoff, a Swede, was the whole time +with the bason close under his nose. + +The bookseller's shop was a great comfort; the Consul here has paid me +particular attentions, and I am to pass to-morrow morning with him, when +he will give me some directions concerning Spanish literature. He knows +the chief literary men in England, and did know Brissot and Petion. Of +the dramatic poet whom Coates's friend Zimbernatt mentioned as rivalling +Shakspeare, I hear nothing; that young Spaniard seems to exaggerate or +rather to represent things like a warm-hearted young man, who believes +what he wishes. The father-in-law of Tallien is a banker, what you call a +clever fellow; another word, says the most sensible man here, for a +cheat; the court and the clergy mutually support each other, and their +combined despotism is indeed dreadful, yet much is doing; Jardine is very +active; he has forwarded the establishment of schools in the Asturias +with his Spanish friends. Good night, they are going to supper. Oh, their +foul oils and wines! + +Tuesday morning. I have heard of hearts as hard as rocks, and stones, and +adamants, but if ever I write upon a hard heart, my simile shall be, as +inflexible as a bed in a Spanish Posada; we had beef steaks for supper +last night, and a sad libel upon beef steaks they were. I wish you could +see our room; a bed in an open recess, one just moved from the other +corner. Raynsford packing his trunk; Maber shaving himself; tables and +chairs; looking-glass hung too high even for a Patagonian, the four +evangelists, &c. &c. the floor beyond all filth, most filthy. + +I have been detained two hours since I began to write, at the custom +house. Mr. Cottle, if there be a custom house to pass through, to the +infernal regions, all beyond must be, comparatively, tolerable.... + +Adieu, + +Robert Southey." + + +"Lisbon, February 1st, 1796. + +'Certainly, I shall hear from Mr. Cottle, by the first packet' said I. +Now I say, 'probably I may hear by the next,' so does experience abate +the sanguine expectations of man. What, could you not write one letter? +and here am I writing not only to all my friends in Bristol, but to all +in England. Indeed I should have been vexed, but that the packet brought +a letter from Edith, and the pleasure that gave me, allowed no feeling of +vexation. What of 'Joan?' Mr. Coates tells me it gains upon the public, +but authors seldom hear the plain truth. I am anxious that it should +reach a second edition, that I may write a new preface, and enlarge the +last book. I shall omit all in the second book which Coleridge wrote. + +Bristol deserves panegyric instead of satire. I know of no mercantile +place so literary. Here I am among the Philistines, spending my mornings +so pleasantly, as books, only books, can make them, and sitting at +evening the silent spectator of card playing and dancing. The English +here unite the spirit of commerce, with the frivolous amusements of high +life. One of them who plays every night (Sundays are not excepted here) +will tell you how closely he attends to profit. 'I never pay a porter for +bringing a burthen till the next day,' says he, 'for while the fellow +feels his back ache with the weight, he charges high; but when he comes +the next day the feeling is gone, and he asks only half the money.' And +the author of this philosophical scheme is worth £200,000! + +This is a comfortless place, and the only pleasure I find in it, is in +looking on to my departure. Three years ago I might have found a friend, +Count Leopold Berchtold. This man (foster brother of the Emperor Joseph) +is one of those rare characters, who spend their lives in doing good. It +is his custom in every country he visits, to publish books in its +language, on some subject of practical utility; these he gave away. I +have now lying before me the two which he printed in Lisbon; the one is +an Essay on the means of preserving life, in the various dangers to which +men are daily exposed. The other an Essay on extending the limits of +benevolence, not only towards men, but towards animals. His age was about +twenty-five; his person and his manners the most polished. My uncle saw +more of him than any one, for he used his library; and this was the only +house he called at; he was only seen at dinner, the rest of the day was +constantly given to study. They who lived in the same house with him, +believed him to be the wandering Jew. He spoke all the European +languages, had written in all, and was master of the Arabic. From thence +he went to Cadiz, and thence to Barbary; no more is known of him. + +We felt a smart earthquake the morning after our arrival here. These +shocks alarm the Portuguese dreadfully; and indeed it is the most +terrifying sensation you can conceive. One man jumped out of bed and ran +down to the stable, to ride off almost naked as he was. Another, more +considerately put out his candle, 'because I know,' said he 'the fire +does more harm than the earthquake.' The ruins of the great earthquake +are not yet removed entirely. + +The city is a curious place; a straggling plan; built on the most uneven +ground, with heaps of ruins in the middle, and large open places. The +streets filthy beyond all English ideas of filth, for they throw +everything into the streets, and nothing is removed. Dead animals annoy +you at every corner; and such is the indolence and nastiness of the +Portuguese, that I verily believe they would let each other rot, in the +same manner, if the priests did not get something by burying them. Some +of the friars are vowed to wear their clothes without changing for a +year; and this is a comfort to them: you will not wonder, therefore, that +I always keep to the windward of these reverend perfumers. + +The streets are very disagreeable in wet weather. If you walk under the +houses you are drenched by the waterspouts; if you attempt the middle, +there is a river; if you would go between both, there is the dunghill. +The rains here are very violent, and the streams in the streets, on a +declivity, so rapid as to throw down men; and sometimes to overset +carriages. A woman was drowned some years ago, in one of the most +frequented streets of Lisbon. But to walk home at night is the most +dangerous adventure, for then the chambermaids shower out the filth into +the streets with such profusion, that a Scotchman might fancy himself at +Edinburgh. You cannot conceive what a cold perspiration it puts me in, to +hear one dashed down just before me; as Thomson says, with a little +alteration: + + "Hear nightly dashed, amid the perilous street, + The fragrant stink pot." + +This furnishes food for innumerable dogs, that belong to nobody, and +annoy everybody. If they did not devour it, the quantities would breed a +pestilence. In a moonlight night, we see dogs and rats feeding at the +same dunghill. + +Lisbon is plagued with a very small species of red ant, that swarm over +everything in the house. Their remedy for this is, to send for the +priest, and exorcise them. The drain from the new convent opens into the +middle of the street. An English pigsty is cleaner than the metropolis of +Portugal. + +To-night I shall see the procession of 'Our Lord of the Passion.' This +image is a very celebrated one, and with great reason, for one night he +knocked at the door of St Roque's church, and there they would not admit +him. After this he walked to the other end of the town, to the church of +St. Grace, and there they took him in: but a dispute now arose between +the two churches, to which the image belonged; whether to the church +which he first chose, or the church that first chose him. The matter was +compromised. One church has him, and the other fetches him for their +processions, and he sleeps with the latter the night preceding. The +better mode for deciding it, had been to place the gentleman between +both, and let him walk to which he liked best. What think you of this +story being believed in 1796!!! + +The power of the Inquisition still exists, though they never exercise it, +and thus the Jews save their bacon. Fifty years ago it was the greatest +delight of the Portuguese to see a Jew burnt. Geddes, the then chaplain, +was present at one of these detestable Auto da Fe's. He says, 'the +transports expressed by all ages, and all sexes, whilst the miserable +sufferers were shrieking and begging mercy for God's sake, formed a scene +more horrible than any out of hell!' He adds, that 'this barbarity is not +their national character, for no people sympathize so much at the +execution of a criminal; but it is the damnable nature of their religion, +and the most diabolical spirit of their priests; their celibacy deprives +them of the affections of men, and their creed gives them the ferocity of +devils.' Geddes saw one man gagged, because, immediately he came out of +the Inquisition gates, he looked up at the sun, whose light for many +years had never visited him, and exclaimed, 'How is it possible for men +who behold that glorious orb, to worship any being but him who created +it!' My blood runs cold when I pass that accursed building; and though +they do not exercise their power, it is a reproach to human nature that +the building should exist. + +It is as warm here as in May with you; of course we broil in that month +at Lisbon; but I shall escape the hot weather here, as I did the cold +weather of England, and quit this place the latter end of April. You will +of course see me the third day after my landing at Falmouth, or, if I can +get companions in a post-chaise, sooner. This my resolution is like the +law of the Medes and Persians, that altereth not. Be so good as to +procure for me a set of Coleridge's 'Watchman,' with his Lectures and +Poems. I want to write a tragedy here, but can find no leisure to begin +it. + +Portugal is much plagued with robbers, and they generally strip a man, +and leave him to walk home in his birth-day suit. An Englishman was +served thus at Almeyda, and the Lisbon magistrates, on his complaint, +took up the whole village, and imprisoned them all. Contemplate this +people in what light you will, you can never see them in a good one. They +suffered their best epic poet to perish for want: and they burned to +death their best dramatic writer, because he was a Jew. + +Pombal, whose heart was bad, though he made a good minister, reduced the +church during his administration. He suffered no persons to enter the +convents, and, as the old monks and nuns died, threw two convents into +one, and sold the other estates. By this means, he would have annihilated +the whole generation of vermin; but the king died, and the queen, whose +religion has driven her mad, undid, through the influence of the priests, +all that Pombal had done. He escaped with his life, but lived to see his +bust destroyed, and all his plans for the improvement of Portugal +reversed. He had the interest of his country at heart, and the +punishment, added to the regret of having committed so many crimes to +secure his power, must almost have been enough for this execrable +marquis. + +The climate here is delightful, and the air so clear, that when the moon +is young, I can often distinguish the whole circle, thus; O. You and +Robert may look for this some fine night, but I do not remember ever to +have observed it in England. The stars appear more brilliant here, but I +often look up at the Pleiades, and remember how much happier I was when I +saw them in Bristol. Fare you well. Let me know that my friends remember +me.... + +Robert Southey." + + +After the complete reconciliation had taken place with Mr. Coleridge, Mr. +Southey in the autumn of 1796, settled in London, and purposed to study +the law. From London he sent me the following letter. + + +"London, Nov. 1796. + +My dear friend, + +I am now entering on a new way of life which will lead me to +independence. You know that I neither lightly undertake any scheme, nor +lightly abandon what I have undertaken. I am happy because I have no +want, and because the independence I labour to attain, and of attaining +which, my expectations can hardly be disappointed, will leave me nothing +to wish. I am indebted to you, Cottle, for the comforts of my later time. +In my present situation I feel a pleasure in saying thus much. + +Thank God! Edith comes on Monday next. I say Thank God, for I have never +since my return from Portugal, been absent from her so long before, and +sincerely hope and intend never to be so again. On Tuesday we shall be +settled, and on Wednesday my legal studies begin in the morning, and I +shall begin with 'Madoc' in the evening. Of this it is needless to +caution you to say nothing; as I must have the character of a lawyer; and +though I can and will unite the two pursuits, no one would credit the +possibility of the union. In two years the Poem shall be finished, and +the many years it must lie by will afford ample time for correction. + +I have declined being a member of a Literary Club, which meet at the +Chapter Coffee House, and of which I had been elected a member. Surely a +man does not do his duty who leaves his wife to evenings of solitude; and +I feel duty and happiness to be inseparable. I am happier at home than +any other society can possibly make me. With Edith I am alike secure from +the wearisomeness of solitude, and the disgust which I cannot help +feeling at the contemplation of mankind, and which I do not wish to +suppress. + +Here is a great deal about myself, and nothing about those whom I have +seen in London, and of whom we have all heard in the country. I will make +a report upon them in my next letter. God bless you. + +Yours sincerely, + +Robert Southey." + + +Letter from Robert Southey, to Amos Cottle, Magdalen College, Cambridge. + + +"London, Feb. 28, 1797. + +20, Prospect Place, Newington Butts. + +... Here I am travelling on in the labyrinth of the law; and though I had +rather make books myself than read the best lawyer's composition, I am +getting on cheerfully, and steadily, and well. + +While you are amusing yourself with mathematics, and I lounging over the +law, the political and commercial world are all in alarm and confusion. I +cannot call myself a calm witness of all this, for I sit by the fireside, +hear little about it, think less, and see nothing; 'all hoping, and +expecting all in patient faith.' Tranquillity of mind is a blessing too +valuable to sacrifice for all the systems man has ever established. My +day of political enthusiasm is over. I know what is right, and as I see +that everything is wrong, care more about the changing of the wind, lest +it should make the chimney smoke, than for all the empires of Europe...." + + +"London, 1797. + +My dear friend, + +... I physiognomise everything, even the very oysters may be accurately +judged by their shells. I discovered this at Lisbon, where they are all +deformed, hump-backed, and good for nothing. Is it not possible by the +appearance of a river to tell what fish are in it? In the slow sluggish +stream you will find the heavy chub. In the livelier current, the trout +and the pike. If a man loves prints you have an excellent clue to his +character; take for instance, the inventory of mine at College:--Four +views of the ruins at Rome; Charles Fox; Belisarius; Niobe; and four +Landscapes of Poussin; and Claude Lorraine. These last are of constant +source of pleasure. I become acquainted with the inhabitants in every +house, and know every inch of ground in the prospect. They have formed +for me many a pleasant day-dream. I can methodise these into a little +poem. I am now settled; my books are organised; and this evening I set +off on my race. + +We have a story of a ghost here, who appears to the watchman,--the spirit +of a poor girl, whose life was abandoned, and her death most horrible. I +am in hopes it may prove _true!_ as I have a great love for apparitions. +They make part of the poetical creed. Fare you well. + +Sincerely yours, + +To Joseph Cottle. + +Robert Southey." + + +"London, March 6, 1797. + +... I am inclined to complain heavily of you, Cottle. Here am I +committing grand larceny on my time, in writing to you; and you, who +might sit at your fire, and write me huge letters, have not found time to +fill even half a sheet. As you may suppose, I have enough of employment. +I work like a negro at law, and therefore neglect nothing else, for he +who never wastes time has always time enough. + +I have to see many of the London lions, or literati, George Dyer is to +take me to Mary Hayes, Miss Christal, and Taylor, the Pagan, my near +neighbour. You shall have my physiognomical remarks upon them. I hate +this city more and more, although I see little of it. You do not know +with what delight I anticipate a summer in Wales, and I hope to spend the +summer of the next year there, and to talk Welsh most gutturally. I shall +see Meirion this week, whose real name is William Owen. He is the author +of the new Welsh dictionary, a man of uncommon erudition, and who ought +to esteem me for Madoc's sake. Fare you well. Remember me to all friends. +God bless you. + +Yours sincerely, + +Robert Southey." + + +"... Perhaps you will be surprised to hear, that of all the lions of +literati that I have seen here, there is not one whose countenance has +not some unpleasant trait. Mary Imlay is the best, infinitely the best. +The only fault in it, is an expression somewhat similar to what the +prints of Horne Tooke display; an expression indicating superiority, not +haughtiness, not conceit, not sarcasm, in Mary Imlay, but still it is +unpleasant. Her eyes are light brown, and though the lid of one of them +is affected by a slight paralysis, they are the most meaning I ever saw. +Her complexion is dark, sun-burnt, and her skin a little cracked, for she +is near forty, and affliction has borne harder on her than years; but her +manners are the most pleasing I ever witnessed, they display warm +feeling, and strong understanding; and the knowledge she has acquired of +men and manners, ornaments, not disguises, her own character. I have +given an unreserved opinion of Mrs. Barbauld to Charles Danvers. + +While I was with George Dyer one morning last week, Mary Hayes and Miss +Christal entered, and the ceremony of introduction followed. Mary Hayes +writes in the New Monthly Magazine, under the signature of M. H., and +sometimes writes nonsense there about Helvetius. She has lately published +a novel, 'Emma Courtney,' a book much praised and much abused. I have not +seen it myself, but the severe censure passed on it by persons of narrow +mind, have made me curious, and convinced me that it is at least an +uncommon book. Mary Hayes is an agreeable woman and a Godwinite. Now if +you will read Godwin's book with attention, we will determine between us, +in what light to consider that sectarian title. As for Godwin himself, he +has large noble eyes, and a nose,--oh, most abominable nose! Language is +not vituperative enough to express the effect of its downward elongation. +He loves London, literary society, and talks nonsense about the collision +of mind, and Mary Hayes echoes him. + +But Miss Christal, have you seen her Poems? A fine, artless, sensible +girl. Now, Cottle, that word sensible must not be construed here in its +dictionary acceptation. Ask a Frenchman what it means, and he will +understand it, though, perhaps, he can by no circumlocution explain its +French meaning. Her heart is alive. She loves poetry. She loves +retirement. She loves the country. Her verses are very incorrect, and the +literary circle say, she has no genius, but she has genius, Joseph +Cottle, or there is no truth in physiognomy. Gilbert Wakefield came in +while I was disputing with Mary Hayes upon the moral effects of towns. He +has a most critic-like voice, as if he had snarled himself hoarse. You +see I like the women better than the men. Indeed they are better animals +in general, perhaps because more is left to nature in their education. +Nature is very good, but God knows there is very little of it left. + +I wish you were within a morning's walk, but I am always persecuted by +time and space. Robert Southey, and law, and poetry, make up an odd kind +of tri-union. We jog on easily together, and I advance with sufficient +rapidity in Blackstone, and 'Madoc.' I hope to finish my poem, and to +begin my practice in about two years. + +God bless you. + +Yours affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +"... I am running a race with the printers again: translating a work from +the French: 'Necker on the French Revolution,' vol. II. Dr. Aikin and his +son translate the 1st volume. My time is wholly engrossed by the race, +for I run at the rate of sixteen pages a day; as hard going as sixteen +miles for a hack horse. About sixteen days more will complete it. + +There is no necessity for my residing in London till the close of the +autumn. Therefore after keeping the next term, which may be kept the +first week in May, I intend to go into the country for five months; +probably near the sea, at the distance of one day's journey from London, +for the convenience of coming up to keep the Trinity Term. This will not +increase my expenses, though it will give me all the pleasure of +existence which London annihilates. God bless you, + +Yours affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +"My dear Cottle, + +... George Dyer gave me what he calls his 'Crotchet,' and what I call an +indifferent poem. Said he to me, 'I could not bring in Wordsworth, and +Lloyd, and Lamb, but I put them in a note.' That man is all benevolence. + +If, which is probable, we go to Hampshire, I shall expect to see you +there. It is an easy day's ride from Bristol to Southampton; but I shall +lay before you a correct map of the road when all is settled. + +I have seen your Dr. Baynton's book. It is vilely written; but the +theory, seems good, (that of bandaging wounded legs) My friend Carlisle +means to try it at the Westminster Hospital. I was somewhat amused at +seeing a treatise on sore legs, printed on wove paper, and hot pressed. + +I met Townsend, the Spanish traveller, a few days since at Carlisle's. He +flattered me most unpleasantly on 'Joan of Arc.' Townsend is much taller +than I am, and almost as thin. He invited me to Pewsey, and I shall +breakfast with him soon. He is engaged in a work of immense labour; the +origin of languages. I do not like him; he is too polite to be sincere. + +Yours affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +The late George Dyer, referred to by Mr. Southey, was an University man +who exercised his talents chiefly in writing for the Periodicals. His +chief work was "The History of the Halls and Colleges of Cambridge." He +published also several small works. The Poem, referred to above, was +complimentary, in which he noticed most of his literary friends. The way +in which he "brought in" the author of the "Pleasures of Memory" was, +very properly putting wit before wealth, + + "Was born a banker, and then rose a bard," + +George Dyer was sincere, and had great simplicity of manners, so that he +was a favourite with all his friends. No man in London encouraged so much +as he did, Bloomfield, the author of the "Farmer's Boy;" and he was +equally prepared with kind offices for every body. He had some odd +fancies, one of which was, that men ought to live more sparingly and +drink plenty of water-gruel. By carrying this wholesome precept on one +occasion, rather too far, he unhappily reduced himself to death's door. +Charles Lamb told me, that having once called on him, at his room in +Clifford's Inn, he found a little girl with him, (one of his nieces) whom +he was teaching to sing hymns. + +Mr. Coleridge related to me a rather ludicrous circumstance concerning +George Dyer, which Charles Lamb had told him, the last time he passed +through London. Charles Lamb had heard that George Dyer was very ill, and +hastened to see him. He found him in an emaciated state, shivering over a +few embers. "Ah!" said George, as Lamb entered, "I am glad to see you. +You wont have me here long. I have just written this letter to my young +nephews and nieces, to come immediately and take a final leave of their +uncle." Lamb found, on inquiry, that he had latterly been living on +water-gruel, and a low starving diet, and readily divined the cause of +his maladies. "Come," said Lamb, "I shall take you home immediately to my +house, and I and my sister will nurse you." "Ah!" said George Dyer, "it +wont do." The hackney coach was soon at the door, and as the sick man +entered it, he said to Lamb, "Alter the address, and then send the letter +with all speed to the poor children." "I will," said Lamb, "and at the +same time call the doctor." + +George Dyer was now seated by Charles Lamb's comfortable fire, while Lamb +hastened to his medical friend, and told him that a worthy man was at his +house who had almost starved himself on water-gruel. "You must come," +said he, "directly, and prescribe some kitchen stuff, or the poor man +will be dead. He wont take any thing from me; he says, 'tis all useless." +Away both the philanthropists hastened, and Charles Lamb, anticipating +what would be required, furnished himself, on the road, with a pound of +beef steaks. The doctor now entered the room, and advancing towards his +patient, felt his pulse, and asked him a few questions; when, looking +grave, he said, "Sir, you are in a very dangerous way," "I know it Sir, I +know it Sir," said George Dyer. The Dr. replied, "Sir, yours is a very +peculiar case, and if you do not implicitly follow my directions, you +will die of atrophy before to-morrow morning. It is the only possible +chance of saving your life. You must directly make a good meal off +beef-steaks, and drink the best part of a pot of porter." "Tis too late," +said George, but "I'll eat, I'll eat." The doctor now withdrew, and so +nicely had Lamb calculated on results, that the steaks were all this time +broiling on the fire! and, as though by magic, the doctor had scarcely +left the room, when the steaks and the porter were both on the table. + +Just as George Dyer had begun voraciously to feast on the steaks, his +young nephews and nieces entered the room crying. "Good bye, my dears," +said George, taking a deep draught of the porter. "You wont see me much +longer." After a few mouthfuls of the savoury steak, he further said, "be +good children, when I am gone." Taking another draught of the porter, he +continued, "mind your books, and don't forget your hymns." "We wont," +answered a little shrill silvery voice, from among the group, "we wont, +dear Uncle." He now gave them all a parting kiss; when the children +retired in a state of wonderment, that "sick Uncle" should be able to eat +and drink so heartily. "And so," said Lamb, in his own peculiar +phraseology "at night, I packed up his little nipped carcass snug in bed, +and, after stuffing him for a week, sent him home as plump as a +partridge." + + +"April, 26, 1797. + +"... I have finished Necker this morning, and return again to my regular +train of occupation. Would that digging potatoes were amongst them! and +if I live a dozen years, you shall eat potatoes of my digging: but I must +think now of the present. + +Some Mr. ---- sent me a volume of his poems, last week. I read his book: +it was not above mediocrity. He seems very fond of poetry and even to a +superstitious reverence of Thompson's 'old table,' and even of Miss +Seward, whose MS. he rescued from the printer. I called on him to thank +him, and was not sorry to find him not at home. But the next day a note +arrived with more praise. He wished my personal acquaintance, and 'trusts +I shall excuse the frankness which avows, that it would gratify his +feelings to receive a copy of 'Joan of Arc, from the author.' I thought +this, to speak tenderly, not a very modest request, but there is a +something in my nature which prevents me from silently displaying my +sentiments, if that display can give pain, and so I answered his note, +and sent him the book. He writes sonnets to Miss Seward, and Mr. Hayley; +enough to stamp him 'blockhead.' + +Carlisle and I, instead of our neighbours' 'Revolutionary Tribunal,' mean +to erect a physiognomical one, and as transportation is to be the +punishment, instead of guillotining, we shall put the whole navy in +requisition to carry off all ill-looking fellows, and then we may walk +London streets without being jostled. You are to be one of the Jury, and +we must get some good limner to take down the evidence. Witnesses will be +needless. The features of a man's face will rise up in judgment against +him; and the very voice that pleads 'Not Guilty,' will be enough to +convict the raven-toned criminal. + +I sapped last night with Ben. Flower, of Cambridge, at Mr. P.'s, and +never saw so much coarse strength in a countenance. He repeated to me an +epigram on the dollars which perhaps you may not have seen. + + To make Spanish dollars with Englishmen pass, + Stamp the head of a fool, on the tail of an ass.[54] + +This has a coarse strength rather than a point. Danvers tells me that you +have written to Herbert Croft. Give me some account of your letter. Let +me hear from you, and tell me how you all are, and what is going on in +the little world of Bristol. God bless you. + +Yours affectionately, + +Robert Southey. + + +"... We dine with Mary Wolstoncroft (now Godwin) to-morrow. Oh! he has a +foul nose! I never see it without longing to cut it off. By the by, Dr. +Hunter (the murderer of St. Pierre) [55] told me that I had exactly +Lavater's nose, to my no small satisfaction, for I did not know what to +make of that protuberance, or promontory of mine. I could not compliment +him. He has a very red drinking face: little good humoured eyes, with the +skin drawn up under them, like cunning and short-sightedness united. I +saw Dr. Hunter again yesterday. I neither like him, nor his wife, nor his +son, nor his daughter, nor any thing that is his. To night I am to meet +Opie. God bless you. Edith's love. + +Yours affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +"May, 1797. + +My dear Cottle, + +... Opie indeed is a very extraordinary man. I have now twice seen him. +Without any thing of politeness, his manners are pleasing, though their +freedom is out of the common; and his conversation, though in a +half-uttered, half-Cornish, half-croak, is interesting. There is a +strange contrast between his genius, which is not confined to painting, +and the vulgarity of his appearance, --his manners, and sometimes of his +language. You will however easily conceive that a man who can paint like +Opie, must display the same taste on other subjects. He is very fond of +Spenser. No author furnishes so many pictures, he says. You may have seen +his 'Britomart delivering Amoret.' He has begun a picture from +Spenser,--which he himself thinks his best design, but it has remained +untouched for three years. The outline is wonderfully fine. It is the +delivery of Serena from the Salvages, by Calepine. You will find the +story in the 6th book of the 'Fairy Queen.' The subject has often struck +me as being fit for the painter. + +I saw Dr. Gregory (Biographer of Chatterton) to-day; a very brown-looking +man, of most pinquescent, and full-moon cheeks. There is much tallow in +him. I like his wife, and perhaps him too, but his Christianity is of an +intolerant order, and he affects a solemnity when talking of it, which +savours of the high priest. When he comes before the physiognomical +tribunal, we must melt him down. He is too portly. God bless you.... + +Yours truly, + +Robert Southey." + + +May, 1797. + +"... I fancy you see no hand-writing so often as mine. I have been much +pleased with your letter to Herbert Croft. I was at Dr. Gregory's last +night. He has a nasal twang, right priestly in its note. He said he would +gladly abridge his life of Chatterton, if I required it. But it is a bad +work, and Coleridge should write a new one, or if he declines it, let it +devolve on me.[56] They knew Miss Wesley, daughter of Charles Wesley, +with whom I once dined at your house. She told them, had he not +prematurely died, that she was going to be married to John Henderson. Is +this true?[57] + +I have a treasure for you. A 'Treatise on Miracles,' written by John +Henderson, your old tutor, for Coleridge's brother George, and given to +me by a pupil of his, John May, a Lisbon acquaintance, and a very +valuable one. John May is anxious for a full life of John Henderson. You +should get Agutter's papers. You ought also to commit to paper all you +know concerning him, and all you can collect, that the documents may +remain, if you decline it. If the opportunity pass, he will die without +his fame. + +I have lost myself in the bottomless profundity of Gilbert's papers. +Fire, and water, and cubes, and sybils, and Mother Church, &c. &c. Poor +fellow. I have been introduced to a man, not unlike him in his +ideas,--Taylor the Pagan, a most devout Heathen! who seems to have some +hopes of me. He is equally unintelligible, but his eye has not that +inexpressible wildness, which sometimes half-terrified us in Gilbert." + + +"Christ Church, June 14, 1797. + +"... I am in a place I like: the awkwardness of introduction over, and +the acquaintance I have made here pleasant.... Your letter to Herbert +Croft has made him some enemies here. I wish much to see you on that +business. Bad as these times are for literature, a subscription might be +opened now with great success, for Mrs. Newton (Chatterton's sister) and +the whole statement of facts ought to be published in the prospectus. + +Time gallops with me. I am at work now for the Monthly Magazine, upon +Spanish poetry. If we are unsuccessful here (in suiting ourselves with a +house) I purpose writing to Wordsworth, and asking him if we can get a +place in his neighbourhood. If not, down we go to Dorsetshire. Oh, for a +snug island in the farthest of all seas, surrounded by the highest of all +rocks, where I and some ten or twelve more might lead the happiest of all +possible lives, totally secluded from the worst of all possible monsters, +man...." + + +"Christ Church, June 18, 1797. + +"... The main purport of my writing is to tell you that we have found a +house for the next half year. If I had a mind to affect the pastoral +style, I might call it a cottage; but, in plain English, it is exactly +what it expresses. We have got a sitting-room, and two bed-rooms, in a +house which you may call a cottage if you like it, and that one of these +bed-rooms is ready for you, and the sooner you take possession of it the +better. You must let me know when you come that I may meet you. + +So you have had Kosciusco with you, (in Bristol) and bitterly do I regret +not having seen him. If he had remained one week longer in London, I +should have seen him; and to have seen Kosciusco would have been +something to talk of all the rest of one's life. + +We have a congregation of rivers here, the clearest you ever saw: plenty +of private boats too. We went down to the harbour on Friday, in Mr. +Rickman's;[58] a sensible young man, of rough, but mild manners, and very +seditious. He and I rowed, and Edith was pilot. + +God bless you. + +Yours affectionately. + +Robert Southey." + + +Mr. Rickman afterwards acquired some celebrity. He became private +secretary to the prime minister, Mr. Perceval, and afterwards for many +years, was one of the clerks of the House of Commons. He published also, +in 4to, a creditable Life of Telford, the great engineer, and officially +conducted the first census, (1800) a most laborious undertaking. The +second census, (1810) was conducted in a very efficient way, by Mr. +Thomas Poole, whose name often appears in this work, appointed through +the influence of Mr. Rickman. + + +"London, Dec. 14, 1797. + +My dear Cottle, + +I found your parcel on my return from a library belonging to the +Dissenters, (Dr. Williams's Library) in Redcross-street, from which, by +permission of Dr. Towers, I brought back books of great importance for my +'Maid of Orleans.' A hackney coach horse turned into a field of grass, +falls not more eagerly to a breakfast which lasts the whole day, than I +attacked the old folios, so respectably covered with dust. I begin to +like dirty rotten binding, and whenever I get among books, pass by the +gilt coxcombs, and disturb the spiders. But you shall hear what I have +got. A latin poem in four long books; on 'Joan of Arc;' very bad, but it +gives me a quaint note or two, and Valerandus Valerius is a fine name for +a quotation. A small 4to, of the 'Life of the Maid', chiefly extracts +from forgotten authors, printed at Paris, 1712, with a print of her on +horseback. A sketch of her life by Jacobus Philippus Bergomensis,--bless +the length of his erudite name. + +John May, and Carlisle, (surgeon) were with me last night, and we struck +out a plan, which, if we can effect it, will be of great use. It is to be +called the 'Convalescent Asylum'; and intended to receive persons who are +sent from the hospitals; as the immediate return to unwholesome air, bad +diet, and all the loathsomeness of poverty, destroys a very great number. +The plan is to employ them in a large garden, and it is supposed in about +three years, the institution would pay itself, on a small scale for forty +persons. The success of one, would give birth to many others. C. W. W. +Wynn enters heartily into it. We meet on Saturday again, and as soon as +the plan is at all digested, Carlisle means to send it to Dr. Beddoes, +for his inspection. We were led to this by the circumstance of finding a +poor woman, almost dying for want, who is now rapidly recovering in the +hospital, under Carlisle. + +Yours affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +"1798. + +My dear Cottle, + +In the list of the killed and wounded of the 'Mars,' you saw the name of +Bligh, a midshipman. I remember rejoicing at the time, that it was not a +name I knew. Will you be surprised that the object of this letter is to +require your assistance in raising some little sum for the widow of this +man. + +I cannot express to you how deep and painful an interest I take in the +history of this man. My brother Tom, an officer in the same ship, loved +him; and well he might, for poor Bligh was a man, who, out of his +midshipman's pay, allowed his wife and children thirteen pounds a year. +He wished to be made master's mate, that he might make the sum twenty +pounds, and then he said they would be happy. He was a man about +thirty-five years of age; an unlettered man, of strong natural powers, +and of a heart, of which a purer, and a better, never lived. I could tell +you anecdotes of him that would make your eyes overflow, like mine. +Surely, Cottle, there will be no difficulty in sending his poor wife some +little sum. Five guineas would be much to her. We will give one, and I +will lay friends in London under contribution. God bless you. + +Yours truly, + +Robert Southey." + + +"Hereford, 1798. + +My dear Cottle, + +My time here has been completely occupied in riding about the country. I +have contrived to manufacture one eclogue, and that is all; but the +exercise of riding has jostled a good many ideas into my brain, and I +have plans enough for long leisure. You know my tale of the 'Adite' in +the garden of Irem. I have tacked it on to an old plan of mine upon the +destruction of the Domdanyel, and made the beginning, middle, and end. +There is a tolerable skeleton formed. It will extend to ten or twelve +books, and they appear to me to possess much strong conception in the +Arabian manner. It will at least prove that I did not reject machinery in +my Epics, because I could not wield it. This only forms part of a +magnificent project, which I do not despair of one day completing, in the +destruction of the 'Domdanyel.' My intention is, to show off all the +splendor of the Mohammedan belief. I intend to do the same to the Runic, +and Oriental systems; to preserve the costume of place as well as of +religion. + +I have been thinking that though we have been disappointed of our Welsh +journey, a very delightful pilgrimage is still within our reach. Suppose +you were to meet me at Boss. We go thence down the Wye to Monmouth. On +the way are Goodrich castle, the place where Henry V. was nursed; and +Arthur's cavern. Then there is Ragland Castle somewhere thereabout, and +we might look again at Tintern. I should like this much. The Welsh mail +from Bristol, comes every day through Boss; we can meet there. Let me +hear from you, and then I will fix the day, and we will see the rocks and +woods in all their beauty. God bless you. + +Yours affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +"Exeter, Sept. 22, 1799. + +My dear Cottle, + +... You will, I hope, soon have a cargo to send me of your own, for the +second volume of the 'Anthology' and some from Davy. If poor Mrs. +Yearsley were living I should like much to have her name there. As yet I +have only Coleridge's pieces, and my own, amounting to eighty or one +hundred pages. 'Thalaba, the Destroyer' is progressing. + +There is a poem called 'Geber' of which I know not whether my review of +it, in the Critical' be yet printed, but in that review you will find +some of the most exquisite poetry in the language. The poem is such as +Gilbert, if he were only half as mad as he is, could have written. I +would go a hundred miles to see the (anonymous) author.[59] + +There are some worthies in Exeter, with whom I have passed some pleasant +days, but the place is miserably bigoted. Would you believe that there +are persons here who still call the Americans 'the Rebels' Exeter is the +filthiest town in England; a gutter running down the middle of every +street and lane. We leave on Monday week. I shall rejoice to breathe +fresh air. Exeter, however, has the best collection of old books for +sale, of any town out of London.[60] + +I have lately made up my mind to undertake one great historical work, the +'History of Portugal,' but for this, and for many other noble plans, I +want uninterrupted leisure; time wholly my own, and not frittered away by +little periodical employments. My working at such work is Columbus +serving before the mast. God bless you. + +Yours affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +"Falmouth, 1800. + +My dear Cottle, + +Our journey here was safe, but not without accidents. We found the +packet, by which we were to sail, detained by the wind, and we are +watching it with daily anxiety.[61] + +A voyage is a serious thing, and particularly an outward-bound voyage. +The hope of departure is never an exhilarating hope. Inns are always +comfortless, and the wet weather that detains us at Falmouth, imprisons +us. Dirt, noise, restlessness, expectation, impatience,--fine cordials +for the spirits! + +Devonshire is an ugly county. I have no patience with the cant of +travellers, who so bepraise it. They have surely slept all the way +through Somersetshire. Its rivers are beautiful, very beautiful, but +nothing else. High hills, all angled over with hedges, and no trees. Wide +views, and no object. I have heard a good story of our friend, Charles +Fox. When his house, at this place, was on fire, he found all effort to +save it useless, and being a good draughtsman, he went up the next hill +to make a drawing of the fire! the best instance of philosophy I ever +heard. + +I have received letters from Rickman and Coleridge. Coleridge talks of +flaying Sir Herbert Croft. This may not be amiss. God bless you. I shake +you mentally by the hand, and when we shake hands bodily, trust that you +will find me a repaired animal, with a head fuller of knowledge, and a +trunk full of manuscripts. Tell Davy this Cornwall is such a vile county, +that nothing but its merit, as his birth-place, redeems it from utter +execration. I have found in it nothing but rogues, restive horses, and +wet weather; and neither Pilchards, White-ale, or Squab-pie, were to be +obtained! Last night I dreamt that Davy had killed himself by an +explosion. Once more, God bless you. + +Yours affectionately, + +Robert Southey. + + +Mr. Southey, in this second visit to Lisbon, sent me the following +poetical letter, which, for ease, vivacity, and vigorous description, +stands at the head of that class of compositions. A friendly vessel, +mistaken for a French privateer, adds to the interest. In one part, the +poet conspicuously bursts forth. + + +"Lisbon, May 9th, 1800. + + Dear Cottle, d'ye see, + In writing to thee, + I do it in rhyme, + That I may save time, + Determin'd to say, + Without any delay, + Whatever comes first, + Whether best or worst. + Alack for me! + When I was at sea, + For I lay like a log, + As sick as a dog, + And whoever this readeth, + Will pity poor Edith: + Indeed it was shocking, + The vessel fast rocking, + The timbers all creaking, + And when we were speaking, + It was to deplore + That we were not on shore, + And to vow we would never go voyaging more. + + The fear of our fighting, + Did put her a fright in, + And I had alarms + For my legs and my arms. + When the matches were smoking, + I thought 'twas no joking, + And though honour and glory + And fame were before me, + 'Twas a great satisfaction, + That we had not an action, + And I felt somewhat bolder, + When I knew that my head might remain on my shoulder. + + But O! 'twas a pleasure, + Exceeding all measure, + On the deck to stand, + And look at the land; + And when I got there, + I vow and declare, + The pleasure was even + Like getting to heaven! + I could eat and drink, + As you may think; + I could sleep at ease, + Except for the fleas, + But still the sea-feeling,-- + The drunken reeling, + Did not go away + For more than a day: + Like a cradle, the bed + Seemed to rock my head, + And the room and the town, + Went up and down. + + My Edith here, + Thinks all things queer, + And some things she likes well; + But then the street + She thinks not neat, + And does not like the smell. + Nor do the fleas + Her fancy please + Although the fleas like her; + They at first vie w + Fell merrily too, + For they made no demur. + But, O, the sight! + The great delight! + From this my window, west! + This view so fine, + This scene divine! + The joy that I love best! + The Tagus here, + So broad and clear, + Blue, in the clear blue noon-- + And it lies light, + All silver white, + Under the silver moon! + Adieu, adieu, + Farewell to you, + Farewell, my friend so dear, + Write when you may, + I need not say, + How gladly we shall hear. + I leave off rhyme, + And so next time, + Prose writing you shall see; + But in rhyme or prose, + Dear Joseph knows + The same old friend in me, + +Robert Southey." + + * * * * * + +[Illustration: Portrait of Robert Southey, Esq. Poet Laurate.] + + * * * * * + +"Portugal, Cintra, July, 1800. + +My dear Cottle, + +I write at a five minutes' notice. The unforeseen and unlucky departure +of my only friend gives me occasion for this letter, and opportunity to +send it. It is Miss Barker Congreve. She is a woman of uncommon talents, +with whom we have been wandering over these magnificent mountains, till +she made the greatest enjoyment of the place. I feel a heavier depression +of spirits at losing her than I have known since Tom left me at Liskard. + +We are at Cintra: I am well and active, in better health than I have long +known, and till to-day, in uninterrupted gaiety at heart. I am finishing +the eleventh book of 'Thalaba' and shall certainly have written the last +before this reaches you. My Bristol friends have neglected me. Danvers +has not written, and Edith is without a line from either of her sisters. + +My desk is full of materials for the literary history which will require +only the labour of arrangement and translation, on my return. I shall +have the knowledge for the great work; and my miscellaneous notes will +certainly swell into a volume of much odd and curious matter. Pray write +to me. You know not how I hunger and thirst for Bristol news. I long to +be among you. If I could bring this climate to Bristol, it would make me +a new being: but I am in utter solitude of all rational society; in a +state of mental famine, save that I feed on rocks and woods, and the +richest banquet nature can possibly offer to her worshippers. God bless +you. + +Abuse Danvers for me. Remember me to Davy, and all friendly inquirers. + +Yours affectionately, + +Robert Southey. + +P. S.--.... The zeal of the Methodists and their itinerant preachers, has +reprieved for half a century the system; but you must be aware, that +sooner or later, the Church of England will absorb all those sects that +differ only in discipline. The comfortable latitude that takes in the +Calvinist and the Arminian, must triumph. The Catholic system will +perhaps, last the longest; and bids fair to continue as a political +establishment, when all its professors shall laugh at its absurdity. +Destroy its monastic orders, and marry the priests, and the rest is a +pretty puppet-show, with the idols, and the incense, and the polytheism, +and the pomp of paganism. God bless you. + +R. S." + + +"Bristol, Aug. 1802. + +Dear Cottle, + +Well done good and faithful editor. I suspect that it is fortunate for +the edition of Chatterton, that its care has devolved upon you. + +The note with which you preface 'Burgum's Pedigree' need not come to me, +as the M.S. is yours, whatever inferences may be drawn from it, will be +by you. Add your name at the end to give it the proper authority. I shall +know how to say enough, in the preface, about all other aiders and +abetters, but it will not be easy to mention such a ringleader as +yourself in words of adequate acknowledgment. + +What you have detected in the 'Tournament' I have also observed in +Barrett, in the omission of a passage of bombast connected with one of +the accounts of the Bristol churches. Your copy of the 'Tournament' being +in Chatterton's own hand-writing is surely the best authority. We are now +of one opinion, that Chatterton and Rowley are one. + +I am glad to hear that you have discovered anything worth printing in the +British Museum. Doubtless, if you think it worth printing, others will do +the same, and it is not our fault, if it be dull or an imperfect work. I +transcribed page after page of what would have been worth little if +genuine, and not being genuine, is worth nothing. This refers only to the +local antiquities, and false deeds of gift, &c. I made a catalogue, and +left it with you. Why say, 'I hope you will not take it amiss.' I am as +ready to thank you for supplying any negligence of mine, as any one else +can be. I should have wished for more engravings, but we have gone to the +bounds of expense and trouble, in this gratuitous, but pleasant effort to +benefit the family of Bristol's most illustrious bard. Why did you not +sign your notes? I can now only say, that much, indeed most of the +trouble has devolved on yon. J. C. at the end of each note, would have +showed how much. + +I have seen Cattcott.[62] Chatterton had written to Clayfield that he +meant to destroy himself. Clayfield called on Barrett to communicate his +uneasiness about the young lad. 'Stay,' said Barrett, 'and hear what he +will say to me.' Chatterton was sent for. Barrett talked to him on the +guilt and folly of suicide. Chatterton denied any intention of the kind, +or any conversation to that import. Clayfield came from the closet with +the letter in his hand, and asked, 'Is not this your hand-writing?' +Chatterton then, in a state of confusion, fell upon his knees, and heard +in sullen silence, the suitable remarks on his conduct. God bless you. + +Yours affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +"Bristol, Sept. 1802. + +Dear Cottle, + +I was from home, looking out for a habitation[63] in Wales, when your +letter arrived. My journey was so far successful, that I am in treaty for +a house, eight miles from Neath, in the mountains, a lovely spot, exactly +such as will suit my wishes...." + +In a letter received from Mr. Southey, Aug. 25, 1805, he says, "I have +neither seen, nor heard, of 'Foster's Essays'; nor do I remember to have +heard you mention him. Certainly, on your recommendation, I shall either +buy or borrow the work. But no new book ever reaches these mountains, +except such as come to me to be killed off." + +Mr. Southey mentioned to me the last time I saw him, the jeopardy in +which he had recently been placed, through his 'killing off'; and from +which danger he was alone saved by his anonymous garb. He said he had +found it necessary in reviewing a book, written by a native of the +emerald isle, to treat it with rather unwonted severity, such as it +richly deserved. A few days after the critique had appeared, he happened +to call on a literary friend, in one of the inns of court. They were +conversing on this work, and the incompetence of the writer, when the +author, a gigantic Irishman entered the room, in a great rage, and vowing +vengeance against the remorseless critic. Standing very near Mr. Southey, +he raised his huge fist, and exclaimed, "And, if I knew who it was, I'd +hate him!" Mr. S. observed a very profound silence, and not liking the +vicinity of a volcano, quietly retired, reserving his laugh for a less +hazardous occasion. + +Mr. Southey in a letter, June 18, 1807, thus expresses himself. "... +Beyond the fascinations of poetry, there is a calmer and steadier +pleasure in acquiring and communicating the knowledge of what has been, +and of what is. I am passionately fond of history, even when I have been +delighted with the act of poetical composition. The recollection that all +was fable in the story with which I have exerted myself, frequently +mingled with the delight. I am better pleased in rendering justice to the +mighty dead; with the holding up to the world, of kings, conquerors, +heroes, and saints, not as they have been usually held up, but as they +really are, good or evil, according to the opinion formed of them, by one +who has neither passion, prejudice, nor interest, of any kind to mislead +his mind. + +There is a delight in recording great actions, and, though of a different +kind, in execrating bad ones, beyond anything which Poetry can give, when +it departs from historical truth. There is also a sense of power, even +beyond what the poet, creator as he is, can exercise. It is before _my_ +earthly tribunal, that these mighty ones are brought for judgment. +Centuries of applause, trophies, and altars, or canonizations, or +excommunications, avail nothing with me. No former sentences are +cognizable in my court. The merits of the case are all I look to, and I +believe I have never failed to judge of the actions by themselves, and of +the actor by his motives; and to allow manners, opinions, circumstances, +&c., their full weight in extenuation. What other merit my historical +works may have, others must find out for themselves, but this will I +vouch for, that never was the heart of any historian fuller of purer +opinions; and that never any one went about his work with more thorough +industry, or more thorough good-will. + +Your account of Churchey is very amusing, I should like to see the +pamphlet of which you speak.[64] God bless you. + +Yours affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +"Keswick, March 16, 1810. + +My dear Cottle, + +I cannot express to you how much it has affected me to hear of your +affliction, [a long continued inflammation of the eyes, subdued +ultimately, after bleeding, blistering, and cupping, by Singleton's eye +ointment,] for though I am sure there is no one who would bear any +sufferings with which it should please God to visit him, more patiently +and serenely, than yourself, this nevertheless, is an affliction of the +heaviest kind. It is very far from being the habit of my mind to indulge +in visionary hopes, but from what I recollect of the nature of your +complaint, it is an inveterate inflammation, and this I believe to be +completely within the reach of art...." + + +In the year 1814, after an hemorrhage from the lungs, and consequent +debility, I relieved my mind by writing a kind, serious, and faithful +letter to my friend Southey, under an apprehension that it might be my +last; to which Mr. Southey returned the following reply. + + +"Keswick, May 13, 1814. + +My dear Cottle, + +I have seen so dreadful a case of hemorrhage from the lungs terminate +favorably, that your letter alarms me less than otherwise it would have +done. Basil Montague the younger, continued to bleed at intervals for six +weeks, in January and February last, and he has this day left Keswick +without any dangerous symptoms remaining upon him. Two other instances +have occurred within my knowledge, I will therefore hope for a favorable +termination. Your letter comes upon me when I am like a broken reed, so +deeply has the loss of Danvers wounded me. Were I to lose you also, I +should never have heart to visit Bristol again. + +What answer shall I make to your exhortations? We differ, if indeed there +be a difference, more in appearance than reality; more in the form than +in the substance of our belief. I have already so many friends on the +other side of the grave, that a large portion of my thoughts and +affections are in another world, and it is only the certainty of another +life, which could make the changes and insecurity of this life endurable. +May God bless you, and restore you, my dear old friend, is the sincere +prayer of + +Your affectionate + +Robert Southey." + + +In the year 1816, Mr. Southey sustained a great loss in the death of his +youngest son, a boy of promising talent, and endued with every quality +which could attach a father's heart. Mr. S. thus announced the melancholy +tidings. + + +"Keswick, May 23, 1816. + +My dear Cottle, + +I know not whether the papers may have informed you of the severe +affliction with which we have been visited,--the death of my son; a boy +who was in all things after my own heart. You will be gratified to hear, +however, that this sorrow produces in both our cases, that beneficial +purpose for which such visitations were appointed: and in subtracting so +large a portion of our earthly happiness, fixes our hearts and hopes with +more earnestness on the life to come. Nothing else I am well assured, +could have supported me, though I have no ordinary share of fortitude. +But I know where to look for consolation, and am finding it where only it +can be found. My dear Cottle, the instability of human prospects and +enjoyments! You have read my proem to the 'Pilgrimage,' and before the +book was published, the child of whom I had thus spoken, with such +heartfelt delight, was in his grave! But of this enough. We have many +blessings left, abundant all, and of this, which was indeed the flower of +all our blessings, we are deprived for a time, and that time must needs +be short...." + + +In the year 1817, Mr. Southey's juvenile drama of "Wat Tyler," was +surreptitiously published; written during the few months of his political +excitement, when the specious pretensions of the French, carried away, +for a brief period, so many young and ardent minds. He thus noticed the +circumstance. + + +"My dear Cottle, + +You will have seen by the papers, that some villain, after an interval of +three and twenty years, has published my old uncle, 'Wat Tyler.' I have +failed in attempting to obtain an injunction, because a false oath has +been taken, for the purpose of defeating me.... + +I am glad to see, and you will be very glad to hear, that this business +has called forth Coleridge, and with the recollections of old times, +brought back something like old feelings. He wrote a very excellent paper +on the subject in the 'Courier,' and I hope it will be the means of his +rejoining us ere long; so good will come out of evil, and the devil can +do nothing but what he is permitted.[65] + +I am well in health, and as little annoyed by this rascality as it +becomes me to be. The only tiling that has vexed me, is the manner in +which my counsel is represented in talking about my being ashamed of the +work as a wicked performance! "Wicked! My poor 'old uncle' has nothing +wicked about him. It was the work of a right-honest enthusiast, as you +can bear witness; of one who was as upright in his youth as he has been +in his manhood, and is now in the decline of his life; who, blessed be +God, has little to be ashamed before man, of any of his thoughts, words, +or actions, whatever cause he may have for saying to his Maker, 'God be +merciful to me a sinner.' God bless you, my old and affectionate friend, + +Robert Southey. + +I am writing a pamphlet, in the form of a letter, to Wm. Smith. Fear not, +but that I shall make my own cause good, and set my foot on my enemies. +This has been a wicked transaction. It can do me no other harm than the +expense to which it has put me." + + +"Keswick, Sept. 2, 1817. + +My dear Cottle, + +... I have made a long journey on the continent, accompanied with a +friend of my own age, and with Mr. Nash, the architect, who gave me the +drawings of Waterloo. We went by way of Paris to Besançon, into +Switzerland: visited the Grand Chartreuse, crossed Mont Cenis; proceeded +to Turin, and Milan, and then turned back by the lakes Como, Lugano, and +Maggiore, and over the Simplon. Our next business was to see the +mountainous parts of Switzerland. From Bern we sent our carriage to +Zurich, and struck off what is called the Oberland (upper-land.) After +ten days spent thus, in the finest part of the country, we rejoined our +carriage, and returned through the Black Forest. The most interesting +parts of our homeward road were Danaustrugen, where the Danube rises. +Friburg, Strasburg, Baden, Carlsruhe, Heidelburg, Manheim, Frankfort, +Mentz, Cologne, and by Brussels and Lisle, to Calais. + +I kept a full journal, which might easily be made into an amusing and +useful volume, but I have no leisure for it. You may well suppose what an +accumulation of business is on my hands after so long an absence of four +months. I have derived great advantage both in knowledge and health. God +bless you, my dear Cottle. + +Yours most affectionately, + +Robert Southey. + +P.S.--Hartley Coleridge has done himself great credit at Oxford. He has +taken what is called a second class, which, considering the disadvantages +of his school education, is as honourable for him as a first class for +any body else. In all the higher points of his examination, he was +excellent, and inferior only in those minuter points, wherein he had not +been instructed. He is on the point of taking his degree." + + +"Keswick, Nov. 26,1819. + +My dear Cottle, + +Last night I received a letter from Charles Lamb, telling me to what a +miserable condition poor John Morgan is reduced: not by any extravagance +of his own, but by a thoughtless generosity, in lending to men who have +never repaid him, and by ----, who has involved him in his own ruin; and +lastly by the visitation of providence. Every thing is gone! + +In such a case, what is to be done? 'but to raise some poor annuity +amongst his friends.' It is not likely to be wanted long. He has an +hereditary disposition to a liver complaint, a disease of all others, +induced by distress of mind, and he feels the whole bitterness of his +situation. The palsy generally comes back to finish what it has begun. +Lamb will give ten pounds a year. I will do the same, and we both do +according to our means, rather tham our will. I have written to Michael +Castle to exert himself; and if you know where his friend Porter is, I +pray you communicate this information to him. We will try what can be +done in other quarters...."[66] + + +"Keswick, June 25, 1823. + +My dear Cottle, + +... I must finish my 'Book of the Church.' Under this title a sketch of +our ecclesiastical history is designed. One small volume was intended, +and behold it will form two 8vos. The object of the book is, to give +those who come after us a proper bias, by making them feel and +understand, how much they owe to the religious institutions of their +country. + +Besides this, I have other works in hand, and few things would give me +more pleasure than to show you their state of progress, and the +preparations I have made for them. If you would bring your sister to pass +a summer with us, how joyfully and heartily you would be welcomed, I +trust you both well know. Our friendship is now of nine and twenty years' +standing, and I will venture to say, for you, or for us, life cannot have +many gratifications in store greater than this would prove. Here are +ponies accustomed to climb these mountains which will carry you to the +summit of Skiddaw, without the slightest difficulty, or danger. And here +is my boat, the 'Royal Noah,' in the lake, in which you may exercise your +arms when you like. Within and without I have much to show you. You would +like to see my children; from Edith May, who is taller than her mother, +down to Cuthbert, who was four years old in February last. Then there are +my books, of which I am as proud as you are of your bones.[67] They are +not indeed quite so old, but then they are more numerous, and I am sure +Miss C. will agree with me that they are much better furniture, and much +pleasanter companions. + +Not that I mean to depreciate your fossil remains. Forbid it all that is +venerable. I should very much like to see your account of them. You gave +me credit for more than is my due, when you surmised that the paper in +the Quarterly (on the presumed alteration in the plane of the ecliptic) +might have been mine. I write on no subject on which I have not bestowed +considerable time and thought; and on all points of science, I confess +myself to be either very superficially informed, or altogether ignorant. +Some day I will send you a list of all my papers in that Journal, that +you may not impute to me any thing which is not mine; and that, if you +have at any time such a desire, you may see what the opinions are that I +have there advanced. Very few I believe in which you would not entirely +accord with me. God bless you. + +Yours affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +"Keswick, April 7, 1825. + +My dear Cottle, + +You have indeed had a severe loss,[68] I know not how the heart could +bear, if it were not for the prospect of eternity, and the full sense of +the comparative nothingness of time, which that prospect produces. If I +look on the last thirty years, things seem as but yesterday; and when I +look forward, the end of this mortal journey must be near, though the +precise point where it will terminate is not in sight. Yet were you under +my roof, as I live in hope that one day you will be, you would recognize +just as much of the original Robert Southey as you would wish to see +remaining;--though the body is somewhat the worse for wear. + +I thought I had written to thank you for your 'Strictures on the Plymouth +Antinomians;' which were well deserved, and given in a very proper +spirit. Ultra-Calvinism is as little to my liking as it is to yours. It +may be, and no doubt is held by many good men, upon whom it produces no +worse effects than that of narrowing charity. But Dr. Hawker, and such as +the Hawkers, only push it to its legitimate consequences. + +At present I am engaged in a war with the Roman Catholics, a war in which +there will be much ink shed, though not on my part, for when my +'Vindiciae' are finished, I shall leave the field. When you see that +book, you will be surprised at the exposure of sophistries, +disingenuousness, and downright falsehoods, which it will lay before the +world; and you will see the charge of systematic imposture proved upon +the papal church. + +I must leave my home by the middle of next month, and travel for some +weeks, in the hope of escaping an annual visitation of Catarrh, which now +always leaves cough behind it, and a rather threatening hold of the +chest. I am going therefore to Holland, to see that country, and to look +for certain ecclesiastical books, which I shall be likely to obtain at +Brussels, or Antwerp, or on the way thither. + +A young friend, in the Colonial office, is to be one of my companions, +and I expect that Neville White will be the other. It is a great effort +to go from home at any time, and a great inconvenience, considering the +interruption which my pursuits must suffer; still it is a master of duty +and of economy to use every means for averting illness. If I can send +home one or two chests of books, the pleasure of receiving them on my +return is worth some cost. + +How you would like to see my library, and to recognize among them some +volumes as having been the gift of Joseph Cottle, seven or eight and +twenty years ago. I have a great many thousand volumes, of all sorts, +sizes, languages, and kinds, upon all subjects, and in all sorts of +trims; from those which are displayed in 'Peacock Place,' to the ragged +inhabitants of 'Duck Row.' The room in which I am now writing contains +two thousand four hundred volumes, all in good apparel; many of them of +singular rarity and value. I have another room full, and a passage full; +book-cases in both landing places, and from six to seven hundred volumes +in my bed-room. You have never seen a more cheerful room than my study; +this workshop, from which so many works have proceeded, and in which +among other things, I have written all those papers of mine, in the +Quarterly Review, whereof you have a list below.[69] + +The next month will have a paper of mine on the 'Chuch Missionary +Society,' and the one after, upon the 'Memoir of the Chevalier Bayard,' +which Sarah Coleridge, daughter of S. T. Coleridge, has translated. + +Write to me oftener, as your letters will always have a reply, let whose +may go unanswered. God bless you, my dear old friend. + +Yours most affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +"Keswick, Feb. 26, 1826. + +My dear Cottle, + +I have sent you my Vindication of the 'Book of the Church,' in which +though scarcely half of what was intended to be comprised, enough is done +to prove the charge of superstition, impostures, and wickedness, upon the +Romish Church. Whether I shall pursue the subject, in that form, depends +on circumstances. I have employment enough in other ways, and would +rather present my historical recollections in any form than that of +controversy.... The revelations of sister Nativity are mentioned in my +'Vindiciae.' You will see an account of this impious Romish imposture in +the next Quarterly. Such an exposure ought to open the eyes of those who +are duped with the belief that the Roman Catholic religion is become +innocent and harmless. + +Have I written to you since I was bug-bitten in France, and laid up in +consequence, under a surgeon's hands in Holland? This mishap brought with +it much more immediate good than evil. Bilderdyk, whose wife translated +'Don Roderic' into Dutch, and who is himself confessedly the best poet, +and the most learned man in that country, received me into his house, +where I was nursed for three weeks by two of the very best people in the +world. But the effects of the accident remain. On my way home, owing +perhaps to the intense heat of the weather, erysipelas showed itself on +the wounded part. The foot also has been in a slight degree swollen, and +there is just enough sense of uneasiness to show that something is amiss. +My last year's journey succeeded in cutting short the annual catarrh, +which had for so many years laid me up during the summer months. I shall +try the same course as soon as the next summer commences. + +Will you never come and visit me, and see how that hair looks, which I +doubt not keeps its colour so well in Vandyke's portrait? now it is three +parts grey, but curling still as strong as in youth. I look at your +portrait every day and see you to the life, as you were thirty years ago! +What a change should we see in each other now, and yet how soon should we +find that the better part remains unchanged. + +The day before yesterday I received your two volumes of 'Malvern Hills, +Poems, and Essays,' fourth edition, forwarded to me from Sheffield, by +James Montgomery. You ask my opinion on your ninth essay (on the supposed +alteration in the planes of the equator and the ecliptic suggested by an +hypothesis in the Quarterly). I am too ignorant to form one. The +reasoning seems conclusive, taking the scientific part for granted, but +of that science, or any other, I know nothing. This I can truly say, that +the essays in general please me very much. That I am very glad to see +those concerning Chatterton introduced there;--and very much admire, the +manner, and the feeling, with which you have treated Psalmanazar's story. +You tell me things respecting Chatterton which were new to me, and of +course interested me much. It may be worth while, when you prepare a copy +for republication, to corroborate the proof of his insanity, by stating +that there was a constitutional tendency to such a disease, which places +the fact beyond all doubt.... + +Thank you, for the pains you have taken about 'Bunyan.' The first edition +we cannot find, nor even ascertain its date. The first edition of the +Second part we have found. An impudent assertion, I learn from +'Montgomery's Essay,' was published, that the 'Pilgrim's Progress' was a +mere translation from the Dutch. I have had the Dutch book, and have read +it, which he who made this assertion could not do. The charge of +plagiarism is utterly false, not having the slightest foundation. When +you and I meet in the next world, we will go and see John Bunyan, and +tell him how I have tinkered the fellow, for tinker him I will, who has +endeavoured to pick a hole in his reputation. God bless you, my dear old +friend, + +Robert Southey. + +P. S. There are two dreams that may be said to haunt me, they recur so +often. The one is, that of being at Westminster school again, and not +having my books. The other is, that I am at Bristol, and have been there +some indefinite time; and unaccountably, have never been to look for you +in Brunswick Square, for which I am troubled in conscience. Come to us, +and I will pledge myself to visit you in return when next I travel to the +south." + + +In a letter to Mr. Southey, I mentioned that a relation of Wm. Gilbert +had informed me that he was hurt with Mr. S. for having named him, in his +'Life of Wesley,' as being tinctured with insanity; a fact notorious. Mr. +G. had often affirmed that there was a nation of the Gilbertians in the +centre of Africa, and expressed a determination of one day visiting them. +In the year 1796, he suddenly left Bristol, without speaking to any one +of his friends; and the inference drawn, was that he was about to +commence his African expedition. I had also mentioned that Sir James +Mackintosh had expressed an opinion that Mr. Southey had formed his style +on the model of Horace Walpole. These preliminary remarks are necessary +to the understanding of the following letter. + + +"Keswick, Feb. 26. + +My dear Cottle, + +What you say about poor Gilbert has surprised me. You know we lost sight +of him after he left Bristol, with, according to our apprehension, the +design of going to Liverpool, and from thence to procure a passage to +Africa. On that occasion, after consulting with Danvers, and I think with +you, I wrote to Roscoe, apologizing, as a stranger, for the liberty, +requesting him to caution any captain of a ship, bound to the African +coast, from taking a person in his state of mind on board. Roscoe replied +very courteously, and took the desired precaution, but Gilbert never +appeared at Liverpool. Some time afterward it was told me that he was +dead, and believing him so to be, I mentioned him in the life of Wesley, +(Vol. 2. p. 467.) speaking of him as I had ever felt, with respect and +kindness, but in a way which I should not have done if I had not been +fully persuaded of his death. + +Mackintosh's notice, as you inform me, that my style is founded on Horace +Walpole, is ridiculous. It is founded on nobody's. I say what I have to +say as plainly as I can, without thinking of the style, and this is the +whole secret. I could tell by what poets my poetry has successively been +leavened, but not what prose writers have ever in the same manner +influenced me. In fact, I write as you may always have remarked, such as +I always converse, without effort, and without aiming at display. + +... Poor Morgan, you know, was latterly supported by a subscription, +which Charles Lamb set on foot, and which was to have been annual, but he +died within the year. + +Just now I am pressed for time to finish the 'Life of Cowper.' This Life +will interest you, not merely because you (I know) would read with +partial interest anything of mine, but because many circumstances are +there stated which have never before been made public. + +You may have heard that a new edition of my 'Life of Wesley' is promised. +Such an accumulation of materials has been poured upon me by a Mr. +Marriott, well known among the Methodists, that I shall have to add a +fourth, or perhaps, a third part of new matter, besides making many +corrections and alterations. I have also got possession of the remaining +papers of Mr. Powley, who married Miss Unwin. His widow died last year; +and thus they became accessible. There were in the collection a good many +letters of Mr. Newton, whose letters to Mr. Thornton, I have had before, +and made great use of them in the 1st vol. of Cowper. From these papers I +shall learn much concerning the first proceedings of the evangelical +clergy, and expect to collect some materials for the 'Biographical +Notes,' which must accompany 'Cowper's Letters'; and still more for the +religious history of 'Wesley's Times,' as connected with the progress of +Methodism. God bless you, my dear old friend, + +Robert Southey." + + +"Keswick, Nov. 4, 1828. + +My dear Cottle, + +Shame on me that your last friendly letter should have remained so long +unanswered, and that the direct motive for writing now should be a +selfish one; one however, in which I know you will take some interest, on +more accounts than one. + +Major, in Fleet Street, is about to publish an edition of the Pilgrim's +Progress, for which I have undertaken to write an introductory life of +the author. You need not be told how dearly I love John Bunyan. Now he +has made inquiries among public and private libraries for the first +edition, and can nowhere discover a copy. It has occurred to me that it +may be in the Bristol Baptist Library, and if you will make this inquiry +for me, and in case it be there, ascertain whether it differs from the +folio edition of Bunyan's works, you will do me a great kindness[70].... +That I should be somewhat the worse for the wear was to be expected, but +I am not more so than you would look to see me; still active, cheerful, +with a good appetite for books, and not an ill one for work. Some things +I shall have to send you both in prose and verse, before the winter +passes away.... + +Remember me in the kindest manner to ----, and to ----, and to ----. When +I think of you all, old times return with the freshness of a dream. In +less time than has elapsed since we were all young together, we shall be +together again, and have dropped the weight of years and mortality on the +way. + +If my old acquaintance, Isaac James be living, remember me to him with +cordial good will. God bless you, my dear old friend. + +Robert Southey." + + +"Keswick, March 22, 1831. + +My dear Cottle, + +Your package arrived safely yesterday afternoon. I shall get the books +with which you presented me furbished up, and write in each that it was +your gift;--a pleasant memorandum which is found in others on these +shelves. I like to give books this incidental value, and write therefore, +the date, and place, in every fresh acquisition. Many recollections do +they call up, which otherwise would have passed away. You who have known +me from the beginning of my authorial life, ought to see this library of +mine. As I think no man ever made more use of his books, so I am sure +that no man ever took more delight in them. They are the pride of my +eyes, and the joy of my heart; an innocent pride, I trust, and a +wholesome joy." + + * * * * * + +The reader's attention will now be directed to Mr. Coleridge, by +introducing a letter from Mr. C. to Mr. Wade, who had written to him for +advice respecting a meditated excursion to Germany. + + +"March 6, 1801. + +My very dear friend, + +I have even now received your letter. My habits of thinking and feeling, +have not hitherto inclined me to personify commerce in any such shape, so +as to tempt me to tarn pagan, and offer vows to the goddess of our isle. +But when I read that sentence in your letter, 'The time will come I +trust, when I shall be able to pitch my tent in your neighbourhood,' I +was most potently commanded to a breach of the second commandment, and on +my knees, to entreat the said goddess, to touch your bank notes and +guineas with her magical multiplying wand. I could offer such a prayer +for you, with a better conscience than for most men, because I know that +you have never lost that healthy common sense, which regards money only +as the means of independence, and that you would sooner than most men cry +out, enough! enough! To see one's children secured against want, is +doubtless a delightful thing; but to wish to see them begin the world as +rich men, is unwise to ourselves, for it permits no close of our labours, +and is pernicious to them; for it leaves no motive to their exertions, +none of those sympathies with the industrious and the poor, which form at +once the true relish and proper antidote of wealth. + +... Is not March rather a perilous month for the voyage from Yarmouth to +Hamburg? danger there is very little, in the packets, but I know what +inconvenience rough weather brings with it; not from my own feelings, for +I am never sea-sick, but always in exceeding high spirits on board ship, +but from what I see in others. But you are an old sailor. At Hamburgh I +have not a shadow of acquaintance. My letters of introduction produced +for me, with one exception, viz., Klopstock, the brother of the poet, no +real service, but merely distant and ostentatious civility. And Klopstock +will by this time have forgotten my name, which indeed he never properly +knew, for I could speak only English and Latin, and he only French and +German. At Ratzeburgh, 35 English miles N. E. from Hamburgh, on the road +to Lubec, I resided four months; and I should hope, was not unbeloved by +more than one family, but this is out of your route. At Gottingen I +stayed near five months, but here I knew only students, who will have +left the place by this time, and the high learned professors, only one of +whom could speak English; and they are so wholly engaged in their +academical occupations, that they would be of no service to you. Other +acquaintance in Germany I have none, and connexion I never had any. For +though I was much entreated by some of the Literati to correspond with +them, yet my natural laziness, with the little value I attach to literary +men, as literary men, and with my aversion from those letters which are +to be made up of studied sense, and unfelt compliments, combined to +prevent me from availing myself of the offer. Herein, and in similar +instances, with English authors of repute, I have ill consulted the +growth of my reputation and fame. But I have cheerful and confident hopes +of myself. If I can hereafter do good to my fellow-creatures as a poet, +and as a metaphysician, they will know it; and any other fame than this, +I consider as a serious evil, that would only take me from out the number +and sympathy of ordinary men, to make a coxcomb of me. As to the inns or +hotels at Hamburgh, I should recommend you to some German inn. Wordsworth +and I were at the 'Der Wilde Man,' and dirty as it was, I could not find +any inn in Germany very much cleaner, except at Lubec. But if you go to +an English inn, for heaven's sake, avoid the 'Shakspeare,' at Altona, and +the 'King of England,' at Hamburgh. They are houses of plunder rather +than entertainment. 'The Duke of York' hotel, kept by Seaman, has a +better reputation, and thither I would advise you to repair; and I advise +you to pay your bill every morning at breakfast time: it is the only way +to escape imposition. What the Hamburgh merchants may be I know not, but +the tradesmen are knaves. Scoundrels, with yellow-white phizzes, that +bring disgrace on the complexion of a bad tallow candle. Now as to +carriage, I know scarcely what to advise; only make up your mind to the +very worst vehicles, with the very worst horses, drawn by the very worst +postillions, over the very worst roads, and halting two hours at each +time they change horses, at the very worst inns; and you have a fair, +unexaggerated picture of travelling in North Germany. The cheapest way is +the best; go by the common post wagons, or stage coaches. What are called +extraordinaries, or post-chaises, are little wicker carts, uncovered, +with moveable benches or forms in them, execrable in every respect. And +if you buy a vehicle at Hamburgh, you can get none decent under thirty or +forty guineas, and very, probably it will break to pieces on the infernal +roads. The canal boats are delightful, but the porters everywhere in the +United Provinces, are an impudent, abominable, and dishonest race. You +must carry as little luggage as you well can with you, in the canal +boats, and when you land, get recommended to an inn beforehand, and +bargain with the porters first of all, and never lose sight of them, or +you may never see your portmanteau or baggage again. + +My Sarah desires her love to you and yours. God bless your dear little +ones! Make haste and get rich, dear friend! and bring up the little +creatures to be playfellows and school-fellows with my little ones! + +Again and again, sea serve you, wind speed you, all things turn out good +to you! God bless you, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +As a curious literary fact, I might mention that the sale of the first +edition of the "Lyrical Ballads," was so slow, and the severity of most +of the reviews so great, that their progress to oblivion, notwithstanding +the merit which I was quite sure they possessed, seemed ordained to be as +rapid as it was certain. I had given thirty guineas for the copyright, as +detailed in the preceding letters; but the heavy sale induced me at +length, to part with, at a loss, the largest proportion of the +impression of five hundred, to Mr. Arch, a London bookseller. After this +transaction had occurred, I received a letter from Mr. Wordsworth, +written the day before he set sail for the continent, requesting me to +make over my interest in the "Lyrical Ballads" to Mr. Johnson, of St +Paul's Churchyard. This I could not have done, had I been so disposed, as +the engagement had been made with Mr. Arch. + +On Mr. W.'s return to England, I addressed a letter to him, explaining +the reasons why I could not comply with his request, to which he thus +replied: + + +"My dear Cottle, + +I perceive that it would have been impossible for you to comply with my +request, respecting the 'Lyrical Ballads,' as you had entered into a +treaty with Arch. How is the copyright to be disposed of when you quit +the bookselling business? We were much amused with the 'Anthology,' Your +poem of the 'Killcrop' we liked better than any; only we regretted that +you did not save the poor little innocent's life, by some benevolent art +or other. You might have managed a little pathetic incident, in which +nature, appearing forcibly in the child, might have worked in some way or +other, upon its superstitious destroyer. + +We have spent our time pleasantly enough in Germany, but we are right +glad to find ourselves in England, for we have learnt to know its value. +We left Coleridge well at Gottingen, a month ago.... + +God bless you, my dear Cottle, + +Your affectionate friend, + +W. Wordsworth." + + +Soon after the receipt of the above, I received another letter from Mr. +W. kindly urging me to pay him a visit in the north, in which, as an +inducement, he says, + + +"... Write to me beforehand, and I will accompany you on a tour. You will +come by Greta-bridge, which is about twenty miles from this place, +(Stockburn); and after we have seen all the curiosities of that +neighbourhood, I will accompany you into Cumberland and Westmoreland.... + +God bless you, dear Cottle, + +W. W." + + +A short time after the receipt of this invitation, Mr. Coleridge arrived +in Bristol from Germany, and as he was about to pay Mr. Wordsworth a +visit, he pressed me to accompany him. I had intended a journey to +London, and now determined on proceeding with so agreeable a companion, +and on so pleasant a journey and tour; taking the metropolis on my +return. To notice the complicated incidents which occurred on this tour, +would occupy a large space. I therefore pass it all over, with the +remark, that in this interview with Mr. Wordsworth, the subject of the +"Lyrical Ballads" was mentioned but once, and that casually, and only to +account for its failure! which Mr. W. ascribed to two causes; first the +"Ancient Mariner," which, he said, no one seemed to understand; and +secondly, the unfavorable notice of most of the reviews. + +On my reaching London, having an account to settle with Messrs. Longman +and Rees, the booksellers of Paternoster Row, I sold them all my +copyrights, which were valued as one lot, by a third party. On my next +seeing Mr. Longman, he told me, that in estimating the value of the +copyrights, Fox's "Achmed," and Wordsworth's "Lyrical Ballads," were +"reckoned _as nothing_." "That being the case," I replied, "as both these +authors are my personal friends, I should be obliged, if you would return +me again these two copyrights, that I may have the pleasure of presenting +them to the respective writers." Mr. Longman answered, with his +accustomed liberality, "You are welcome to them." On my reaching Bristol, +I gave Mr. Fox his receipt for twenty guineas; and on Mr. Coleridge's +return from the north, I gave him Mr. Wordsworth's receipt for his thirty +guineas; so that whatever advantage has arisen, subsequently, from the +sale of this volume of the "Lyrical Ballads," I am happy to say, has +pertained exclusively to Mr. W. + +I have been the more particular in these statements, as it furnishes, +perhaps, the most remarkable instance on record, of a volume of Poems +remaining for so long a time, almost totally neglected, and afterwards +acquiring, and that in a rapid degree, so much deserved popularity.[71] + +A month or two after Mr. Coleridge had left Bristol for Germany, Dr. +Beddoes told me of a letter he had just received from his friend, Davies +Giddy, (afterward with the altered name of Gilbert, President of the +Royal Society) recommending a very ingenious young chemist, of Penzance, +in Cornwall, to assist him in his Pneumatic Institution, at the Hotwells. +"The character is so favourable," said the Dr. "I think I shall engage +him;" handing me the letter. I read it, and replied, "You cannot err in +receiving a young man thus recommended." Two or three weeks after, Dr. B. +introduced me to no other than Mr. afterwards Sir. Humphrey Davy. (Mr. +Giddy little thought that this "young chemist of Penzance," was destined +to precede himself, in occupying the chair of Newton.) + +This Pneumatic Institution, for ascertaining how far the different gases, +received into the lungs, were favourable, or not, to certain diseases, +has often been referred to; but its origin, that I am aware of, has never +been stated. It has erroneously been supposed, to have depended for its +establishment and support, exclusively on Dr. Beddoes. But being +acquainted with the circumstances of the case, it is right to mention, +that this Gaseous Institution resulted from the liberality of the late +Mr. Lambton, (father of the late Earl of Durham). When Mr. L. heard from +Dr. Beddoes an opinion expressed, that Medical science might be greatly +assisted by a fair and full examination of the effects of factitious airs +on the human constitution, particularly in reference to consumption; to +obtain this "fair and full examination," Mr. Lambton immediately +presented Dr. B. with the munificent sum of fifteen hundred pounds. One +other individual also, contributed handsomely toward the same +object,--the late Mr. Thomas Wedgewood, who presented Dr. B. with one +thousand pounds, for the furtherance of this design.[72] + +It might be here mentioned, that a few months after this, two +intelligent-looking boys were often seen with Dr. B. with whom they were +domesticated. The Dr. was liberally remunerated for superintending their +education, (with suitable masters;) and this he did at the dying request +of their father, who had recently deceased in Italy. Dr. Beddoes took +great pains with these boys, so that when they entered at Eton, they were +found quite equal to other boys of their own age in classical +attainments, and greatly their superiors in general knowledge. The father +was the above Mr. Lambton, and one of the two boys, was the late Earl of +Durham. One of the precepts strongly inculcated on these youths, was, +"Never be idle, boys. Let energy be apparent in all you do. If you play, +play heartily, and at your book, be determined to excel. Languor is the +bane of intellect." + +I remember to have seen Mr. Lambton at Dr. B.'s. He had a fine +countenance, but it betrayed the hue of consumption. After having been +for some time under the care of Dr. Beddoes, the Dr. recommended his +patient to try a warmer climate, when Mr. L. departed for Italy. Mr. +Lambton's health still declining, and considering that his only chance +for life depended on the skill of his own experienced physician, he wrote +to Dr. Beddoes, urging him, without delay to set off, I think, for +Naples. This I received from Dr. B. himself, who said, at the same time, +"On Monday morning I shall set off for Italy." But before Monday, the +tidings arrived that Mr. Lambton was dead! + +The two young Lambtons had the additional privilege of living under the +same roof with Mr. Davy, and on various occasions through life, the Earl +of Durham and his brother have testified a deep sense of respect and +friendship for the illustrious chemist who so enlivened and edified their +younger days. + +When Dr. Beddoes introduced to me young Mr. Davy, (being under twenty) I +was much struck with the intellectual character of his face. His eye was +piercing, and when not engaged in converse, was remarkably introverted, +amounting to absence, as though his mind had been pursuing some severe +trains of thought, scarcely to be interrupted by external objects; and +from the first interview also, his ingenuousness impressed me as much as +his mental superiority. Mr. D. having no acquaintance in Bristol, I +encouraged and often received his visits, and he conferred an obligation +on me, by often passing his afternoons in my company. During these +agreeable interviews, he occasionally amused me by relating anecdotes of +himself; or detailing his numerous chemical experiments: or otherwise by +repeating his poems, several of which he gave me (still retained); and it +was impossible to doubt, that if he had not shone as a philosopher, he +would have become conspicuous as a poet.[73] + +I must now refer again to the Pneumatic Institution, to which the medical +world looked with some anxiety, and which excited much conversation in +the circle where I happened to be placed. Dr. Beddoes early in the year +1798, had given an admirable course of Lectures in Bristol, on the +principles and practice of Chemistry, and which were rendered popular by +a great diversity of experiments; so that, with other branches of the +science, the gases, had become generally familiar. The establishment of +the Pneumatic Institution immediately following, the public mind was +prepared, in some measure, to judge of its results; and a very +considerable increase of confidence was entertained, from the +acknowledged talents of the young superintendant; so that all which could +be accomplished was fully calculated upon. The funds also which supported +the Institution being ample, the apparatus corresponded, and a more +persevering and enthusiastic experimentalist than Mr. Davy, the whole +kingdom could not have produced; an admission which was made by all who +knew him, before the profounder parts of his character had been +developed. No personal danger restrained him from determining facts, as +the data of his reasoning; and if Fluxions, or some other means, had not +conveyed the information, such was his enthusiasm, he would almost have +sprung from the perpendicular brow of St. Vincent to determine his +precise time, in descending from the top to the bottom. + +I soon learnt from Mr. D. himself the course of his experiments; many of +which were in the highest degree hazardous, when, with friendly +earnestness, I warned him against his imminent perils. He seemed to act, +as if in case of sacrificing one life, he had two or three others in +reserve on which he could fall back in case of necessity. He occasionally +so excited my fears that I half despaired of seeing him alive the next +morning. He has been known sometimes to breathe a deadly gas, with his +finger on his pulse, to determine how much could be borne, before a +serious declension occurred in the vital action. The great hazards to +which he exposed himself may be estimated by the following slight detail. + +Dr. Mitchell, as well as Dr. Priestley, had stated the fatal effects on +animal life, of the gazeous oxide of azote; Mr. Davy, on the contrary, +for reasons which satisfied himself, thought it respirable in its pure +state; at least, that a single inspiration of this gas might neither +destroy, nor materially injure the powers of life. He tried one +inspiration. No particularly injurious effects followed. He now breathed, +out of his _green bag_, three quarts of this nitrous oxide (gazeous oxide +of azote,) when it was attended with a degree of giddiness, great fulness +in the head, and with loss of distinct sensation and voluntary power, +analogous to intoxication. Not being able fully to determine whether the +gas was "stimulant" or "depressing," he now breathed four quarts of it +from his _green bag_, when an irresistible propensity to action followed, +with motions, various and violent. Still, not being satisfied, he +proceeded in his experiments, and at length found that he could breathe +nine quarts for three minutes, and twelve quarts for rather more than +four, but never for five minutes, without the danger of fatal +consequences, as before five minutes had expired, the mouth-piece +generally dropped from his unclosed lips. By breathing from six to seven +quarts only, muscular motions were produced, and he manifested the +pleasure it excited, by stamping, laughing, dancing, shouting, &c. + +At another time, having ascertained that his pure nitrous oxide, was +eminently stimulant, he wanted to determine whether the system, in a high +state of stimulation, would then be susceptible of a proportionate +accession of stimulus from his new gas; like that which would be +experienced by the man, who after taking one bottle of wine, drank a +second; and to acquire demonstration on this nice subject, (although he +was a confirmed water-drinker) to form the basis of his experiment, he +drank off with all despatch a whole bottle of wine, the consequence of +which was, that he first reeled, and then fell down insensibly drunk. +After lying in this state for two or three hours, he awoke with a sense +of nausea, head-ache, and the usual effects of intoxication. At the first +return of recollection, however, undaunted by the past, the young +enthusiastic philosopher called out for the _green bag_, when he breathed +twelve quarts of nitrous oxide, for three or four minutes. The +consequence of this was, he became a second time intoxicated, though in a +less degree, when he strode across the room, and by stamping, laughing, +dancing, and vociferation, found that the same effects followed, which +attended his former experiment, without any increase of stimulus from the +wine. + +All the gases that had hitherto been the subject of investigation, sunk +in importance before this nitrous oxide, which the perseverance of Mr. +Davy had now obtained in its pure state, in any quantity and consequently +divested of that foreign admixture which rendered it usually so +destructive. He had also ascertained the quantity which might safely be +admitted into the lungs. Dr. Beddoes was sanguine as to its medical +qualities, and conceived that, if not a specific, it might prove highly +advantageous in paralysis, and pulmonary affections; and, in conjunction +with these benefits he well knew it would confer importance on his own +Pneumatic Institution. As Dr. B. meditated a publication expressly on +this subject, he was desirous of collecting the testimony of others, for +which purpose, he persuaded several of his friends to breathe this +innocent, but exhilarating nitrous oxide, while they described, and he +recorded their sensations. + +Mr. Southey, Mr. Clayfield, Mr. Tobin, and others inhaled the new air. +One, it made dance, another laugh, while a third, in his state of +excitement, being pugnaciously inclined, very uncourteously, struck Mr. +Davy rather violently with his fist. It became now an object with Dr. B. +to witness the effect this potent gas might produce on one of the softer +sex, and he prevailed on a courageous young lady, (Miss ----) to breathe +out of his pretty _green bag_, this delightful nitrous oxide. After a few +inspirations, to the astonishment of every body, the young lady dashed +out of the room and house, when, racing down Hope-square, she leaped over +a great dog in her way, but being hotly pursued by the fleetest of her +friends, the fair fugitive, or rather the temporary maniac, was at length +overtaken and secured, without further damage. + +Dr. Beddoes now expressed a wish to record my testimony also, and +presented me his _green bag_; but being satisfied with the effects +produced on others, I begged to decline the honour. The Pneumatic +Institution, at this time, from the laughable and diversified effects +produced by this new gas on different individuals, quite exorcised +philosophical gravity, and converted the laboratory into the region of +hilarity and relaxation. The young lady's feats, in particular, produced +great merriment, and so intimidated the ladies, that not one, after this +time, could be prevailed upon to look at the _green bag_, or hear of +nitrous oxide, without horror! + +But more perilous experiments must now be noticed. Mr. Davy having +succeeded so well with the Nitrous Oxide, determined even to hazard a +trial with the deadly Nitrous Gas. For this purpose he placed in a bag, +"one hundred and fourteen cubic inches of nitrous gas," and knowing that +unless he exhausted his lungs of the atmospheric air, its oxygen would +unite with the nitrous gas, and produce in his lungs _aqua-fortis_, he +wisely resolved to expel if possible, the whole of the atmospheric air +from his lungs, by some contrivance of his own. For this purpose, in a +second bag, he placed seven quarts of nitrous oxide, and made from it +three inspirations, and three expirations, and then instantly transferred +his mouth to the nitrous gas bag, and turning the stop-cock, took one +inspiration. This gas, in passing through his mouth and fauces, burnt his +throat, and produced such a spasm in the epiglottis, as to cause him +instantly to desist, when, in breathing the common air, aqua-fortis was +really formed in his mouth, which burnt his tongue, palate, and injured +his teeth. Mr. D. says, "I never design again to repeat so rash an +experiment." + +But though this experiment might not be repeated, there was one other +nearly as dangerous, to which Mr. Davy's love of science prompted him to +resort; not by trying it on another but, generously, on himself. + +Mr. Davy wished to determine whether the carburetted hydrogen gas, was so +destructive to animal life as had been represented. In its pure state, +one inspiration of this gas was understood to destroy life, but Mr. D. +mixed three quarts of the gas, with two quarts of the atmospheric air, +and then breathed the whole for nearly a minute. This produced only +slight effects, (nothing to an experimental chemist;) merely "giddiness, +pain in the head, loss of voluntary power," &c. + +The spirit of inquiry not being to be repressed by these trifling +inconveniences, Mr. Davy was now emboldened to introduce into his green +bag, four quarts of carburetted hydrogen gas, nearly pure. After +exhausting his lungs in the usual way, he made two inspirations of this +gas. The first inspiration produced numbness and loss of feeling in the +chest. After the second, he lost all power of perceiving external things, +except a terrible oppression on his chest, and he seemed sinking fast to +death! He had just consciousness enough to remove the mouth-piece from +his unclosed lips, when he became wholly insensible. After breathing the +common air for some time, consciousness was restored, and Mr. Davy +faintly uttered, as a consolation to his then attendant, Mr. John Tobin, +"I do not think I shall die." + +Such are some of the appalling hazards encountered by M. Davy, in his +intrepid investigation of the gases. These destructive experiments, +during his residence at Bristol, probably, produced those affections of +the chest, to which he was subject through life, and which, beyond all +question, shortened his days. Nothing at this moment so excites my +surprise, as that Mr. D.'s life should have been protracted, with all his +unparalleled indifference concerning it, to the vast age, for him, of +fifty years. + +I cannot here withhold an ungracious piece of information. In the +prospect of this establishment, great expectations had been raised, and +the afflicted of all descriptions, were taught to expect a speedy cure; +so that when the doors were opened, no less than seventy or eighty +patients, progressively applied for the gratuitous alleviation of their +maladies. But it is too great a tax on human patience, when cures are +always promised, but never come. No one recovery, in an obstinate case, +had occurred: in consequence of which, many patients became dissatisfied, +and remitted their attendance. Independently of which, an idea had become +prevalent amongst the crowd of afflicted, that they were merely made the +subjects of experiment, which thinned the ranks of the old applicants, +and intimidated new. It might be said, that patients after a certain +period had so ominously declined, that the very fire was likely to become +extinguished for want of fuel. In order that the trials might be +deliberately proceeded in, a fortunate thought occurred to Dr. Beddoes; +namely, not to _bribe_, but to _reward_ all persevering patients; for Mr. +Davy informed me, that, before the Pneumatic Institution was broken up, +they allowed every patient sixpence per diem; so that when all hopes of +cure had subsided, it became a mere pecuniary calculation with the +sufferers, whether, for a parish allowance of three shillings a week, +they should submit or not, to be drenched with these nauseous gases. + +This Pneumatic Institution, though long in a declining state, protracted +its existence for more than two years, till the departure from Bristol of +Mr. D., and then by its failure, it established the useful negative fact, +however mortifying, that medical science was not to be improved through +the medium of factitious airs. + +I happened to be present when Mr. W. Coates casually named to Mr. Davy, +then just turned of twenty, that his boy the preceding evening, had +accidentally struck one piece of cane against another, in the dark, and +which produced light. It was quite impressive to notice the intense +earnestness with which Mr. D. heard this fact which, by others, might +have been immediately forgotten. Mr. D. on the contrary, without +speaking, appeared lost in meditation. He subsequently commenced his +experiments on these canes, and thus communicated the results to his +friend Mr. Giddy, (now Gilbert). + + +"My dear friend, + +... I have now just room to give you an account of the experiments I have +lately been engaged in. + +_First_. One of Mr. Coates's children accidentally discovered that two +bonnet-canes rubbed together produced a faint light. The novelty of this +experiment induced me to examine it, and I found that the canes, on +collision, produced sparks of light, as brilliant as those from flint and +steel. + +_Secondly_. On examining the epidermis, I found, when it was taken off, +that the canes no longer gave light on collision. + +_Thirdly_. The epidermis, subjected to chemical analysis, had all the +properties of silex. + +_Fourthly_, The similar appearance of the epidermis of reeds, corn, and +grasses, induced me to suppose that they also contained silex. By burning +them carefully and analyzing their ashes, I found that they contained it +in rather larger proportions than the canes. + +_Fifthly_. The corn and grasses contain sufficient potash to form glass +with their flint. A very pretty experiment may be made on these plants +with the blowpipe. If you take a straw of wheat, barley, or hay, and burn +it, beginning at the top, and heating the ashes with a blue flame, you +will obtain a perfect globule of hard glass, fit for microscopic +discovery." + + +The circumstance, that all canes, as well as straws and hollow grasses, +have an epidermis of silex, is one of the most singular facts in nature. +Mr. Davy, in another place, has stated the advantages arising to this +class of vegetables, from their stony external concretion: namely, "the +defence it offers from humidity; the shield which it presents to the +assaults of insects; and the strength and stability that it administers +to plants, which, from being hollow, without this support, would be less +perfectly enabled to resist the effect of storms. + +Those canes which are not hollow, are long and slender, and from wanting +the power to sustain themselves, come usually in contact with the ground, +when they would speedily decay, from moisture, but from the impenetrable +coat of mail with which nature has furnished them. But questions still +arise for future investigators. How came the matter of flint to invest +those plants which most need it, and not others? Whence does this silex +come? Is it derived from the air, or from water, or from the earth? That +it emanates from the atmosphere is wholly inadmissible. If the silex +proceed from water, where is the proof? and how is the superficial +deposit effected? Also, as silex is not a constituent part of water, if +incorporated at all, it can be held only in solution. By what law is this +solution produced, so that the law of gravity should be suspended? If the +silex be derived from the earth, by what vessels is it conveyed to the +surface of the plants? and, in addition, if earth be its source, how is +it that earth-seeking, and hollow plants, with their epidermis of silex, +should arise in soils that are not silicious? being equally predominant, +whether the soil be calcareous, argillaceous, or loamy. The decomposition +of decayed animal and vegetable substances, doubtless composes the +richegt superficial mould; but this soil, so favorable for vegetation, +gives the reed as much silex, but no more, in proportion to the size of +the stalk, than the same plants growing in mountainous districts, and +primitive soils. It is to be regretted, that the solution of these +questions, with others that might be enumerated, had not occupied the +profoundly investigating spirit of Mr. Davy; but which subjects now offer +an ample scope for other philosophical speculators. + +It is a demonstrative confirmation of the accuracy of Mr. Davy's +reasoning, that a few years ago, after the burning of a large mow, in the +neighbourhood of Bristol, a stratum of pure, compact, vitrified silex +appeared at the bottom, forming one continuous sheet, nearly an inch in +thickness. I secured a portion, which, with a steel, produced an +abundance of bright sparks. + +Upon Mr. Coleridge's return from the north, to Bristol, where he meant to +make some little stay, I felt peculiar pleasure in introducing him to +young Mr. Davy. The interview was mutually agreeable, and that which does +not often occur, notwithstanding their raised expectations, each, +afterward, in referring to the other, expressed to me the opinion, that +his anticipations had been surpassed. They frequently met each other +under my roof, and their conversations were often brilliant; intermixed, +occasionally, with references to the scenes of their past lives. + +Mr. Davy told of a Cornish young man, of philosophical habits, who had +adopted the opinion that a firm mind might endure in silence, any degree +of pain: showing the supremacy of "mind over matter." His theory once met +with an unexpected confutation. He had gone one morning to bathe in +Mount's Bay, and as he bathed, a crab griped his toe, when the young +philosopher roared loud enough to be heard at Penzance.[74] + +Mr. Coleridge related the following occurrence, which he received from +his American friend, Mr. Alston, illustrating the effect produced on a +young man, at Cambridge University, near Boston, from a fancied +apparition. "A certain youth," he said, "took it into his head to convert +a Tom-Painish companion of his, by appearing as a ghost before him. He +accordingly dressed himself in the usual way, having previously extracted +the ball from the pistol which always lay near the head of his friend's +bed. Upon first awaking and seeing the apparition, A. the youth who was +to be frightened, suspecting a trick, very coolly looked his companion, +the ghost, in the face, and said, 'I know you. This is a good joke, but +you see I am not frightened. Now you may vanish.' The ghost stood still. +'Come,' said A. 'that is enough. I shall get angry. Away!' Still the +ghost moved not. Exclaimed A. 'If you do not in one minute go away, I +will shoot you.' He waited the time, deliberately levelled his pistol, +fired, and with a scream at the motionless immobility of the figure, was +convinced it was a real ghost--became convulsed, and from the fright, +afterwards died." + +Mr. Coleridge told also of his reception at an Hessian village, after his +visit to the Hartz mountains, and the Brocken. Their party consisted of +himself, Mr. Carlyon, and the two Mr. Parrys. (sons of Dr. Parry, of +Bath--one of them the Arctic explorer). The four pedestrians entered the +village late of an evening, and repaired to the chief ale-house, wearied +with a hard day's journey, in order to be refreshed and to rest for the +night. The large room contained many of the neighbouring peasants. "What +can we have to eat?" said Mr. Coleridge. "Nothing," was the reply. "Can +we have beds?" "No," answered the master of the house. "Can we have some +straw on which to lie?" "None, none," was the reply. On which Mr. +Coleridge cried out, "Are the Hessians Christians?" To have their +Christianity doubted, was an insufferable insult, and to prove their +religion, one man in a rage, hurled a log of wood at Mr. C., which, if it +had struck him, would have laid him prostrate! But more effectually to +prove that they were Christians, "good and true," the men, in fierce +array, now marched up, and roughly drove the saucy Englanders out of the +house, to get lodgings where they could. From the extreme wrath of the +insulted peasants, the travellers were apprehensive of some worse +assault; and hurrying out of the village, weary, and hunger-smitten, +bivouacked under a tree, determined never again to question a Hessian's +Christianity, even under the gallows. + +On one occasion, Mr. Coleridge entered into some of his college scenes, +to one of which I may here refer. He said that, perhaps, it was culpable +in him not to have paid more attention to his dress than he did when at +the University, but the great excluded the little. He said that he was +once walking through a street in Cambridge, leaning on the arms of two +_silk gowns_, when his own habiliments formed rather a ludicrous +contrast. His cap had the merit of having once been new; and some +untoward rents in his gown, which he had a month before intended to get +mended, left a strong tendency, in some of its posterior parts, to trail +along the ground in the form, commonly called "tatters." The three +friends were settling the exact site of Troy, or some other equally +momentous subject, when they were passed by two spruce gownsmen, one of +whom said to the other, which just caught the ear of Mr. C., "That sloven +thinks he can hide his ribbons by the gowns of his companions." Mr. C. +darted an appalling glance at him, and passed on. He now learned the +name, and acquired some particulars respecting the young man who had +offended him, and hastened home to exercise his Juvenallian talent. + +The next day he gave his satire to a friend, to show it to the young man, +who became quite alarmed at the mistake he had made, and also at the +ominous words, "He who wrote this can write more." The cauldron might +boil over with fresh "bubble, bubble, toil and trouble." There was no +time to lose. He therefore immediately proceeded to Mr. C.'s chambers; +apologized for his inconsiderate expressions; thought him to have been +some "rough colt," from the country, again begged his pardon, and +received the hand of reconciliation. This young, miscalculating +Cantabrigian, now became one of Mr. C.'s warmest friends, and rose to +eminence.[75] + +The satire was singularly cutting. I can recall but two unconnected +lines: + + "With eye that looks around with asking gaze, + And tongue that traffics in the trade of praise."[76] + +Mr. Coleridge now told us of the most remarkable of his Cambridge +eccentricities, that of his having enlisted as a soldier. He had +previously stated to me many of the following particulars, yet not the +whole; but (having taken a deep interest in this singular adventure,) in +addition to that which I heard from Mr. C., who never told all the +incidents of his military life to any one person, but on the contrary, +detailed some few to one, and some few to another, I made a point of +collecting from different friends, every scattered fact I could obtain, +and shall now throw the whole into one narrative. + +But before I proceed, I must take some notice of a statement on this +subject, communicated to the public, by Mr. Bowles, wherein his account +appears to clash with mine. Of this gentleman (with whose name and +writings I have connected so many pleasant remembrances, from early +life,) I wish to speak with the utmost respect; but the truth Mr. B. +himself will be glad to learn. + +Mr. Bowles states a circumstance relating to what he calls, "The most +correct, sublime, chaste, and beautiful of Mr. Coleridge's poems; the +'Religious Musings;'" namely, that "it was written, non inter sylvas +academi, but in the tap-room at Reading." This information could not have +been received from Mr. C. but perhaps was derived from the imperfect +recollection of Captain O.; but whoever the informant may have been, the +assertion has not the merit of being founded on a shadow of accuracy. The +poem of the "Religious Musings" was not written "in the tap-room at +Reading," nor till long after Mr. C. had quitted his military life. It +was written partly at Stowey; partly on Redcliff Hill; and partly in my +parlour, where both Mr. Coleridge and Mr. Southey occasionally wrote +their verses. This will have sufficiently appeared by Mr. C.'s own +letters; to which I could add other decisive evidence, if the subject +were of more consequence. + +I now proceed with the narrative of Mr. Coleridge's military adventures, +chiefly collected from himself, but not inconsiderably from the +information of other of his more intimate friends; particularly R. +Lovell; although I must apprise the reader that after a lapse of forty +years, I cannot pledge myself for every individual word: a severity of +construction which neither my memoranda nor memory would authorize. In +order not to interrupt the reader, by stating that this was derived from +one source, and that from another, (at this time hardly to be separated +in my own mind) I shall narrate it as though Mr. Coleridge had related +the whole at once, to Mr. Davy and myself. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Coleridge now told us of one of his Cambridge eccentricities which +highly amused us. He said that he had paid his addresses to a Mary Evans, +who, rejecting his offer, he took it so much in dudgeon, that he withdrew +from the University to London, when, in a reckless state of mind, he +enlisted in the 15th, Elliot's Light Dragoons. No objection having been +taken to his height or age, he was asked his name. He had previously +determined to give one that was thoroughly Kamschatkian, but having +noticed that morning over a door in Lincoln's Inn Fields, (or the Temple) +the name of "Cumberbatch," (not Comberback) he thought this word +sufficiently outlandish, and replied "Silas Tomken Cumberbatch,"[77] and +such was the entry in the regimental book. + +Here, in his new capacity, laborious duties devolved on Mr. C. He +endeavoured to think on Caesar, and Epaminondas, and Leonidas, with other +ancient heroes, and composed himself to his fate; remembering, in every +series, there must be a commencement: but still he found confronting him +no imaginary inconveniences. Perhaps he who had most cause for +dissatisfaction, was the drill sergeant, who thought his professional +character endangered; for after using his utmost efforts to bring his raw +recruit into something like training, he expressed the most serious +fears, from his unconquerable awkwardness, that he never should be able +to make _a soldier of him!_ + +Mr. C. it seemed, could not even rub down his own horse, which, however, +it should be known, was rather a restive one, who, like Cowper's hare, +"would bite if he could," and in addition, kick not a little. We could +not suppose that these predispositions in the martial steed were at all +aggravated by the unskilful jockeyship to which he was subjected, but the +sensitive quadruped did rebel a little in the stable, and wince a little +in the field! Perhaps the poor animal was something in the state of the +horse that carried Mr. Wordsworth's "Idiot Boy," who, in his sage +contemplations, "wondered"--"What he had got upon his back!" This rubbing +down his horse was a constant source of annoyance to Mr. C., who thought +that the most rational way was,--to let the horse rub himself down, +shaking himself clean, and so to shine in all his native beauty; but on +this subject there were two opinions, and his that was to decide carried +most weight. If it had not been for the foolish and fastidious taste of +the ultra precise sergeant, this whole mass of trouble might be avoided, +but seeing the thing must be done, or punishment! he set about the +herculean task with the firmness of a Wallenstein; but lo! the paroxysm +was brief, in the necessity that called it forth. Mr. C. overcame this +immense difficulty, by bribing a young man of the regiment to perform the +achievement for him; and that on very easy terms; namely, by writing for +him some "Love Stanzas," to send to his sweetheart! + +Mr. Coleridge, in the midst of all his deficiencies, it appeared, was +liked by the men, although he was the butt of the whole company; being +esteemed by them as next of kin to a natural, though of a peculiar +kind--a talking natural. This fancy of theirs was stoutly resisted by the +love-sick swain, but the regimental logic prevailed; for, whatever they +could do, with masterly dexterity, he could not do at all, ergo, must he +not be a natural? There was no man in the regiment who met with so many +falls from his horse, as Silas Tomken Cumberbatch! He often calculated +with so little precision his due equilibrium, that, in mounting on one +side, (perhaps the wrong stirrup) the probability was, especially if his +horse moved a little, that he lost his balance, and, if he did not roll +back on this side, came down ponderously on the other! when the laugh +spread amongst the men, "Silas is off again!" Mr. C. had often heard of +campaigns, but he never before had so correct an idea of hard service. + +Some mitigation was now in store for Mr. C. arising out of a whimsical +circumstance. He had been placed as a sentinel, at the door of a +ball-room, or some public place of resort, when two of his officers, +passing in, stopped for a moment, near Mr. C., talking about Euripides, +two lines from whom, one of them repeated. At the sound of Greek, the +sentinel instinctively turned his ear, when he said, with all deference, +touching his lofty cap, "I hope your honour will excuse me, but the lines +you have repeated are not quite accurately cited. These are the lines," +when he gave them in their more correct form. "Besides," said Mr. C., +"instead of being in Euripides, the lines will be found in the second +antistrophe of the 'Aedipus of Sophocles.'" "Why, man, who are you?" said +the officer, "old Faustus ground young again?" "I am your honour's humble +sentinel," said Mr. C., again touching his cap. + +The officers hastened into the room, and inquired of one and another, +about that "odd fish," at the door; when one of the mess, (it is +believed, the surgeon) told them, that he had his eye upon him, but he +would neither tell where he came from, nor anything about his family of +the Cumberbatches; "but," continued he, "instead of his being an 'odd +fish,' I suspect he must be a 'stray bird' from the Oxford or Cambridge +aviary." They learned also, the laughable fact, that he was bruised all +over, by frequent falls from his horse. "Ah," said one of the officers, +"we have had, at different times, two or three of these 'University +birds' in our regiment." This suspicion was confirmed by one of the +officers, Mr. Nathaniel Ogle, who observed that he had noticed a line of +Latin, chalked under one of the men's saddles, and was told, on inquiring +whose saddle it was, that it was "Cumberbatch's." + +The officers now kindly took pity on the 'poor scholar' and had Mr. C. +removed to the medical department, where he was appointed assistant in +the regimental hospital. This change was a vast improvement in Mr. C.'s +condition; and happy was the day, also, on which it took place, for the +sake of the sick patients; for Silas Tomken Cumberbatch's amusing +stories, they said, did them more good than all the doctor's physic! Many +ludicrous dialogues sometimes occurred between Mr. C. and his new +disciples; particularly with one who was "the geographer." The following +are some of these dialogues. + +If he began talking to one or two of his comrades; for they were all on a +perfect equality, except that those who went through their exercise the +best, stretched their necks a little above the "awkward squad;" in which +ignoble class Mr. C. was placed, as the preeminent member, almost by +acclamation; if he began to speak, notwithstanding, to one or two, others +drew near, increasing momently, till by-and-bye the sick-beds were +deserted, and Mr. C. formed the centre of a large circle. + +On one occasion, he told them of the Peloponnesian war, which lasted +twenty-seven years, "There must have been famous promotion there," said +one poor fellow, haggard as a death's head. Another, tottering with +disease, ejaculated, "Can you tell, Silas, how many rose from the ranks?" + +He now still more excited their wonderment, by recapitulating the feats +of Archimedes. As the narrative proceeded, one restrained his scepticism, +till he was almost ready to burst, and then vociferated, "Silas, that's a +lie!" "D'ye think so?" said Mr. C. smiling, and went on with his story. +The idea, however, got amongst them, that Silas's fancy was on the +stretch, when Mr. C. finding that this tact would not do, changed his +subject, and told them of a famous general, called Alexander the Great. +As by a magic spell, the flagging attention was revived, and several, at +the same moment, to testify their eagerness, called out, "The general! +The general!" "I'll tell you all about him," said Mr. C. when impatience +marked every countenance. He then told them whose son this Alexander the +Great was; no less than Philip of Macedon. "I never heard of him," said +one. "I think I have," said the "geographer," ashamed of being thought +ignorant, "Silas, was'nt he a Cornish man? I knew one of the Alexanders +at Truro!" + +Mr. C. now went on describing to them, in glowing colours, the valour, +and the wars, and the conquests of this famous general. "Ah," said one +man, whose open mouth had complimented the speaker, for the preceding +half hour; "Ah," said he, "Silas, this Alexander must have been as great +a man as our Colonel!" + +Mr. C. now told them of the "Retreat of the Ten Thousand." "I don't like +to hear of retreat," said one. "Nor I," said a second: "I'm for marching +on." Mr. C. now told of the incessant conflicts of these brave warriors, +and of the virtues of the "square." "They were a parcel of crack men," +said one. "Yes," said another, "their bayonets fixed, and sleeping on +their arms day and night." "I should like to know," said a fourth, "what +rations were given with all that hard fighting;" on which an Irishman +replied, "to be sure, every time the sun rose, two pounds of good ox +beef, and plenty of whiskey." + +At another time he told them of the invasion of Xerxes, and his crossing +the _wide_ Hellespont. "Ah," said a young recruit, a native of an obscure +village in Kent, who had acquired a decent smattering of +geography,--knowing well that the world was round, and that the earth was +divided into land and water, and, furthermore, that there were more +countries on the globe than England, and who now wished to raise his +pretensions a little before his comrades; said this young man of Kent; +"Silas, I know where that 'Helspont' is. I think it must be the mouth of +the Thames, for _'tis_ very wide." + +Mr. C. now told them of the herces of Thermopylae, when the geographer +interrupted him, by saying, "Silas, I think I know, too, where that +'Thermopple' is; isn't it somewhere up in the north?" "You are quite +right, Jack," said Mr. C. "it is to the north of the Line." A conscious +elevation marked his countenance, and he rose at once, five degrees in +the estimation of his friends. + +In one of these interesting conversaziones, when Mr. C. was sitting at +the foot of a bed, surrounded by his gaping comrades, who were always +solicitous of, and never wearied with, his stories, the door suddenly +burst open, and in came two or three gentlemen, (his friends) looking for +some time, in vain, amid the uniform dresses, for their man. At length, +they pitched on Mr. C. and taking him by the arm, led him, in silence, +out of the room, (a picture indeed, for a Wilkie!) As the supposed +_deserter_ passed the threshold, one of the astonished auditors uttered, +with a sigh, "poor Silas! I wish they may let him off with a cool five +hundred!" Mr. C.'s ransom was soon joyfully adjusted by his friends, and +now the wide world once more lay before him.[78] + +A very old friend of Mr. Coleridge has recently furnished me with the two +following anecdotes of Mr. C. which were also new to me. + +The inspecting officer of his regiment, on one occasion, was examining +the guns of the men, and coming to one piece which was rusty, he called +out in an authoritative tone, "Whose rusty gun[79] is this?" when Mr. +Coleridge said, "is it _very_ rusty, Sir?" "Yes Cumberbatch, it _is_" +said the officer, sternly. "Then, Sir," replied Mr. C. "it must be mine!" +The oddity of the reply disarmed the officer, and the poor scholar +escaped without punishment. + +Mr. Coleridge was a remarkably awkward horseman, so much so, as generally +to attract notice. Some years after this, he was riding along the +turnpike road, in the county of Durham, when a wag, approaching him, +noticed his peculiarity, and (quite mistaking his man) thought the rider +a fine subject for a little sport; when, as he drew near, he thus +accosted Mr. C. "I say, young man, did you meet a _tailor_ on the road?" +"Yes," replied Mr. C. (who was never at a loss for a rejoinder) "I did; +and he told me, if I went a little further I should meet a _goose!_" The +assailant was struck dumb, while the traveller jogged on. + +Mr. C. gave me these, his translations from the German. + + ON A BAD READER OF HIS OWN VERSES. + + Hoarse Maevius reads his hobbling verse + To all, and at all times, + And deems them both divinely smooth, + His voice, as well as rhymes. + + But folks say Maevius is no ass! + But Maevius makes it clear, + That he's a monster of an ass, + An ass without an ear. + + * * * * * + + If the guilt of all lying consists in deceit, + Lie on--'tis your duty, sweet youth! + For believe me, then only we find you a cheat, + When you cunningly tell us the truth. + + "As Dick and I at Charing Cross were walking, + Whom should we see on t'other side pass by, + But INFORMATOR with a stranger talking, + So I exclaimed--"O, what a lie!" + Quoth Dick, "What, can you hear him?" Stuff! + I saw him open his mouth--an't that enough?" + + + * * * * * + + ON OBSERVING A LADY LICKING HER LAP-DOG, + + Thy Lap-dog Rufa, is a dainty beast; + It don't surprise me in the least, + To see thee lick so dainty clean a beast, + But that so dainty clean a beast licks thee-- + Yes--that surprises me. + + * * * * * + + Jack writes his verses with more speed + Than the printer's boy can set 'em; + Quite as fast as we can read, + But only--not so fast as we forget 'em. + +Mr. Coleridge accompanied these epigrams with the translation of one of +LESSING'S pieces, where the felicity of the expression, in its English +form, will excite in most readers a suspicion, that no German original, +could equal the poem in its new dress. + + MY LOVE. + + I ask'd my love, one happy day, + What I should call her in my lay! + By what sweet name from Rome or Greece; + Iphigenia, Clelia, Chloris, + Laura, Lesbia, or Doris, + Dorimene, or Lucrece? + Ah! replied my gentle fair, + Beloved! what are names but air! + Take whatever suits the line: + Call me Clelia, call me Chloris, + Laura, Lesbia, or Doris, + Only, only, call me thine. + +Mr. C. told me that he intended to translate the whole of Lessing. I +smiled. Mr. C. understood the symbol, and smiled in return. + +The above poem is thus printed in the last edition of 1835, by which the +two may be compared, and the reader will perhaps think that the +alterations are not improvements. + + NAMES. + + I asked my fair one happy day, + What I should call her in my lay? + By what sweet name from Rome or Greece: + Lalage, Nesera, Chloris, + Sappho, Lesbia, or Doris, + Arethusa, or Lucrece. + + Ah, replied my gentle fair, + Beloved, what are names but air? + Choose thou whatever suits the line; + Call me Sappho, call me Chloris, + Call me Lalage, or Doris, + Only, only, call me thine. + +Some time after this, Mr. Coleridge being in an ill state of health, +recollected that a friend of his, Sir John Stoddart, was the Judge at +Malta,[80] and he determined to repair to that island. Here he was +introduced to Sir Alexander Ball, the Governor, who happened at that time +to be in want of a Secretary, and being greatly pleased with Mr. +Coleridge, he immediately engaged him in that capacity.[81] + + * * * * * + +I shall here for the present leave the narrative of Mr. C. in other and +better hands, and proceed to remark, that Mr. Davy and Mr. Coleridge +continued their friendly feeling toward each other, through life. Mr. +Davy, in a letter to Mr. Poole, (1804.) thus expresses himself: + + +"I have received a letter from Coleridge within the last three weeks. He +writes from Malta, in good spirits, and as usual, from the depth of his +being. God bless him! He was intended for a great man. I hope and trust +he will, at some period, appear such." + + +Mr. Davy, after a continuance in Bristol of more than two years, sent me +the following letter, with a copy of "Burns's Life and Works," by Dr. +Currie. + + +"Dear Cottle, + +I have been for the last six weeks so much hurried by business, and the +prospect of a change of situation, that I have not had time to call on +you. I am now on the point of leaving the Hotwells, and had designed to +see you this morning, but engagements have unluckily prevented me. I am +going to the Royal Institution, where, if you come to London, it will +give me much pleasure to see you. + +Will you be pleased to accept the copy of 'Burns's Life and Poems,' sent +with this, and when you are reading with delight the effusions of your +brother bard, occasionally think of one who is, with sincere regard and +affection, your friend, + +H. Davy. + +March 9th, 1801." + + +In a letter of Sir H. Davy, addressed to his friend Mr. Poole, 1803, he +thus writes of S. T. C. + + +"Coleridge has left London for Keswick. During his stay in town, I saw +him seldomer than usual; when I did see him, it was generally in the +midst of large companies, where he is the image of power and activity. +His eloquence is unimpaired; perhaps it is softer and stronger. His will +is less than ever commensurate with his ability. Brilliant images of +greatness float upon his mind, like images of the morning clouds on the +waters. Their forms are changed by the motion of the waves, they are +agitated by every breeze, and modified by every sun-beam. He talked in +the course of an hour, of beginning three works; and he recited the poem +of Christabel unfinished, and as I had before heard it. What talent does +he not waste in forming visions, sublime, but unconnected with the real +world! I have looked to his efforts, as to the efforts of a creating +being; but as yet he has not laid the foundation for the new world of +intellectual forms." + + +In the following letter received by me from Sir H. Davy, so late as June, +1823, he refers to Mr. Coleridge. + + +"My dear Sir, + +... I have often thought on the subject of the early history of our +planet, and have some peculiar views, but I have some reserve in talking +here about it, as all our knowledge on such matter is little more than +ignorance. + +What I stated to the Royal Society, in awarding the medal to Professor +Buckland, has not been correctly given in the Journals. I merely said +that the facts lately brought forward, proved the occurrence of that +great catastrophe which had been recorded in sacred and profane history, +and of which traditions were current, even amongst the most barbarous +nations. I did not say they proved the truth of the Mosaic account of the +deluge, that is to say, of the history of the Ark of Noah, and the +preservation of animal life. This is revelation; and no facts, that I +know of, have been discovered in science that bear upon this question, +and the sacred history of the race of Shem. My idea was to give to Caesar +what belonged to Caesar, &c. &c., and not to blend divine truths with the +fancies of men. + +I met Coleridge this morning, looking very well. I had not seen him for +years. He has promised to dine with me on Monday.... + +Very sincerely yours, + +H. Davy. + +June 11th, 1823." + + +Sir H. Davy was the chief agent in prevailing on Mr. Coleridge to give a +course of lectures on Shakspeare, at the Royal Institution, which he did, +eighteen in number, in the year 1808. Sir H. D. in writing to Mr. Poole, +this year, thus refers to him. + + +"Coleridge, after disappointing his audience twice from illness, is +announced to lecture again this week. He has suffered greatly from +excessive sensibility, the disease of genius. His mind is a wilderness, +in which the cedar and the oak, which might aspire to the skies, are +stunted in their growth by underwood, thorns, briars, and parasitical +plants. With the most exalted genius, enlarged views, sensitive heart, +and enlightened mind, he will be the victim of want of order, precision, +and regularity. I cannot think of him without experiencing the mingled +feelings of admiration, regard, and pity." + + +To this testimony in confirmation of Mr. Coleridge's intellectual +eminence, some high and additional authorities will be added; such as to +entitle him to the name of the Great Conversationalist. Professor Wilson +thus writes: + + "If there be any man of great and original genius alive at this + moment, in Europe, it is S. T. Coleridge. Nothing can surpass the + melodious richness of words, which he heaps around his images; images + that are not glaring in themselves, but which are always affecting to + the very verge of tears, because they have all been formed and + nourished in the recesses of one of the most deeply musing spirits, + that ever breathed forth its inspirations, in the majestic language + of England." + + "Not less marvellously gifted, though in a far different manner, is + Coleridge, who by a strange error has usually been regarded of the + same (lake) school. Instead, like Wordsworth, of seeking the sources + of sublimity and beauty in the simplest elements of humanity, he + ranges through all history and science, investigating all that has + really existed, and all that has had foundation only in the wildest, + and strangest minds, combining, condensing, developing and + multiplying the rich products of his research with marvellous + facility and skill; now pondering fondly over some piece of exquisite + loveliness, brought from an unknown recess, now tracing out the + hidden germ of the eldest, and most barbaric theories, and now + calling fantastic spirits from the vasty deep, where they have slept + since the dawn of reason. The term 'myriad-minded' which he has + happily applied to Shakspeare, is truly descriptive of himself. He is + not one, but legion, 'rich with the spoils of time,' richer in his + own glorious imagination and sportive fantasy. There is nothing more + wonderful than the facile majesty of his images, or rather of his + world of imagery, which, whether in his poetry or his prose, start up + before us, self-raised, and all perfect, like the palace of Aladdin. + He ascends to the sublimest truths by a winding track of sparkling + glory, which can only be described in his own language. + + 'The spirit's ladder + That from this gross and visible world of dust, + Even to the starry world, with thousand rounds + Builds itself up; on which the unseen powers + Move up and down on heavenly ministries-- + The circles in the circles, that approach + The central sun from ever narrowing orbit.' + + In various beauty of versification he has never been exceeded. + Shakspeare doubtless in liquid sweetness and exquisite continuity, + and Milton in pure majesty and classic grace--but this, in one + species of verse only; and taking all his trials of various metres, + the swelling harmony of his blank verse, the sweet breathing of his + gentle odes, and the sybil-like flutter, with the murmuring of his + wizard spells, we doubt if even these great masters have so fully + developed the sources of the English tongue. He has yet completed no + adequate memorial of his Genius, yet it is most unjust to say he has + done little or nothing. + + To refute this assertion, there are his 'Wallenstein;' his love poems + of intensest beauty; his 'Ancient Mariner,' with his touches of + profoundest tenderness amidst the wildest and most bewildering + terrors; his holy and sweet tale of 'Christabel,' with its + enchantments, and richer humanities; the depths, the sublimities, and + the pensive sweetness of his 'Tragedy;' the heart-dilating sentiments + scattered through his 'Friend;' and the stately imagery which breaks + upon us at every turn of the golden paths of his metaphysical + labyrinth. And if he has a power within him mightier than that which + even these glorious creations indicate, shall he be censured because + he has deviated from the ordinary course of the age in its + development, and instead of committing his imaginative wisdom to the + press, has delivered it from his living lips? He has gone about in + the true spirit of an old Greek bard, with a noble carelessness of + self, giving fit utterance to the divine spirit within, him. Who that + has ever heard can forget him? His mild benignity, the unbounded + variety of his knowledge, the fast succeeding products of his + imagination, the child-like simplicity with which he rises from the + dryest and commonest theme into the wildest magnificence of thought, + pouring on the soul a stream of beauty and wisdom to mellow and + enrich it for ever? The seeds of poetry, the materials for thinking, + which he has thus scattered will not perish. The records of his fame + are not in books only, but on the fleshly tablets of young hearts, + who will not suffer it to die even in the general ear, however base + and unfeeling criticism may deride their gratitude."--_Mr. Sergeant + Talfourd._ + +Dr. Dibdin has given an animated description of Coleridge's lecturing and +conversation, which concurs with the universal opinion. + + "I once came from Kensington in a snow-storm to hear Mr. Coleridge + lecture on Shakspeare, I might have sat as wisely, and more + comfortably by my own fire-side--for no Coleridge appeared.----I + shall never forget the effect his conversation made upon me at the + first meeting, at a dinner party. It struck me as something not only + quite out of the ordinary course of things, but an intellectual + exhibition altogether matchless. The viands were unusually costly, + and the banquet was at once rich and varied; but there seemed to be + no dish like Coleridge's conversation to feed upon--and no + information so instructive as his own. The orator rolled himself up + as it were in his chair, and gave the most unrestrained indulgence to + his speech; and how fraught with acuteness and originality was that + speech, and in what copious and eloquent periods did it flow. The + auditors seemed to be wrapt in wonder and delight, as one + conversation, more profound or clothed in more forcible language than + another, fell from his tongue. He spoke nearly for two hours with + unhesitating and uninterrupted fluency. As I returned homewards, to + Kensington, I thought a second Johnson had visited the earth, to make + wise the sons of men; and regretted that I could not exercise the + powers of a second Boswell to record the wisdom and the eloquence + that fell from the orator's lips. + + The manner of Coleridge was emphatic rather than dogmatic, and thus + he was generally and satisfactorily listened to. It might be said of + Coleridge, as Cowper has so happily said of Sir Philip Sidney, that + he was 'the warbler of poetic prose.' There was always this + characteristic feature in his multifarious conversation,--it was + always delicate, reverend, and courteous. The chastest ear could + drink in no startling sound; the most serious believer never had his + bosom ruffled by one sceptical or reckless assertion. Coleridge was + eminently simple in his manner. Thinking and speaking were his + delight; and he would sometimes seem, during the more fervid + movements of discourse, to be abstracted from all, and everything + around and about him, and to be basking in the sunny warmth of his + own radiant imagination."--_Dr. Dibdin_. + + "Last Thursday, my Uncle, S. T. C. dined with us; and ---- and ---- + came to meet him. I have heard him more brilliant, but he was very + fine, and delighted both, ---- and ---- very much. It is impossible + to carry off, or commit to paper, his long trains of argument; indeed + it is not possible to understand them, he lays the foundation so + deep, and views every question in so original a manner. Nothing can + be finer than the principles which he lays down in morals and + religion. His deep study of scripture is very astonishing; ---- and + ---- were but as children in his hands, not merely in general views + of theology, but in minute criticism.... Afterwards in the + drawing-room, he sat down by Professor Rigaud, with whom he entered + into a discussion of 'Kant's system of Metaphysics.' The little knots + of the company were speedily silent. Mr. Coleridge's voice grew + louder; and, abstruse as the subject was, yet his language was so + ready, so energetic, and eloquent, and his illustrations so very apt + and apposite, that the ladies even paid him the most solicitous, and + respectful attention.... This is nearly all I recollect of our + meeting with this most interesting, most wonderful man. Some of his + topics and arguments I have enumerated, but the connexion and the + words are lost. And nothing that I can say can give any notion of his + eloquence and manner."--_Mr. Justice Coleridge.--Table Talk_. + + "To the honoured memory of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the Christian + Philosopher, who through dark and winding paths of speculation was + led to the light, in order that others by his guidance might reach + that light, without passing through the darkness, these sermons on + the work of the spirit are dedicated with deep thankfulness and + reverence by one of the many pupils whom his writings have helped to + discern the sacred concord and unity of human and Divine truth. + + "Of recent English writers, the one with whose sanction I have + chiefly desired whenever I could, to strengthen my opinions, is the + great religious philosopher to whom the mind of our generation in + England owes more than to any other man. My gratitude to him I have + endeavoured to express by dedicating the following sermons to his + memory; and the offering is so far at least appropriate, in that the + main work of his life was to spiritualize, not only our philosophy, + but our theology; to raise them both above the empiricism into which + they had long been dwindling, and to set them free from the technical + trammels of logical systems. Whether he is as much studied by the + genial young men of the present day, as he was twenty or thirty years + ago, I have no adequate means of judging: but our theological + literature teems with errors, such as could hardly have been + committed by persons whose minds had been disciplined by his + philosophical method, and had rightly appropriated his principles. So + far too as my observation has extended, the third and fourth volumes + of his 'Remains,' though they were hailed with delight by Arnold on + their first appearance, have not yet produced their proper effect on + the intellect of the age. It may be that the rich store of profound + and beautiful thought contained in them has been weighed down, from + being mixed with a few opinions on points of Biblical criticism, + likely to be very offensive to persons who know nothing about the + history of the Canon. Some of these opinions, to which Coleridge + himself ascribed a good deal of importance, seem to me of little + worth; some to be decidedly erroneous. Philological criticism, indeed + all matters requiring a laborious and accurate investigation of + details were alien from the bent and habits of his mind; and his + exegetical studies, such as they were, took place at a period when he + had little better than the meagre Rationalism of Eichhorn and + Bertholdt to help him. Of the opinions which he imbibed from them, + some abode with him through life. These however, along with + everything else that can justly be objected to in the 'Remains,' do + not form a twentieth part of the whole, and may easily be separated + from the remainder. Nor do they detract in any way from the sterling + sense, the clear and far-sighted discernment, the power of tracing + principles in their remotest operations, and of referring all things + to their first principles, which are manifested in almost every page, + and from which we might learn so much. There may be some indeed, who + fancy that Coleridge's day is gone by, and that we have advanced + beyond him. I have seen him numbered, along with other persons who + would have been no less surprised at their position and company, + among the pioneers who prepared the way for our new theological + school. This fathering of Tractarianism, as it is termed, upon + Coleridge, well deserves to rank beside the folly which would father + Rationalism upon Luther. Coleridge's far-reaching vision did indeed + discern the best part of the speculative truths which our new school + has laid hold on, and exaggerated and perverted. But in Coleridge's + field of view they were comprised along with the complimental truths + which limit them, and in their conjunction and co-ordination with + which alone they retain the beneficent power of truth. He saw what + our modern theologians see, though it was latent from the vulgar eyes + in his days; but he also saw what they do not see, what they have + closed their eyes on; and he saw far beyond them, because he saw + things in their universal principles and laws."--_Rev. Archdeacon + Charles Hare's "Mission of the Comforter."--Preface, pp. 13, 15. Two + Vols. 8vo_. + +These various testimonies to the conversational eminence of Mr. +Coleridge, and from men the best qualified to decide, must satisfy every +mind, that in this one quality he scarcely ever had a superior, or +perhaps an equal. In the 103rd No. of the "Quarterly Review," there is a +description of his conversation, evidently written by one competent to +judge, and who well knew the subject of his praise; but though the +writer's language is highly encomiastic, corresponding with his +eloquence, yet to all who knew Coleridge, it will not be considered as +exceeding the soberest truth. When and where are such descriptions as the +preceding and the following to be found? + + "Perhaps our readers may have heard repeated a saying of Mr. + Wordsworth, 'that many men of his age had done wonderful _things_, as + Davy, Scott, Cuvier, &c.; but that Coleridge was the only wonderful + _man_ he ever knew.' Something of course must be allowed in this, as + in all other such cases, for the antithesis; but we believe the fact + really to be, that the greater part of those who have occasionally + visited Mr. Coleridge, have left him with the feeling akin to the + judgment indicated in the above remark. They admire the man more than + his works, or they forget the works in the absorbing impression made + by the living author; and no wonder. Those who remember him in his + more vigorous days, can bear witness to the peculiarity and + transcendant power of his conversational eloquence. It was unlike + anything that could be heard elsewhere; the kind was different, the + degree was different, the manner was different. The boundless range + of scientific knowledge, the brilliancy and exquisite nicety of + illustration, the deep and ready reasoning, the strangeness and + immensity of bookish lore, were not all; the dramatic story, the + joke, the pun, the festivity, must be added; and with these, the + clerical looking dress, the thick waving silver hair, the youthful + coloured cheek, the indefinable mouth and lips, the quick yet steady + and penetrating greenish grey eye, the slow and continuous + enunciation, and the everlasting music of his tones,--all went to + make up the image, and to constitute the living presence of the man. + Even now his conversation is characterized by all the essentials of + its former excellence; there is the same individuality, the same + unexpectedness, the same universal grasp; nothing is too high, + nothing too low for it--it glances from earth to heaven, from heaven + to earth, with a speed and a splendour, an ease and a power, which + almost seemed inspired." + + * * * * * + +As a conclusion to these honourable testimonies, it may be added, the +wish has often been expressed, that more were known respecting Mr. +Coleridge's school and college life, so briefly detailed in his +"Biographia." There was one friend of whom he often used to talk, and +always with a kind feeling, who sat next to him at Christ Church School, +and who afterwards accompanied him to Cambridge, where their friendship +was renewed, and their intercourse uninterrupted. This gentleman was the +Rev. C. V. Le Grice, the respected and erudite incumbent of a living near +Penzance. Mr. Le G. might contribute largely toward the elucidation of +Mr. Coleridge's school and college life; but as the much has been denied, +we must be thankful for the little. The following are Mr. Le Grice's +brief, but interesting notices of his friend: + + "Mr. Urban, + + In the various and numerous memoirs, which have been published of the + late Mr. Coleridge, I have been surprised at the accuracy in many + respects, and at the same time their omission of a very remarkable, + and a very honourable anecdote in his history. In the memoir of him + in your last number, you do not merely omit, but you give an + erroneous account of this very circumstance, to which I mean to + allude. You assert that he did not obtain, and indeed did riot aim to + obtain, the honours of the University. So far is this from the fact, + that in his Freshman's year he won the gold medal for the Greek Ode; + and in his second year he became a candidate for the Craven + scholarship, a University scholarship, for which undergraduates of + any standing are entitled to become candidates. This was in the + winter of 1792. Out of sixteen or eighteen competitors a selection of + four was made to contend for the prize, and these four were Dr. + Butler, now the Head Master of Shrewsbury; Dr. Keate, the late Head + Master of Eton; Mr. Bethell, the late Member for Yorkshire; and S. T. + Coleridge. Dr. Butler was the successful candidate. + + Pause a moment in Coleridge's history, and think of him at this + period! Butler! Keate! Bethell! and Coleridge!! How different the + career of each in future life! O Coleridge; through what strange + paths did the meteor of genius lead thee! Pause a moment, ye + distinguished men! and deem it not the least bright spot in your + happier career, that you and Coleridge were once rivals, and for a + moment running abreast in the pursuit of honour. I believe that his + disappointment at this crisis damped his ardour. Unfortunately, at + that period there was no classical Tripos; so that if a person did + not obtain the classical medal, he was thrown back among the totally + undistinguished; and it was not allowable to become a candidate for + the classical medal, unless you had taken a respectable degree in + mathematics. Coleridge had not the least taste for these, and here + his case was hopeless; so that he despaired of a Fellowship, and gave + up, what in his heart he coveted, college honours, and a college + life. He had seen his schoolfellow and dearest friend, Middleton, + (late Bishop of Calcutta) quit Pembroke under similar circumstances. + Not _quite_ similar, because Middleton studied mathematics so as to + take a respectable degree, and to enable him to try for the medal; + but he failed, and therefore all hopes failed of a Fellowship--most + fortunately, as it proved in after life, for Middleton, though he + mourned at the time most deeply, and exclaimed, 'I am Middleton, + which is another name for Misfortune!' + + 'There is a Providence which shapes our ends, + Rough hew them how you will.' + + That, which Middleton deemed a misfortune, drew him from the cobwebs + of a college library to the active energies of a useful and honoured + life. But to return to Coleridge. When he quitted College, which he + did before he had taken a degree, in a moment of mad caprice--it was + indeed an inauspicious hour! 'In an inauspicious hour I left the + friendly cloisters, and the happy grove of quiet, ever honoured Jesus + College, Cambridge.' Short, but deep and heart-felt reminiscence! In + a literary Life of himself this short memorial is all that Coleridge + gives of his happy days at college. Say not, that he did not obtain, + and did not wish to obtain classical honours! He did obtain them, and + was eagerly ambitious of them; but he did not bend to that discipline + which was to qualify him for the whole course. He was very studious, + but his reading was desultory and capricious. He took little exercise + merely for the sake of exercise; but he was ready at any time to + unbend his mind in conversation, and for the sake of this, his room + (the ground-floor room on the right hand of the staircase facing the + great gate) was a constant rendezvous of conversation loving friends, + I will not call them loungers, for they did not call to kill time, + but to enjoy it. What evenings have I spent in those rooms! What + little suppers, or _sizing_, as they were called, have I enjoyed; + when Aeschylus, and Plato, and Thucydides, were pushed aside, with a + pile of lexicons, &c., to discuss the pamphlets of the day. Ever and + anon, a pamphlet issued from the pen of Burke. There was no need of + having the book before us. Coleridge had read it in the morning; and + in the evening he would repeat whole pages verbatim. Freud's trial + was then in progress. Pamphlets swarmed from the press. Coleridge had + read them all; and in the evening, with our negus, we had them _viva + voce_ gloriously. O Coleridge! it was indeed an inauspicious hour, + when you quitted the friendly cloisters of Jesus. The epithet + 'friendly' implied what you were thinking of, when you thought of + college. To you, Coleridge, your contemporaries were indeed friendly, + and I believe, that in your literary life you have passed over your + college life so briefly, because you wished to banish from your view + the 'visions of long-departed joys.' To enter into a description of + your college days would have called up too sadly to your memory 'the + hopes which once shone bright,' and would have made your heart sink. + + Yours, &c., + + C. V. Le Grice. + + P. S.--I was a witness to the breathless delight with which he + hastened to give his friends intelligence of his success. The + following lines, in his "Verses written in Early Youth," are a + memorial of the pleasure, which he felt in the sympathy of one who + was then most dear to him:-- + + "With faery wand, O bid the maid arise, + Chaste joyance dancing in her bright blue eyes, + As erst, when, from the Muse's calm abode, + I came with learning's meed not unbestowed." + + See Poems, Edit. 1805, p. 34. + + He wrote, to my certain knowledge, for the prize in the ensuing year; + but it was most deservedly given to Keate's beautiful Ode. The + subject Laus Astronomiae. No one was more convinced of the propriety + of the decision than Coleridge himself. He used to repeat Ramsden's + Greek Ode on Gibraltar, and Smith's Latin one on Mare Liberum, with + incessant rapture. It would have been his glory to have caught their + spirit,--he was absorbed in these things. A Classical Tripos would + have changed Coleridge's destiny."--_Gentleman's Magazine_, Dec. + 1834. + + * * * * * + +The reader's attention will now be directed to Mr. Coleridge, after he +left Malta, when he visited Bristol, in the year 1807. I accidentally +learned that Mr. C. had returned to England, not in good health, and that +he was at Mr. Poole's, when I addressed a letter to him, expressing a +hope that his health would soon allow him to pay me a visit, in Bristol. +To this letter he thus replied: + + +"Dear Cottle, + +On my return to Bristol, whenever that may be, I will certainly give you +the right hand of old fellowship; but, alas! you will find me the +wretched wreck of what you knew me, rolling, rudderless. My health is +extremely bad. Pain I have enough of, but that is indeed to me, a mere +trifle, but the almost unceasing, overpowering sensations of +wretchedness: achings in my limbs, with an indescribable restlessness, +that makes action to any available purpose, almost impossible: and worst +of all, the sense of blighted utility, regrets, not remorseless. But +enough; yea, more than enough; if these things produce, or deepen the +conviction of the utter powerlessness of ourselves, and that we either +perish, or find aid from something that passes understanding. + +Affectionately, + +S. T. C." + +The preceding letter of Mr. Coleridge led me to anticipate a worse state +of health, on his arrival in Bristol, than appearances authorized. I knew +nothing of opium, and was pleased to notice the clearness of his +understanding, as well as much struck with the interesting narratives he +gave of Malta, Italy, and his voyage to England. I knew that Mr. C. was +somewhat in the habit of accommodating his discourse to the sentiments of +the persons with whom he was conversing; but his language was now so +pious and orthodox, that the contrast between his past and present +sentiments was most noticeable. He appeared quite an improved character, +and was about, I thought, to realise the best hopes of his friends. I +found him full of future activity, projecting new works, and particularly +a 'New Review,' of which he himself was to be the Editor! At this time +not one word was said about opium, Colerton, Ottery, or Mrs. Coleridge, +and I thought the prospect never appeared so cheering. + +In my state of exultation, I invited Mr. Foster to come to Bristol, from +Frome, to renew his acquaintance with the improved and travelled Mr. +Coleridge. Mr. Tester's reply is here given. + + +"Frome, June, 1807. + +My dear sir, + +I am very unfortunate in having made an engagement, two or three weeks +back, to go just at this time on a very particular occasion, to a distant +place in this county, and therefore being deprived of the very high +luxury to which you so kindly invite me. I shall be unavoidably detained, +for a very considerable time, and my imagination will strongly represent +to me the pleasure and advantage of which an inevitable necessity +deprives me. But I will indulge the hope, that I shall sometime be known +to Mr. Coleridge, under more favourable circumstances, in a literary +respect, than I can at present, after a regular application to the +severer order of studies shall in some measure have retrieved the +consequences of a very loose and indolent intellectual discipline, and +shall have lessened a certain feeling of imbecility which always makes me +shrink from attempting to gain the notice of men whose talents I admire. + +No man can feel a more animated admiration of Mr. Coleridge than I have +retained ever since the two or three times that I was a little while in +his company; and during his absence in the south and the east, I have +very often thought with delight of the immense acquisitions which he +would at length bring back to enrich the works, which I trust the public +will in due time receive from him, and to which it has an imperious +claim. And still I trust he will feel the solemn duty of making his very +best and continued efforts to mend as well as delight mankind, now that +he has attained the complete mastery and expansion of his admirable +powers. You do not fail, I hope, to urge him to devote himself +strenuously to literary labour. He is able to take a station amongst the +most elevated ranks, either of the philosophers or the poets. Pray tell +me what are his immediate intentions, and whether he has any important +specific undertaking in hand. For the sake of elegant literature, one is +very glad, that he has had the opportunity of visiting those most +interesting scenes and objects which you mention. Will you express to him +in the strongest terms, my respect and my animated wishes for his health, +his happiness, and his utility. You can inform me what is the nature of +that literary project to which you allude. Tell me also, what is the +state and progress of your own literary projects, and, I hope I may say, +labours. I behaved shabbily about some slight remarks which I was to have +ventured on Mr. Southey's 'Madoc,' in the 'Eclectic Review.' On reading +the critiques in the 'Edinburgh Review,' on 'Thalaba' and 'Madoc,' I +found what were substantially my own impressions, so much better +developed than I could have done, that I instantly threw my remarks away. +Let me hear from you when you have half an hour of leisure, and believe +me to be, with every kind remembrance to your most excellent, family, my +dear sir, + +Most cordially yours, + +John Foster. + +To Joseph Cottle." + + +Some weeks after, Mr. Coleridge called on me; when, in the course of +conversation, he entered into some observations on his own character, +that made him appear unusually amiable. He said that he was naturally +very arrogant; that it was his easily besetting sin; a state of mind +which he ascribed to the severe subjection to which he had been exposed, +till he was fourteen years of age, and from which, his own consciousness +of superiority made him revolt. He then stated that he had renounced all +his Unitarian sentiments; that he considered Unitarianism as a heresy of +the worst description; attempting in vain, to reconcile sin and holiness; +the world and heaven; opposing the whole spirit of the Bible; and +subversive of all that truly constituted christianity. At this interview +he professed his deepest conviction of the truth of Revelation; of the +Fall of Man; of the Divinity of Christ, and redemption alone through his +blood. To hear these sentiments so explicitly avowed, gave me unspeakable +pleasure, and formed a new, and unexpected, and stronger bond of union. + +A long and highly interesting theological conversation; followed, in +which Mr. C. proved, that, however weak his body, the intellectual vigour +of his mind was unimpaired. He exhibited, also, more sobriety of manner +than I had before noticed in him, with an improved and impressive +maturity in his reflections, expressed in his happiest language; and +which, could it have been accurately recorded, would have adorned the +most splendid of his pages;--so rare and pre-eminent was the powerful and +spontaneous utterance with which this gifted son of genius was endowed. + +Mr. Coleridge, at his next visit, related to me some of his Italian +adventures; one or two of which I here introduce. + +After quitting Malta, he had landed in Sicily, and visited Etna; his +ascent up whose side, to the crater, he graphically described, with some +striking features; but as this is a subject proverbially enlarged upon by +all travellers, I waive further notice, and proceed to state, that Mr. C. +after leaving Sicily passed over to the south of Italy, and journeyed on +to Rome. + +Shortly after Mr. Coleridge had arrived in this city, he attracted some +notice amongst the literati, as an English "Man of Letters." Cardinal +Fesch, in particular, was civil, and sought his company; but that which +was more remarkable, Jerome Buonaparte was then a resident at Rome, and +Mr. C.'s reputation becoming known to him, he sent for him, and after +showing him his palace, pictures, &c. thus generously addressed him: +"Sir, I have sent for you to give you a little candid advice. I do not +know that you have said, or written anything against my brother Napoleon, +but as an Englishman, the supposition is not unreasonable. If you have, +my advice is, that you leave Italy as soon as you possibly can!" + +This hint was gratefully received, and Mr. Coleridge soon after quitted +Rome, in the suite of Cardinal Fesch. From his anxiety to reach England, +he proceeded to Leghorn, where a circumstance occurred which will excite +every reader's sympathy. Mr. Coleridge had journeyed to this port, where +he rather hoped, than expected to find some conveyance, through the +medium of a neutral, that should waft him to the land, "more prised than +ever." The hope proved delusive. The war was now raging between England +and France, and Buonaparte being lord of the ascendant in Italy, Mr. +Coleridge's situation became insecure, and even perilous. To obtain a +passport was impossible; and as Mr. C. had formerly rendered himself +obnoxious to the great Captain by some political papers, he was in daily +and hourly expectation of being incarcerated in an Italian prison, which +would have been the infallible road to death! + +In half despair of ever again seeing his family and friends, and under +the constant dread of apprehension by the emissaries of the Tuscan +government, or French spies; he went out one morning to look at some +ruins in the neighbourhood of Leghorn, in a state of despondency, where, +certainty, however terrible, would have been almost preferable to +suspense. While musing on the ravages of time, he turned his eye, and +observed at a little distance, a seafaring looking man, musing in +silence, like himself, on the waste around. Mr. Coleridge advanced +towards him, supposing, or at least deeming it possible, that he also +might be mourning his captivity, and commenced a discourse with him; when +he found that the stranger was an American captain, whose ship was then +in the harbour, and on the point of sailing for England. + +This information sent joy into his heart; but he testified no emotion, +determined to obtain the captain's good will, by showing him all the +civilities in his power, as a preliminary to any future service the +captain might be disposed to render him, whether the power were united +with the disposition or not. This showed adroitness, with great knowledge +of human nature; and more winning and captivating manners than those of +Mr. C. when called forth, were never possessed by mortal! In conformity +with this almost forlorn hope, Mr. Coleridge explained to the American +captain the history of the ruin; read to him some of the half defaced +Latin and Italian inscriptions, and concluded with extolling General +Washington, and predicting the stability of the Union. The right keys, +treble and tenor, were touched at the same moment. "Pray young man," said +the captain, "who are you?" Mr. C. replied, "I am a poor unfortunate +Englishman, with a wife and family at home; but I am afraid I shall never +see them more! I have no _passport_, nor means of escape; and, to +increase my sorrow, I am in daily dread of being thrown into jail, when +those I love will not have the last pleasure of _knowing_ that I am +dead!" The captain's heart was touched. He had a wife and family at a +distance. "My young man," said he, "what is your name?" The reply was, +"Samuel Taylor Coleridge." "Poor young man," answered the captain. "You +meet me at this place to-morrow morning, exactly at ten o'clock." So +saying, the captain withdrew, Mr. C. stood musing on the singular +occurrence, in which there was something _inexplicable_. His discernment +of the stranger's character convinced him there existed no _under plot_, +but still there was a wide space between _probability_ and _certainty_. +On a balance of circumstances, he still thought _all fair_, and, at the +appointed hour, repaired to the interior of the ruins. + +No captain was there; but in a few minutes he appeared, and, hastening up +to Mr. Coleridge, exclaimed exultingly, "I have got your passport!" "How! +What!" said Mr. C. almost overpowered by his feelings. "Ask me no +questions," replied the captain; "you are my _steward_, and you shall +sail away with me to-morrow morning!" He continued, giving him his +address, "You come to my house to-morrow early, when I will provide you +with a _jacket_ and _trowsers_, and you shall follow me to the ship with +a _basket of vegetables_" In short, thus accoutred, he _did_ follow the +captain to the ship the next morning; and in three hours fairly sailed +out of Leghorn harbour, triumphantly on his course to England! + +As soon as the ship had cleared the port, Mr. Coleridge hastened down to +the cabin, and cried, "my dear captain, tell me how you obtained my +passport?" Said the captain, very gravely, "Why, I went to the +authorities, and _swore_ that you were an _American_, and my steward! I +_swore_ also, that I knew your father and mother; that they lived in a +red-brick house, about half a mile out of New York, on the road to +Boston!" + +It is gratifying to add, that this benevolent little-scrupulous captain +refused to accept any thing from Mr. C. for his passage to England; and, +behaved in many other respects, with the same uniform kindness. During +the voyage, Mr. Coleridge told me, he was attacked with a dangerous +illness, when he thought he should have _died_, but for the "_good +captain_," who attended him with the solicitude of a father. Mr. C. also +said, had he known what the captain was going to _swear_, whatever the +consequences might have been, he would have prevented him.[82] + +The following long letter will be read with interest. + + +"Bristol, 1807. + +Dear Cottle, + +To pursue our last conversation. Christians expect no outward or sensible +miracles from prayer. Its effects, and its fruitions are spiritual, and +accompanied says that _true Divine_, Archbishop Leighton, 'not by reasons +and arguments, but by an inexpressible kind of evidence, which they only +know who have it.' + +To this I would add, that even those who, like me I fear, have not +attained it, yet may presume it. First, because reason itself, or rather +mere human nature, in any dispassionate moment, feels the necessity of +religion, but if this be not true there is no religion, no religation, or +binding over again; nothing added to reason, and therefore _Socinianism_, +misnamed _Unitarianism_, is not only not _Christianity_, it is not even +_religion_, it does not _religate_; does not bind anew. The first outward +and sensible result of prayer is, a penitent resolution, joined with a +consciousness of weakness in effecting it, yea even a dread, too well +grounded, lest by breaking and falsifying it, the soul should add guilt +to guilt; by the very means it has taken to escape from guilt; so +pitiable is the state of unregenerate man. + +Are you familiar with Leighton's Works? He resigned his archbishoprick, +and retired to voluntary poverty on account of the persecutions of the +Presbyterians, saying, 'I should not dare to introduce christianity +itself with such cruelties, how much less for a surplice, and the name of +a bishop.' If there could be an intermediate space between inspired, and +uninspired writings, that space would be occupied by Leighton. No show of +learning, no appearance, or ostentatious display of eloquence, and yet +both may be shown in him, conspicuously and holily. There is in him +something that must be felt, even as the scriptures must be felt. + +You ask me my views of the _Trinity_. I accept the doctrine, not as +deduced from human reason, in its grovelling capacity for comprehending +spiritual things, but as the clear revelation of Scripture. But perhaps +it may be said, the Socinians do not admit this doctrine as being taught +in the bible. I know enough of their shifts and quibbles, with their +dexterity at explaining away all they dislike, and that is not a little, +but though beguiled once by them, I happily for my own peace of mind, +escaped from their sophistries, and now hesitate not to affirm, that +Socinians would lose all character for honesty, if they were to explain +their neighbour's will with the same latitude of interpretation, which +they do the Scriptures. + +I have in my head some floating ideas on the _Logos_, which I hope, +hereafter, to mould into a consistent form; but it is a gross perversion +of the truth, in Socinians, to declare that we believe in _three gods_; +and they know it to be false. They might, with equal justice affirm that +we believe in _three suns_. The meanest peasant, who has acquired the +first rudiments of christianity, would shrink back from a thing so +monstrous. Still the Trinity has its difficulties. It would be strange if +otherwise. A _Revelation_ that revealed nothing, not within the grasp of +human reason!--no religation, no binding over again, as before said; but +these difficulties are shadows, contrasted with the substantive and +insurmountable obstacles, with which _they_ contend who admit the _Divine +authority of Scripture_, with the _superlative excellence of Christ_, and +yet undertake to prove that these Scriptures teach, and that Christ +taught his own _pure humanity_. + +If Jesus Christ was merely a man, if he was not God as well as man, be it +considered, he could not have been even a _good man_. There is no medium. +The SAVIOUR _in that case_ was absolutely _a deceiver!_ one, +transcendantly _unrighteous!_ in advancing pretensions to miracles, by +the 'Finger of God,' which he never performed; and by asserting claims, +(as a man) in the most aggravated sense, blasphemous. These consequences, +Socinians, to be consistent, must allow, and which impious arrogation of +Divinity in Christ, according to their faith, as well as his false +assumption of a community of 'glory' with the Father, 'before the world +was,' even they will be necessitated completely to admit the exoneration +of the Jews, according to their law, in crucifying one, who 'being a +man,' 'made himself God!' But in the Christian, rather than in the +_Socinian_, or _Pharisaic_ view, all these objections vanish, and harmony +succeeds to inexplicable confusion. If Socinians hesitate in ascribing +_unrighteousness_ to Christ, the inevitable result of their principles, +they tremble, as well they might, at their avowed creed, and virtually +renounce what they profess to uphold. + +The Trinity, as Bishop Leighton has well remarked, is 'a doctrine of +faith, not of demonstration,' except in a _moral_ sense. If the New +Testament declare it, not in an insulated passage, but through the whole +breadth of its pages, rendering, with any other admission, the book which +is the christian's anchor-hold of hope, dark and contradictory, then it +is not to be rejected, but on a penalty that reduces to an atom, all the +sufferings this earth can inflict. + +Let the grand question be determined.--Is, or is not the bible +_inspired_? No one book has ever been subjected to so rigid an +investigation as the Bible, by minds the most capacious, and in the +result, which has so triumphantly repelled all the assaults of infidels. +In the extensive intercourse which I have had with this class of men, I +have seen their prejudices surpassed only by their ignorance. This I +found particularly the case in Dr. Darwin, (p. 1-85.) the prince of their +fraternity. Without therefore, stopping to contend on what all +dispassionate men must deem undebatable ground, I may assume inspiration +as admitted; and equally so, that it would be an insult to man's +understanding, to suppose any other revelation from God than the +christian scriptures. If these Scriptures, impregnable in their strength, +sustained in their pretensions, by undeniable prophecies and miracles, +and by the experience of the _inner man_, in all ages, as well as by a +concatenation of arguments, all bearing upon one point, and extending +with miraculous consistency, through a series of fifteen hundred years; +if all this combined proof does not establish their validity, nothing can +be proved under the sun; but the world and man must be abandoned, with +all its consequences, to one universal scepticism! Under such sanctions, +therefore, if these scriptures, as a fundamental truth, _do_ inculcate +the doctrine of the _Trinity_; however surpassing human comprehension; +then I say, we are bound to admit it on the strength of _moral +demonstration_. + +The supreme Governor of the world and the Father of our spirits, has seen +fit to disclose to us much of his will, and the whole of his natural and +moral perfections. In some instances he has given his _word_ only, and +demanded our _faith_; while on other momentous subjects, instead of +bestowing full revelation, like the _Via Lactea_, he has furnished a +glimpse only, through either the medium of inspiration, or by the +exercise of those rational faculties with which he has endowed us. I +consider the Trinity as substantially resting on the first proposition, +yet deriving support from the last. + +I recollect when I stood on the summit of Etna, and darted my gaze down +the crater; the immediate vicinity was discernible, till, lower down, +obscurity gradually terminated in total darkness. Such figures exemplify +many truths revealed in the Bible. We pursue them, until, from the +imperfection of our faculties, we are lost in impenetrable night. All +truths, however, that are essential to faith, _honestly_ interpreted; all +that are important to human conduct, under every diversity of +circumstance, are manifest as a blazing star. The promises also of +felicity to the righteous in the future world, though the precise nature +of that felicity may not be defined, are illustrated by every image that +can swell the imagination; while the misery of the _lost_, in its +unutterable intensity, though the language that describes it is all +necessarily figurative, is there exhibited as resulting chiefly, if not +wholly, from the withdrawment of the _light of God's countenance_, and a +banishment from his _presence!_ best comprehended in this world by +reflecting on the desolations, which would instantly follow the loss of +the sun's vivifying and universally diffused _warmth_. + +You, or rather _all_, should remember that some truths from their nature, +surpass the scope of man's limited powers, and stand as the criteria of +_faith_, determining by their rejection, or admission, who among the sons +of men can confide in the veracity of heaven. Those more ethereal truths, +of which the Trinity is conspicuously the chief, without being +circumstantially explained, may be faintly illustrated by material +objects. The eye of man cannot discern the satellites of Jupiter, nor +become sensible of the multitudinous stars, whose rays have never reached +our planet, and consequently garnish not the canopy of night; yet are +they the less real, because their existence lies beyond man's unassisted +gaze? The tube of the philosopher, and the _celestial telescope_,--the +unclouded visions of heaven will confirm the one class of truths, and +irradiate the other. + +The _Trinity_ is a subject on which analogical reasoning may +advantageously be admitted, as furnishing, at least a glimpse of light, +and with this, for the present, we must be satisfied. Infinite Wisdom +deemed clearer manifestations inexpedient; and is man to dictate to his +Maker? I may further remark, that where we cannot behold a desirable +object distinctly, we must take the best view we can; and I think you, +and every candid enquiring mind, may derive assistance from such +reflections as the following. + +Notwithstanding the arguments of Spinosa, and Des Cartes, and other +advocates of the _Material system_, or, in more appropriate language, the +_Atheistical system!_ it is admitted by all men, not prejudiced, not +biased by sceptical prepossessions, that _mind_ is distinct from +_matter_. The mind of man, however, is involved in inscrutable darkness, +(as the profoundest metaphysicians well know) and is to be estimated, if +at all, alone by an inductive process; that is, by its _effects_. Without +entering on the question, whether an extremely circumscribed portion of +the mental process, surpassing instinct, may or may not be extended to +quadrupeds, it is universally acknowledged, that the mind of man alone, +regulates all the actions of his corporeal frame. Mind, therefore, may be +regarded as a distinct genus, in the scale ascending above brutes, and +including the whole of intellectual existences; advancing from _thought_, +that mysterious thing! in its lowest form, through all the gradations of +sentient and rational beings, till it arrives at a Bacon, a Newton; and +then, when unincumbered by matter, extending its illimitable sway through +Seraph and Archangel, till we are lost in the GREAT INFINITE! + +Is it not deserving of notice, as an especial subject of meditation, that +our _limbs_, in all they do or can accomplish, implicitly obey the +dictation of the _mind_? that this operating power, whatever its name, +under certain limitations, exercises a sovereign dominion not only over +our limbs, but over our intellectual pursuits? The mind of every man is +evidently the fulcrum, the moving force,--which alike regulates all his +limbs and actions: and in which example, we find a strong illustration of +the subordinate nature of mere _matter_. That alone which gives direction +to the organic parts of our nature, is wholly _mind_; and one mind if +placed over a thousand limbs, could, with undiminished ease, control and +regulate the whole. + +This idea is advanced on the supposition that _one mind_ could command an +unlimited direction over any given number of _limbs_, provided they were +all connected by _joint_ and _sinew_. But suppose, through some occult +and inconceivable means, these limbs were dis-associated, as to all +material connexion; suppose, for instance, one mind with unlimited +authority, governed the operations of _two_ separate persons, would not +this substantially, be only _one person_, seeing the directing principle +was one? If the truth here contended for, be admitted, that _two +persons_, governed by _one mind_, is incontestably _one person_; the same +conclusion would be arrived at, and the proposition equally be justified, +which affirmed that, _three_, or otherwise _four_ persons, owning also +necessary and essential subjection to _one mind_, would only be so many +diversities or modifications of that _one mind_, and therefore, the +component parts virtually collapsing into _one whole_, the person would +be _one_. Let any man ask himself, whose understanding can both reason +and become the depository of truth, whether, if _one mind_ thus regulated +with absolute authority, _three_, or otherwise _four_ persons, with all +their congeries of material parts, would not these parts inert in +themselves, when subjected to one predominant mind, be in the most +logical sense, _one person_? Are ligament and exterior combination +indispensable pre-requisites to the sovereign influence of mind over +mind? or mind over matter? + +But perhaps it may be said, we have no instance of one mind governing +more than one body. This may be, but the argument remains the same. With +a proud spirit, that forgets its own contracted range of thought, and +circumscribed knowledge, who is to limit the sway of Omnipotence? or +presumptuously to deny the possibility of _that_ Being, who called light +out of darkness, so to exalt the dominion of _one mind_, as to give it +absolute sway over other dependant minds, or (indifferently) over +detached, or combined portions of organized matter? But if this +superinduced quality be conferable on any order of created beings, it is +blasphemy to limit the power of God, and to deny _his_ capacity to +transfuse _his own_ Spirit, when and to whom he will. + +This reasoning may now be applied in illustration of the Trinity. We are +too much in the habit of viewing our Saviour Jesus Christ, through the +medium of his body. 'A body was prepared for him,' but this body was mere +matter; as insensible in itself as every human frame when deserted by the +soul. If therefore the Spirit that was in Christ, was the Spirit of the +Father; if no thought, no vibration, no spiritual communication, or +miraculous display, existed in, or proceeded from Christ, not immediately +and consubstantially identified with Jehovah, the Great First cause; if +all these operating principles were thus derived, in consistency alone +with the conjoint divine attributes; if this Spirit of the Father ruled +and reigned in Christ as his own manifestation, then in the strictest +sense, Christ exhibited 'the Godhead bodily,' and was undeniably '_one_ +with the Father;' confirmatory of the Saviour's words: 'Of myself, (my +body) I can do nothing, the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the +works.' + +But though I speak of the body as inert in itself, and necessarily allied +to matter, yet this declaration must not be understood as militating +against the christian doctrine of the _resurrection of the body_. In its +grosser form, the thought is not to be admitted, for 'flesh and blood +cannot inherit the kingdom of God,' but that the body, without losing its +consciousness and individuality, may be subjected by the illimitable +power of omnipotence, to a sublimating process, so as to be rendered +compatible with spiritual association, is not opposed to reason, in its +severe abstract exercises, while in attestation of this _exhilarating +belief_, there are many remote analogies in nature exemplifying the same +truth, while it is in the strictest accordance with that final +dispensation, which must, as christians, regulate all our speculations. I +proceed now to say, that + +If the postulate be thus admitted, that one mind influencing two bodies, +would only involve a diversity of operations, but in reality be one in +essence; or otherwise as an hypothetical argument, illustrative of truth, +if one preeminent mind, or spiritual subsistence, unconnected with +matter, possessed an undivided and sovereign dominion over two or more +disembodied minds, so as to become the exclusive source of all their +subtlest volitions and exercises, the _unity_, however complex the modus +of its manifestation, would be fully established; and this principle +extends to Deity itself, and shows the true sense, as I conceive, in +which Christ and the Father are one. + +In continuation of this reasoning, if God who is light, the Sun of the +moral world, should in his union of infinite wisdom, power, and goodness, +and from all eternity, have ordained that an emanation from himself,--for +aught we know, an essential emanation, as light is inseparable from the +luminary of day--should not only have existed in his Son, in the fulness +of time to be united to a mortal body, but that a like emanation from +himself, also perhaps essential, should have constituted the Holy Spirit, +who, without losing his ubiquity, was more especially sent to this lower +earth, _by_ the Son, _at_ the impulse of the Father, then in the most +comprehensive sense, God, and his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, +are ONE. 'Three persons in one God,' and thus form the true Trinity in +Unity. + +To suppose that more than one independent power, or governing mind, +exists in the whole universe, is absolute Polytheism, against which the +denunciations of all the Jewish and Christian canonical books were +directed. And if there be but ONE directing MIND, that mind is God! +operating however, in three persons, according to the direct and uniform +declarations of that inspiration which 'brought life and immortality to +light.' Yet this divine doctrine of the Trinity is to be received, not +because it is or can be clear to finite apprehension, but, in reiteration +of the argument, because the Scriptures, in their unsophisticated +interpretation expressly state it. The Trinity, therefore, from its +important aspects, and biblical prominence, is the grand article of +faith, and the foundation of the whole christian system. + +Who can say, as Christ and the Holy Ghost proceeded from, and are still +one with the Father, and as all the disciples of Christ derive their +fulness from him, and, in spirit, are inviolately united to him as a +branch is to the vine, who can say, but that in one view, what was once +mysteriously separated, may as mysteriously, be re-combined, and, without +interfering with the everlasting Trinity, and the individuality of the +spiritual and seraphic orders, the Son at the consummation of all things, +deliver up his mediatorial kingdom to the Father, and God, in some +peculiar and infinitely sublime sense, become all in all! God love you, + +S. T. Coleridge."[83] + + +In a former page, Mr. Coleridge has been represented as entertaining +sentiments in early life, approaching to, though not identified with, +those of Unitarians; on his return to Bristol, in the year 1807, a +complete reverse had taken place in his theological tenets. Reflection +and reading, particularly the bible, had taught him, as he said, the +unstable foundation on which Unitarians grounded their faith; and in +proportion as orthodox sentiments acquired an ascendancy in his mind, a +love of truth compelled him to oppose his former errors, and stimulated +him, by an explicit declaration of his religious views, to counteract +those former impressions, which his cruder opinions had led him once so +strenuously to enforce on all around. + +The editor of Mr. Coleridge's "Table Tails," has conferred an important +benefit on the public, by preserving so many of his familiar +conversations, particularly those on the important subject of +Unitarianism. Few men ever poured forth torrents of more +happily-expressed language, the result of more matured reflection, in his +social intercourse, than Mr. Coleridge; and at this time, the +recollection is accompanied with serious regret, that I allowed to pass +unnoticed so many of his splendid colloquies, which, could they be +recalled, would exhibit his talents in a light equally favourable with +his most deliberately-written productions. + +I did indeed take notes of one of his conversations, on his departure +from a supper party, and which I shall subjoin, because the confirmed +general views, and individual opinions of so enlarged a mind must command +attention; especially when exercised on subjects intrinsically important. +I however observe, that my sketch of the conversation must be understood +as being exceedingly far from doing _justice_ to the original. + +At this time I was invited to meet Mr. Coleridge with a zealous Unitarian +minister. It was natural to conclude, that such uncongenial, and, at the +same time, such inflammable materials would soon ignite. The subject of +Unitarianism having been introduced soon after dinner, the minister +avowed his sentiments, in language that was construed into a challenge, +when Mr. Coleridge advanced at once to the charge, by saying "Sir, you +give up so much, that the little you retain of Christianity is not worth +keeping." We looked in vain for a reply. After a manifest internal +conflict, the Unitarian minister very prudently allowed the gauntlet to +remain undisturbed. Wine he thought more pleasant than controversy. + +Shortly after this occurrence, Mr. Coleridge supped with the writer, when +his well known conversational talents were eminently displayed; so that +what Pope affirmed of Bolingbroke, that "his usual conversation, taken +down verbatim, from its coherence and accuracy, would have borne +printing, without correction," was fully, and perhaps, more justly +applicable to Mr. C. + +Some of his theological observations are here detailed. He said, he had +recently had a long conversation with an Unitarian minister, who +declared, that, he could discover nothing in the New Testament which in +the _least_ favoured the Divinity of Christ, to which Mr. C. replied that +it appeared to him impossible for any man to read the New Testament, with +the common exercise of an unbiassed understanding, without being +convinced of the Divinity of Christ, from the testimony almost of every +page. + +He said it was evident that different persons might look at the same +object with very opposite feelings. For instance, if Sir Isaac Newton +looked at the planet Jupiter, he would view him with his revolving moons, +and would be led to the contemplation of his being inhabited, which +thought would open a boundless field to his imagination: whilst another +person, standing perhaps at the side of the great philosopher, would look +at Jupiter with the same set of feelings that he would at a silver +sixpence. So some persons were wilfully blind, and did not seek for that +change, that preparation of the heart and understanding, which would +enable them to see clearly the gospel truth. + +He said that Socinians believed no more than St. Paul did before his +conversion: for the Pharisees believed in a Supreme Being, and a future +state of rewards and punishments. St. Paul thought he ought to do many +things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. The saints he shut up +in prison, having received authority from the High Priest, and when they +were put to death, he gave his voice against them. But after his +conversion, writing to the Romans, he says, 'I am not ashamed of the +gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation unto every man +that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Gentiles.' + +He then referred to the dreadful state of the literati in London, as it +respects religion, and of their having laughed at him, and believed him +to be in jest, when he professed his belief in the Bible. + +Having introduced Mr. Davy to Mr. C. some years before, I inquired for +him with some anxiety, and expressed a hope that he was not tinctured +with the prevailing scepticism since his removal from Bristol to London. +Mr. C. assured me that he was not: that _his_ heart and understanding +were not the _soil_ for _infidelity_.[84] I then remarked, "During your +stay in London, you doubtless saw a great many of what are called 'the +cleverest men,' how do you estimate Davy, in comparison with these?" Mr. +Coleridge's reply was strong, but expressive. "Why, Davy could eat them +all! There is an energy, an elasticity in his mind, which enables him to +seize on, and analyze, all questions, pushing them to their legitimate +consequences. Every subject in Davy's mind has the principle of vitality. +Living thoughts spring up like the turf under his feet." With equal +justice, Mr. Davy entertained the same exalted opinion of Mr. Coleridge. + +Mr. C. now changed the subject, and spoke of Holcroft; who he said was a +man of but small powers, with superficial, rather than solid talents, and +possessing principles of the most horrible description; a man who at the +very moment he denied the existence of a Deity, in his heart believed and +trembled. He said that Holcroft, and other Atheists, reasoned with so +much fierceness and vehemence against a God, that it plainly showed they +were inwardly conscious there _was_ a GOD to reason against; for, a +nonentity would never excite passion. + +He said that in one of his visits to London, he accidentally met Holcroft +in a public office without knowing his name, when he began, stranger as +he was, the enforcement of some of his diabolical sentiments! which, it +appears, he was in the habit of doing, at all seasons, and in all +companies; by which he often corrupted the principles of those simple +persons who listened to his shallow, and worn-out impieties. Mr. C. +declared himself to have felt indignant at conduct so infamous, and at +once closed with the "prating atheist," when they had a sharp encounter. +Holcroft then abruptly addressed him, "I perceive you have _mind_, and +know what you are talking about. It will be worth while to make a convert +of _you_. I am engaged at present, but if you vrill call on me to-morrow +morning, giving him his card, I will engage, in half an hour, to convince +you there is no God!" + +Mr. Coleridge called on him the next morning, when the discussion was +renewed, but none being present except the disputants, no account is +preserved of this important conversation; but Mr. C. affirmed that he +beat all his arguments to atoms; a result that none who knew him could +doubt. He also stated that instead of _his_ being converted to atheism, +the atheist himself, after his manner, was converted; for the same day he +sent Mr. C. a letter, saying his reasoning was so clear and satisfactory, +that he had changed his views and was now "_a theist_." The next sun +probably beheld him an atheist again; but whether he _called_ himself +this or that, his character was the same. + +Soon after the foregoing incident, Mr. Coleridge said, he found himself +in a large party, at the house of a man of letters, amongst whom to his +surprise, he saw Mr. and Mrs. Holcroft, when, to incite to a renewal of +their late dispute, and before witnesses, (in the full consciousness of +strength) Mr. C. enforced the propriety of teaching children, as soon as +they could articulate, to lisp the praises of their Maker; "for," said +he, "though they can, form no correct idea of God, yet they entertain a +high opinion of their _father_, and it is an easy introduction to the +truth, to tell them that their Heavenly Father is stronger, and wiser, +and better, than their _earthly_ father." + +The whole company looked at Mr. Holcroft, implying that _now_ was the +time for him to meet a competent opponent, and justify sentiments which +he had so often triumphantly advanced. They looked in vain. He +maintained, to their surprise, a total silence, well remembering the +severe castigation he had so recently received. But a very different +effect was produced on Mrs. Holcroft. She indignantly heard, and giving +vent to her passion and her _tears_, said, she was quite surprised at Mr. +Coleridge talking in that way before her, when he knew that both herself +and Mr. Holcroft were atheists! + +Mr. C. spoke of the unutterable horror he felt, when Holcroft's son, a +boy eight years of age, came up to him and said, "There is no God!" So +that these wretched parents, alike father and mother, were as earnest in +inculcating atheism on their children, as christian parents are in +inspiring their offspring with respect for religious truth. + +Actions are often the best illustration of principles. Mr. Coleridge also +stated the following circumstance, notorious at the time, as an evidence +of the disastrous effects of atheism. Holcroft's tyrannical conduct +toward his children was proverbial. An elder son, with a mind embued with +his father's sentiments, from extreme severity of treatment, had run away +from his paternal roof, and entered on board a ship. Holcroft pursued his +son, and when the fugitive youth saw his father in a boat, rowing toward +the vessel, rather than endure his frown and his chastisement, he seized +a pistol, and blew his brains out![85] + +An easy transition having been made to the Bible, Mr. C. spoke of our +Saviour with an utterance so sublime and reverential, that none could +have heard him without experiencing an accession of love, gratitude, and +adorations to the Great Author of our salvation. He referred to the +Divinity of Christ, as a truth, incontestable to all who admitted the +inspiration, and consequent authority of Scripture. He particularly +alluded to the 6th of John, v. 15. "When Jesus perceived that they would +come and take him by force to make him a king, he departed again into a +mountain '_alone_.'" He said it characterized the low views, and +worldly-mindedness of the Jews, that, after they had seen the miracles of +Jesus Christ, and heard his heavenly doctrine, and had been told that his +kingdom was not of this world, they should think of conferring additional +honour on him, by making him their King! He departed from these little +views and scenes, _by night_, to a neighbouring mountain, and there, in +the spirit of _prescience_, meditated on his approaching crucifixion; on +that attendant guilt, which would bring on the Jews, wrath to the +uttermost, and terminate their impieties, by one million of their race +being swept from the face of the earth. + + +Mr. C. noticed Doddridge's works with great respect, particularly his +"Rise and Progress of Religion."[86] He thought favourably of Lord +Rochester's conversion as narrated by Burnet; spoke of Jeremy Taylor in +exalted terms, and thought the compass of his mind discovered itself in +none of his works more than in his "Life of Christ," extremely +miscellaneous as it was. He also expressed the strongest commendation of +Archbishop Leighton, whose talents were of the loftiest description, and +which were, at the same time, eminently combined with humility. He +thought Bishop Burnet's high character of Leighton justly deserved, and +that his whole conduct and spirit were more conformed to his Divine +Master, than almost any man on record. + +I now proceed to say, it was with extreme reluctance that the Unitarians +in Bristol resigned their champion, especially as other defections had +recently occurred in their community, and that among the more +intellectual portion of their friends. Although the expectation might be +extravagant, they still cherished the hope, however languid, that Mr. C. +after some oscillations, would once more bestow on them his suffrage; but +an occurrence took place, which dissipated the last vestige of this hope, +and formed between them a permanent wall of separation. + +Mr. Coleridge was lecturing in Bristol, surrounded by a numerous +audience, when, in referring to the "Paradise Regained," he said that +Milton had clearly represented Satan, as a "sceptical Socinian." This was +regarded as a direct and undisguised declaration of war. It so happened +that indisposition prevented me from attending that lecture, but I +received from Mr. C. directly after, a letter, in which he thus writes: + + +"... Mr. ---- I find is raising the city against me, as far as he and his +friends can, for having stated a mere matter of fact; viz. that Milton +had represented Satan as a sceptical Socinian; which is the case; and I +could not have explained the excellence of the sublimest single passage +in all his writings, had I not previously informed the audience, that +Milton had represented Satan, as knowing the Prophetic and Messianic +character of Christ, but was sceptical as to any higher claims. And what +other definition could Mr. ---- himself give of a sceptical Socinian? +(with this difference indeed, that Satan's faith somewhat exceeded that +of Socinians.) Now that Satan has done so, will you consult 'Paradise +Regained,' Book IV. from line 196, and the same Book, from line 500." + + +It is of consequence that Mr. Coleridge's _later_ sentiments on the +subject of Socinianism should be given; but as I had no opportunity of +ascertaining what those sentiments were, it was satisfactory to learn +from the testimony of Mr. C.'s "Table Talk,"[87] that his last and +maturest opinions were, to the fullest, confirmatory of those expressed +by him in these pages. + +The following letter was written by Mr. Coleridge, to Mr. George Fricker, +his brother-in-law; it is believed in 1807. Mr. F. died 1828; pious and +respected. + + +"Saturday afternoon. + +My dear young friend, + +I am sorry that you should have felt any delicacy in disclosing to me +your religious feelings, as rendering it inconsistent with your +tranquillity of mind to spend the Sunday evening with me. Though I do not +find in that book, which we both equally revere, any command, either +express, or which I can infer, which leads me to attach any criminality +to cheerful and innocent social intercourse on the Lord's day; though I +do not find that it was in the least degree forbidden to the Jews on +their Sabbath; and though I have been taught by Luther, and the great +founders of the Church of England, that the Sabbath was a part of the +ceremonial and transitory parts of the law given by heaven to Moses; and +that our Sunday is binding on our consciences, chiefly from its manifest +and most awful usefulness, and indeed moral necessity; yet I highly +commend your firmness in what you think right, and assure you solemnly, +that I esteem you greatly for it. I would much rather that you should +have too much, than an atom too little. I am far from surprised that, +having seen what you have seen, and suffered what you have suffered, you +should have opened your soul to a sense of our fallen nature; and the +incapability of man to heal himself. My opinions may not be in all points +the same as yours; but I have experienced a similar alteration. I was for +many years a Socinian; and at times almost a Naturalist, but sorrow, and +ill health, and disappointment in the only deep wish I had ever +cherished, forced me to look into myself; I read the New Testament again, +and I became fully convinced, that Socinianism was not only not the +doctrine of the New Testament, but that it scarcely deserved the name of +a religion in any sense. An extract from a letter which I wrote a few +months ago to a sceptical friend, who had been a Socinian, and of course +rested all the evidences of christianity on miracles, to the exclusion of +grace and inward faith, will perhaps, surprise you, as showing you how +much nearer our opinions are than what you must have supposed. 'I fear +that the mode of defending christianity, adopted by Grotius first; and +latterly, among many others, by Dr. Paley, has increased the number of +infidels;--never could it have been so great, if thinking men had been +habitually led to look into their own souls, instead of always looking +out, both of themselves, and of their nature. If to curb attack, such as +yours on miracles, it had been answered:--"Well, brother! but granting +these miracles to have been in part the growth of delusion at the time, +and of exaggeration afterward, yet still all the doctrines will remain +untouched by this circumstance, and binding on thee. Still mast thou +repent and be regenerated, and be crucified to the flesh; and this not by +thy own mere power; but by a mysterious action of the moral Governor on +thee; of the Ordo-ordinians, the Logos, or Word. Still will the eternal +filiation, or Sonship of the Word from the Father; still will the Trinity +of the Deity, the redemption, and the thereto necessary assumption of +humanity by the Word, 'who is with God, and is God,' remain truths: and +still will the vital head-and-heart FAITH in these truths, be the living +and only fountain of all true virtue. Believe all these, and with the +grace of the spirit consult your own heart, in quietness and humility, +they will furnish you with proofs, that surpass all understanding, +because they are felt and known; believe all these I say, so as that thy +faith shall be not merely real in the acquiescence of the intellect; but +actual, in the thereto assimilated affections; then shalt thou KNOW from +God, whether or not Christ be of God. But take notice, I only say, the +miracles are extra essential; I by no means deny their importance, much +less hold them useless, or superfluous. Even as Christ did, so would I +teach; that is, build the miracle on the faith, not the faith on the +miracle." + +May heaven bless you, my dear George, and + +Your affectionate friend, + +S. T. C." + + +In the intervening time, between the receipt of Mr. C.'s last letter, and +his calling on me, I received a note from a lady, an old friend, begging +permission to introduce to me, a clever young man of her acquaintance, +whom she even so honoured as to call "A little John Henderson;" +concerning whom, this young man wished to make inquiries. An invitation +immediately followed, and the lady introduced to me, young Mr. De +Quincey. Several interviews followed, each exhibiting his talents in a +more favourable view, till I was satisfied he would either shine in +literature, or, with steady perseverance, acquire eminence in either of +the professions. + +He made many inquiries respecting John Henderson, of whose learning, and +surprising attainments, he had heard much. After conversing long on this +subject, Mr. De Q. asked me if I knew any thing of Mr. Coleridge's +pecuniary affairs. I replied, "I am afraid he is a legitimate son of +genius." He asked if I thought he would accept a hundred or two pounds. I +answered, I could not tell, but that I expected shortly to see him, when, +if he seriously desired to learn, I would ascertain what the state of his +finances was, and let him know. This he said, was his particular wish. + +When Mr. Coleridge called on me, and the extended conversation had +occurred, before stated, I asked him concerning his circumstances. He +confessed that he had some present difficulties, which oppressed his +mind. He said that all the money he had received from his office in +Malta, as secretary to Sir Alexander Ball, had been expended in Italy, +and on his way home. I then told him, that a young man of fortune, who +admired his talents, had inquired of me, if I thought he would accept the +present of a hundred or two pounds, "and I now ask you," said I, "that +question, that I may return an answer." Mr. Coleridge rose from his seat. +He appeared much oppressed, and agitated, and, after a short silence, he +turned to me, and said. "Cottle I will write to you. We will change the +subject." The next day I received from Mr. C. the following letter. + + +"My dear Cottle, + +Independent of letter-writing, and a dinner engagement with C. Danvers, I +was the whole of yesterday till evening, in a most wretched restlessness +of body and limbs, having imprudently discontinued some medicines, which +are now my anchor of hope. This morning I dedicate to certain distant +calls on Dr. Beddoes and Colston, at Clifton, not so much for the calls +themselves, as for the necessity of taking brisk exercise. + +But no unforeseen accident intervening, I shall spend the evening with +you from seven o'clock. + +I will now express my sentiments on the important subject communicated to +you. I need not say it has been the cause of serious meditation. +Undoubtedly, calamities have so thickened on me for the last two years, +that the pecuniary pressures of the moment, are the only serious +obstacles at present to my completion of those works, which, if +completed, would make me easy. Besides these, I have reason for belief +that a Tragedy of mine will be brought on the stage this season, the +result of which is of course only one of the possibilities of life, on +which I am not fool enough to calculate. + +Finally therefore, if you know that any unknown benefactor is in such +circumstances, that, in doing what he offers to do, he transgresses no +duty of morals, or of moral prudence, and does not do that from feeling, +which after reflection might perhaps discountenance, I shall gratefully +accept it, as an unconditional loan, which I trust I shall be able to +restore at the close of two years. This however, I shall be able to know +at the expiration of one year, and shall then beg to know the name of my +benefactor, which I should then only feel delight in knowing, when I +could present to him some substantial proof, that I have employed the +tranquillity of mind, which his kindness has enabled me to enjoy, in +sincere desires to benefit my fellow men. May God bless you. + +S. T. C." + + +Soon after the receipt of this letter, (on my invitation) Mr. De Quincey +called on me. I said, I understood from Mr. Coleridge himself, that he +laboured under embarrassments. "Then" said he, "I will give him five +hundred pounds." "Are you serious?" I said. He replied, "I am." I then +inquired, "Are you of age?" He said "I am." I then asked, "Can you afford +it?" He answered, "I can," and continued, "I shall not feel it." I +paused. "Well" I said, "I can know nothing of your circumstances but from +your own statement, and not doubting its accuracy, I am willing to become +an agent, in any way you prescribe." Mr. De Quincey then said, "I +authorise you, to ask Mr. Coleridge, if he will accept from a gentleman, +who admires his genius, the sum of five hundred pounds, but remember, he +continued, I absolutely prohibit you from naming to him, the source +whence it was derived." I remarked; "To the latter part of your +injunction, if you require it, I will accede, but although I am deeply +interested in Mr. Coleridge's welfare, yet a spirit of equity compels me +to recommend you, in the first instance, to present Mr. C. with a smaller +sum, and which, if you see it right, you can at any time, augment." Mr. +De Quincey then replied, "Three hundred pounds, I _will_ give him, and +you will oblige me by making this offer of mine to Mr. Coleridge." I +replied, "I will." I then gave him Mr. Coleridge's letter, requesting him +to put it in his pocket, and read it at his leisure. Soon after, I +received the following communication from Mr. De Quincey. + + +"My dear Sir, + +I will write for the three hundred pounds to-morrow. I am not able to say +anything farther at present, but will endeavour to call on you in a day +or two. I am very sincerely, and with many thanks for your trouble in +this affair, + +Yours, + +Thomas De Quincey." + + +In a day or two, Mr. De Quincey enclosed me the three hundred pounds, +when I received from Mr. Coleridge, the following receipt, which I still +retain. + + +"November 12, 1807. Received from Mr. Joseph Cottle, the sum of three +hundred pounds, presented to me, through him, by an unknown friend. + +Bristol. + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +I have been thus particular in detailing the whole of this affair, so +honourable to Mr. De Quincey; and, as I was the communicating agent, I +thought it right, on this occasion, to give publicity to the transaction, +on the principle of doing justice to all. Notwithstanding the +prohibition, some indirect notices from myself, could have left no doubt +with Mr. C. of the source of this handsome gift. + +It is singular, that a little before this time, (1807) Mr. Coleridge had +written to his friend Mr. Wade a melancholy letter, detailing his +embarrassed circumstances; so that Mr. De Quincey's £300 must have been +received at an acceptable time! + + * * * * * + +No date determines when the following letter was written: supposed, 1807. + + +"My dear Cottle, + +... The common end of all narrative, nay, of all poems is, to convert a +series into a whole, to make those events, which, in real or imagined +history, move on in a straight line, assume to our understandings a +circular motion--the snake with its tail in its mouth. Hence, indeed, the +almost flattering and yet appropriate term, Poesy, i. e. +Poieses--_making_. Doubtless, to His eye, which alone comprehends all +past and all future, in one eternal, what to our short sight appears +straight, is but a part of the great cycle, just as the calm sea to us +appears level, though it be indeed only a part of the globe. Now what the +globe is in geography, miniaturing in order to manifest the truth, such +is a poem to that image of God, which we were created into, and which +still seeking that unity, or revelation of the one, in and by the many, +which reminds it, that though in order to be an individual being, it must +go farther from God; yet as the receding from him, is to proceed toward +nothingness and privation, it must still at every step turn back toward +him, in order to be at all. A straight line continually retracted, forms +of necessity a circular orbit. Now God's will and word CANNOT be +frustrated. His fiat was, with ineffable awfulness, applied to man, when +all things, and all living things, and man himself, (as a mere animal) +included, were called forth by the Universal, 'Let there be,' and then +the breath of the Eternal superadded, to make an immortal +spirit--immortality being, as the author of the 'Wisdom of Soloman' +profoundly expresses it, 'the only possible reflex, or image of +eternity.' The immortal finite is the contracted shadow of the eternal +Infinite. Therefore nothingness, or death, to which we move, as we recede +from God and from the Word, cannot be nothing; but that tremendous medium +between nothing and true being, which Scripture and inmost reason present +as most, most horrible! + +Affectionately, + +S. T. C." + + +The following letter to Mr. Wade has no date. + + +"Tuesday night, i. e. Wednesday morning. + +My best and dearest friend, + +I have barely time to scribble a few lines, so as not to miss the post, +for here as every where, there are charitable people, who, taking for +granted that you have no business of your own, would save from the pain +of vacancy, by employing you in theirs. + +As to the letter you propose to write to a man who is unworthy even of a +rebuke from you, I might most unfeignedly object to some parts of it, +from a pang of conscience forbidding me to allow, even from a dear +friend, words of admiration, which are inapplicable in exact proportion +to the power given to me of having deserved them, if I had done my duty. + +It is not of comparative utility I speak: for as to what has been +actually done, and in relation to useful effects produced, whether on the +minds of individuals, or of the public, I dare boldly stand forward, and +(let every man have his own, and that be counted mine which, but for, and +through me, would not have existed) will challenge the proudest of my +literary contemporaries to compare proofs with me, of usefulness in the +excitement of reflection, and the diffusion of original or forgotten, +yet necessary and important truths and knowledge; and this is not the +less true, because I have suffered others to reap all the advantages. +But, O dear friend, this consciousness, raised by insult of enemies, and +alienated friends, stands me in little stead to my own soul, in how +little then, before the all-righteous Judge! who, requiring back the +talents he had entrusted, will, if the mercies of Christ do not +intervene, not demand of me what I have done, but why I did not do more; +why, with powers above so many, I had sunk in many things below most! But +this is too painful, and in remorse we often waste the energy which +should be better employed in reformation--that essential part, and only +possible proof, of sincere repentance.... + +May God bless you, and your affectionate friend, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +Toward the end of 1807, Mr. Coleridge left Bristol, and I saw nothing +more of him for another seven years, that is, till 1814. All the leading +features in Mr. Coleridge's life, during these two septennial periods, +will no doubt, be detailed by others. My undertaking recommences in 1814. +Some preliminary remarks must precede the narrative, which has now +arrived at an important part.[88] + +Neither to clothe the subject of biography with undeserved applause, nor +unmerited censure, but to present an exact portraiture, is the object +which ought scrupulously to be aimed at by every impartial writer. Is it +expedient; is it lawful; to give publicity to Mr. Coleridge's practice of +inordinately taking opium? which, to a certain extent, at one part of his +life, inflicted on a heart naturally cheerful, the stings of conscience, +and sometimes almost the horrors of despair? Is it right, in reference to +one who has passed his ordeal, to exhibit sound principles, habitually +warring with inveterate and injurious habits; producing for many years, +an accumulation of bodily suffering, that wasted the frame; poisoned the +sources of enjoyment; entailed, in the long retinue of ills, dependence +and poverty, and with all these, associated that which was far less +bearable, an intolerable mental load, that scarcely knew cessation? + +In the year 1814, all this, I am afflicted to say, applied to Mr. +Coleridge. The question to be determined is, whether it be best or not, +to obey the first impulse of benevolence, and to throw a mantle over +these dark and appalling occurrences, and, since the sufferer has left +this stage of existence, to mourn in secret, and consign to oblivion the +aberrations of a frail mortal? This was my first design, but other +thoughts arose. If the individual were alone concerned, the question +would be decided; but it might almost be said, that the world is +interested in the disclosures connected with this part of Mr. Coleridge's +life. His example forms one of the most impressive memorials the pen ever +recorded; so that thousands hereafter, may derive instruction from +viewing in Mr. C. much to approve, and in other features of his +character, much also to regret and deplore. Once Mr. Coleridge expressed +to me, with indescribable emotion, the joy he should feel, if he could +collect around him all who were "beginning to tamper with the lulling, +but fatal draught;" so that he might proclaim as with a trumpet, "the +worse than death that opium entailed." I must add, if he could now speak +from his grave, retaining his earthly, benevolent solicitude for the good +of others, with an emphasis that penetrated the heart, he would doubtless +utter, "Let my example be a warning!" + +This being my settled conviction, it becomes in me a duty, with all +practicable mildness, to give publicity to the following facts; in which +censure will often be suspended by compassion, and every feeling be +absorbed in that of pity; in which, if the veil be removed, it will only +be, to present a clear and practical exemplification of the consequences +that progressively follow indulgences in, what Mr. Coleridge latterly +denominated, "the accursed drug!" + +To soften the repugnance which might, pardonably, arise in the minds of +some of Mr. G.'s friends, it is asked, whether it be not enough to move a +breast of adamant, to behold a man of Mr. Coleridge's genius, spell-bound +by his narcotic draughts? deploring, as he has done, in his letters to +myself, the destructive consequences of opium; writhing under its +effects,--so injurious to mind, body, and estate; submitting to the +depths of humiliation and poverty, and all this for a season at least, +accompanied with no effectual effort to burst his fetters, and assume the +station in society which became his talents; but on the contrary, +submitting patiently to dependence, and grovelling where he ought to +soar! + +Another powerful reason, which should reconcile the friends of Mr. +Coleridge to this detail of his destructive habits, arises from the +recollection that the pain given to their minds, is present and +temporary. They should wisely consider that, though they regret, their +regrets, like themselves, as time rolls on, are passing away! but the +example,--this clear, full, incontestable example, _remains!_ And who can +estimate the beneficial consequences of this undisguised statement to +numerous succeeding individuals? It is consolatory to believe, that had I +written nothing else, this humble but unflinching narrative would be an +evidence that I had not lived in vain. + +When it is considered also, how many men of high mental endowments, have +shrouded their lustre, by a passion for this stimulus, and thereby, +prematurely, become fallen spirits: would it not be a criminal concession +to unauthorized feelings, to allow so impressive an exhibition of this +subtle species of intemperance to escape from public notice; and, that no +discredit might attach to the memory of the individual we love, to +conceal an example, fraught with so much instruction, brought out into +full display? In the exhibition here made, the inexperienced, in future, +may learn a memorable lesson, and be taught to shrink from opium, as they +would from a scorpion; which, before it destroys, invariably expels peace +from the mind, and excites the worst species of conflict, that of setting +a man at war with himself. + +The most expressive and pungent of all Mr. Coleridge's self-upbraidings, +is that, in which he thrills the inmost heart, by saying, with a +sepulchral solemnity, "I have learned what a sin is against an infinite, +imperishable being, such as is the soul of man!" And yet, is this, and +such as this, to be devoted to forgetfulness, and all be sacrificed, lest +some friend, disdaining utility, should prefer flattery to truth? A +concession to such advice would be treachery and pusillanimity combined, +at which none would so exult as the spirits of darkness. + +If some of the preceding language should be deemed too strong, by those +who take but a contracted view of the subject, and who would wish to +screen the dead, rather than to improve the living, let them judge what +their impressions would be, in receiving, like myself, at this time, the +communications from Mr. C. which will subsequently appear, and then +dispassionately ask themselves, whether such impressive lessons of +instruction ought to be doomed to oblivion. + + * * * * * + +The following letter to Mr. Wade, has no date, but the post-mark +determines it to have been Dec. 8, 1813. + + +"... Since my arrival at the Greyhound, Bath, I have been confined to my +bed-room, almost to my bed. Pray for my recovery, and request Mr. +Roberts's[89] prayers, for my infirm, wicked heart; that Christ may +mediate to the Father, to lead me to Christ, and give me a _living_ +instead of a _reasoning_ faith! and for my health, so far only as it may +be the condition of my improvement, and final redemption. + +My dear affectionate friend, I am your obliged, and grateful, and +affectionate, friend, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +I now proceed further to notice Mr. Coleridge's reappearance in Bristol. + +Mr. C. had written from London in the year 1814, to a friend in Bristol, +to announce that he was coming down to give a course of Lectures on +Shakspeare, such as he had delivered at the Royal Institution, London, +and expressing a hope that his friends would obtain for him as many +subscribers as they could. Great efforts were made to obtain these +subscribers, and the lectures were accordingly advertised, to commence at +the time appointed by the lecturer, and the place specified with the day +and hour; of the whole of which arrangement Mr. C. had received due +notice, and expressed his approval. + +On the morning on which the lectures were to begin, a brother of Mr. +George Cumberland, (a gentleman well known in the literary world, +residing in Bristol,) arrived in this city from London, on a visit to his +brother, and casually said to him, "I came as far as Bath with one of the +most amusing men I ever met with. At the White Horse, Piccadilly, he +entered the coach, when a jew boy came up with pencils to sell. This +amusing gentleman asked the boy a few questions, when his answers being +what he thought unusually acute, the gentleman said, 'that boy is not +where he ought to be. He has talent, and if I had not an important +engagement at Bristol to-morrow, I would not mind the loss of my fare, +but would stay a day or two in London to provide some better condition +for him.' He then called the waiter; wrote to a gentleman in the +neighbourhood, with a pencil, urging him to patronize the bearer; gave +the boy five shillings, and sent him, with the waiter, according to the +address of the note." + +This same gentleman, he said, talked incessantly for thirty miles out of +London, in the most entertaining way, and afterwards, with little +intermission, till they arrived about Marlborough, when he discovered +that the lady who was in the coach with them, was the sister of a +particular friend of his. "On our arrival at Bath," said the brother, +"this entertaining gentleman observed to me, 'I must here quit you, as I +am determined not to leave this lady, who is going into North Wales, till +I have seen her safe at her brother's door;' so here the amusing +gentleman left us." + +"Why" said Mr. Cumberland, "I should not be surprised if that were +Coleridge, and yet that cannot be, for he has an appointment this day in +Bristol." "That is the very name," said his brother. Mr. G. C. remarked, +"This Mr. Coleridge is coming to Bristol, to give us a course of lectures +on Shakspeare, and this evening he has appointed for his first lecture, +at the Great Boom, White Lion." "Whatever the engagement may be," replied +the brother, "rely upon it you will have no lecture this evening. Mr. C. +at the present moment is posting hard towards North Wales!" The great +business now was for those who had interested themselves in the sale of +tickets for the course, to hasten round to the purchasers, to announce +that Mr. C. would be prevented from giving the lectures till further +notice. + +In two or three days, Mr. Coleridge presented himself in Bristol, after a +right true journey into North Wales; and then, another day was appointed +to begin the course. The day arrived. His friends met in the afternoon, +full of anxiety, lest a second disappointment should take place. Not one +of them had seen Mr. C. in the course of that day, and they could not +tell where he had dined. They then set off, to find out this intricate +point, and having discovered him, after some difficulty, hurried him from +the bottle, and the argument, to fulfil his less important, or at least, +his less pleasing engagement. + +He arrived at the lecture-room, just one hour after all the company had +impatiently awaited him. Apologizing for an unavoidable interruption! Mr. +C. commenced his lecture on Hamlet. The intention is not entertained of +pursuing this subject, except to remark, that no other important delay +arose, and that the lectures gave great satisfaction. I forbear to make +further remarks, because these lectures will form part of the London +narrative. + +After this course had been terminated, and one or more friends had given +him five pounds for his ticket, so rich a mine was not to be abandoned. +Another printed proposal was sent round for a course of six lectures, +which was well attended. After this, a proposal came for four lectures, +which were but indifferently attended. Not discouraged, Mr. C. now issued +proposals on a new subject, which he hoped would attract the many; but +alas, although the subject of the lectures was on no less a theme than +that of Homer, only a few of his old staunch friends attended; the public +were wearied out, and the plan of lecturing now ceased, for these latter +lectures scarcely paid the expenses. + +I should here mention, that Mr. Coleridge's lectures bore but a small +resemblance to the polished compositions of Sir James Mackintosh. They +were all of a conversational character, and were little other than the +earnest harangues, with which on all possible occasions, he indulged his +friends, so that there was little of the toil of preparation with him, +and if the demand had been equal to the supply, he might have lectured +continuously. But if there was little of formal and finished composition +in Mr. C.'s lectures, there were always racy and felicitous passages, +indicating deep thought, and indicative of the man of genius; so that if +polish was not always attained, as one mark of excellence, the attention +of his hearers never flagged, and his large dark eyes, and his +countenance, in an excited state, glowing with intellect, predisposed his +audience in his favor. + +It may here be mentioned, that in the year 1814, when Buonaparte was +captured and sent to Elba, the public, expression of joy burst forth in a +general illumination; when Mr. Josiah Wade, wishing to display a large +transparency, applied to his friend Mr. Coleridge, then residing with +him, for a subject, as a guide to his ingenious painter, of which the +following is a copy, from Mr. C.'s original. + +The four lines were chosen, of which the two last have something of a +prophetic aspect. + + "On the right side of the transparency, a rock with the word Elba on + it: chained to this by one leg, put a vulture with the head of + Napoleon Buonaparte; then a female genius, representing BRITANNIA, in + a bending posture, with one hand holding out one wing of the vulture, + and with the other clipping it with a large pair of shears; on the + one half of which appears either the word 'WELLINGTON,' or the word + 'ARMY,' and on the other, either 'NELSON,' or else 'NAVY;' I should + prefer WELLINGTON and NELSON, but that I fear Wellington may be a + word of too many letters. Behind Britannia, and occupying the right + side of the transparency, a slender gilded column, with 'TRADE' on + its base, and the cap of liberty on its top; and on one side, leaning + against it, a trident laurelled, and on the other a laurelled sword. + + At the top of the transparency, and quite central, a dove, with an + olive branch, may be hovering over the bending figure of Britannia. + + N. B.--The trident to be placed with the points upwards, the sword + with its hilt upwards. + + We've conquer'd us a PEACE, like lads true metall'd: + And bankrupt NAP.'S accompts seem all now settled. + + OR THUS. + + We've fought for peace, and conquer'd it at last, + The rav'ning vulture's leg seems fetter'd fast! + Britons, rejoice! and yet be wary too; + The chain may break, the clipt wing sprout anew." + +Returning now to the lectures. During their delivery it was remarked by +many of Mr. C.'s friends, with great pain, that there was something +unusual and strange in his look and deportment. The true cause was known +to few, and least of all to myself. At one of the lectures, meeting Mr. +Coleridge at the inn door, he said, grasping my hand with great +solemnity, "Cottle, this day week I shall not be alive!" I was alarmed, +and speaking to another friend, he replied, "Do not be afraid. It is only +one of Mr. C.'s odd fancies." After another of the lectures, he called me +on one side, and said, "My dear friend, a dirty fellow has threatened to +arrest me for ten pounds." Shocked at the idea, I said, "Coleridge, you +shall not go to gaol while I can help it," and immediately gave him the +ten pounds. + +The following two letters were sent me, I believe, at or about this time. +They have no date. + + +"My dear Cottle, + +An erysipelatous complaint, of all alarming nature, has rendered me +barely able to attend and go through with my lectures, the receipts of +which, have almost paid the expenses of the room, advertisements, &c.[90] +Whether this be to my discredit, or that of the good citizens of Bristol, +it is not for me to judge. I have been persuaded to make another trial, +by advertising three lectures, on the rise, and progress, and conclusion +of the French Revolution, with a critique on the proposed constitution, +but unless fifty names are procured, not a lecture give I. + +Even so the two far, far more important lectures, for which I have long +been preparing myself, and have given more thought to, than to any other +subject, viz.: those on female education, from infancy to womanhood +practically systematized, I shall be (God permitting) ready to give the +latter end of the week after next, but upon condition that I am assured +of sixty names. Why as these are lectures that I must write down, I could +sell them as a _recipe_ for twice the sum at least. + +If I can walk out, I will be with you on Sunday. Has Mr. Wade called on +you? Mr. Le Breton, a near neighbour of your's, in Portland Square, +would, if you sent a note to him, converse with you on any subject +relative to my interest, with congenial sympathy; but indeed I think your +idea one of those Chimeras, which kindness begets upon an unacquaintance +with mankind.[91] + + 'Harry! thy wish was father to that thought.' + +God bless you, + +S. T. C." + + +"My dear Cottle, + +I have been engaged three days past, to dine with the sheriff, at +Merchant's Hall to-morrow. As they will not wield knife and fork till +near six, I cannot of course attend the meeting, [for the establishment +of an Infant School] but should it be put off, and you will give me a +little longer notice, I will do my best to make my humble talents +serviceable in their proportion to a cause in which I take no common +interest, which has always my best wishes, and not seldom my prayers. God +bless you, and your affectionate friend, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +P. S. To you who know I prefer a roast potatoe and salt to the most +splendid public dinner, the very sight of which always offends my infant +appetite, I need not say that I am actuated solely by my pre-engagement, +and by the impropriety of disappointing the friend whom I am to +accompany, and to whom probably I owe the unexpected compliment of the +sheriff's invitation. + +I have read two-thirds of Dr. Pole's[92] pamphlet on Infant Schools, with +great interest. Thoughts on thoughts, feelings on feelings, crowded upon +my mind and heart during the perusal, and which I would fain, God +willing, give vent to! I truly honor and love the orthodox dissenters, +and appreciate with heart-esteem their works of love. I have read, with +much pleasure, the second preface to the second edition of your 'Alfred.' +It is well written." + + +Mr. Coleridge's health appeared, at this time, increasingly precarious; +one complaint rapidly succeeding another; as will appear by the three +following notes. + + +"1814. + +My dear Cottle, + +On my return home yesterday, I continued unwell, so as to be obliged to +lie down for the greater part of the evening, and my indisposition +keeping me awake during the whole night, I found it necessary to take +some magnesia and calomel, and I am at present very sick. I have little +chance of being able to stir out this morning, but if I am better I will +see you in the evening. God bless you, + +Mr. Wade's, Queen Square. + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +Written on a card. + + +"1814. + +My dear Cottle, + +The first time I have been out of the house, save once at meeting; and +the very first call I have made. I will be with you to-morrow by noon, if +I have no relapse. This is the third morning, that, thank heaven, I have +been free from vomiting...." + + +Mr. Coleridge having designed to attend Broadmead meeting, I sent him a +note to inquire if he would allow me to call and take him up; he sent me +the following reply. + + +"1814. + +My dear Cottle, + +It was near ten before the maid got up, or waked a soul in the house. We +are all in a hurry, for we had all meant to go to Broadmead. As to +dining, I have not five minutes to spare to the family below, at meals. +Do not call, for, if possible, I shall meet you at the Meeting. + +S. T. Coleridge. + +Mr. Wade's, Queen Square." + + +I must now enter on a subject of profound interest. I had often spoken to +Hannah More of S. T. Coleridge, and proceeded with him, one morning to +Barley Wood, her residence, eleven miles from Bristol. The interview was +mutually agreeable, nor was there any lack of conversation; but I was +struck with something singular in Mr. Coleridge's eye. I expressed to a +friend, the next day, my concern at having beheld him, during his visit +to Hannah More, so extremely paralytic, his hands shaking to an alarming +degree, so that he could not take a glass of wine without spilling it, +though one hand supported the other! "That," said he, "arises from the +immoderate quantity of OPIUM he takes." + +It is remarkable, that this was the first time the melancholy fact of Mr. +Coleridge's excessive indulgence in opium had come to my knowledge. It +astonished and afflicted me. Now the cause of his ailments became +manifest. On this subject, Mr. C. may have been communicative to others, +but to me he was silent. I now saw it was mistaken kindness to give him +money, as I had learned that he indulged in his potions according to the +extent of his means, so that to be temperate, it was expedient that he +should be poor. + +I ruminated long upon this subject, with indescribable sorrow; and having +ascertained from others, not only the existence of the evil, but its +extent, so as to render doubt impossible, such was the impression of duty +on my mind, I determined, however hazardous, to write to Mr. Coleridge, +and that faithfully, otherwise, I considered myself not a friend, but an +enemy. At the end of his course, therefore, I addressed to him the +following letter, under the full impression that it was a case of "life +and death," and that if some strong effort were not made to arouse him +from his insensibility, speedy destruction must inevitably follow.. +Nothing but so extreme a case, could have prompted, or could justify, +such a letter as the following. + + +"Bristol, April 25, 1814. + +Dear Coleridge, + +I am conscious of being influenced by the purest motives in addressing to +you the following letter. Permit me to remind you that I am the oldest +friend you have in Bristol, that I was such when my friendship was of +more consequence to you than it is at present, and that at that time, you +were neither insensible of my kindnesses, nor backward to acknowledge +them. I bring these things to your remembrance, to impress on your mind, +that it is still a _friend_ who is writing to you; one who ever has been +such, and who is now going to give you the most decisive evidence of his +sincerity. + +When I think of Coleridge, I wish to recall the image, of him, such as he +appeared in past years; now, how has the baneful use of opium thrown a +dark cloud over you and your prospects. I would not say anything +needlessly harsh or unkind, but I must be _faithful_. It is the +irresistible voice of conscience. Others may still flatter you, and hang +upon your words, but I have another, though a less gracious duty to +perform. I see a brother sinning a sin unto death, and shall I not warn +him? I see him perhaps on the borders of eternity, in effect, despising +his Maker's law, and yet indifferent to his perilous state! + +In recalling what the expectations concerning you once were, and the +excellency with which, seven years ago, you wrote and spoke on religious +truth, my heart bleeds to see how you are now fallen; and thus to notice, +how many exhilarating hopes are almost blasted by your present habits. +This is said, not to wound, but to arouse you to reflection. + +I know full well the evidences of the pernicious drug! You cannot be +unconscious of the effects, though you may wish to forget the cause. All +around you behold the wild eye! the sallow countenance! the tottering +step! the trembling hand! the disordered frame! and yet will you not be +awakened to a sense of your danger, and I must add, your guilt? Is it a +small thing, that one of the finest of human understandings should be +lost! That your talents should be buried! That most of the influences to +be derived from your present example, should be in direct opposition to +right and virtue! It is true you still talk of religion, and profess the +warmest admiration of the church and her doctrines, in which it would not +be lawful to doubt your sincerity; but can you be unaware, that by your +unguarded and inconsistent conduct, you are furnishing arguments to the +infidel; giving occasion for the enemy to blaspheme; and (amongst those +who imperfectly know you) throwing suspicion over your religious +profession! Is not the great test in some measure against you, 'By their +fruits ye shall know them?' Are there never any calm moments, when you +impartially judge of your own actions by their consequences? + +Not to reflect on you; not to give you a moment's _needless_ pain, but, +in the spirit of friendship, suffer me to bring to your recollection, +some of the sad effects of your undeniable intemperance. + +I know you have a correct love of honest independence, without which, +there can be no true nobility of mind; and yet for opium, you will sell +this treasure, and expose yourself to the liability of arrest, by some +'dirty fellow,' to whom you choose to be indebted for 'ten pounds!' You +had, and still have, an acute sense of moral right and wrong, but is not +the feeling sometimes overpowered by self-indulgence? Permit me to remind +you, that you are not more suffering in your mind than you are in your +body, while you are squandering largely your money in the purchase of +opium, which, in the strictest equity, should receive _a different +direction._ + +I will not again refer to the mournful effects produced on your own +health from this indulgence in opium, by which you have undermined your +strong constitution; but I must notice the injurious consequences which +this passion for the narcotic drug has on your literary efforts. What you +have already done, excellent as it is, is considered by your friends and +the world, as the bloom, the mere promise of the harvest. Will you suffer +the fatal draught, which is ever accompanied by sloth, to rob you of your +fame, and, what to you is a higher motive, of your power of doing good; +of giving fragrance to your memory, amongst the worthies of future years, +when you are numbered with the dead? + +[And now I would wish in the most delicate manner, to remind you of the +injurious effects which these habits of yours produce on your family. +From the estimation in which, you are held by the public, I am clear in +stating, that a small daily exertion on your part, would be sufficient to +obtain for you and them, honour, happiness, and independence. You are +still comparatively, a young man, and in such a cause, labour is sweet. +Can you withhold so small a sacrifice? Let me sincerely advise you to +return home, and live in the circle once more, of your wife and family. +There may have been faults on one, possibly on both sides; but calumny +itself has never charged criminality. Let all be forgotten, a small +effort for the Christian. If I can become a mediator, command me. If you +could be prevailed on to adopt this plan, I will gladly defray your +expenses to Keswick, and I am sure, with better habits, you would be +hailed by your family, I was almost going to say, as an angel from +heaven. It will also look better in the eyes of the world, who are always +prompt with their own constructions, and these constructions are rarely +the most charitable. It would also powerfully promote your own peace of +mind. + +There is this additional view, which ought to influence you, as it would +every generous mind. Your wife and children are domesticated with +Southey. He has a family of his own, which by his literary labour, he +supports, to his great honour; and to the extra provision required of him +on your account, he cheerfully submits; still, will you not divide with +him the honour? You have not extinguished in your heart the Father's +feelings. Your daughter is a sweet girl. Your two boys are promising; and +Hartley, concerning whom you once so affectionately wrote, is eminently +clever. These want only a father's assistance to give them credit and +honourable stations in life. Will you withhold so equitable and small a +boon. Your eldest son will soon be qualified for the university, where +your name would inevitably secure him patronage, but without your aid, +how is he to arrive there; and afterward, how is he to be supported? +Revolve on these things, I entreat you, calmly, on your pillow.][93] + +And now let me conjure you, alike by the voice of friendship, and the +duty you owe yourself and family: above all, by the reverence you feel +for the cause of Christianity; by the fear of God, and the awfulness of +eternity, to renounce from this moment opium and spirits, as your bane! +Frustrate not the great end of your existence. Exert the ample abilities +which God has given you, as a faithful steward; so will you secure your +rightful pre-eminence amongst the sons of genius; recover your +cheerfulness; your health; I trust it is not too late! become reconciled +to yourself; and through the merits of that Saviour, in whom you profess +to trust, obtain, at last, the approbation of your Maker! My dear +Coleridge, be wise before it be too late! I do hope to see you a +renovated man! and that you will still burst your inglorious fetters, and +justify the best hopes of your friends. + +Excuse the freedom with which I write. If at the first moment it should +offend, on reflection, you will approve at least of the motive, and, +perhaps, in a better state of mind, thank and bless me. If all the good +which I have prayed for, should not be effected by this letter, I have at +least discharged an imperious sense of duty. I wish my manner were less +exceptionable, as I do that the advice through the blessing of the +Almighty, might prove effectual. The tear which bedims my eye, is an +evidence of the sincerity with which I subscribe myself + +Your affectionate friend, + +Joseph Cottle." + + +The following is Mr. Coleridge's reply. + + +"April 26th, 1814. + +You have poured oil in the raw and festering wound of an old friend's +conscience, Cottle! but it is _oil of vitriol!_ I but barely glanced at +the middle of the first page of your letter, and have seen no more of +it--not from resentment, God forbid! but from the state of my bodily and +mental sufferings, that scarcely permitted human fortitude to let in a +new visitor of affliction. + +The object of my present reply, is, to state the case just as it +is--first, that for ten years the anguish of my spirit has been +indescribable, the sense of my danger staring, but the consciousness of +my GUILT worse--far worse than all! I have prayed, with drops of agony on +my brow; trembling, not only before the justice of my Maker, but even +before the mercy of my Redeemer. 'I gave thee so many talents, what hast +thou done with them?' Secondly overwhelmed as I am with a sense of my +direful infirmity, I have never attempted to disguise or conceal the +cause. On the contrary, not only to friends, have I stated the whole case +with tears, and the very bitterness of shame; but in two instances, I +have warned young men, mere acquaintances, who had spoken of having taken +laudanum, of the direful consequences, by an awful exposition of its +tremendous effects on myself. + +Thirdly, though before God I cannot lift up my eyelids, and only do not +despair of his mercy, because to despair would be adding crime to crime, +yet to my fellow-men, I may say, that I was seduced into the ACCURSED +habit ignorantly. I had been almost bed-ridden for many months, with +swellings in my knees. In a medical Journal, I unhappily met with an +account of a cure performed in a similar case, or what appeared to me so, +by rubbing in of Laudanum, at the same time taking a given dose +internally. It acted like a charm, like a miracle! I recovered the use of +my limbs, of my appetite, of my spirits, and this continued for near a +fortnight. At length the unusual stimulus subsided, the complaint +returned,--the supposed remedy was recurred to--but I cannot go through +the dreary history. + +Suffice it to say, that effects were produced which acted on me by terror +and cowardice, of pain and sudden death, not (so help me God!) by any +temptation of pleasure, or expectation, or desire of exciting pleasurable +sensations. On the very contrary, Mrs. Morgan and her sister will bear +witness so far, as to say, that the longer I abstained, the higher my +spirits were, the keener my enjoyments--till the moment, the direful +moment arrived, when my pulse began to fluctuate, my heart to palpitate, +and such falling abroad, as it were, of my whole frame, such intolerable +restlessness, and incipient bewilderment, that in the last of my several +attempts to abandon the dire poison, I exclaimed in agony, which I now +repeat in seriousness and solemnity, 'I am too poor to hazard this.' Had +I but a few hundred pounds, but £200,--half to send to Mrs. Coleridge, +and half to place myself in a private mad house, where I could procure +nothing but what a physician thought proper, and where a medical +attendant could be constantly with me for two or three months, (in less +than that time, life or death would be determined) then there might be +hope. Now there is none!! O God! how willingly would I place myself under +Dr. Fox, in his establishment; for my case is a species of madness, only +that it is a derangement, an utter impotence of the volition, and not of +the intellectual faculties. You bid me rouse myself: go bid a man +paralytic in both arms, to rub them briskly together, and that will cure +him. 'Alas!' he would reply, 'that I cannot move my arms, is my complaint +and my misery.' May God bless you, and + +Your affectionate, but most afflicted, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +On receiving this full and mournful disclosure, I felt the deepest +compassion for Mr. C.'s state, and sent him the following letter. +(Necessary to be given, to understand Mr. Coleridge's reply.) + + +"Dear Coleridge, + +I am afflicted to perceive that Satan is so busy with you, but God is +greater than Satan. Did you ever hear of Jesus Christ? That he came into +the world to save sinners? He does not demand, as a condition, any merit +of your own, he only says, 'Come and be healed!' Leave your idle +speculations: forget your vain philosophy. Come as you are. Come and be +healed. He only requires you to be sensible of your need of him, to give +him your heart, to abandon with penitence, every evil practice, and he +has promised that whosoever thus comes, he will in no wise cast out. To +such as you Christ ought to be precious, for you see the hopelessness of +every other refuge. He will add strength to your own ineffectual efforts. + +For your encouragement, I express the conviction, that such exercises as +yours, are a conflict that must ultimately prove successful. You do not +cloak your sins. You confess and deplore them. I believe that you will +still be as 'a brand plucked from the burning,' and that you (with all +your wanderings) will be restored, and raised up, as a chosen instrument, +to spread a Saviour's name. Many a 'chief of sinners,' has been brought, +since the days of 'Saul of Tarsus,' to sit as a little child, at the +Redeemer's feet. To this state you, I am assured, will come. Pray! Pray +earnestly, and you will be heard by your Father, which is in Heaven. I +could say many things of duty and virtue, but I wish to direct your views +at once to Christ, in whom is the alone balm for afflicted souls. + +May God ever bless you, + +Joseph Cottle. + +P. S. If my former letter appeared unkind, pardon me! It was not +intended. Shall I breathe in your ear?--I know one, who is a stranger to +these throes and conflicts, and who finds 'Wisdom's ways to be ways of +pleasantness, and her paths, paths of peace." + + +To this letter I received the following reply. + + +"O dear friend! I have too much to be forgiven, to feel any difficulty in +forgiving the cruellest enemy that ever trampled on me: and you I have +only to _thank!_ You have no conception of the dreadful hell of my mind, +and conscience, and body. You bid me pray. O, I do pray inwardly to be +able to pray; but indeed to pray, to pray with a faith to which a +blessing is promised, this is the reward of faith, this is the gift of +God to the elect. Oh! if to feel how infinitely worthless I am, how poor +a wretch, with just free-will enough to be deserving of wrath, and of my +own contempt, and of none to merit a moment's peace, can make a part of a +Christian's creed; so far I am a Christian. + +April 26, 1814." + +S. T. C. + + +At this time Mr. Coleridge was indeed in a pitiable condition. His +passion for opium had so completely subdued his _will_, that he seemed +carried away, without resistance, by an overwhelming flood. The +impression was fixed on his mind, that he should inevitably die, unless +he were placed under _constraint_, and that constraint he thought could +be alone effected in an _asylum!_ Dr. Fox, who presided over an +establishment of this description in the neighbourhood of Bristol, +appeared to Mr. C. the individual, to whose subjection he would most like +to submit. This idea still impressing his imagination, he addressed to me +the following letter. + + +"Dear Cottle, + +I have resolved to place myself in any situation, in which I can remain +for a month or two, as a child, wholly in the power of others. But, alas! +I have no money! Will you invite Mr. Hood, a most dear and affectionate +friend to worthless me; and Mr. Le Breton, my old school-fellow, and, +likewise, a most affectionate friend: and Mr. Wade, who will return in a +few days: desire them to call on you, any evening after seven o'clock, +that they can make convenient, and consult with them whether any thing of +this kind can be done. Do you know Dr. Fox? + +Affectionately, + +S. T. C. + +I have to prepare my lecture. Oh! with how blank a spirit!"[94] + + +I _did_ know the late Dr. Fox, who was an opulent and liberal-minded man; +and if I had applied to him, or any friend had so done, I cannot doubt +but that he would instantly have received Mr. Coleridge gratuitously; but +nothing could have induced me to make the application, but that extreme +case, which did not then appear fully to exist. My sympathy for Mr. C. at +this time, was so excited, that I should have withheld no effort, within +my power, to reclaim, or to cheer him; but this recurrence to an asylum, +I strenuously opposed. + +Mr. Coleridge knew Dr. Fox himself, eighteen years before, and to the +honour of Dr. E. I think it right to name, that, to my knowledge, in the +year 1796, Dr. Fox, in admiration of Mr. C.'s talents, presented him with +FIFTY POUNDS! + +It must here be, noticed, that, fearing I might have exceeded the point +of discretion, in my letter to Mr. C. and becoming alarmed, lest I had +raised a spirit that I could not lay, as well as to avoid an unnecessary +weight of responsibility, I thought it best to consult Mr. Southey, and +ask him, in these harassing circumstances, what I was to do; especially +as he knew more of Mr. C.'s latter habits than myself, and had proved his +friendship by evidences the most substantial. + +The years 1814 and 1815, were the darkest periods in Mr. Coleridge's +life. However painful the detail, it is presumed that the reader would +desire a knowledge of the undisguised truth. This cannot be obtained +without introducing the following letters of Mr. Southey, received from +him, after having sent him copies of the letters which passed between Mr. +Coleridge and myself. + + +"Keswick, April, 1814. + +My dear Cottle, + +You may imagine with what feelings I have read your correspondence with +Coleridge. Shocking as his letters are, perhaps the most mournful thing +they discover is, that while acknowledging the guilt of the habit, he +imputes it still to morbid bodily causes, whereas after every possible +allowance is made for these, every person who has witnessed his habits, +knows that for the greater, infinitely the greater part, inclination and +indulgence are its motives. + +It seems dreadful to say this, with his expressions before me, but it is +so, and I know it to be so, from my own observation, and that of all with +whom he has lived. The Morgans, with great difficulty and perseverance, +_did_ break him of the habit, at a time when his ordinary consumption of +laudanum was, from _two quarts a week_, to _a pint a day!_ He suffered +dreadfully during the first abstinence, so much so, as to say it was +better for him to die than to endure his present feelings. Mrs. Morgan +resolutely replied, it was indeed better that he should die, than that he +should continue to live as he had been living. It angered him at the +time, but the effort was persevered in. + +To what then was the relapse owing? I believe to this cause--that no use +was made of renewed health and spirits; that time passed on in idleness, +till the lapse of time brought with it a sense of neglected duties, and +then relief was again sought for _a self-accusing mind_;--in bodily +feelings, which when the stimulus ceased to act, added only to the load +of self-accusation. This Cottle, is an insanity which none but the soul's +physician can cure. Unquestionably, restraint would do as much for him as +it did when the Morgans tried it, but I do not see the slightest reason +for believing it would be more permanent. This too I ought to say, that +all the medical men to whom Coleridge has made his confession, have +uniformly ascribed the evil, not to bodily disease, but indulgence. The +restraint which alone could effectually cure, is that which no person can +impose upon him. Could he be compelled to a certain quantity of labour +every day, _for his family_, the pleasure of having done it would make +his heart glad, and the sane mind would make the body whole. + +I see nothing so advisable for him, as that he should come here to Greta +Hall. My advice is, that he should visit T. Poole for two or three weeks, +to freshen himself and recover spirits, which new scenes never fail to +give him. When there, he may consult his friends at Birmingham and +Liverpool, on the fitness of lecturing at those two places, at each of +which he has friends, and would, I should think beyond all doubt be +successful. He must be very unfortunate if he did not raise from fifty to +one hundred pounds at the two places. But whether he can do this or not, +here it is that he ought to be. He knows in what manner he would be +received;--by his children with joy; by his wife, not with tears, if she +can control them--certainly not with reproaches;--by myself only with +encouragement. + +He has sources of direct emolument open to him in the '_Courier_,' and in +the '_Eclectic Review_.'--These for his immediate wants, and for +everything else, his pen is more rapid than mine, and would be paid as +well. If you agree with me, you had better write to Poole, that he may +press him to make a visit, which I know he has promised. His great object +should be, to get out a play, and appropriate the whole produce to the +support of his son Hartley, at College. Three months' pleasurable +exertion would effect this. Of some such fit of industry I by no means +despair; of any thing more than fits, I am afraid I do. But this of +course I shall never say to him. From me he shall never hear ought but +cheerful encouragement, and the language of hope. + +You ask me if you did wrong in writing to him. A man with your feelings +and principles never does wrong. There are parts which would have been +expunged had I been at your elbow, but in all, and in every part it is +strictly applicable. + +I hope your next will tell me that he is going to T. Poole's--I have +communicated none of your letters to Mrs. Coleridge, who you know resides +with us. Her spirits and health are beginning to sink under it. God bless +you. + +Yours affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +After anxious consideration, I thought the only effectual way of +benefitting Mr. Coleridge, would be, to renew the object of an annuity, +by raising for him, amongst his friends, one hundred, or, if possible, +one hundred and fifty pounds a year; purposing through a committee of +three, to pay for his comfortable board, and all necessaries, but not of +giving him the disposition of any part, till it was hoped, the correction +of his bad habits, and the establishment of his better principles, might +qualify him for receiving it for his own distribution. It was difficult +to believe that his subjection to opium could much longer resist the +stings of his own conscience, and the solicitations of his friends, as +well as the pecuniary destitution to which his _opium habits_ had reduced +him. The proposed object was named to Mr. C. who reluctantly gave his +consent. + +I now drew up a letter, intending to send a copy to all Mr. Coleridge's +old and steady friends, (several of whom approved of the design) but +before any commencement was made, I transmitted a copy of my proposed +letter to Mr. Southey, to obtain his sanction. The following is his +reply. + + +"April 17, 1814. + +Dear Cottle, + +I have seldom in the course of my life felt it so difficult to answer a +letter, as on the present occasion. There is however no alternative. I +must sincerely express what I think, and be thankful that I am writing to +one who knows me thoroughly. + +Of sorrow and humiliation I will say nothing. Let me come at once to the +point. On what grounds can such a subscription as you propose raising for +Coleridge be solicited? The annuity to which your intended letter refers, +(£150) _was_ given him by the Wedgewoods. Thomas, by his will, settled +his portion on Coleridge, for his life. Josiah withdrew his about three +years ago. The half still remaining amounts, when the Income Tax is +deducted, to £67 10s. That sum Mrs. C. receives at present, and it is all +which she receives for supporting herself, her daughter, and the two boys +at school:--the boys' expenses amounting to the whole. No part of +Coleridge's embarrassment arises from his wife and children,--except that +he has insured his life for a thousand pounds, and pays the annual +premium. He never writes to them, and never opens a letter from them![95] + +In truth, Cottle, his embarrassments, and his miseries, of body and mind, +all arise from one accursed cause--excess in _opium_, of which he +habitually takes more than was ever known to be taken by any person +before him. The Morgans, with great effort, succeeded in making him leave +it off for a time, and he recovered in consequence _health_ and +_spirits_. He has now taken to it again. Of this indeed I was too sure +before I heard from you--that his looks bore testimony to it. Perhaps you +are not aware of the costliness of this drug. In the quantity which C. +takes, it would consume _more_ than the whole which you propose to raise. +A frightful consumption of _spirits_ is added. In this way bodily +ailments are produced; and the wonder is that he is still alive. + +There are but two grounds on which a subscription of this nature can +proceed: either when the, object is disabled from exerting himself; or +when his exertions are unproductive. Coleridge is in neither of these +predicaments. Proposals after proposals have been made to him by the +booksellers, and he repeatedly closed with them. He is at this moment as +capable of exertion as I am, and would be paid as well for whatever he +might be pleased to do. There are two Reviews,--the 'Quarterly,' and the +'Eclectic,' in both of which he might have employment at ten guineas a +sheet. As to the former I could obtain it for him; in the latter, they +are urgently desirous of his assistance. _He promises, and does nothing._ + +I need not pursue this subject. What more can I say? He may have new +friends who would subscribe to this plan, but they cannot be many; but +among all those who know him, his habits are known also. + +Do you as you think best. My own opinion is, that Coleridge ought to come +here, and employ himself, collecting money by the way by lecturing at +Birmingham and Liverpool. Should you proceed in your intention, my name +must not be mentioned. _I subscribe enough._ Here he may employ himself +without any disquietude about immediate subsistence. Nothing is wanting +to make him easy in circumstances, and happy in himself, but to leave off +opium, and to direct a certain portion of his time to the discharge of +_his duties_. Four hours a day would suffice. Believe me, my dear Cottle, +very affectionately + +Your old friend, + +Robert Southey." + + +The succeeding post brought me the following letter. + + +"Keswick, April 18, 1814. + +My dear Cottle, + +I ought to have slept upon your letter before I answered it. In thinking +over the subject (for you may be assured it was not in my power to get +rid of the thought) the exceeding probability occurred to me.... + +When you talked, in the proposed letter you sent me, of Coleridge +producing valuable works if his mind were relieved by the certainty of a +present income, you suffered your feelings to overpower your memory. +Coleridge _had_ that income for many years. It was given him expressly +that he might have leisure for literary productions; and to hold out the +expectation that he would perform the same conditions, if a like contract +were renewed, is what experience will not warrant. + +You will probably write to Poole on this subject. In that case, state to +him distinctly what my opinion is: that Coleridge should return home to +Keswick, raising a supply for his present exigencies, by lecturing at +Birmingham, and Liverpool, and then, if there be a necessity, as I fear +there _will be_ (arising solely and wholly from his own most culpable +habits of sloth and self-indulgence) of calling on his friends to do that +which _he can_ and _ought to do_,--for _that_ time the humiliating +solicitation should be reserved.... + +God bless you, + +Robert Southey." + + +No advantage would arise from recording dialogues with Mr. Coleridge, it +is sufficient to state that Mr. C.'s repugnance to visit Greta Hall, and +to apply his talents in the way suggested by Mr. Southey, was invincible; +neither would he visit T. Poole, nor lecture at Birmingham nor Liverpool. + +Just at this time I was afflicted with the bursting of a blood vessel, +occasioned, probably, by present agitations of mind, which reduced me to +the point of death; when the intercourse of friends, and even speaking, +were wholly prohibited. + +During my illness, Mr. Coleridge sent my sister the following letter; and +the succeeding one to myself. + + +"13th May, 1814. + +Dear Madam, + +I am uneasy to know how my friend, J. Cottle, goes on. The walk I took +last Monday to enquire, in person, proved too much for my strength, and +shortly after my return, I was in such a swooning way, that I was +directed to go to bed, and orders were given that no one should interrupt +me. Indeed I cannot be sufficiently grateful for the skill with which +_the surgeon treats me._ But it must be a slow, and occasionally, an +interrupted progress, after a sad retrogress of nearly twelve years. To +God all things are possible. I intreat your prayers, your brother has a +share in mine. + +What an astonishing privilege, that a sinner should be permitted to cry, +'Our Father!' Oh, still more stupendous mercy, that this poor ungrateful +sinner should be exhorted, invited, nay, commanded, to pray--to pray +importunately. That which great men most detest, namely, importunacy; to +_this_ the GIVER and the FORGIVER ENCOURAGES _his_ sick petitioners! + +I will not trouble you except for one verbal answer to this note. How is +your brother? + +With affectionate respects to yourself and your sister, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +To Miss Cottle, Brunswick Square." + + +"Friday, 27th May, 1814. + +My dear Cottle, + +Gladness be with you, for your convalescence, and equally so, at the hope +which has sustained and tranquillized you through your imminent peril. +Far otherwise is, and hath been, my state; yet I too am grateful; yet I +cannot rejoice. I feel, with an intensity, unfathomable by words, my +utter nothingness, impotence, and worthlessness, in and for myself. I +have learned what a sin is, against an infinite imperishable being, such +as is the soul of man. + +I have had more than a glimpse of what is meant by death and outer +darkness, and the worm that dieth not--and that all the _hell_ of the +reprobate, is no more inconsistent with the love of God, than the +blindness of one who has occasioned loathsome and guilty diseases to eat +out his eyes, is inconsistent with the light of the sun. But the +consolations, at least, the sensible sweetness of hope, I do not possess. +On the contrary, the temptation which I have constantly to fight up +against, is a fear, that if _annihilation_ and the _possibility_ of +_heaven_, were offered to my choice, I should choose the former. + +This is, perhaps, in part, a constitutional idiosyncracy, for when a mere +boy, I wrote these lines: + + Oh, what a wonder seems the fear of death, + Seeing how gladly we all sink to sleep; + Babes, children, youths and men, + Night following night, for three-score years and ten.[96] + +And in my early manhood, in lines descriptive of a gloomy solitude, I +disguised my own sensations in the following words: + + Here wisdom might abide, and here remorse! + Here too, the woe-worn man, who weak in soul, + And of this busy human heart aweary, + Worships the spirit of _unconscious life_, + In tree, or wild-flower. Gentle lunatic! + If so he might not wholly cease to BE, + He would far rather not be that he is; + But would be something that he knows not of, + In woods, or waters, or among the rocks.' + +My main comfort, therefore, consists in what the divines call the faith +of adherence, and no spiritual effort appears to benefit me so much as +the one earnest, importunate, and often, for hours, momently repeated +prayer: 'I believe, Lord help my unbelief! Give me faith, but as a +mustard seed, and I shall remove this mountain! Faith, faith, faith! I +believe, O give me faith! O, for my Redeemer's sake, give me faith in my +Redeemer.' + +In all this I justify God, for I was accustomed to oppose the preaching +of the terrors of the gospel, and to represent it as debasing virtue, by +the admixture of slaving selfishness. + +I now see that what is spiritual, can only be spiritually apprehended. +Comprehended it cannot. + +Mr. Eden gave you a too flattering account of me. It is true, I am +restored, as much beyond my expectations almost, as my deserts; but I am +exceedingly weak. I need for myself, solace and refocillation of animal +spirits, instead of being in a condition of offering it to others. Yet, +as soon as I may see you, I will call on you. + +S. T. Coleridge. + +P. S. It is no small gratification to me, that I have seen and conversed +with Mrs. Hannah More. She is, indisputably, the first literary female I +ever met with. In part, no doubt, because she is a Christian. Make my +best respects when you write." + + +The serious expenditure of money, resulting from Mr. C.'s consumption of +opium, was the least evil, though very great, and which must have +absorbed all the produce of Mr. C.'s lectures, and all the liberalities +of his friends. It is painful to record such circumstances as the +following, but the picture would be incomplete without it. + +Mr. Coleridge, in a late letter, with something it is feared, if not of +duplicity, of self-deception, extols the skill of his surgeon, in having +gradually lessened his consumption of laudanum, it was understood, to +twenty drops a day. With this diminution, the habit was considered as +subdued, and at which result, no one appeared to rejoice more than Mr. +Coleridge himself. The reader will be surprised to learn, that, +notwithstanding this flattering exterior, Mr. C. while apparently +submitting to the directions of his medical adviser, was secretly +indulging in his usual overwhelming quantities of opium! Heedless of his +health, and every honourable consideration, he contrived to obtain +surreptitiously, the fatal drug, and, thus to baffle the hopes of his +warmest friends. + +Mr. Coleridge had resided, at this time, for several months, with his +kind friend, Mr. Josiah Wade, of Bristol, who, in his solicitude for his +benefit, had procured for him, so long as it was deemed necessary, the +professional assistance, stated above. The surgeon on taking leave, after +the cure had been _effected_, well knowing the expedients to which opium +patients would often recur, to obtain their proscribed draughts; at +least, till the habit of temperance was fully established, cautioned Mr. +W. to prevent Mr. Coleridge, by all possible means, from obtaining that +by stealth, from which he was openly debarred. It reflects great credit +on Mr. Wade's humanity, that to prevent all access to opium, and thus, if +possible, to rescue his friend from destruction, he engaged a respectable +old decayed tradesman, constantly to attend Mr. C. and, to make that +which was sure, doubly certain, placed him even in his bed-room; and this +man always accompanied him whenever he went out. To such surveillance Mr. +Coleridge cheerfully acceded, in order to show the promptitude with which +he seconded the efforts of his friends. It has been stated that every +precaution was unavailing. By some unknown means and dexterous +contrivances, Mr. C. afterward confessed that he still obtained his usual +lulling potions. + +As an example, amongst others of a similar nature, one ingenious +expedient, to which he resorted, to cheat the doctor, he thus disclosed +to Mr. Wade, from whom I received it. He said, in passing along the quay, +where the ships were moored, he noticed, by a side glance, a druggist's +shop, probably an old resort, and standing near the door, he looked +toward the ships, and pointing to one at some distance, he said to his +attendant, "I think that's an American." "Oh, no, that I am sure it is +not," said the man. "I think it is," replied Mr. C. "I wish you would +step over and ask, and bring me the particulars." The man accordingly +went; when as soon as his back was turned, Mr. C. stepped into the shop, +had his portly bottle filled with laudanum, which he always carried in +his pocket, and then expeditiously placed himself in the spot where he +was left. The man now returned with the particulars, beginning, "I told +you, sir, it was not an American, but I have learned all about her." "As +I am mistaken, never mind the rest," said Mr. C. and walked on.[97] + +Every bad course of conduct (happily for the good of social order) leads +to perplexing, and generally, to disastrous results. The reader will soon +have a practical illustration, that Mr. Coleridge was not exempt from the +general law. + +A common impression prevailed on the minds of his friends, that it was a +desperate case, that paralyzed all their efforts: that to assist Mr. C. +with money, which, under favourable circumstances, would have been most +promptly advanced, would now only enlarge his capacity to obtain the +opium which was consuming him. We at length learnt that Mr. Coleridge was +gone to reside with his friend Mr. John Morgan, in a small house, at +Calne, in Wiltshire. So gloomy were our apprehensions, that even the +death of Mr. C. was mournfully expected at no distant period! for his +actions at this time, were, we feared, all indirectly of a suicidal +description. + +In a letter from Mr. Southey, dated Oct. 27, 1814, he thus writes:-- + + +"My dear Cottle, + +It is not long since I heard of you from Mr. De Quincey: but I wish you +would sometimes let me hear from you. There was a time when scarcely a +day passed without my seeing you, and in all that time, I do not remember +that there was a passing cloud of coolness between us. The feeling I am +sure continues: do not then let us be so entirely separated by distance, +which in cases of correspondence may almost be considered as a mere +abstraction.... + +Can you tell me anything of Coleridge? We know that he is with the +Morgans at Calne. What is to become of him? He may find men who will give +him board and lodging for the sake of his conversation, but who will pay +his other expenses? He leaves his family to chance, and charity. With +good feelings, good principles, as far as the understanding is concerned, +and an intellect as clear, and as powerful, as was ever vouchsafed to +man, he is the slave of degrading sensuality, and sacrifices everything +to it. The case is equally deplorable and monstrous.... + +Believe me, my dear Cottle, + +Ever your affectionate old friend, + +Robert Southey." + + +Of Mr. Coleridge, I now heard nothing, but, in common with all his +friends, felt deep solicitude concerning his future course; when, in +March, 1815, I received from him the following letter:-- + + +"Calne, March 7, 1815. + +Dear Cottle, You will wish to know something of myself. In health, I am +not worse than when at Bristol I was best; yet fluctuating, yet unhappy! +in circumstances 'poor indeed!' I have collected my scattered, and my +manuscript poems, sufficient to make one volume. Enough I have to make +another. But till the latter is finished, I cannot without great loss of +character, publish the former on account of the arrangement, besides the +necessity of correction. For instance, I earnestly wish to begin the +volumes, with what has never been seen by any, however few, such as a +series of Odes on the different sentences of the Lord's Prayer, and more +than all this, to finish my greater work on 'Christianity, considered as +Philosophy, and as the only Philosophy.' All the materials I have in no +small part, reduced to form, and written, but, oh me! what can I do, when +I am so poor, that in having to turn off every week, from these to some +mean subject for the newspapers, I distress myself, and at last neglect +the greater, wholly to do little of the less. If it were in your power to +receive my manuscripts, (for instance what I have ready for the press of +my poems) and by setting me forward with _thirty_ or _forty_ pounds, +taking care that what I send, and would make over to you, would more than +secure you from loss, I am sure you would do it. And I would die (after +my recent experience of the cruel and insolent spirit of calumny,) rather +than subject myself, as a slave, to a club of subscribers to my poverty. + +If I were to say I am easy in my conscience, I should add to its pains by +a lie; but this I can truly say, that my embarrassments have not been +occasioned by the bad parts, or selfish indulgences of my nature. I am at +present five and twenty pounds in arrear, my expenses being at £2 10s. +per week. You will say I ought to live for less, and doubtless I might, +if I were to alienate myself from all social affections, and from all +conversation with persons of the same education. Those who severely blame +me, never ask, whether at any time in my life, I had for myself and my +family's wants, £50 beforehand. + +Heaven knows of the £300 received, through you, what went to myself.[98] +No! bowed down under manifold infirmities, I yet dare to appeal to God +for the truth of what I say; I have remained poor by always having been +poor, and incapable of pursuing any one great work, for want of a +competence beforehand. + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +This was precisely the termination I was prepared to expect. I had never +before, through my whole life refused Mr. C. an application for money; +yet I now hesitated: assured that the sum required, was not meant for the +discharge of board, (for which he paid nothing) but for the purchase of +opium, the expense of which, for years, had amounted nearly to the two +pounds ten shillings per week. Under this conviction, and after a painful +conflict, I sent Mr. C. on the next day, a friendly letter, declining his +request in the kindest manner I could, but enclosing a five pound note. +It happened that my letter to Mr. Coleridge passed on the road, another +letter from him to myself, far more harrowing than the first. This was +the _last_ letter ever received from Mr. C. + +The following is Mr. Coleridge's second letter. + + +"Calne, Wiltshire, March 10, 1815. + +My dear Cottle, + +I have been waiting with the greatest uneasiness for a letter from you. +My distresses are impatient rather than myself: inasmuch as for the last +five weeks, I know myself to be a burden on those to whom I am under +great obligations: who would gladly do all for me; _but who have done all +they can!_ Incapable of any exertion in this state of mind, I have now +written to Mr. Hood, and have at length bowed my heart down, to beg that +four or five of those, who I had reason to believe, were interested in my +welfare, would raise the sum I mentioned, between them, should you not +find it convenient to do it. Manuscript poems, equal to one volume of 230 +to 300 pages, being sent to them immediately. If not, I must instantly +dispose of all my poems, fragments and all, for whatever I can get from +the first rapacious bookseller, that will give anything--and then try to +get my livelihood where I am, by receiving, or waiting on day-pupils, +children, or adults, but even this I am unable to wait for without some +assistance: for I cannot but with consummate baseness, throw the expenses +of my lodging and boarding for the last five or six weeks on those, who +must injure and embarrass themselves in order to pay them. The 'Friend' +has been long out of print, and its re-publication has been called for by +numbers. + +Indeed from the manner in which it was first circulated, it is little +less than a new work. To make it a complete and circular work, it needs +but about eight or ten papers. This I could, and would make over to you +at once in full copy-right, and finish it outright, with no other delay +than that of finishing a short and temperate Treatise on the Corn Laws, +and their national and moral effects; which had I even twenty pounds only +to procure myself a week's ease of mind, I could have printed before the +bill had passed the Lords. At all events let me hear by return of post. I +am confident that whether you take the property of my Poems, or of my +Prose Essays, in pledge, you cannot eventually lose the money. + +As soon as I can, I shall leave Calne for Bristol, and if I can procure +any day pupils, shall immediately take cheap lodgings near you. My plan +is to have twenty pupils, ten youths or adults, and ten boys. To give the +latter three hours daily, from eleven o'clock to two, with exception of +the usual school vacations, in the Elements of English, Greek, and Latin, +presenting them exercises for their employment during the rest of the +day, and two hours every evening to the adults (that is from sixteen and +older) on a systematic plan of general knowledge; and I should hope that +£15 a year, would not be too much to ask from each, which excluding +Sundays and two vacations, would be little more than a shilling a day, or +six shillings a week, for forty-two weeks. + +To this I am certain I could attend with strictest regularity, or indeed +to any thing mechanical. + +But composition is no voluntary business. The very necessity of doing it +robs me of the power of doing it. Had I been possessed of a tolerable +competency, I should have been a voluminous writer. But I cannot, as is +feigned of the Nightingale, sing with my breast against a thorn. God +bless you, + +Saturday, Midnight. + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +The receipt of this letter filled me with the most poignant grief; much +for the difficulties to which Mr. C. was reduced, but still more for the +cause. In one letter, indignantly spurning the contributions of his "club +of subscribers to his poverty;" and in his next, (three days afterwards) +earnestly soliciting this assistance! The victorious bearer away of +University prizes, now bent down to the humiliating desire of keeping a +day school, for a morsel of bread! The man, whose genius has scarcely +been surpassed, proposing to "attend" scholars, "children or adults," and +to bolster up his head, at night, in "cheap lodgings!" Oppressed with +debt, contracted by expending that money on opium, which should have been +paid to his impoverished friend; and this, at a moment, when, for the +preceding dozen years, if he had called his mighty intellect into +exercise, the "world" would have been "all before him, where to choose +his place of rest." But at this time he preferred, to all things else, +the Circean chalice! + +These remarks have reluctantly been forced from me; and never would they +have passed the sanctuary of my own breast, but to call on every consumer +of the narcotic poison, who fancies, perchance, that in the taking of +opium there is pleasure only and no pain, to behold in this memorable +example, the inevitable consequences, which follow that "accursed +practice!" Property consumed! health destroyed! independence bartered; +respectability undermined; family concord subverted! that peace +sacrificed, which forms so primary an ingredient in man's cup of +happiness!--a deadly war with conscience! and the very mind of the +unhappy votary, (whilst the ethereal spirit of natural affection +_generally escapes!_ despoiled of its best energies). + +I venture the more readily on these reflections, from the hope of +impressing some young delinquents, who are beginning to sip the "deadly +poison;" little aware that no habit is so progressive, and that he who +begins with the little, will rapidly pass on to the much! I am also +additionally urged to these mournful disclosures, from their forming one +portion only, of Mr. Coleridge's life. It has been my unenviable lot, to +exhibit my friend in his lowest points of depression; conflicting with +unhallowed practices, and, as the certain consequence, with an accusing +conscience. + +Most rejoiced should I have been, had my opportunities and acquaintance +with Mr. Coleridge continued, to have traced the gradual development into +action, of those better principles which were inherent in his mind. This +privilege is reserved for a more favoured biographer; and it now remains +only for me, in a closing remark, to state, that, had I been satisfied +that the money Mr. C. required, would have been expended in lawful +purposes, I would have supplied him, (without being an affluent man) to +the utmost of his requirements, and not by dividing the honour with +others, or receiving his writings in pledge! But, knowing that whatever +monies he received would, assuredly, be expended in opium, COMPASSION +STAYED MY HAND. + +In my reply to his second letter, by "return of post," I enclosed Mr. C. +another five pounds: urged him in a kind letter, to come immediately to +Bristol, where myself and others, would do all that could be done, to +advise and assist him. I told him at the same time, that, when I declined +the business of a bookseller, I for ever quitted publishing, so that I +could not receive his MSS. valuable as they doubtless were; but I +reminded him, that as his merits were _now_ appreciated by the public, +the London booksellers would readily enter into a treaty, and remunerate +him liberally. Mr. Coleridge returned no answer to my letter; came not to +Bristol, but went in the next spring to London, as I learned indirectly: +and I now await a narrative of the latter periods of Mr. C.'s life, and +particularly the perusal of his "posthumous works," with a solicitude +surpassed by none. + +I mentioned before that from my intimate knowledge of Mr. Coleridge's +sentiments and character, no doubt could be entertained by me, of its +being Mr. C.'s earnest wish, in order to exhibit to his successors the +pernicious consequences of opium, that, when called from this world, the +fullest publicity should be given to its disastrous effects on himself. +But whatever confidence existed in my own mind, it might be, I well knew, +no easy task, to inspire, with the same assurance, some of his surviving +friends; so that I have been compelled to argue the point, and to show, +to those who shrunk from such disclosures, that Mr. Coleridge's example +was intimately combined with general utility, and that none ought to +regret a faithful narration of, (unquestionably) _the great bane of his +life_, since it presented a conspicuous example, which might arrest the +attention, and operate as a warning to many others. + +From a conviction of the tender ground on which I stood, and entertaining +a latent suspicion that some, whom I could wish to have pleased, would +still censure, as unjustifiable exposure, what with me was the result of +conscience; I repeat, with all these searching apprehensions, the reader +will judge what my complicated feelings must have been, of joy and +sorrow; a momentary satisfaction, succeeded by the deepest pungency of +affliction, when, (after all the preceding was written) Mr. Josiah Wade, +presented to me the following mournful and touching letter, addressed to +him by Mr. Coleridge, in the year 1814, which, whilst it relieved my mind +from so onerous a burden, fully corroborated all that I had presumed, and +all that I had affirmed. Mr. W. handed this letter to me, that it might +be made public, in conformity with his departed friend's injunction. + + +"Bristol, June 26th, 1814. + +Dear sir, + +For I am unworthy to call any good man friend--much less you, whose +hospitality and love I have abused; accept, however, my intreaties for +your forgiveness, and for your prayers. + +Conceive a poor miserable wretch, who for many years has been attempting +to beat off pain, by a constant recurrence to the vice that reproduces +it. Conceive a spirit in bell, employed in tracing out for others the +road to that heaven, from which his crimes exclude him! In short, +conceive whatever is most wretched, helpless, and hopeless, and you will +form as tolerable a notion of my state, as it is possible for a good man +to have. + +I used to think the text in St. James that 'he who offended in one point, +offends in all,' very harsh: but I now feel the awful, the tremendous +truth of it. In the one crime of OPIUM, what crime have I not made myself +guilty of!--Ingratitude to my Maker! and to my benefactors--injustice! +_and unnatural cruelty to my poor children!_--self-contempt for my +repeated promise--breach, nay, too often, actual falsehood! + +After my death, I earnestly entreat, that a full and unqualified +narration of my wretchedness, and of its guilty cause, may be made +public, that at least, some little good may be effected by the direful +example. + +May God Almighty bless you, and have mercy on your still affectionate, +and in his heart, grateful-- + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +This is indeed a redeeming letter. We here behold Mr. Coleridge in the +lowest state of human depression, but his condition is not hopeless. It +is not the insensibility of final impenitence; it is not the slumber of +the grave. A gleam of sunshine bursts through the almost impenetrable +gloom; and the virtue of that prayer "May God Almighty have mercy!" in a +penitent heart, like his, combined as we know it was, with the +recognition of Him, who is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life," authorizes +the belief, that a spirit thus exercised, had joys in reserve, and was to +become the recipient of the best influences that can illumine regenerate +man. + +No individual ever effected great good in the moral world, who had not +been subjected to a long preliminary discipline; and he who knows what is +in man; who often educes good from evil, can best apportion the exact +kind and degree, indispensable to each separate heart. Mr. Coleridge, +after this time, lived twenty years. A merciful providence, though with +many mementos of decay, preserved his body, and in all its vigor +sustained his mind. Power was given him, it is presumed, and fervently +hoped, to subdue his former pernicious practices. The season of solemn +reflection it is hoped arrived, that his ten talents were no longer +partially buried, but that the lengthened space extended to him, was +consecrated by deep reflection, and consequent qualification, to +elucidate and establish the everlasting principles of Christian truth. + +Under such advantages, we are authorized in forming the highest +expectations from his Great Posthumous Work. Nothing which I have +narrated of Mr. Coleridge, will in the least subtract from the merit, or +the impression of that production, effected in his mature manhood, when +his renovated faculties sent forth new corruscations, and concentrated +the results of all his profound meditations. The very process to which he +had been exposed, so unpropitious as it appeared, may have been the most +favourable for giving consistency to his intellectual researches. He may +have thought in channels the more refined, varied, and luminous, from the +ample experience he had acquired, that the only real evil in this world, +was the frown of the Almighty, and His favor the only real good; so that +the grand work, about to appear, may add strength to the strong, and give +endurance to the finished pediment of his usefulness and his fame. + +But although all these cheering anticipations should be fully realized, +regrets will still exist. It will ever be deplored, that Mr. Coleridge's +system of Christian Ethics, had not yet been deliberately recorded by +himself. This feeling, however natural, is still considerably moderated, +by reflecting on the ample competence of the individual on whom the +distinction of preparing this system has devolved; a security that it +will be both well and faithfully executed, and which, in the same +proportion that it reflects credit on the editor, will embalm with +additional honours, the memory of SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE; a genius, who +in the opulence of his imagination, and his rich and inexhaustible +capabilities, as a poet, a logician, and a metaphysician, has not perhaps +been surpassed since the days of Milton. + +The following letter of Mr. Coleridge, was written a short time before +his death, to a young friend. This deliberate exposition of his faith, +and at such a season, cancels every random word or sentence, Mr. C. may +ever have expressed or written, of an opposing tendency. In thoughtless +moments Mr. C. may sometimes have expressed himself unguardedly, +attended, on reflection, no doubt with self-accusation, but here in the +full prospect of dissolution, he pours forth the genuine and ulterior +feelings of his soul. + + +"To Adam Steinmetz Kinnaird, + +My dear godchild,--I offer up the same fervent prayer for you now, as I +did kneeling before the altar, when you were baptized into Christ, and +solemnly received as a living member of his spiritual body, the church. +Years must, pass before you will be able to read with an understanding +heart what I now write. But I trust that the all-gracious God, the Father +of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, who, by his +only-begotten Son, (all mercies in one sovereign mercy!) has redeemed you +from evil ground, and willed you to be born out of darkness, but into +light; out of death, but into life; out of sin, but into righteousness; +even into 'the Lord our righteousness;' I trust that he will graciously +hear the prayers of your dear parents, and be with you as the spirit of +health and growth, in body and in mind. My dear godchild, you received +from Christ's minister, at the baptismal font, as your Christian name, +the name of a most dear friend of your father's, and who was to me even +as a son, the late Adam Steinmetz, whose fervent aspirations, and +paramount aim, even from early youth, was to be a Christian in thought, +word, and deed; in will, mind, and affections. I too, your godfather, +have known what the enjoyment and advantages of this life are, and what +the more refined pleasures which learning and intellectual power can +give; I now, on the eve of my departure, declare to you, and earnestly +pray that you may hereafter live and act on the conviction, that health +is a great blessing; competence, obtained by honourable industry, a great +blessing; and a great blessing it is, to have kind, faithful, and loving +friends and relatives; but that the greatest of all blessings, as it is +the most ennobling of all privileges, is to be indeed a Christian. But I +have been likewise, through a large portion of my later life, a sufferer, +sorely affected with bodily pains, languor, and manifold infirmities, and +for the last three or four years have, with few and brief intervals, been +confined to a sick room, and at this moment, in great weakness and +heaviness, write from a sick bed, hopeless of recovery, yet without +prospect of a speedy removal. And I thus, on the brink of the grave, +solemnly bear witness to you, that the Almighty Redeemer, most gracious +in his promises to them that truly seek him, is faithful to perform what +he has promised; and has reserved, under all pains and infirmities, the +peace that passeth all understanding, with the supporting assurance of a +reconciled God, who will not withdraw his spirit from me in the conflict, +and in his own time will deliver me from the evil one. O my dear +godchild! eminently blessed are they who begin _early_ to seek, fear, and +love, their God, trusting wholly in the righteousness and mediation of +their Lord, Redeemer, Saviour, and everlasting High Priest, Jesus Christ. +Oh, preserve this as a legacy and bequest from your unseen godfather and +friend, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +July 13th, 1834, Grove, Highgate." + + +Is the writer of this epistle the man, who twenty years before, even +coveted annihilation! Is this the man, who so long preferred, to all +things else, the "Circean chalice!" Is this he, who at one time, learned +to his unutterable dismay, what a sin was, "against an imperishable +being, such as is the soul of man." Is this he, whose will was once +extinguished by an unhallowed passion, and he himself borne along toward +perdition by a flood of intemperance! Is this the man who resisted the +light, till darkness entered his mind, and with it a "glimpse of outer +darkness!" Is this he, who feared that his own inveterate and aggravated +crimes would exclude him, from that heaven, the road to which he was +tracing out for others! Is this he, that through successive years, +contended with the severest mental and bodily afflictions; who knew the +cause, but rejected the remedy?--who, in 1807, declared himself "rolling +rudderless," "the wreck of what he once was," "with an unceasing +overwhelming sensation of wretchedness?" and in 1814, who still +pronounced himself the endurer of all that was "wretched, helpless, and +hopeless?" Samuel Taylor Coleridge is the man on whom all these charges +and fearful anticipations once rested: but he it is fervently hoped, was +changed; that he was renovated; that, when refuge failed, an unseen power +subdued the rebellious, and softened the hard; and that he approached the +verge of life in the serenity of faith and hope. + +Before the effect of this letter, the eccentricities of S. T. +Coleridge--his indiscretions, his frailties, vanish away. There is in it +a mellowed character, accordant with a proximity to the eternal state, +when alone the objects of time assume their true dimensions; when, earth +receding; eternity opening; the spirit, called to launch its untried bark +on the dark and stormy waters that separate both worlds, descries _light_ +afar, and leans, as its only solace, on the hope of the christian. + +Checkered indeed was the life of this great but imperfect man. His dawn +was not without promise. Hopes and blessings attended him in his course, +but mists obscured his noon, and tempests long followed him; yet he set, +it is hoped, serene and in splendor, looking on, through faith in his +Redeemer, to that cloudless morning, where his sun shall no more go down. + + * * * * * + +The attention of the reader will now be directed to letters of Mr. +Southey, briefly relating to Mr. Coleridge, and to circumstances +connected with the publication of the "Early Recollections of S. T. +Coleridge," 1837;--with a reference to the distressing malady with which +Mrs. Southey was afflicted. + + +"Keswick, Feb. 26, 1836. + +My dear Cottle, + +... I never go out but for regular exercise. Constant occupation; a daily +walk whatever the weather may be; constitutional buoyancy of spirits; the +comfort I have in my daughters and son; the satisfaction of knowing that +nothing is neglected for my dear Edith, which can be done by human care +and dutiful attention; above all, a constant trust in God's mercy, and +the certainty that whatever he appoints for us is best; these are my +supports, and I have as much cause to be thankful for present +consolation, as for past happiness. + +... If this domestic affliction had not fallen upon us, it was my +intention to have seen you in October 1834, and have brought my son +Cuthbert with me; and if it please God that I should ever be able to +leave home for a distant journey, this I still hope to do, and if you are +not then in a better place than Bedminster, I am selfish enough to wish +you may stay there till we meet; and indeed for the sake of others, that +it may be to the utmost limits which may be assigned us. I would give a +great deal to pass a week with you in this world. When I called on your +brother Robert, in London, four years ago, he did not recollect me, and +yet I was the least changed of the two. + +I should very much like to show you the correspondence which once passed +between Shelley and myself. Perhaps you are not acquainted with half of +his execrable history. I know the whole, and as he gave me a fit +opportunity, I read him such a lecture upon it as he deserved. + +God bless you, my dear old friend, + +Robert Southey." + + +I shall now refer to some incidental subjects relating to Mr. Southey, +which could not be well introduced in an earlier stage. + +In drawing up my "Early Recollections of S. T. Coleridge," so many +references had been made to Mr. Southey, that, notwithstanding his +general permission, I deemed it proper to transmit him the MS., with a +request that he would, without hesitation, draw his pen across any +portions to which he either objected, or thought it might be better to +omit. A further benefit also was anticipated by such inspection, as any +error which might inadvertently have crept in, as to facts and dates, +would infallibly be detected by Mr. Southey's more retentive memory. Mr. +S. thus replied: + + +"Keswick, March 6, 1836. + +My dear Cottle, + +You will see that I have drawn my pen across several passages in your MS. +of "Early Recollections."[99] The easiest way of showing you those small +inaccuracies, will be by giving you a slight summary of the facts, most +of them antecedent to my introduction to you. + +Since your manuscript has arrived, I have received from London, two +volumes of 'Letters and Conversations of S. T. Coleridge,' published +anonymously by one of his later friends, Mr. Alsop, by name, a person of +whom I never heard before. Mr. Moxon, the publisher, writes to me thus +concerning it: 'In many respects I regret that I undertook the +publication of the work, for though at my earnest solicitation, many +objectionable passages respecting both yourself and Mr. Wordsworth were +left out, yet much I fear still remains that ought not to have been +published; and yet if I had refused the work, it would most likely have +been published by some other bookseller, with more in it to offend than +there is at present.' + +Now there is nothing in this work relating to myself of the slightest +consequence, but the worst enemy of S. T. C. could not have done so much +injury to his character as this injudicious friend has done; who, be it +observed, was also a friend of Cobbet's. He calls on Mr. Green, his +presumed editor, not to conceal Coleridge's real opinions from the +public, and certainly represents those opinions as being upon most, if +not all subjects, as lax as his own. Coleridge's nephews,--the Bishop and +Judge--are wantonly insulted by this person, and contemptuous speeches of +his are reported concerning dead and living individuals, for whom he +professed friendship, and from whom he had received substantial proofs of +kindness. Heaven preserve me from such a friend as Mr. Alsop! But I never +could have admitted such a person to my friendship, nor, if I had, would +he have any such traits of character to record.... + +Now then to your narrative, or rather to mine; referring to incidents +which took place before Coleridge's and my own acquaintance with +yourself; by which you will perceive on what small points you were +misinformed, and in what your memory has deceived you. + +In the summer of 1794, S. T. Coleridge and Hucks came to Oxford, on their +way into Wales on a pedestrian tour. Allen introduced them to me, and the +scheme of _Pantisocracy_ was introduced _by them_; talked of, by no means +determined on. It was subsequently talked into shape by Burnet and +myself, at the commencement of the long vacation. We separated from +Coleridge and Hucks: they making for Gloucester; Burnet and I proceeding +on foot to Bath. + +After some weeks, Coleridge returning from his tour, came to Bristol on +his way, and stopped there. (I being there.) Then it was that we resolved +on going to America, and S. T. C., and I walked into Somersetshire to see +Burnet, and on that journey it was that we first saw Poole. Coleridge +made his engagement with Miss Fricker, on our return from this journey, +at my mother's house in Bath;--not a little to my astonishment, for he +had talked of being deeply in love with a certain _Mary Evans_. I had +been previously engaged to her sister, my poor Edith!--_whom it would +make your heart ache to see at this time!_ + +We remained at Bristol till the close of the vacation; several weeks. +During that time we again talked of America. The funds were to be what +each could raise. Coleridge, by his _projected work_, 'Specimens of +Modern Latin Poems,' for which he had printed proposals, and obtained a +respectable list of Cambridge subscribers, before I knew him: I by 'Joan +of Arc,' and what else I might publish. I had no rich relations, except +one, my uncle, John Southey, of Taunton, who took no notice of his +brother's family; nor any other expectation. He hoped to find companions +with money. + +Coleridge returned to Cambridge, and then published 'The Fall of +Robespierre;' while Lovell (who had married one of the Miss Frickers) and +I, published a thin volume of poems at Bath. My first transaction with +you was for 'Joan of Arc,' and this was before Coleridge's arrival at +Bristol, and soon after Lovell had introduced me to you. Coleridge did +not come back again to Bristol till January 1795, nor would he I believe +_have come back at all_, if I had not gone to London to look for him, for +having got there from Cambridge at the beginning of winter, there he +remained without writing either to Miss Fricker or myself. + +At last I wrote to Favell (a Christ's Hospital boy, whose name I knew as +one of his friends, and whom he had set down as one of our companions) to +inquire concerning him, and learnt in reply, that S. T. Coleridge was at +'The Cat and Salutation,' in Newgate Street. [100] Thither I wrote. He +answered my letter, and said, that _on such a day_ he should set off for +Bath by the _waggon_. Lovell and I walked from Bath to meet him. Near +Marlborough we met with the appointed waggon; but _no S. T. Coleridge was +therein!_ A little while afterward, I went to London, and not finding him +at 'The Cat and Salutation,' called at Christ's Hospital, and was +conducted by Favell to 'The Angel Inn, Butcher Hall street,' whither +Coleridge had shifted his quarters. I brought him then to Bath, and in a +few days to Bristol. + +In the intermediate time between his leaving Bristol, and returning to +it, the difficulties of getting to America became more and more apparent. +Wynne wrote to press upon me the expedience of trying our scheme of +Pantisocracy in Wales, knowing how impracticable it would be _any where_; +knowing also, that there was no hope of convincing me of its +impracticability, _at that time_. In our former plan we were all agreed, +and expected that what the earth failed to produce for us, the pen would +supply. Such were our views in January 1795; when S. T. Coleridge gave +his first and second lectures in the Corn Market, and his third in a +vacant house in Castle Green. These were followed by my lectures, and you +know the course of our lives till the October following, when we parted. + +By that time I had seen that _no dependence_ could be placed on +Coleridge. No difference took place between us when I communicated to him +my intention of going with my uncle to Lisbon, nor even a remonstrance on +his part; nor had I the slightest suspicion that he intended to quarrel +with me, till ----'s insolence made it apparent; and I then learnt from +Mrs. Morgan (poor John Morgan's mother) in what manner he was speaking of +me. This was in October. From that time to my departure for Lisbon you +know my history. Lovell did not die till six months afterward. The +'Watchman' was not projected till I was on my way to Lisbon. + +Poor Burnet's history would require a letter of itself. He became +deranged on one point, which was that of _hatred to me_, whom he accused +of having jealously endeavoured to suppress his talents! This lasted +about six months, in the year 1802, and it returned again in the last +year of his life. The scheme of Pantisocracy proved his ruin; but he was +twice placed in situations where he was well provided for. I had the +greatest regard for him, and would have done, and indeed, as far as was +in my power, did my utmost to serve him God bless you, my dear old +friend, + +Yours most affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +"Keswick, 14 April, 1836. + +My dear Cottle, + +If you are drawing up your 'Recollections of Coleridge,' for separate +publication, you are most welcome to insert anything of mine which you +might think proper; but it is my wish that nothing of mine may go into +the hands of any person concerned in bringing forward Coleridge's MSS. + +I know that Coleridge at different times of his life never let pass an +opportunity of speaking ill of me. Both Wordsworth and myself have often +lamented the exposure of duplicity which must result from the publication +of his letters, and by what he has delivered by word of mouth to the +worshippers by whom he was always surrounded. To Wordsworth and to me, it +matters little. Coleridge received from us such substantial services as +few men have received from those whose friendship they had forfeited. +This indeed was not the case with Wordsworth, as it was with me, for he +knew not in what manner Coleridge had latterly spoken of him. But I +continued all possible offices of kindness to his children, long after I +regarded his own conduct with that _utter disapprobation_ which alone it +can call forth from all who had any sense of duty and moral obligation. + +Poole[101] from whom I had a letter by the same post with yours, thinks, +from what you have said concerning Coleridge's habit of taking opium, +that it would operate less to deter others from the practice, than it +would lead them to flatter themselves in indulging in it, by the example +of so great a man. That there is some probability in this I happen to +know from the effect of Mr. De Quincey's book; one who had never taken a +drop of opium before, but took so large a dose, for the sake of +experiencing the sensations which had been described, that a very little +addition to the dose might have proved fatal. There, however, the +mischief ended, for he never repeated the experiment. But I apprehend if +you send what you have written, about Coleridge and opium, it will not be +made use of, and that Coleridge's biographer will seek to find excuses +for his abuse of that drug. Indeed in Mr. Alsop's book, it is affirmed +that the state of his heart, and other appearances in his chest, showed +the habit to have been brought on by the pressure of disease in those +parts:--the more likely inference is, that the excess brought on the +disease. + +I am much pleased with your "_Predictions_." Those who will not be +convinced by such scriptural proofs, if they pretend to admit any +authority in the Scriptures, would not, though one rose from the dead. + +God bless you, my dear old friend. Whenever I can take a journey, I will, +if you are living, come to Bedminster. There is no other place in the +world which I remember with such feelings as that village.[102] + +Believe me always yours most affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +In answer to an invitation, Mr. Southey thus replied. + + +"Keswick, August 16, 1836. + +My dear Cottle, + +... Be assured, whenever it may seem fitting for me to take so long a +journey, I shall come to you with as cordial a feeling of unchanged and +unabated friendship as that with which you I know will receive me. It is +very much my wish to do so, to show Cuthbert my son (who will accompany +me) the scenes of my boyhood and youth, and the few friends who are left +to me in the West of England. There is an urgent reason why I should go +to London before the last volume of Cowper is brought forth, if domestic +circumstances can be so arranged as to admit of this, and I would fain +hope it may be; I shall then certainly proceed to the West. + +Longman has determined to print my poetical works in ten monthly parts, +and I have to prepare accordingly for the press. No one will take more +interest than yourself in this arrangement. I have much to correct, much +to alter, and not a little to add: among other things, a general preface, +tracing the circumstances which contributed to determine my course as a +poet. + +I can say nothing which would give you pleasure to hear on a subject[103] +which concerns me so nearly. We have continued variations of better and +worse, with no tendency to amendment; and according to all human +foresight, no hope of recovery. We entertain no guests, and admit no +company whom it is possible to exclude. God bless you, my dear old +friend, and believe me always + +Yours most affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +I now refer to an occurrence that gave me some uneasiness. It appears, +from the following letter that the family of Mr. Coleridge felt uneasy at +learning that I intended to disclose to the public, the full extent of +Mr. C.'s subjection to opium. + + +"September 30, 1836. + +My dear Cottle, + +... Coleridge's relations are uneasy at what they hear of your intention +to publish an account of him. Yesterday I learnt personally, from an +influential member of the family, what their objections particularly +were. He specified as points on which they were uncomfortable, +Coleridge's own letter, or letters, respecting _opium_, and the +circumstances of a gift of three hundred pounds from Mr. De Quincey. + +The truth is, that Coleridge's relations are placed in a most +uncomfortable position. They cannot say that any one of themselves will +bring out a full and authentic account of C. because they know how much +there is, which all who have any regard for Coleridge's memory, would +wish to be buried with him. But we will talk over the subject when we +meet. Meantime I have assured ---- that your feelings toward Coleridge +are, what they have ever been, friendly in the highest degree. + +How like a dream does the past appear! through the last years of my life +more than any other part. All hope of recovery, or even of amendment, is +over! In all reason I am convinced of this; and yet at times when Edith +speaks and looks like herself, I am almost ready to look for what, if it +occurred, would be a miracle. _It is quite necessary that I should be +weaned from this constant object of solicitude_; so far at least as to +refresh myself, and recruit for another period of confinement. Like all +other duties, it brings with it its reward: and when I consider with how +many mercies this affliction has been tempered, I have cause indeed to be +thankful. Believe me always, my dear Cottle, + +Yours most affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +A few days after I received the following letter from Mr. Southey:-- + + +"Keswick, Oct. 10, 1836. + +My dear Cottle, + +I have long foreseen that poor S. T. Coleridge would leave a large +inheritance of uneasiness to his surviving friends, and those who were +the most nearly connected with him. + +The _Head of the Family_ being in these parts, I have heard more +concerning the affair of _your Memoir_, as it respects the feelings of +that family than I should otherwise. He is a thoroughly good man; mild, +unassuming, amiable, and judicious beyond most men. This matter interests +him greatly, on account of his brother having married Mr. S. T. +Coleridge's daughter. Indeed it is in consequence of a letter from the +---- that I am now writing. He cared nothing when a gross and wanton +insult was offered to him in that ... book, but on this occasion he is +much concerned. + +A few omissions (one letter in particular, respecting the habit of taking +opium,) would spare them great pain, and leave your book little the +poorer, rich as your materials are. Wilfully I am sure you never gave +pain to any human being, nor any living creature.... You are not like a +witness who is required to tell all which he knows. In those cases the +moral law requires us to tell nothing but the truth, but does not demand +the whole truth, unless the suppression of any part of it should be +tantamount to falsehood. + +Of this indeed you are fully aware. You have enough to tell that is +harmless as well as interesting, and not only harmless, but valuable and +instructive, and that _ought_ to be told, and which _no one but yourself +can tell_. Strike out only.... I will read over the Memoir when we meet. +You have abundance of materials; and many things may come to mind which +may supply the place of what should be withdrawn. _You will understand my +motive in pressing this upon you._ God bless you, my dear old friend. + +Your's most affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +As I determined to publish nothing relating to Mr. Coleridge, without Mr. +Southey's sanction, my first impression, on the receipt of this letter, +was, wholly to _withdraw the work_;--but as I expected soon to see Mr. +S., I resolved to suspend my determination till he had an opportunity of +inspecting the MS. once more, when his specific objections might be +better understood. + +Two or three weeks after receiving the former letter, Mr. S. addressed to +me the following hasty line:-- + + +"Friday, Nov. 1, 1836, Pipe Hayes. + +My dear Cottle, + +Here we are, six miles from Birmingham. Our places are taken for Thursday +morning, in the coach which starts from the Hen and Chickens, Birmingham. +To what Inn it comes in Bristol, I forgot to ask. So, if on our arrival, +we do not find your vehicle, we shall pack ourselves, and our luggage, in +a hackney-coach, without delay, and drive to Carlton Villa. So on +Thursday evening I hope to see you. + +God bless you, my dear old friend, + +Robert Southey." + +P.S. "I saw Wordsworth on my way, and mentioned your wish about engraving +his portrait. He referred it entirely to my opinion of its +likeness."[104] + + +On his arrival, Mr. Southey deliberately re-read the whole of my MS., and +objected alone to a few trifles, which were expunged. He read the series +of _opium letters_ with a mind evidently affected, but no part did he +interdict. He now arrived at, and read the solemn _Testamentary +Letter_,(p. 394 [Letter dating "Bristol, June 26th, 1814. Transcriber.]). +I said to him, "Southey shall I, or shall I not, omit this letter." He +paused for a few moments, and then distinctly said. "You must print it. +It is your authority for what you have done." He then continued, "You +must print it also, for the sake of faithful biography, and for the +beneficial effect this, and the other opium letters must inevitably +produce." This unqualified approval determined me to publish the whole of +the opium letters. + +I here give the next letter I received from Mr. Southey, when he had +returned home, after his long excursion to Bristol, and the West of +England, by which it will be perceived that no after inclination existed +in Mr. S.'s mind to alter the opinion he had given. + + +"Keswick, May 9, 1837. + +My dear Cottle, + +It is scarcely possible that a day should pass, in which some +circumstance, some object, or train of recollection, does not bring you +to my mind. You may suppose then how much I thought of you during the +employment I recently got through of correcting "_Joan of Arc_" for the +last time.... + +Our journey, after we left your comfortable house, was as prosperous as +it could be at that time of the year. We have reason, indeed, to be +thankful, that travelling so many hundred miles, in all sorts of ways, +and over all kinds of roads, we met with no mischief of any kind; nor any +difficulties greater than what served for matter of amusement. During the +great hurricane, we were at Dawlish, in a house on the beach, from which +we saw the full effect of its force on the sea. + +The great snow-storm caught us at Tavistock, and rendered it impossible +for us to make our intended excursion on Dartmoor. Cuthbert and I parted +company at my friend, Miss Caroline Bowles's, near Lymington, he going to +his brother-in-law, (at Terring, where he is preparing for the +University,) I, the next day, to London. I joined him again at Terring, +three weeks afterward; and, after a week, made the best of my way home. + +The objects of my journey were fully accomplished. Cuthbert has seen most +of the spots which I desired to show him, and has been introduced to the +few old friends whom I have left in the West of England. I had much +pleasure, but not unmingled with pain, in visiting many places which +brought back vividly the remembrance of former days; but to Cuthbert, all +was pure pleasure. + +God bless you, my dear old friend, + +Yours affectionately, + +Robert Southey." + + +In a previous letter Mr. Southey had said in a contemplative mood, + + +"... Little progress is made in my 'Life of George Fox' but considerable +preparation. This, and some sketches of Monastic history, will probably +complete the ecclesiastical portion of my labours. Alas! I have +undertaken more than there is any reasonable likelihood of completing. My +head will soon be white, and I feel a disposition to take more thought +for the morrow than I was wont to do; not as if distrusting providence, +which has hitherto supported me, _but my own powers of exertion!_" + + +I pass over the intervening period between this, and my old friend's +mental affliction, as more properly belonging to Mr. Southey's regular +biographer, but this much I may observe. + +Having heard, with the deepest concern, that Mr. Southey's mind was +affected, I addressed a kind letter to him, to inquire after his health, +and requested only one line from him, to relieve my anxiety, if only the +signing of his name. I received a letter in reply, from his kindest +friend, of which the following is an extract. + + +"... With deep and affectionate interest he read and re-read your letter, +and many times in the course of the evening he received it I observed +tears in his eyes. 'I will write to Cottle,' he has often repeated since, +but alas! the purpose remains unfulfilled, and from me, dear sir, you +must receive the explanation of his silence...." + + +On communicating this melancholy intelligence to my old and valued +friend, Mr. Foster, he thus replied. + + +"My dear sir, + +I am obliged for your kind note, and the letter, which I here return. I +can well believe that you must feel it a mournful communication. A friend +in early life: a friend ever since; a man highly, and in considerable +part, meritoriously conspicuous in the literature of the age; and now at +length prostrated, and on the borders of the grave; for there can be no +doubt the bodily catastrophe will soon follow the mental one. It is a +most wonderful career that he has run in literary achievement, and it is +striking to see such a man disabled at last, even to write a letter to an +old friend! It is interesting to myself, as it must be to every one +accustomed to contemplate the labours and productions of mind, to see +such a spirit finally resigning its favourite occupations, and retiring +from its fame!..." + + +Mr. Foster, referring to the death of his friends, thus afterwards wrote. + + +"Stapleton, June 22, 1842. + +My dear sir, + +... How our old circle is narrowing around us. Going back just three +years and a-half, I was recounting yesterday eleven persons departed +within that space of time; three-fourths of those who had formed, till +then, the list of my old friends and acquaintance, leaving just a few, +how few, of those who are my coevals, or approaching to that standard. +You are within one, and he at a great distance, whom I may never see +again, the oldest in both senses, of the almost solitary remainder. Our +day is not far off. Oh, may we be prepared to welcome its arrival...." + + +The following is an extract from another letter of Mr. Foster's +containing the same train of thought. + + +"My dear sir, + +... My thoughts are often pensively turning on the enumeration of those I +may call my coevals; and many of them of long acquaintance who have been +called away within these few years. An old, and much valued friend at +Worcester, Mr. Stokes, from whose funeral I returned little more than in +time to attend that of our estimable friend, your brother-in-law, Mr. +Hare; since then, your excellent sister Mary. Mr. Coles, of Bourton, +known and esteemed almost forty years. Mr. Addington. Lately in Scotland, +the worthy Mr. Dove; and now last of all, so unexpectedly, Mr. Roberts. I +dined with him at Mr. Wade's, perhaps not more than ten days before his +death.... + +With friendly regards, I remain, my dear sir, + +Most truly yours, + +John Foster." + + +A letter of mine to Mr. Foster, referring chiefly to Mr. Southey, may not +inappropriately be here introduced. + + +"July 6, 1842. + +To the Rev. John Foster, + +My dear Sir,--I sympathize with you on the comparatively recent loss of +so large a proportion of your early friends and acquaintance. I can, to a +great extent, participate in similar feelings. Yourself and Mr. +Wordsworth are the only two survivors, of all with whom in early life I +joined in familiar intercourse, for poor dear Southey since I last wrote +to you concerning him, is worse than dead. Mr. W., who dined with me last +summer, told me that he does not now know his own children. He said, he +had a short time previously called upon him, and he fancied that a slight +glimpse of remembrance crossed his mind, when, in a moment, he silently +passed to his library, and taking down a book, (from mechanical habit) +turned over the pages, without reading, or the power of reading. Pardon +prolixity, where the heart is so full. Surely the world does not present +a more melancholy, or a more humiliating sight, than the prostration of +so noble a mind as that of my old and highly-prized friend, Robert +Southey. When I first knew him, he had all that Westminster and Oxford +could give him. He was, as the Mores said, to whom I had introduced him, +'brimfull of literature:' decisive and enthusiastic in all his +sentiments, and impetuous in all his feelings, whether of approval or +dislike. I never knew one more uncompromising in what he believed either +to be right, or wrong; thereby marking the integrity of his mind, which +ever shrunk from the most distant approximation to duplicity or meanness. + +This disposition manifested itself almost in infancy, for his mother, an +acute and very worthy woman, told me, in the year 1798, that whenever any +mischief or accident occurred amongst the children, which some might wish +to conceal, she always applied to Robert, who never hesitated, or +deviated from the truth, though he himself might have been implicated. +And in after life, whatever sentiments he avowed, none who knew the +confirmed fidelity of his mind, could possibly doubt that they were the +genuine dictates of his heart. + +There was in Southey, alas! his sun is set!--I must, write in the third +person!--one other quality which commands admiration; an habitual +delicacy in his conversation, evidencing that cheerfulness and wit might +exist without ribaldry, grossness, or profanation. He neither violated +decorum himself, nor tolerated it in others. I have been present when a +trespasser of the looser class, has received, a rebuke, I might say a +castigation, well deserved, and not readily forgotten. His abhorrence +also of injustice, or unworthy conduct, in its diversified shapes, had +all the decision of a Roman censor; while this apparent austerity was +associated, when in the society he liked, with so bland and playful a +spirit, that it abolished all constraint, and rendered him one of the +most agreeable, as well as the most intelligent of companions. + +It must occasionally have been exemplified in your experience, that some +writers who have acquired a transient popularity, perchance, more from +adventitious causes, than sterling merit, appear at once to occupy an +increased space, and fancy that he who fills his own field of vision, +occupies the same space in the view of others. This disposition will +almost invariably be found in those who most readily depreciate those +whom they cannot excel; as if every concession to the merits of another +subtracted from their own claims. Southey was eminently exempt from this +little feeling. He heartily encouraged genius, wherever it was +discoverable; whether, 'with all appliances,' the jewel shone forth from +academic bowers, or whether the gem was incrusted with extraneous matter, +and required the toil of polishing; indifferent to him, it met with the +encouraging smile, and the fostering care. + +It may be truly said, Mr. Southey exacted nothing, and consequently his +excellencies were the more readily allowed; and this merit was the +greater, since, as Mr. Coleridge remarked, "he had written on so many +subjects, and so well on all." Although his company was sought by men of +the first rank and talent, from whom he always received that +acknowledgment, if not deference, which is due to great attainments and +indisputable genius, yet such honours excited no plebeian pride. It +produced none of that morbid inflation, which, wherever found, +instinctively excites a repulsive feeling. It was this unassuming air, +this suavity of deportment, which so attached Southey to his friends, and +gave such permanence to their regard. + +It seems almost invidious to single out one distinguishing quality in his +mind, when so many deserve notice, but I have often been struck with the +quickness of his perception; the promptitude with which he discovered +whatever was good or bad in composition, either in prose or verse. When +reading the production of another, the tones of his voice became a +_merit-thermometer_, a sort of _Aeolian-harp-test_; in the flat parts his +voice was unimpassioned, but if the gust of genius swept over the wires, +his tones rose in intensity, till his own energy of feeling and +expression kindled in others a sympathetic impulse, which the dull were +forced to feel, whilst his animated recitations threw fresh meaning into +the minds of the more discerning. + +What an emblem of human instability! The idea of Robert Southey's altered +state can hardly force itself on my imagination. The image of one lately +in full vigour, who appeared, but as yesterday, all thought and +animation, whose mind exhibited a sort of rocky firmness, and seemed made +almost for perpetuity; I say it is hard to conceive of faculties so +strong and richly matured, reduced now even to imbecility! The image of +death I could withstand, for it is the lot of mortals, but the spectacle +of such a mind associated with living extinction, appears incongruous, +and to exceed the power of possible combination. Those who witnessed the +progressive advances of this mournful condition were prepared for the +event by successive changes, but with my anterior impressions, if in his +present state I were to be abruptly presented to Robert Southey, and met +the vacant and cold glance of indifference, the concussion to my feelings +would so overwhelm, that--merciful indeed would be the power which +shielded me from a like calamity. + +Southey spent a week with me, four or five years ago, when he manifested +the same kind and cordial behaviour, which he had uniformly displayed for +nearly half a century, and which had never during that long period been +interrupted for a moment. Nor was steadfastness in friendship one of his +least excellencies. From the kindliness of his spirit, he excited an +affectionate esteem in his friends, which they well knew no +capriciousness on his part would interrupt: to which, it might be added, +his mind was well balanced, presenting no unfavourable eccentricities, +and but few demands for the exercise of charity. Justly also, may it be +affirmed, that he was distinguished for the exemplary discharge of all +the social and relative virtues; disinterestedly generous, and +scrupulously conscientious, presenting in his general deportment, +courteousness without servility, and dignity without pride. There was in +him so much kindliness and sincerity, so much of upright purpose, and +generous feeling, that the belief is forced on the mind, that, through +the whole range of biographical annals, few men, endowed with the higher +order of intellect, have possessed more qualities commanding esteem than +Robert Southey; who so happily blended the great with the amiable, or +whose memory will become more permanently fragrant to the lovers of +genius, or the friends of virtue. Nor would Southey receive a fair +measure of justice by any display of personal worth, without noticing the +application of his talents. His multifarious writings, whilst they embody +such varied excellence, display wherever the exhibition was demanded, or +admissible, a moral grandeur, and reverence of religion, which indirectly +reflects on some, less prodigally endowed, who do, and have, corrupted by +their prose, or disseminated their pollutions through the sacred, but +desecrated medium of song. + +It was always a luxury with Southey to talk of old times, places, and +persons; and Bristol, with its vicinities, he thought the most beautiful +city he had ever seen. When a boy he was almost a resident among St. +Vincent's rocks, and Leigh Woods. The view, from the Coronation Road, of +the Hotwells, with Clifton, and its triple crescents, he thought +surpassed any view of the kind in Europe. He loved also to extol his own +mountain scenery, and, at his last visit, upbraided me for not paying him +a visit at Greta Hall, where, he said, he would have shown me the glories +of the district, and also have given me a sail on the lake, in his own +boat, 'The Royal Noah.' After dwelling on his entrancing water-scenes, +and misty eminences, he wanted much, he said to show me his library, +which at that time consisted of fourteen thousand volumes, which he had +been accumulating all his life, from the rare catalogues of all nations: +but still, he remarked, he had a list of five hundred other volumes to +obtain, and after possessing these, he said, he should be satisfied. +Alas! he little knew, how soon the whole would appear to him--less than +the herbage of the desert! + +At this time, Mr. S. mentioned a trifling occurrence, arising out of what +happened to be the nature of our conversation, although it is hardly +worth naming to you, who so lightly esteem human honours. He said, some +years before, when he chanced to be in London, he accepted an invitation +to dine with the Archbishop of Canterbury but, subsequently, he received +an invitation for the same day, from the Duchess of Kent, to dine at +Kensington Palace; and as invitations from Royalty supersede all others, +he sent an apology to the Archbishop, and dined with more Lords and +Ladies than he could remember. At the conclusion of the repast, before +the Ladies retired, _she_ who was destined to receive _homage_, on proper +occasions, had learnt to pay _respect_, for the young Princess (our +present gracious Queen Victoria) came up to him, and curtseying, very +prettily said, 'Mr. Southey, I thank you for the pleasure I have received +in reading your Life of Lord Nelson.' + +I must mention one other trait in Southey, which did him peculiar honour, +I allude to the readiness with which he alluded to any little acts of +kindness which he might have received from any of his friends, in past +years. To the discredit of human nature, there is in general a laborious +endeavour to bury all such remembrances in the waters of Lethe: Southey's +mind was formed on a different model. + +The tear which dims my eye, attests the affection which I still bear to +poor dear Southey. Few knew him better than myself, or more highly +estimated the fine qualities of his head and heart; and still fewer can +be oppressed with deeper commiseration for his present forlorn and +hopeless condition.... My dear sir, + +Most truly yours, + +Joseph Cottle. + +Rev. John Foster." + + +I have now to present the Reader with a series of letters from Mr. +Coleridge to the late Josiah and Thomas Wedgewood, Esqrs.; obligingly +communicated to me by Francis Wedgewood, Esq., of Etruria, son of Mr. +Josiah Wedgewood. + + +"May 21st, 1799. Gottingen. + +My dear sir, + +I have lying by my side six huge letters, with your name on each of them, +and all, excepting one, have been written for these three months. About +this time Mr. Hamilton, by whom I send this and the little parcel for my +wife, was, as it were, setting off for England; and I seized the +opportunity of sending them by him, as without any mock-modesty I really +thought that the expense of the postage to me and to you would be more +than their worth. Day after day, and week after week, was Hamilton going, +and still delayed. And now that it is absolutely settled that he goes +to-morrow, it is likewise absolutely settled that I shall go this day +three weeks, and I have therefore sent only this and the picture by him, +but the letters I will now take myself, for I should not like them to be +lost, as they comprize the only subject on which I have had an +opportunity of making myself thoroughly informed, and if I carry them +myself, I can carry them without danger of their being seized at +Yarmouth, as all my letters were, yours to ---- excepted, which were, +luckily, not sealed. Before I left England, I had read the book of which +you speak. I must confess that it appeared to me exceedingly illogical. +Godwin's and Condorcet's extravagancies were not worth confuting; and yet +I thought that the Essay on 'Population' had not confuted them. Professor +Wallace, Derham, and a number of German statistic, and +physico-theological writers had taken the same ground, namely, that +population increases in a geometrical, but the accessional nutriment only +in arithmetical ratio--and that vice and misery, the natural consequences +of this order of things, were intended by providence as the counterpoise. +I have here no means of procuring so obscure a book, as Rudgard's; but to +the best of my recollection, at the time that the Fifth Monarchy +enthusiasts created so great a sensation in England, under the +Protectorate, and the beginning of Charles the Second's reign, Rudgard, +or Rutgard (I am not positive even of the name) wrote an Essay to the +same purpose, in which he asserted, that if war, pestilence, vice, and +poverty, were wholly removed, the world could not exist two hundred +years, &c. Seiffmilts, in his great work concerning the divine order and +regularity in the destiny of the human race, has a chapter entitled a +confutation of this idea; I read it with great eagerness, and found +therein that this idea militated against the glory and goodness of God, +and must therefore be false,--but further confutation found I none!--This +book of Seiffmilts has a prodigious character throughout Germany; and +never methinks did a work less deserve it. It is in three huge octavos, +and wholly on the general laws that regulate the population of the human +species--but is throughout most unphilosophical, and the tables, which he +has collected with great industry, prove nothing. My objections to the +Essay on Population you will find in my sixth letter at large--but do +not, my dear sir, suppose that because unconvinced by this essay, I am +therefore convinced of the contrary. No, God knows, I am sufficiently +sceptical, and in truth more than sceptical, concerning the possibility +of universal plenty and wisdom; but my doubts rest on other grounds. I +had some conversation with you before I left England, on this subject; +and from that time I had purposed to myself to examine as thoroughly as +it was possible for me, the important question. Is the march of the human +race progressive, or in cycles? But more of this when we meet. + +What have I done in Germany? I have learned the language, both high and +low German, I can read both, and speak the former so fluently, that it +must be a fortune for a German to be in my company, that is, I have words +enough and phrases enough, and I arrange them tolerably; but my +pronunciation is hideous. 2ndly, I can read the oldest German, the +Frankish, and the Swabian. 3rdly, I have attended the lectures on +Physiology, Anatomy, and Natural History, with regularity, and have +endeavoured to understand these subjects. 4thly, I have read and made +collections for a history of the. 'Belles Lettres,' in Germany, before +the time of Lessing: and 5thly, very large collections for a 'Life of +Lessing;' to which I was led by the miserably bad and unsatisfactory +biographies that have been hitherto given, and by my personal +acquaintance with two of Lessing's friends. Soon after I came into +Germany, I made up my mind fully not to publish anything concerning my +travels, as people call them; yet I soon perceived that with all possible +economy, my expenses would be greater than I could justify, unless I did +something that would to a moral certainty repay them. I chose the 'Life +of Lessing' for the reasons above assigned, and because it would give me +an opportunity of conveying under a better name than my own ever will be, +opinions which I deem of the highest importance. Accordingly, my main +business at Gottingen, has been to read all the numerous controversies in +which Lessing was engaged, and the works of all those German poets before +the time of Lessing, which I could not afford to buy. For these last four +months, with the exception of last week, in which I visited the Hartz, I +have worked harder than I trust in God Almighty, I shall ever have +occasion to work again: this endless transcription is such a +body-and-soul-wearying purgatory. I shall have bought thirty pounds' +worth of books, chiefly metaphysics, and with a view to the one work, to +which I hope to dedicate in silence, the prime of my life; but I believe +and indeed doubt not, that before Christmas I shall have repaid myself. + +I never, to the best of my recollection, felt the fear of death but once; +that was yesterday when I delivered the picture to Hamilton. I felt, and +shivered as I felt it, that I should not like to die by land or water +before I see my wife and the little one; that I hope yet remains to me. +But it was an idle sort of feeling, and I should not like to have it +again. Poole half mentioned, in a hasty way, a circumstance that +depressed my spirits for many days:--that you and Thomas were on the +point of settling near Stowey, but had abandoned it. "God Almighty! what +a dream of happiness it held out to me!" writes Poole. I felt +disappointment without having had hope. + +In about a month I hope to see you. Till then may heaven bless and +preserve us! Believe me, my dear sir, with every feeling of love, esteem, +and gratitude, + +Your affectionate friend, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +Josiah Wedgewood, Esq." + + +"21, Buckingham Street, Strand, January, 1800. + +My dear sir, + +I am sitting by a fire in a rug great coat. Your room is doubtless to a +greater degree air tight than mine, or your notions of Tartarus would +veer round to the Greenlander's creed. It is most barbarously cold, and +you, I fear, can shield yourself from it, only by perpetual imprisonment. +If any place in the southern climates were in a state of real quiet, and +likely to continue so, should you feel no inclination to migrate? Poor +Southey, from over great industry, as I suspect, the industry too of +solitary composition, has reduced himself to a terrible state of +weakness, and is determined to leave this country as soon as he has +finished the poem on which he is now employed. 'Tis a melancholy thing +that so young a man, and one whose life has ever been so simple and +self-denying.... + +O, for a peace, and the south of France! I could almost wish for a +Bourbon king, if it were only that Sieyes and Buonaparte might finish +their career in the old orthodox way of hanging. Thank God, _I have my +health perfectly_, and I am working hard; yet the present state of human +affairs presses on me for days together, so as to deprive me of all my +cheerfulness. It is probable that a man's private and personal connexions +and interests ought to be uppermost in his daily and hourly thoughts, and +that the dedication of much hope and fear to subjects which are perhaps +disproportionate to our faculties and powers, is a disease. But I have +had this disease so long, and my early education was so undomestic, that +I know not how to get rid of it; or even to wish to get rid of it. Life +were so flat a thing without enthusiasm, that if for a moment it leaves +me, I have a sort of stomach sensation attached to all my thoughts, _like +those which succeed to the pleasurable operations of a dose of opium._ + +Now I make up my mind to a sort of heroism in believing the +progressiveness of all nature, during the present melancholy state of +humanity, and on this subject _I am now writing_; and no work on which I +ever employed myself makes me so happy while I am writing. + +I shall remain in London till April. The expenses of my last year made it +necessary for me to exert my industry, and many other good ends are +answered at the same time. Where I next settle I shall, continue, and +that must be in a state of retirement and rustication. It is therefore +good for me to have a run of society, and that, various, and consisting +of marked characters. Likewise, by being obliged to write without much +elaboration, I shall greatly improve myself in naturalness and facility +of style, and the particular subjects on which I write for money are +nearly connected with my future schemes. My mornings I give to +compilations which I am sure cannot be wholly useless, and for which, by +the beginning of April I shall have earned nearly £150. My evenings to +the _Theatres_, as I am to conduct a sort of Dramaterye or series of +Essays on the Drama, both its general principles, and likewise in +reference to the present state of the English Theatres. This I shall +publish in the 'Morning Post.' My attendance on the theatres costs me +nothing, and Stuart, the Editor, covers my expenses in London. Two +mornings, and one whole day, I dedicate to these Essays on the possible +progressiveness of man, and on the principles of population. In April I +retire to my greater works,--'The Life of Lessing.' My German chests are +arrived, but I have them not yet, but expect them from Stowey daily; when +they come I shall send a letter. + +I have seen a good deal of Godwin, who has just published a Novel. I like +him for thinking so well of Davy. He talks of him every where as the most +extraordinary of human beings he had ever met with. I cannot say that, +for I know _one_ whom I feel to be the superior, but I never met with so +extraordinary a _young man_. I have likewise dined with Horne Tooke. He +is a clear-headed old man, as every man must needs be who attends to the +real import of words, but there is a sort of charlatanry in his manner +that did not please me. He makes such a mystery out of plain and palpable +things, and never tells you any thing without first exciting, and +detaining your curiosity. But it were a bad heart that could not pardon +worse faults than these in the author of 'The Diversions of Purley.' + +Believe me, my dear sir, with much affection + +Yours, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +Thomas Wedgewood, Esq." + + +"21, Buckingham Street, Feb. 1800. + +My dear sir, + +Your brother's health [Mr. Thomas Wedgewood] outweighs all other +considerations. Beyond a doubt he has made himself acquainted with the +degree of heat which he is to experience there [the West Indies]. The +only objections that I see are so obvious, that it is idle in me to +mention them: the total want of men with whose pursuits your brother can +have a fellow feeling: the length and difficulty of the return, in case +of a disappointment; and the necessity of sea-voyages to almost every +change of scenery. I will not think of the yellow fever; that I hope is +quite out of all probability. Believe me, my dear friend, I have some +difficulty in suppressing all that is within me of affection and grief. +God knows my heart, wherever your brother is, I shall follow him in +spirit; follow him with my thoughts and most affectionate wishes. + +I read your letter, and did as you desired me. ---- is very cool to me. +Whether I have still any of the leaven of the _Citizen_, and visionary +about me--too much for his present zeal, or whether he is incapable of +attending.... As to his views, he is now gone to Cambridge to canvass for +a Fellowship in Trinity Hall. Mackintosh has kindly written to Dr. +Lawrence, who is very intimate with the Master, and he has other +interest. He is also trying hard, and in expectation of a +Commissionership of Bankruptcy, and means to pursue the law with all +ardour and steadiness. As to the state of his mind, it is that which it +was and will be. God love him! He has a most incurable forehead. ---- +called on him and looking on his table, saw by accident a letter directed +to himself. Said he, 'Why ---- what letter is this for me? and from +----,' 'Yes I have had it some time.' 'Why did you not give it me?' 'Oh, +it wants some explanation first. You must not read it now, for I can't +give you the explanation now.' And ----, who you know is a right +easy-natured man, has not been able to get his own letter from him to +this hour! Of his success at Cambridge, Caldwell, is doubtful, or more +than doubtful.... + +So much of ----. All that I know, and all I suspect that is to be known. +A kind, gentlemanly, affectionate hearted man, possessed of an absolute +talent for industry. Would to God, he had never heard of Philosophy! + +I have been three times to the House of Commons; each time earlier than +the former; and each time hideously crowded. The two first days the +debate was put off. Yesterday I went at a quarter before eight, and +remained till three this morning, and then sat writing and correcting +other men's writing till eight--a good twenty four hours of unpleasant +activity! I have not felt myself sleepy yet. Pitt and Fox completely +answered my pre-formed ideas of them. The elegance and high finish of +Pitt's periods, even in the most sudden replies, is _curious_, but that +is all. He argues but so so, and does not reason at all. Nothing is +rememberable of what he says. Fox possesses all the full and overflowing +eloquence of a man of clear head, clear heart, and impetuous feelings. He +is to my mind a great orator; all the rest that spoke were mere +creatures. I could make a better speech myself than any that I heard, +except Pitt and Fox. I reported that part of Pitt's which I have enclosed +in brackets, not that I report ex-officio, but my curiosity having led me +there, I did Stuart a service by taking a few notes. + +I work from morning to night, but in a few weeks I shall have completed +my purpose, and then adieu to London for ever. We newspaper scribes are +true galley-slaves. When the high winds of events blow loud and frequent +then the sails are hoisted, or the ship drives on of itself. When all is +calm and sunshine then to our oars. Yet it is not unflattering to a man's +vanity to reflect that what he writes at twelve at night, will before +twelve hours are over, have perhaps, five or six thousand readers! To +trace a happy phrase, good image, or new argument, running through the +town and sliding into all the papers. Few wine merchants can boast of +creating more sensation. Then to hear a favorite and often-urged +argument, repeated almost in your own particular phrases, in the House of +Commons; and, quietly in the silent self-complacence of your own heart, +chuckle over the plagiarism, as if you were monopolist of all good +reasons. But seriously, considering that I have newspapered it merely as +means of subsistence, while I was doing other things, I have been very +lucky. 'The New Constitution'; 'The Proposal for Peace'; 'The Irish +Union'; &c. &c.; they are important in themselves, and excellent vehicles +for general truths. I am not ashamed of what I have written. + +I desired Poole to send you all the papers antecedent to your own; I +think you will like the different analyses of the French constitution. I +have attended Mackintosh's lectures regularly; he was so kind as to send +me a ticket, and I have not failed to profit by it. + +I remain, with grateful and most affectionate esteem, + +Your faithful friend + +S. T. Coleridge. + +Josiah Wedgewood, Esq." + + +"July 24, 1800. + +My dear sir, + +I find your letter on my arrival at Grasmere, namely, dated on the 29th +of June, since which time to the present, with the exception of the last +few days, I have been more unwell than I have ever been since I left +school. For many days I was forced to keep my bed, and when released from +that incarceration, I suffered most grievously from a brace of swollen +eyelids, and a head into which, on the least agitation, the blood was +felt as rushing in and flowing back again, like the raking of the tide on +a coast of loose stones. However, thank God, I am now coming about again. + +That Tom receives such pleasure from natural scenery strikes me as it +does you. The total incapability which I have found in myself to +associate any but the most languid feelings, with the God-like objects +which have surrounded me, and the nauseous efforts to impress my +admiration into the service of nature, has given me a sympathy with his +former state of health, which I never before could have had. I wish, from +the bottom of my soul, that he may be enjoying similar pleasures with +those which I am now enjoying with all that newness of sensation; that +voluptuous correspondence of the blood and flesh about me with breeze and +sun-heat, which makes convalescence more than repay one for disease. + +I parted from Poole with pain and dejection, for him, and for myself in +him. I should have given Stowey a decided preference for a residence. It +was likewise so conveniently situated, that I was in the way of almost +all whom I love and esteem. But there was no suitable house, and no +prospect of a suitable house. + +... These things would have weighed as nothing, could I have remained at +Stowey, but now they come upon me to diminish my regret. Add to this, +Poole's determination to spend a year or two on the continent, in case of +a peace and his mother's death. God in heaven bless her! I am sure she +will not live long. This is the first day of my arrival at Keswick. My +house is roomy, situated on an eminence, a furlong from the town; before +it an enormous garden, more than two-thirds of which is rented is a +garden for sale articles; but the walks are ours. Completely behind the +house are shrubberies, and a declivity planted with flourishing trees of +ten or fifteen years' growth, at the bottom of which is a most delightful +shaded walk, by the river Greta, a quarter of a mile in length. The room +in which I sit commands from one window the Bassenthwaite lake, woods, +and mountains. From the opposite, the Derwentwater and fantastic +mountains of Borrowdale. Straight before is a wilderness of mountains, +catching and streaming lights and shadows at all times. Behind the house, +and entering into all our views, is Skiddaw. + +My acquaintances here are pleasant, and at some distance is Sir Guilfred +Lawson's seat, with a very large and expensive library, to which I have +every reason to hope that I shall have free access. But when I have been +settled here a few days longer, I will write you a minute account of my +situation. Wordsworth lives twelve miles distant. In about a year's time +he will probably settle at Keswick likewise. It is no small advantage +here, that for two-thirds of the year we are in complete retirement. The +other third is alive and swarms with tourists of all shapes, and sizes, +and characters. It is the very place I would recommend to a novelist or +farce writer. Besides, at that time of the year there is always hope that +a friend may be among the number and miscellaneous crowd, whom this place +attracts. So much for Keswick. + +Have you seen my translation of Wallenstein. It is a dull heavy play, but +I entertain hopes that you will think the language for the greater part, +natural, and good common sense English; to which excellence, if I can lay +fair claim in any work of poetry or prose, I shall be a very singular +writer, at least. I am now working at my 'Introduction of the Life of +Lessing,' which I trust will be in the press before Christmas, that is, +the 'Introduction,' which will be published first. God bless you, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +Josiah Wedgewood, Esq." + + +"Keswick, Nov. 1, 1800. + +My dear Sir, + +I would fain believe that the experiment which your brother has made in +the West Indies is not wholly a discouraging one. If a warm climate did +nothing but only prevented him from getting worse, it surely evidenced +some power; and perhaps a climate equally favorable in a country of more +various interest, Italy, or the South of France, may tempt your brother +to make a longer trial. If (disciplining myself into silent cheerfulness) +I could be of any comfort to him by being his companion and attendant, +for two or three months, on the supposition that he should wish to +travel, and was at a loss for a companion more fit, I would go with him +with a willing affection. You will easily see, my dear friend, that I say +this only to increase the range of your brother's choice--for even in +choosing there is some pleasure. + +There happen frequently little odd coincidences in time, that recall +momentary faith in the notion of sympathies acting in absence. I heard of +your brother's return, for the first time, on Monday last, the day on +which your letter is dated, from Stoddart. Had it rained on my naked skin +I could not have felt more strangely. The 300 or 400 miles that are +between us seemed converted into a moral distance; and I knew that the +whole of this silence I was myself accountable for; for I ended my last +letter by promising to follow it with a second and longer one, before you +could answer the first. But immediately on my arrival in this country I +undertook to finish a poem which I had begun, entitled 'Christabel,' for +a second volume of the 'Lyrical Ballads.' I tried to perform my promise, +but the deep unutterable disgust which I had suffered in the translation +of the accursed Wallenstein, seemed to have stricken me with barrenness; +for I tried and tried, and nothing would come of it. I desisted with a +deeper dejection than I am willing to remember. The wind from the Skiddaw +and Borrowdale was often as loud as wind need be, and many a walk in the +clouds in the mountains did I take; but all would not do, till one day I +dined out at the house of a neighbouring clergyman, and some how or other +drank so much wine, that I found some effort and dexterity requisite to +balance myself on the hither edge of sobriety. The next day my +verse-making faculties returned to me, and I proceeded successfully, till +my poem grew so long, and in Wordsworth's opinion so impressive, that he +rejected it from his volume, as disproportionate both in size and merit, +and as discordant in its character. In the mean time I had gotten myself +entangled in the old sorites of the old sophist,--procrastination. I had +suffered my necessary businesses to accumulate so terribly, that I +neglected to write to any one, till the pain I suffered from not writing +made me waste as many hours in dreaming about it as would have sufficed +for the letter writing of half a life. But there is something beside time +requisite for the writing of a letter--at least with me. My situation +here is indeed a delightful situation; but I feel what I have lost--feel +it deeply--it recurs more often and more painfully than I had +anticipated, indeed so much so, that I scarcely ever feel myself +impelled, that is to say, pleasurably impelled to write to Poole. I used +to feel myself more at home in his great windy parlour than in my own +cottage. We were well suited to each other--my animal spirits corrected +his inclination to melancholy; and there was something both in his +understanding and in his affections, so healthy and manly, that my mind +freshened in his company, and my ideas and habits of thinking acquired +day after day more of substance and reality. Indeed, indeed, my dear sir, +with tears in my eyes, and with all my heart and soul, I wish it were as +easy for us all to meet as it was when you lived at Upcott. Yet when I +revise the step I have taken, I know not how I could have acted otherwise +than I did act. Everything I promised myself in this country has answered +far beyond my expectation. The room in which I write commands six +distinct landscapes--the two lakes, the vale, the river and mountains, +and mists, and clouds and sunshine, make endless combinations, as if +heaven and earth were for ever talking to each other. Often when in a +deep study, I have walked to the window and remained there looking +without seeing; all at once the lake of Keswick and the fantastic +mountains of Borrowdale, at the head of it, have entered into my mind, +with a suddenness as if I had been snatched out of Cheapside and placed +for the first time, in the spot where I stood--and that is a delightful +feeling--these fits and trances of novelty received from a long known +object. The river Greta flows behind our house, roaring like an untamed +son of the hills, then winds round and glides away in the front, so that +we live in a peninsula. But besides this etherial eye-feeding we have +very substantial conveniences. We are close to the town, where we have +respectable and neighbourly acquaintance, and a most sensible and truly +excellent medical man. Our garden is part of a large nursery garden, +which is the same to us and as private as if the whole had been our own, +and thus too we have delightful walks without passing our garden gates. +My landlord who lives in the sister house, for the two houses are built +so as to look like one great one, is a modest and kind man, of a singular +character. By the severest economy he raised himself from a carrier into +the possession of a comfortable independence. He was always very fond of +reading, and has collected nearly 500 volumes, of our most esteemed +modern writers, such as Gibbon, Hume, Johnson, &c. &c. His habits of +economy and simplicity, remain with him, and yet so very disinterested a +man I scarcely ever knew. Lately, when I wished to settle with him about +the rent of our house, he appeared much affected, told me that my living +near him, and the having so much of Hartley's company were great comforts +to him and his housekeeper, that he had no children to provide for, and +did not mean to marry; and in short, that he did not want any rent at all +from me. This of course I laughed him out of; but he absolutely refused +to receive any rent for the first half-year, under the pretext that the +house was not completely furnished. Hartley quite lives at the house, and +it is as you may suppose, no small joy to my wife to have a good +affectionate motherly woman divided from her only by a wall. Eighteen +miles from our house lives Sir Guilfred Lawson, who has a princely +library, chiefly of natural history--a kind and generous, but weak and +ostentatious sort of man, who has been abundantly civil to me. Among +other raree shows, he keeps a wild beast or two, with some eagles, &c. +The master of the beasts at the Exeter 'Change, sent him down a large +bear,--with it a long letter of directions, concerning the food &c. of +the animal, and many solicitations respecting the agreeable quadrupeds +which he was desirous to send to the baronet, at a moderate price, and +concluding in this manner: 'and remain your honour's most devoted humble +servant, J. P. Permit me, sir Guilfred, to send you a buffalo and a +rhinoceros.' As neat a postscript as I ever heard--the tradesmanlike +coolness with which these pretty little animals occurred to him just at +the finishing of his letter! You will in three weeks see the letters on +the 'Rise and Condition of the German Boors.' I found it convenient to +make up a volume out of my journey, &c. in North Germany--and the letters +(your name of course erased) are in the printer's hands. I was so weary +of transcribing and composing, that when I found those more carefully +written than the rest, I even sent them off as they were.... + +My littlest one is a very stout boy indeed. He is christened by the name +of 'Derwent,'--a sort of sneaking affection you see for the poetical and +novelist, which I disguised to myself under the show, that my brothers +had so many children Johns, Jameses, Georges, &c. &c., that a handsome +christian-like name was not to be had except by encroaching on the names +of my little nephews. If you are at Gunville at Christmas, I hold out +hopes to myself that I shall be able to pass a week with you there. I +mentioned to you at Upcott a kind of comedy that I had committed to +writing in part. This is in the wind. + +Wordsworth's second vol. of the 'Lyrical Ballads' will I hope, and almost +believe, afford you as unmingled pleasure as is in the nature of a +collection of very various poems to afford to one individual mind. +Sheridan has sent to him too--requests him to write a tragedy for Drury +Lane. But W. will not be diverted by any thing from the prosecution of +his great work. + +Southey's 'Thalaba,' in twelve books, is going to the press. + +Remember me with great affection to your brother, and present my kindest +respects to Mrs. Wedgwood. Your late governess wanted one thing, which +where there is health is I think indispensable in the moral character of +a young person--a light and cheerful heart. She interested me a good +deal. She appears to me to have been injured by going out of the common +way without any of that imagination, which if it be a Jack o' Lanthern to +lead us that out way, is however, at the same time a torch to light us +whither we are going. A whole essay might be written on the danger of +thinking without images. God bless you, my dear sir, and him who is with +grateful and affectionate esteem, + +Yours ever, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +Josiah Wedgewood." + + +"Keswick, Oct. 20, 1802. + +My dear sir, + +This is my birthday, my thirtieth. It will not appear wonderful to you, +when I tell you, that before the arrival of your letter, I had been +thinking with a great weight of different feelings, concerning you, and +your dear brother, for I have good reason to believe, that I should not +now have been alive, if in addition to other miseries, I had had +immediate poverty pressing upon me. I will never again remain silent so +long. It has not been altogether indolence, or my habit of +procrastination which have kept me from writing, but an eager wish,--I +may truly say, a thirst of spirit, to have something honourable to tell +you of myself. + +At present I must be content to tell you something cheerful. My health is +very much better. I am stronger in every respect, and am not injured by +study, or the act of sitting at my writing desk; but my eyes suffer if at +any time I have been intemperate in the use of candle light. This account +supposes another, namely, that my mind is calm, and more at ease. My dear +sir, when I was last with you at Stowey, my heart was often full, and I +could scarcely keep from communicating to you the tale of my distresses, +but could I add to your depression, when you were low? or how interrupt, +or cast a shade on your good spirits, that were so rare, and so precious +to you? + + * * * * * + +I found no comfort but in the direct speculations;--in the 'Ode to +Dejection,' which you were pleased with. These lines, in the original, +followed the line 'My shaping spirit of imagination,'-- + + 'For not to think of what I needs must feel, + But to be still and patient, all I can, + And haply by abstruse research to steal + From my own nature all the natural man; + This was my sole resource, my only plan + And that which suits a part infests the whole, + And now is almost grown the temple of my soul.' + +I give you these lines for the spirit, and not for the poetry. + + * * * * * + +But better days are arrived, and are still to come, I have had +visitations of--that I may yet be something of which those who love me +may be proud. + +I cannot write that without recalling dear Poole. I have heard twice, and +written twice, and I fear by a strange fatality, one of the letters will +have missed him. Leslie[105] was here some time ago. I was very much +pleased with him. And now I will tell you what I am doing. I dedicate +three days in the week to the 'Morning Post,' and shall hereafter write, +for the far greater part, such things as will be of a permanent interest +as any thing I can hope to write; and you will shortly see a little essay +of mine, justifying the writing in a newspaper. + +My comparison of the French with the Roman Empire was very favourably +received. The poetry which I have sent is merely the emptying out of my +desk. The epigrams are wretched indeed, but they answered Stewart's +purpose, better than better things. I ought not to have given any +signature to them whatsoever. I never dreamt of acknowledging, either +them, or the Ode to the 'Rain.' As to feeble expressions, and unpolished +lines--there is the rub! Indeed, my dear sir, I do value your opinion +very highly. I think your judgment in the sentiment, the imagery, the +flow of a poem, decisive; at least, if it differed from my own, and if +after frequent consideration mine remained different, it would leave me +at least perplexed. For you are a perfect electrometer in these +things--but in point of poetic diction, I am not so well satisfied that +you do not require a certain aloofness from the language of real life, +which I think deadly to poetry. + +Very soon however I shall present you from the press with my opinions +full on the subject of style, both in prose and verse; and I am confident +of one thing, that I shall convince you that I have thought much and +patiently on the subject, and that I understand the whole strength of my +antagonist's cause. For I am now busy on the subject, and shall in a very +few weeks go to press with a volume on the prose writings of Hall, +Milton, and Taylor; and shall immediately follow it up with an essay on +the writings of Dr. Johnson and Gibbon, and in these two volumes I +flatter myself I shall present a fair history of English Prose. If my +life and health remain, and I do but write half as much, and as regularly +as I have done during the last six weeks, this will be finished by +January next; and I shall then put together my memorandum-book on the +subject of Poetry. In both I have endeavoured sedulously to state the +facts and the differences clearly and accurately; and my reasons for the +preference of one style to another are secondary to this. + +Of this be assured, that I will never give any thing to the world in +_propriae personae_ in my own name which I have not tormented with the +file. I sometimes suspect that my foul copy would often appear to general +readers more polished than my fair copy. Many of the feeble and +colloquial expressions have been industriously substituted for others +which struck me as artificial, and not standing the test; as being +neither the language of passion, nor distinct conceptions. Dear sir, +indulge me with looking still further on in my literary life. + +1 have, since my twentieth year, meditated an heroic poem on the 'Siege +of Jerusalem,' by Titus. This is the pride and the stronghold of my hope, +but I never think of it except in my best moods. The work to which I +dedicate the ensuing years of my life, is one which highly pleased +Leslie, in prospective, and my paper will not let me prattle to you about +it. I have written what you more wished me to write, all about myself. + +Our climate (in the north) is inclement, and our houses not as compact as +they might be, but it is a stirring climate, and the worse the weather, +the more unceasingly entertaining are my study windows, and the month +that is to come is the glory of the year with us. A very warm bedroom I +can promise you, and one at the same time which commands the finest lake +and mountain view. If Leslie could not go abroad with you, and I could in +any way mould my manners and habits to suit you, I should of all things +like to be your companion. Good nature, an affectionate disposition, and +so thorough a sympathy with the nature of your complaint, that I should +feel no pain, not the most momentary, at being told by you what your +feelings require at the time in which they required it; this I should +bring with me. But I need not say that you may say to me,--'You don't +suit me,' without inflicting the least mortification. Of course this +letter is for your brother, as for you; but I shall write to him soon. +God bless you, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +Thomas Wedgewood, Esq." + + +"Keswick, November 3, 1802. + +Dear Wedgewood, + +It is now two hours since I received your letter; and after the necessary +consultation, Mrs. Coleridge herself is fully of opinion that to lose +time is merely to lose spirits. Accordingly I have resolved not to look +the children in the face, (the parting from whom is the downright bitter +in the thing) but to go to London by to-morrow's mail. Of course I shall +be in London, God permitting, on Saturday morning. I shall rest that day, +and the next, and proceed to Bristol by the Monday night's mail. At +Bristol I will go to _Cote-House_.[106] At all events, barring serious +illness, serious fractures, and the et cetera of serious unforeseens, I +shall be at Bristol, Tuesday noon, November 9. + +You are aware that my whole knowledge of French does not extend beyond +the power of limping slowly, not without a dictionary crutch, or an easy +French book: and that as to pronunciation, all my organs of speech, from +the bottom of the Larynx to the edge of my lips, are utterly and +naturally anti-Gallican. If only I shall have been any comfort, any +alleviation to you I shall feel myself at ease--and whether you go abroad +or no, while I remain with you, it will greatly contribute to my comfort, +if I know you will have no hesitation, nor pain, in telling me what you +wish me to do, or not to do. + +I regard it among the blessings of my life, that I have, never lived +among men whom I regarded as my artificial superiors: that all the +respect I have at any time paid, has been wholly to supposed goodness, or +talent. The consequence has been that I have no alarms of pride; no +_cheval de frise_ of independence. I have always lived among equals. It +never occurs to me, even for a moment, that I am otherwise. If I have +quarrelled with men, it has been as brothers, or as school-fellows +quarrel. How little any man can give me, or take from me, save in matters +of kindness and esteem, is not so much a thought or conviction with me, +or even a distinct feeling, as it is my very nature. Much as I dislike +all formal declarations of this kind, I have deemed it well to say this. +I have as strong feelings of gratitude as any man. Shame upon me if in +the sickness and the sorrow which I have had, and which have been kept +unaggravated and supportable by your kindness, and your brother's (Mr. +Josiah Wedgewood) shame upon me if I did not feel a kindness, not unmixed +with reverence towards you both. But yet I never should have had my +present impulses to be with you, and this confidence, that I may become +an occasional comfort to you, if, independently of all gratitude, I did +not thoroughly esteem you; and if I did not appear to myself to +understand the nature of your sufferings; and within the last year, in +some slight degree to have felt myself, something of the same. + +Forgive me, my dear sir, if I have said too much. It is better to write +it than to say it, and I am anxious in the event of our travelling +together that you should yourself be at ease with me, even as you would +with a younger brother, to whom, from his childhood you had been in the +habit of saying, 'Do this Col.' or 'don't do that.' + +All good be with you, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +Thomas Wedgewood. Esq." + + +"Keswick, January 9, 1803. + +My dear Wedgewood, + +I send you two letters, one from your dear sister, the second from Sharp, +by which you will see at what short notice I must be off, if I go to the +_Canaries_. If your last plan continue in full force, I have not even the +phantom of a wish thitherward struggling, but if aught have happened to +you, in the things without, or in the world within, to induce you to +change the place, or the plan, relatively to me, I think I could raise +the money. But I would a thousand-fold rather go with you whithersoever +you go. I shall be anxious to hear how you have gone on since I left you. +You should decide in favour of a better climate somewhere or other. The +best scheme I can think of, is to go to some part of Italy or Sicily, +which we both liked. I would look out for two houses. Wordsworth and his +family would take the one, and I the other, and then you might have a +home either with me, or if you thought of Mr. and Mrs. Luff, under this +modification, one of your own; and in either case you would have +neighbours, and so return to England when the home sickness pressed heavy +upon you, and back to Italy when it was abated, and the climate of +England began to poison your comforts. So you would have abroad in a +genial climate, certain comforts of society among simple and enlightened +men and women; and I should be an alleviation of the pang which you will +necessarily feel, as often as you quit your own family. + +I know no better plan: for travelling in search of objects is at best a +dreary business, and whatever excitement it might have had, you must have +exhausted it. God bless you, my dear friend. I write with dim eyes, for +indeed, indeed, my heart is very full of affectionate sorrowful thoughts +toward you. + +I write with difficulty, with all the fingers but one of my right hand +very much swollen. Before I was half up the _Kirkstone_ mountain, the +storm had wetted me through and through, and before I reached the top it +was so wild and outrageous, that it would have been unmanly to have +suffered the poor woman (guide) to continue pushing on, up against such a +torrent of wind and rain: so I dismounted and sent her home with the +storm in her back. I am no novice in mountain mischiefs, but such a storm +as this was, I never witnessed, combining the intensity of the cold, with +the violence of the wind and rain. The rain drops were pelted or slung +against my face by the gusts, just like splinters of flint, and I felt as +if every drop cut my flesh. My hands were all shrivelled up like a +washerwoman's, and so benumbed that I was obliged to carry my stick under +my arm. O, it was a wild business! Such hurry skurry of clouds, such +volleys of sound! In spite of the wet and the cold, I should have had +some pleasure in it, but for two vexations; first, an almost intolerable +pain came into my right eye, a smarting and burning pain; and secondly, +in consequence of riding with such cold water under my seat, extremely +uneasy and burthensome feelings attacked my groin, so that, what with the +pain from the one, and the alarm from the other, I had _no enjoyment at +all!_ + +Just at the brow of the hill I met a man dismounted, who could not sit on +horse-back. He seemed quite scared by the uproar, and said to me, with +much feeling, 'O sir, it is a perilous buffeting, but it is worse for you +than for me, for I have it at my back.' However I got safely over, and +immediately all was calm and breathless, as if it was some mighty +fountain put on the summit of Kirkstone, that shot forth its volcano of +air, and precipitated huge streams of invisible lava down the road to +Patterdale. + +I went on to Grasmere.[107] I was not at all unwell, when I arrived +there, though wet of course to the skin. My right eye had nothing the +matter with it, either to the sight of others, or to my own feelings, but +I had a bad night, with distressful dreams, chiefly about my eye; and +waking often in the dark I thought it was the effect of mere +recollection, but it appeared in the morning that my right eye was +blood-shot, and the lid swollen. That morning however I walked home, and +before I reached Keswick, my eye was quite well, but _I felt unwell all +over_. Yesterday I continued unusually unwell all over me till eight +o'clock in the evening. I took no _laudanum or opium_, but at eight +o'clock, unable to bear the stomach uneasiness, and achings of my limbs, +I took two large tea-spoons full of Ether in a wine-glass of camphorated +gum-water, and a third tea-spoon full at ten o'clock, and I received +complete relief; my body calmed; my sleep placid; but when I awoke in the +morning, my right hand, with three of the fingers was swollen and +inflamed. The swelling in the hand is gone down, and of two of the +fingers somewhat abated, but the middle finger is still twice its natural +size, so that I write with difficulty. This has been a very rough attack, +but though I am much weakened by it, and look sickly and haggard, yet I +am not out of heart. Such a _bout_; such a 'periless buffetting' was +enough to have hurt the health of a strong man. Few constitutions can +bear to be long wet through in intense cold I fear it will tire you to +death to read this prolix scrawled story. + +Affectionately dear friend, Yours ever, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +"November 12,1800. + +My dear sir, + +I received your kind letter, with the £20. My eyes are in such a state of +inflammation that I might as well write blindfold, they are so blood-red. +I have had leeches twice, and have now a blister behind my right ear. How +I caught the cold, in the first instance, I can scarcely guess; but I +improved it to its present glorious state, by taking long walks all the +mornings, spite of the wind, and writing late at night, while my eyes +were weak. + +I have made some rather curious observations on the rising up of spectra +in the eye, in its inflamed state, and their influence on ideas, &c., but +I cannot see to make myself intelligible to you. Present my kindest +remembrance to Mrs. W. and your brother. Pray did you ever pay any +particular attention to the first time of your little ones smiling and +laughing? Both I and Mrs. C. have carefully watched our little one, and +noticed down all the circumstances, under which he smiled, and under +which he laughed, for the first six times, nor have we remitted our +attention; but I have not been able to derive the least confirmation of +Hartley's or Darwin's Theory. You say most truly, my dear sir, that a +pursuit is necessary. Pursuit, for even praiseworthy employment, merely +for good, or general good, is not sufficient for happiness, nor fit for +man. + +I have not at present made out how I stand in pecuniary ways, but I +believe that I have anticipated on the next year to the amount of Thirty +or Forty pounds, probably more. God bless you, my dear sir, and your +sincerely + +Affectionate friend, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +Josiah Wedgewood, Esq." + + +"Friday night, Jan. 14, 1803. + +Dear Friend, + +I was glad at heart to receive your letter, and still more gladdened by +the reading of it. The exceeding kindness which it breathed was literally +medicinal to me, and I firmly believe, cured me of a nervous rheumatic +affection, the acid and the oil, very completely at Patterdale; but by +the time it came to Keswick, the oil was all atop. + +You ask me, 'Why, in the name of goodness, I did not return when I saw +the state of the weather?' The true reason is simple, though it may be +somewhat strange. The thought never once entered my head. The cause of +this I suppose to be, that (I do not remember it at least) I never once +in my whole life turned back in fear of the weather. Prudence is a plant, +of which I no doubt, possess some valuable specimens, but they are always +in my hothouse, never out of the glasses, and least of all things would +endure the climate of the mountains. In simple earnestness, I never find +myself alone, within the embracement of rocks and hills, a traveller up +an alpine road, but my spirit careers, drives, and eddies, like a leaf in +autumn; a wild activity of thoughts, imaginations, feelings, and impulses +of motion rises up from within me; a sort of bottom wind, that blows to +no point of the compass, comes from I know not whence, but agitates the +whole of me; my whole being is filled with waves that roll and stumble, +one this way, and one that way, like things that have no common master. I +think that my soul must have pre-existed in the body of a chamois chaser. +The simple image of the old object has been obliterated, but the +feelings, and impulsive habits, and incipient actions, are in me, and the +old scenery awakens them. + +The further I ascend from animated nature, from men, and cattle, and the +common birds of the woods and fields, the greater becomes in me the +intensity of the feeling of life. Life seems to me then an universal +spirit, that neither has, nor can have an opposite. 'God is everywhere' I +have exclaimed, and works everywhere, and where is there room for death? +In these moments it has been my creed, that death exists only because +ideas exist; that life is limitless sensation; that death is a child of +the organic senses, chiefly of the sight; that feelings die by flowing +into the mould of the intellect becoming ideas, and that ideas passing +forth into action, reinstate themselves again in the world of life. And I +do believe that truth lies in these loose generalizations. I do not think +it possible that any bodily pains could eat out the love of joy, that is +so substantially part of me, towards hills, and rocks, and steep waters; +and I have had some trial. + +On Monday night I had an attack in my stomach and right side, which in +pain, and the length of its continuance, appeared to me by far the +severest I ever had. About one o'clock the pain passed out of my stomach, +like lightning from a cloud, into the extremities of my right foot. My +toe swelled and throbbed, and I was in a state of delicious ease, which +the pain in my toe did not seem at all to interfere with. On Tuesday I +was uncommonly well all the morning, and ate an excellent dinner; but +playing too long and, too rompingly with Hartley and Derwent, I was very +unwell that evening. On Wednesday I was well, and after dinner wrapped +myself up warm, and walked with Sarah Hutchinson, to Lodore. I never +beheld anything more impressive than the wild outline of the black masses +of mountain over Lodore, and so on to the gorge of Borrowdale. Even +through the bare twigs of a grove of birch trees, through which the road +passes; and on emerging from the grove a red planet, so very red that I +never saw a star so red, being clear and bright at the same time. It +seemed to have sky behind it. It started, as it were from the heavens, +like an eye-ball of fire. I wished aloud at that moment that you had been +with me. + +The walk appears to have done me good, but I had a wretched night; +shocking pains in my head, occiput, and teeth, and found in the morning +that I had two blood-shot eyes. But almost immediately after the receipt +and perusal of your letter the pains left me, and I am bettered to this +hour; and am now indeed as well as usual saving that my left eye is very +much blood-shot. It is a sort of duty with me, to be particular +respecting parts that relate to my health. I have retained a good sound +appetite through the whole of it, without any craving after exhilarants +or narcotics, and I have got well as in a moment. Rapid recovery is +constitutional with me; but the former circumstances, I can with +certainty refer to the system of diet, abstinence from vegetables, wine, +spirits, and beer, which I have adopted by your advice. + +I have no dread or anxiety respecting any fatigue which either of us is +likely to undergo, even in continental travelling. Many a healthy man +would have been laid up with such a bout of thorough wet, and intense +cold at the same time, as I had at Kirkstone. Would to God that also for +your sake I were a stronger man, but I have strong wishes to be with you. +I love your society, and receiving much comfort from you, and believing +likewise that I receive much improvement, I find a delight very great, my +dear friend! indeed it is, when I have reason to imagine that I am in +return an alleviation to your destinies, and a comfort to you. I have no +fears and am ready to leave home at a two days' warning. For myself I +should say two hours, but bustle and hurry might disorder Mrs. Coleridge. +She and the three children are quite well. + +I grieve that there is a lowering in politics. The 'Moniteur' contains +almost daily some bitter abuse of our minister and parliament, and in +London there is great anxiety and omening. I have dreaded war from the +time that the disastrous fortunes of the expedition to Saint Domingo, +under Le Clerc, was known in France. Write me one or two lines, as few as +you like. + +I remain, my dear Wedgewood, with most affectionate esteem, and grateful +attachment, + +Your sincere friend, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +Thomas Wedgewood, Esq." + + +"Nether Stowey, Feb. 10, 1803. + +Dear Wedgewood, + +Last night Poole and I fully expected a few lines from you. When the +newspaper came in, without your letter, we felt as if a dull neighbour +had been ushered in after a knock at the door which had made us rise up +and start forward to welcome some long absent friend. Indeed in Poole's +case, this simile is less over-swollen than in mine, for in contempt of +my convictions and assurance to the contrary, Poole, passing off the +Brummagem coin of his wishes for sterling reasons, had persuaded himself +fully that he should see you in _propria persona._ The truth is, we had +no right to expect a letter from you, and I should have attributed your +not writing to your having nothing to write, to your bodily dislike of +writing, or, though with reluctance, to low spirits, but that I have been +haunted with the fear that your sister is worse, and that you are at +Cote-House, in the mournful office of comforter to your brother. God keep +us from idle dreams. Life has enough of real pains. + +I wrote to Captain Wordsworth to get me some Bang. The captain in an +affectionate letter answers me: 'The Bang if possible shall be sent. If +any country ship arrives I shall certainly get it. We have not got +anything of the kind in our China ships.' If you would rather wait till +it can be brought by Captain Wordsworth himself from China, give me a +line that I may write and tell him. We shall hope for a letter from you +to-night. I need not say, dear Wedgewood, how anxious I am to hear the +particulars of your health and spirits. + +Poole's account of his conversations, &c., in Prance, are very +interesting and instructive. If your inclination lead you hither you +would be very comfortable here. But I am ready at an hour's warning; +ready in heart and mind, as well as in body and moveables. + +I am, dear Wedgewood, most truly yours, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +Thomas Wedgewood, Esq." + + +"Stowey, Feb. 10, 1803. + +My dear Wedgewood, + +With regard to myself and my accompanying you, let me say thus much. My +health is not worse than it was in the North; indeed it is much better. I +have no fears. But if you fear that, my health being what you know it to +be, the inconveniences of my being with you will be greater than the +advantages; (I feel no reluctance in telling you so) it is so entirely an +affair of spirits and feeling that the conclusion must be made by you, +not in your reason, but purely in your spirit and feeling. Sorry indeed +should I be to know that you had gone abroad with one, to whom you were +comparatively indifferent. Sorry if there should be no one with you, who +could with fellow-feeling and general like-mindedness, yield you sympathy +in your sunshiny moments. Dear Wedgewood, my heart swells within me as it +were. I have no other wish to accompany you than what arises immediately +from my personal attachment, and a deep sense in my own heart, that let +us be as dejected as we will, a week together cannot pass in which a mind +like yours would not feel the want of affection, or be wholly torpid to +its pleasurable influences. I cannot bear to think of your going abroad +with a mere travelling companion; with one at all influenced by salary, +or personal conveniences. You will not suspect me of flattering you, but +indeed dear Wedgewood, you are too good and too valuable a man to deserve +to receive attendance from a hireling, even for a month together, in your +present state. + +If I do not go with you, I shall stay in England only such time as may be +necessary for me to raise the travelling money, and go immediately to the +south of France. I shall probably cross the Pyrennees to Bilboa, see the +country of Biscay, and cross the north of Spain to Perpignan, and so on +to the north of Italy, and pass my next winter at Nice. I have every +reason to believe that I can live, even as a traveller, as cheap as I can +in England. God bless you. I will repeat no professions, even in the +superscription of a letter. You know me, and that it is my serious, +simple wish, that in everything respecting me, you would think altogether +of yourself, and nothing of me, and be assured that no resolve of yours, +however suddenly adopted, or however nakedly communicated, will give me +any pain, any at least arising from my own bearings. Yours ever, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +Thomas Wedgewood, Esq. + +P. S. Perhaps Leslie will go with you." + + +"Poole's, Feb. 17, 1803. + +My dear Wedgewood, + +I do not know that I have anything to say that justifies me in troubling +you with the postage and perusal of this scrawl. I received a short and +kind letter from Josiah last night. He is named the sheriff. Poole, who +has received a very kind invitation from your brother John, in a letter +of last Monday, and which was repeated in last night's letter, goes with +me, I hope in the full persuasion that you will be there (at Cote-House) +before he be under the necessity of returning home. Poole is a very, very +good man, I like even his incorrigibility in little faults and +deficiencies. It looks like a wise determination of nature to let well +alone. + +Are you not laying out a scheme which will throw your travelling in +Italy, into an unpleasant and unwholesome part of the year? From all I +can gather, you ought to leave this country at the first of April at the +latest. But no doubt you know these things better than I. If I do not go +with you, it is very probable we shall meet somewhere or other. At all +events you will know where I am, and I can come to you if you wish it. +And if I go with you, there will be this advantage, that you may drop me +where you like, if you should meet any Frenchman, Italian, or Swiss, whom +you liked, and who would be pleasant and profitable to you. But this we +can discuss at Gunville. + +As to ----, I never doubted that he means to fulfil his engagements with +you, but he is one of those weak moralled men, with whom the meaning to +do a thing means nothing. He promises with ninety parts out of a hundred +of his whole heart, but there is always a stock of cold at the core that +transubstantiates the whole resolve into a lie. + +I remain in comfortable health,--warm rooms, an old friend, and +tranquillity, are specifics for my complaints. With all my ups and downs +I have a deal of joyous feeling, and I would with gladness give a good +part of it to you, my dear friend. God grant that spring may come to you +with healing on her wings. + +God bless you, my dear Wedgewood. I remain with most affectionate esteem, +and regular attachment, and good wishes. Yours ever, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +Thomas Wedgewood, Esq. + +P. S. If Southey should send a couple of bottles, one of the red +sulphate, and one of the compound acids for me, will you be so good as to +bring them with you?" + + +"Stowey, Feb. 17, 1803. + +My dear Wedgewood, + +Last night I received a four ounce parcel letter, by the post, which +Poole and I concluded was the mistake or carelessness of the servant, who +had put the letter into the post office, instead of the coach office. I +should have been indignant, if dear Poole had not set me laughing. On +opening it, it contained my letter from Gunville, and a small parcel of +'Bang,' from Purkis. I will transcribe the parts of his letter which +relate to it. + +'Brentford, Feb. 7, 1803. + +My dear Coleridge, + +I thank you for your letter, and am happy to be the means of obliging +you. Immediately on the receipt of yours, I wrote to Sir Joseph Banks, +who I verily believe is one of the most excellent and useful men of this +country, requesting a small quantity of Bang, and saying it was for the +use of Mr. T. Wedgewood. I yesterday received the parcel which I now +send, accompanied with a very kind letter, and as part of it will be +interesting to you and your friend, I will transcribe it. 'The Bang you +ask for is the powder of the leaves of a kind of hemp that grows in the +hot climates. It is prepared, and I believe used, in all parts of the +east, from Morocco to China. In Europe it is found to act very +differently on different constitutions. Some it elevates in the extreme; +others it renders torpid, and scarcely observant of any evil that may +befall them. In Barbary it is always taken, if it can be procured, by +criminals condemned to suffer amputation, and it is said, to enable those +miserables to bear the rough operations of an unfeeling executioner, more +than we Europeans can the keen knife of our most skilful chirurgeons. +This it may be necessary to have said to my friend Mr. T. Wedgewood, whom +I respect much, as his virtues deserve, and I know them well. I send a +small quantity only as I possess but little. If however, it is found to +agree, I will instantly forward the whole of my stock, and write without +delay to Barbary, from whence it came, for more. + +Sir Joseph adds, in a postscript: 'It seems almost beyond a doubt, that +the Nepenthe was a preparation of the Bang, known to the Ancients' + + * * * * * + +Now I had better take the small parcel with me to Gunville; if I send it +by the post, besides the heavy expense, I cannot rely on the Stowey +carriers, who are a brace of as careless and dishonest rogues as ever had +claims on that article of the hemp and timber trade, called the gallows. +Indeed I verily believe that if all Stowey, Ward excepted, does not go to +hell, it will be by the supererogation of Poole's sense of +honesty.--Charitable! + +We will have a fair trial of Bang. Do bring down some of the Hyoscyamine +pills, and I will give a fair trial of Opium, Henbane, and Nepenthe. +By-the-by I always considered Homer's account of the Nepenthe as a +_Banging_ lie. + +God bless you, my dear friend, and + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +"Keswick, September 16, 1803. + +My dear Wedgewood, + +I reached home on yesterday noon. William Hazlitt, is a thinking, +observant, original man; of great power as a painter of +character-portraits, and far more in the manner of the old painters than +any living artist, but the objects must be before him. He has no +imaginative memory; so much for his intellectuals. His manners are to +ninety nine in one hundred singularly repulsive; brow-hanging; +shoe-contemplating--strange. Sharp seemed to like him, but Sharp saw him +only for half an hour, and that walking. He is, I verily believe, +kindly-natured: is very fond of, attentive to, and patient with children, +but he is jealous, gloomy, and of an irritable pride. With all this there +is much good in him. He is disinterested; an enthusiastic lover of the +great men who have been before us. He says things that are his own, in a +way of his own: and though from habitual shyness, and the outside of bear +skin, at least of misanthropy, he is strangely confused and dark in his +conversation, and delivers himself of almost all his conceptions with a +_Forceps_, yet he _says_ more than any man I ever knew (you yourself only +excepted) of that which is his own, in a way of his own: and often times +when he has wearied his mind, and the juice is come out, and spread over +his spirits, he will gallop for half an hour together, with real +eloquence. He sends well-feathered thoughts straight forward to the mark +with a twang of the bow-string. If you could recommend him as a portrait +painter, I should be glad. To be your companion, he is, in my opinion +utterly unfit. His own health is fitful. + +I have written as I ought to do: to you most freely. You know me, both +head and heart, and I will make what deductions your reasons may dictate +to me. I can think of no other person [for your travelling +companion]--what wonder? For the last years, I have been shy of all new +acquaintance. + + 'To live beloved is all I need, + And when I love, I love indeed.' + +I never had any ambition, and now, I trust I have almost as little +vanity. + +For five months past my mind has been strangely shut up. I have taken the +paper with the intention to write to you many times, but it has been one +blank feeling;--one blank idealess feeling. I had nothing to say;--could +say nothing. How dearly I love you, my very dreams make known to me. I +will not trouble you with the gloomy tale of my health. When I am awake, +by patience, employment, effort of mind, and walking, I can keep the +Fiend at arm's length, but the night is my Hell!--sleep my tormenting +Angel. Three nights out of four, I fall asleep, struggling to lie awake, +and my frequent night-screams have almost made me a nuisance in my own +house. Dreams with me are no shadows, but the very calamities of my +life.... + +In the hope of drawing the gout, if gout it should be, into my feet, I +walked previously to my getting into the coach at Perth, 263 miles, in +eight days, with no unpleasant fatigue; and if I could do you any service +by coming to town, and there were no coaches, I would undertake to be +with you, on foot in seven days. I must have strength somewhere. My head +is equally strong: my limbs too are strong: but acid or not acid, gout or +not gout, something there is in my stomach.... + +To diversify this dusky letter, I will write an _Epitaph_, which I +composed in my sleep for myself while dreaming that I was dying. To the +best of my recollection I have not altered a word. + + 'Here sleeps at length poor Col. and without screaming + Who died, as he had always lived, a dreaming: + Shot dead, while sleeping, by the gout within, + Alone, and all unknown, at E'nbro' in an Inn.' + +It was Tuesday night last, at the 'Black Bull,' Edinburgh. Yours, dear +Wedgewood, gratefully, and + +Most affectionately, + +S. T. Coleridge. + +Thomas Wedgewood, Esq." + + +"16, Abingdon Street, Westminster, Jan. 1804. + +My dear friend, + +Some divines hold, that with God to think, and to create, are one and the +same act. If to think, and even to compose had been the same as to write +with me, I should have written as much too much as I have written too +little. The whole truth of the matter is, that I have been very, very +ill. Your letter remained four days unread, I was so ill. What effect it +had upon me I cannot express by words. It lay under my pillow day after +day. I should have written forty times, but as it often and often happens +with me, my heart was too full, and I had so much to say that I said +nothing. I never received a delight that lasted longer upon me--'Brooded +on my mind and made it pregnant,' than (from) the six last sentences of +your last letter,--which I cannot apologize for not having answered, for +I should be casting calumnies against myself; for the last six or seven +weeks, I have both thought and felt more concerning you, and relating to +you, than of all other men put together. + +Somehow or other, whatever plan I determined to adopt, my fancy, +good-natured pander of our wishes, always linked you on to it; or I made +it your plan, and linked myself on. I left my home, December 20, 1803, +intending to stay a day and a half at Grasmere, and then to walk to +Kendal, whither I had sent all my clothes and viatica; from thence to go +to London, and to see whether or no I could arrange my pecuniary matters, +so as leaving Mrs. Coleridge all that was necessary to her comforts, to +go myself to Madeira, having a persuasion, strong as the life within me, +that one winter spent in a really warm, genial climate, would completely +restore me. Wordsworth had, as I may truly say, forced on me a hundred +pounds, in the event of my going to Madeira; and Stewart had kindly +offered to befriend me. During the days and affrightful nights of my +disease, when my limbs were swollen, and my stomach refused to retain the +food--taken in in sorrow, then I looked with pleasure on the scheme: but +as soon as dry frosty weather came, or the rains and damps passed off, +and I was filled with elastic health, from crown to sole, then the +thought of the weight of pecuniary obligation from so many people +reconciled me; but I have broken off my story. + +I stayed at Grasmere (Mr. Wordsworth's) a month; three fourths of the +time bed-ridden;--and deeply do I feel the enthusiastic kindness of +Wordsworth's wife and sister, who sat up by me, one or the other, in +order to awaken me at the first symptoms of distressful feeling; and even +when they went to rest, continued often and often to weep and watch for +me even in their dreams. I left them January the 14th, and have spent a +very pleasant week at Dr. Crompton's, at Liverpool, and arrived in +London, at Poole's lodgings, last night at eight o'clock. + +Though my right hand is so much swollen that I can scarcely keep my pen +steady between my thumb and finger, yet my stomach is easy, and my +breathing comfortable, and I am eager to hope all good things of my +health. That gained, I have a cheering, and I trust prideless confidence +that I shall make an active, and perseverant use of the faculties and +requirements that have been entrusted to my keeping, and a fair trial of +their height, depth, and width.[108] Indeed I look back on the last four +months with honest pride, seeing how much I have done, with what steady +attachment of mind to the same subject, and under what vexations and +sorrows, from without, and amid what incessant sufferings. So much of +myself. When I know more, I will tell you more. + +I find you are still at Cote-house. Poole tells me you talk of Jamaica as +a summer excursion. If it were not for the voyage, I would that you would +go to Madeira, for from the hour I get on board the vessel, to the time +that I once more feel England beneath my feet, I am as certain as past +and present experience can make me, that I shall be in health, in high +health; and then I am sure, not only that I should be a comfort to you, +but that I should be so without diminution of my activity, or +professional usefulness. Briefly, dear Wedgewood! I truly and at heart +love you, and of course it must add to my deeper and moral happiness to +be with you, if I can be either assistance or alleviation. If I find +myself so well that I defer my Madeira plan, I shall then go forthwith to +Devonshire to see my aged mother, once more before she dies, and stay two +or three months with my brothers.[109] But, wherever I am, I never suffer +a day, (except when I am travelling) to pass without doing something. + +Poole made me promise that I would leave one side for him. God bless him! +He looks so worshipful in his office, among his clerks, that it would +give you a few minutes' good spirits to look in upon him. Pray you as +soon as you can command your pen, give me half a score lines, and now +that I am _loose,_ say whether or no I can be any good to you. + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +"16, Abingdon Street, Westminster, Jan. 28, 1804. + +My dear friend, + +It is idle for me to say to you, that my heart and very soul ache with +the dull pain of one struck down and stunned. I write to you, for my +letter cannot give you unmixed pain, and I would fain say a few words to +dissuade you. What good can possibly come of your plan? Will not the very +chairs and furniture of your room be shortly more, far more intolerable +to you than new and changing objects! more insufferable reflectors of +pain and weariness of spirit? Oh, most certainly they will! You must +hope, my dearest Wedgewood; you must act as if you hoped. Despair itself +has but that advice to give you. Have you ever thought of trying large +doses of opium, a hot climate, keeping your body open by grapes, and the +fruits of the climate?[110] + +Is it possible that by drinking freely, you might at last produce the +gout, and that a violent pain and inflammation in the extremities might +produce new trains of motion and feeling in your stomach, and the organs +connected with the stomach, known and unknown? Worse than what you have +decreed for yourself cannot well happen. Say but a word and I will come +to you, will be with you, will go with you to Malta, to Madeira, to +Jamaica, or (if the climate, of which, and its strange effects, I have +heard wonders, true or not) to Egypt. + +At all events, and at the worst even, if you do attempt to realize the +scheme of going to and remaining at Gunville, for God's sake, my dear +dear friend, do keep up a correspondence with one or more; or if it were +possible for you, with several. I know by a little what your sufferings +are, and that to shut the eyes, and stop up the ears, is to give one's +self up to storm and darkness, and the lurid forms and horrors of a +dream. I scarce know why it is; a feeling I have, and which I can hardly +understand. I could not endure to live if I had not a firm faith that +the life within you will pass forth out of the furnace, for that +you have borne what you have borne, and so acted beneath such +pressure--constitutes you an awful moral being. I am not ashamed to pray +aloud for you. + +Your most affectionate friend, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +"March, 1804. + +My dear friend, + +Though fearful of breaking in upon you after what you have written to me, +I could not have left England without having written both to you and your +brother, at the very moment I received a note from Sharp, informing me +that I must instantly secure a place in the Portsmouth mail for Tuesday, +and if I could not, that I must do so in the light coach for Tuesday's +early coach. + +I am agitated by many things, and only write now because you desired an +answer by return of post. I have been dangerously ill, but the illness is +going about, and not connected with my immediate ill health, however it +may be with my general constitution. It was the cholera-morbus. But for a +series of the merest accidents I should have been seized in the streets, +in a bitter east wind, with cold rain; at all events have walked through +it struggling. It was Sunday-night. + +I have suffered it at Tobin's; Tobin sleeping out at Woolwich. No fire, +no wine or spirits, or medicine of any kind, and no person being within a +call, but luckily, perhaps the occasion would better suit the word +providentially, Tuffin, calling, took me home with him.... I tremble at +every loud sound I myself utter. But this is rather a history of the past +than of the present. I have only enough for memento, and already on +Wednesday I consider myself in clear sunshine, without the shadow of the +wings of the destroying angel. + +What else relates to myself, I will write on Monday. Would to heaven you +were going with me to Malta, if it were but for the voyage! With all +other things I could make the passage with an unwavering mind. But +without cheerings of hope, let me mention one thing; Lord Cadogan was +brought to absolute despair, and hatred of life, by a stomach complaint, +being now an old man. The symptoms, as stated to me, were strikingly like +yours, excepting the nervous difference of the two characters; the +flittering fever, &c. He was advised to reduce lean beef to a pure jelly, +by Papin's digester, with as little water as could secure it from +burning, and of this to take half a wine glass 10 or 14 times a day. This +and nothing else. He did so. Sir George Beaumont saw, within a few weeks +a letter from himself to Lord St. Asaph, in which he relates the +circumstance of his perseverance in it, and rapid amelioration, and final +recovery. 'I am now,' he says, 'in real good health; as good, and in as +cheerful spirits as I ever was when a young man.' + +May God bless you, even here, + +S. T. Coleridge." + + +Mr. Coleridge, in the preceding letters, refers to the different states +of his health. In the letter dated January, 1800, he observed, "I have my +health perfectly;" and in the same letter he clearly indicates that he +was no stranger to opium, by remarking, "I have a stomach sensation +attached to all my thoughts, like those which succeed to the pleasurable +operations of a dose of opium." I can testify, that during the four or +five years in which Mr. C. resided in or near Bristol, no young man could +enjoy more robust health. Dr. Carlyon[111] also, verbally stated that Mr. +C; both at Cambridge, and at Gottingen, "possessed sound health." From +these premises the conclusion is fair, that Mr. Coleridge's unhappy use +of narcotics, which commenced thus early, was the true cause of all his +maladies, his languor, his acute and chronic pains, his indigestion, his +swellings, the disturbances of his general corporeal system, his +sleepless nights, and his terrific dreams! + + * * * * * + +Extracts, concerning Mr. Coleridge, from letters of the late Thomas +Poole, Esq., to the late Thomas Wedgewood, Esq. + + +"Stowey, Nov. 14, 1801. + +... I expect Coleridge here in a week or ten days. He has promised to +spend two or three months with me. I trust this air will re-establish his +health, and that I shall restore him to his family and his friends a +perfect man." + + +"Stowey, Nov. 24, 1801. + +I now expect daily to see Coleridge. He is detained I fear, by a thorn, +which he unfortunately took in his heel a day or two before he wrote to +me his last letter. He comes alone. As soon as he is here he shall write +to you." + + +"Stowey, Nov. 27, 1799. + +... Coleridge went hence to Bristol as you know, to collect material for +his 'School-book.' (Qy.) There he received a letter concerning +Wordsworth's health, which he said agitated him deeply. He set off +immediately for Yorkshire. He has since been to the lakes. I suppose we +shall soon see him. + +T. P." + + +"Stowey, March 15, 1804. + +... Coleridge is still here with Tobin. He has taken his passage for +Malta and paid half the money, so I conclude his going is fixed. They are +waiting for convoy--the 'Lapwing' frigate. + +T. P." + + +"16, Abingdon Street, April 3, 1804. + +My dear Sir, + +... Poor _Col_. left London, as I suppose you know, and is now at +Portsmouth, waiting for convoy. He was in a miserable state of health +when he left town. Heaven grant that this expedition may establish him, +body and mind. Northcote has been painting his picture for Sir George +Beaumont. I am told it is a great likeness. Davy is gone to Hungerford +for the holiday's fishing.... + +T. Poole. + +T. Wedgewood, Esq." + + +Mr. Coleridge remarks, in his letter to Mr. T. Wedgewood, dated "16, +Abingdon Street, London:" "Poole looks so worshipful in his office among +his clerks, that it would give you a few minutes' good spirits to look in +upon him." The following letter will explain this allusion. + + +"Stowey, Sept. 14, 1803. + +My dear Sir, + +... I thank you heartily for your kindness, and I will tell you all about +my going to London. I became acquainted with Rickman, whom you saw, when +you set off from Cote-house with Coleridge and myself, to London, to hear +Davy's lectures at the Royal Institution. It was last January +twelvemonths. I liked Rickman, and if I may judge from his conduct since, +he liked me. I saw him frequently when I was in London in May and June +last. We often talked about the poor laws, the sin of their first +principle, their restraints, their contradictions, their abuses, their +encouragement to idleness, their immense burdens to those who pay, and +their degradation to those who receive. On this subject also some letters +have passed between us. + +I have long imagined that the principles of benefit societies may be +extended and modified, so as to remedy the greater part of those evils, +and I have long had a plan in my mind which attempted something of this +sort, and which as soon as I had leisure I meant to detail in writing, +and perhaps to publish. I mentioned this to Coleridge when he was last +with me. He mentioned it to Rickman, who wrote to me on the subject. + +Soon after this Sir George Eose introduced a bill into parliament for +obtaining information from the overseers of every parish, concerning the +poor, benefit societies, &c. He applied to Rickman to assist him in +framing the bill; and finally requested him to get some one to make an +abstract, to present to parliament, of the returns made by the overseers. +This office Rickman has desired me to undertake. He states to me a +variety of inducements; such as my being in London, getting much +information on a subject which interests me; and in short, I have agreed +to undertake it. Rickman says it will take me three months. I am to have +eight clerks under me, or more if I can employ them. He says there will +be twenty thousand returns. He proposes that my expenses should be paid +with a douceur of three or otherwise four hundred pounds. I stipulated +for the former, but told him the douceur would be the pleasure, I +trusted, of being useful to the poor.... + +T. P." + + +This was a rare instance of noble disinterestedness, especially in +respect of government transactions. + + +"London, 16, Abingdon Street, May 24, 1804. + +I saw a letter this morning from Coleridge. It was written to Lamb, from +Gibraltar. He says his health and spirits are much improved, yet still he +feels alarming symptoms about him. He made the passage from England in +eleven days. If the wind permitted, they were to sail in two days for +Malta. He says he is determined to observe a strict regimen, as to eating +and drinking. He has drunk lately only lemonade, with a very small +quantity of bottled porter. He anticipates better health than he has +enjoyed for many years. + +I heard by accident that Giddy was at Davy's. I have not seen Davy for +some time. + +T. P." + + * * * * * + +[Illustration: Portrait of S. T. Coleridge] + + * * * * * + +If the public "bide their time," there is one memorial, resembling the +following, which will infallibly, if not soon, be attached to the busiest +and the most celebrated name. + + "On Sept. 8, 1837, died at Nether Stowey, Somersetshire, Thomas + Poole, Esq. He was one of the magistrates for that county, the duties + of which station he discharged through a long course of years with + distinguished reputation. In early life the deceased was intimately + associated with Coleridge, Lamb, Sir H. Davy, Wordsworth, Southey, + and other men of literary endowments, who occasionally made long + sojournments at his hospitable residence, and in whose erudite and + philosophical pursuits he felt a kindred delight. His usefulness and + benevolence have been long recognized, and his loss will be + deplored."--_Exeter Paper_. + +It appears that in the spring of 1816, Mr. Coleridge left Mr. Morgan's +house at Calne, and, in a desolate state of mind, repaired to London; +when the belief remaining strong on his mind, that his opium habits would +never be effectually subdued till he had subjected himself to medical +restraint, he called on Dr. Adams, an eminent physician, and disclosed to +him the whole of his painful circumstances, stating what he conceived to +be his only remedy. The doctor being a humane man, sympathized with his +patient, and knowing a medical gentleman who resided three or four miles +from town, who would be likely to undertake the charge, he addressed the +following letter to Mr. Gillman. + + +"Hatton Garden, April 9, 1816. + +Dear sir, + +A very learned, but in one respect an unfortunate gentleman, has applied +to me on a singular occasion. He has for several years been in the habit +of taking large quantities of opium. For some time past he has been +endeavouring to break himself of it. It is apprehended his friends are +not firm enough, from a dread, lest he should suffer by suddenly leaving +it off, though he is conscious of the contrary; and has proposed to me to +submit himself to any regimen, however severe. With this view he wishes +to fix himself in the house of some medical gentleman, who will have +courage to refuse him any laudanum, and under whose assistance, should he +be the worse for it, he may be relieved. As he is desirous of retirement, +and a garden, I could think of no one so readily as yourself. Be so good +as to inform me whether such a proposal is inconsistent with your family +arrangements. I should not have proposed it, but on account of the great +importance of the character, as a literary man. His communicative temper +will make his society very interesting, as well as useful. Have the +goodness to favor me with an immediate answer, and believe me, dear sir, + +Your faithful humble servant, + +Joseph Adams." + + +The next day Mr. Coleridge called on Mr. Gillman, who was so much pleased +with his visitor, that it was agreed he should come to Highgate the +following day. A few hours before his arrival, he sent Mr. G. a long +letter; the part relating to pecuniary affairs was the following: "With +respect to pecuniary remuneration, allow me to say, I must not at least +be suffered to make any addition to your family expenses, though I cannot +offer anything that would be in any way adequate to my sense of the +service; for that indeed there could not be a compensation, as it must be +returned in kind by esteem and grateful affection." + +This return of esteem and grateful affection for his lodging and board, +was generously understood and acceded to, by Mr. Gillman, which, to a +medical man in large practice, was a small consideration. Mr. G.'s +admiration of Mr. Coleridge's talents soon became so enthusiastic, +equally creditable to both parties, that he provided Mr. Coleridge with a +comfortable home for nineteen years, even unto his death. + +My original intention was, to prepare a memoir as a contribution to Mr. +Gillman's "Life of Mr. Coleridge." On my sending the MS. to Mr. Southey, +he observed, in his reply, "I apprehend if you send what you have written +about Coleridge and opium, it will not be made use of, and that +Coleridge's biographer will seek to find excuse for the abuse of that +drug." + +I afterwards sent the MS. to my friend Mr. Foster, who had ever taken a +deep interest in all that concerns Mr. Coleridge. On returning it he thus +wrote. + + +"Stapleton, Dec. 19, 1835. + +My dear sir, + +I have read through your MS. volume, very much to the cost of my eyes, +but it was impossible to help going on, and I am exceedingly obliged to +you for favouring me with it;--the more so as there is no prospect of +seeing any large proportion of it in print. It is I think about as +melancholy an exhibition as I ever contemplated. Why was such a sad +phenomenon to come in sight on earth? Was it to abase the pride of human +intellect and genius? + +You have done excellently well to collect into a permanent substance what +must else have gone into oblivion, for no one else could have exhibited +even a shadow of it. But now, my dear sir, I hope you are prepared with +the philosophy, or by whatever name I should designate the +fortitude,--that can patiently bear the frustration of the main immediate +purpose of your long and earnest labour.--For you may lay your account +that the compiler of the proposed life of Coleridge will admit but a very +minor part of what you have thus furnished at his request:--that +especially he will not admit what you feel to be the most important, as +an emphatic moral lesson, and what it has cost you the most painful +resolution to set faithfully forth. + +No, my dear sir, the operator of the work will not, will not, will not, +let the illustrious philosopher, genius, and poet, so appear. He will get +over that stage with a few general expressions, and a few indistinctly +presented facts. And then as to the dreadful tragical parts, he will +promptly decide that it would be utter profanation to expose them to view +in any such unveiled prominence as you have exhibited in your narrative. +And then the solemn warning and example will be nearly kept out of sight. +Quite naturally that this would be the course adopted, unless the +compiler were, like yourself, intent, as his first and highest +obligation, on doing faithful homage to truth, virtue, and religion. How +I despise biography, as the business is commonly managed. I cannot +believe that Coleridge's dreadful letters of confession will be admitted +in their own unmodified form; though they ought to be. Most truly yours, + +John Foster." + + +These combined intimations led me to stipulate that, whatever else was +omitted, the opium letters should be printed verbatim. But this being +promptly refused, I determined to throw my materials into a separate +work. + +As this is the last time in which Mr. Southey's name will be mentioned, +it is a debt of justice to subjoin the following honourable testimonials. + +As an evidence of the estimation in which Mr. Southey was held,--the +distinctions awarded to his memory have had few parallels. His friends at +Keswick, among whom he resided for thirty years, erected to him in their +Church a noble monument, as a permanent memorial of their respect. His +friends, in London, placed his bust in Westminster Abbey. Whilst another +set of his friends in Bristol (his native city) from respect to his +genius, and in admiration of his character, placed a bust of him in their +own Cathedral. + + +PRAYER OF S. T. COLERIDGE, WRITTEN IN 1831. + +Almighty God, by thy eternal Word, my Creator, Redeemer, and Preserver! +who hast in thy communicative goodness glorified me with the capability +of knowing thee, the only one absolute God, the eternal I Am, as the +author of my being, and of desiring and seeking thee as its ultimate +end;--who when I fell from thee into the mystery of the false and evil +will, didst not abandon me, poor self-lost creature, but in thy +condescending mercy didst provide an access and a return to thyself, even +to the Holy One, in thine only begotten Son, the way and the truth from +everlasting, and who took on himself humanity, yea, became flesh, even +the man Christ Jesus, that for man he might be the life and +resurrection!--O, Giver of all good gifts, who art thyself the only +absolute Good, from whom I have received whatever good I have; whatever +capability of good there is in me, and from thee good alone,--from myself +and my own corrupted will all evil, and the consequences of evil,--with +inward prostration of will, mind, and affections I adore thy infinite +majesty; I aspire to love thy transcendant goodness! + +In a deep sense of my unworthiness, and my unfitness to present myself +before thee, of eyes too pure to behold iniquity, and whose light, the +beatitude of spirits conformed to thy will, is a consuming fire to all +vanity and corruptions;--but in the name of the Lord Jesus, of the dear +Son of thy love, in whose perfect obedience thou deignest to behold as +many as have received the seed of Christ into the body of this death;--I +offer this my bounden nightly sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, in +humble trust that the fragrance of my Saviour's righteousness may remove +from it the taint of my mortal corruption. Thy mercies have followed me +through all the hours and moments of my life; and now I lift up my heart +in awe and thankfulness for the preservation of my life through the past +day, for the alleviation of my bodily sufferings and languors, for the +manifold comforts which thou hast reserved for me, yea, in thy fatherly +compassion hast rescued from the wreck of my own sins or sinful +infirmities;--for the kind and affectionate friends thou hast raised up +for me, especially for those of this household, for the mother and +mistress of this family, whose love to me has been great and faithful, +and for the dear friend, the supporter and sharer of my studies and +researches; but above all for the heavenly Friend, the crucified Saviour, +the glorified Mediator, Christ Jesus, and for the heavenly Comforter, +source of all abiding comforts, thy Holy Spirit! that I may with a deeper +faith, a more enkindled love, bless thee, who through thy Son hast +privileged me to call thee Abba Father! O thou who hast revealed thyself +in thy word as a God that hearest prayer; before whose infinitude all +differences cease, of great and small; who like a tender parent +foreknowest all our wants, yet listenest, well-pleased, to the humble +petitions of thy children; who hast not alone permitted, but taught us to +call on thee in all our needs,--earnestly I implore the continuance of +thy free mercy, of thy protecting providence through the coming night. + +Thou hearest every prayer offered to thee believingly with a penitent and +sincere heart. For thou in withholding grantest, healest in inflicting +the wound, yea, turnest all to good for as many as truly seek thee +through Christ the Mediator! Thy will be done! But if it be according to +thy wise and righteous ordinances, O shield me this night from the +assaults of disease, grant me refreshment of sleep, unvexed by evil and +distempered dreams; and if the purpose and aspiration of my heart be +upright before thee who alone knowest the heart of man, O, in thy mercy, +vouchsafe me yet in this my decay of life, an interval of ease and +strength, if so,--thy grace disposing and assisting--I may make +compensation to thy church for the unused talents thou hast entrusted to +me, for the neglected opportunities which thy loving-kindness had +provided. O let me be found a labourer in thy vineyard, though of the +late hour, when the Lord and Heir of the vintage, Christ Jesus calleth +for his servant.--_Lit. Rem._ + +S. T. C." + + +Mr. Coleridge wrote, in his life-time, his own epitaph, as follows:-- + + "Stop, Christian passer-by: stop, child of God, + And read, with gentle breast. Beneath this sod + A poet lies, or that which once seemed he-- + O, lift a thought in prayer for S. T. C. + That he who many a year with toil of breath + Found death in life, may here find life in death; + Mercy for praise-to be forgiven for fame + He asked, and hoped through Christ. Do thou the same." + +A handsome tablet, erected in Highgate New Church, to his memory, bears +the following inscription:-- + + "Sacred to the Memory of + + SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE, + + Poet, Philosopher, Theologian. +This truly great and good man resided for + The last nineteen years of his life, + In this Hamlet. + He quitted 'the body of his death,' + July 25th, 1834, + In the sixty-second year of his age. +Of his profound learning and discursive genius, + His literary works are an imperishable record. + To his private worth, + His social and Christian virtues, + + JAMES AND ANN GILLMAN, + + The friends with whom he resided +During the above period, dedicate this tablet. + Under the pressure of a long + And most painful disease, +His disposition was unalterably sweet and angelic. + He was an ever-enduring, ever-loving friend, + The gentlest and kindest teacher, + The most engaging home-companion. + + 'Oh, framed for calmer times and nobler hearts; + O studious poet, eloquent for _truth!_ + Philosopher contemning wealth and death, + Yet docile, child-like, full of life and love.' + + HERE, + +On this monumental stone, thy friends inscribe thy worth, + Reader, for the world mourn. + A Light has passed away from the earth! + But for this pious and exalted Christian, + 'Rejoice, and again I say unto you, rejoice!'" + Ubi + Thesaurus + ibi + Cor. + S. T. C. + + + + +APPENDIX + + * * * * * + +JOHN HENDERSON. + +The name of John Henderson having appeared in several parts of the +preceding memoir, and as, from his early death, he is not known in the +Literary World, I here present a brief notice of this extraordinary man, +reduced from the longer account which appeared in my "Malvern Hills," &c. + +John Henderson, was born at Limerick, but came to England early in life +with his parents. From the age of three years, he discovered the presages +of a great mind. Without retracing the steps of his progression, a +general idea may be formed of them, from the circumstance of his having +_professionally_ TAUGHT GREEK and LATIN in a public Seminary[112] at the +age of twelve years. + +Some time after, his father commencing a Boarding-school in the +neighbourhood of Bristol, young HENDERSON undertook to teach the +classics; which he did with much reputation, extending, at the same time, +his own knowledge in the sciences and general literature, to a degree +that rendered him a prodigy of intelligence. + +At the age of eighteen, by an intensity of application, of which few +persons can conceive, he had not only thoughtfully perused all the +popular English authors, of later date, but taken an extensive survey of +foreign literature. He had also waded through the folios of the +SCHOOLMEN, as well as scrutinized, with the minutest attention, the more +obsolete writers of the last three centuries; preserving, at the same +time, a distinguishing sense of their respective merits, particular +sentiments, and characteristic traits; which, on proper occasions, he +commented upon, in a manner that astonished the learned listener, not +more by his profound remarks, than by his cool and sententious eloquence. + +So surprisingly retentive was his memory, that he never forgot what he +had once learned; nor did it appear that he ever suffered even an Image +to be effaced from his mind; whilst the ideas which he had so rapidly +accumulated, existed in his brain, not as a huge chaos, but in clear and +well-organized systems, illustrative of every subject, and subservient to +every call. It was this quality which made him so superior a disputant; +for as his mind had investigated the various sentiments and hypotheses of +men, so had his almost intuitive discrimination stripped them of their +deceptive appendages, and separated fallacies from truth, marshalling +their arguments, so as to elucidate or detect each other. But in all his +disputations, it was an invariable maxim with him never to interrupt the +most tedious or confused opponents, though, from his pithy questions, he +made it evident, that, from the first, he anticipated the train and +consequences of their reasonings. + +His favourite studies were, Philology, History, Astronomy, Medicine, +Theology, Logic, and Metaphysics, with all the branches of Natural and +Experimental Philosophy; and that his attainments were not superficial, +will be readily admitted by those who knew him best.--As a Linguist, he +was acquainted with the Persian, Arabic, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin +languages; together with the French, Spanish, Italian, and German; and he +not only knew their ruling principles and predominant distinctions, so as +to read them with facility, but in the greater part conversed fluently. + +About the age of twenty-two, he accidentally met with the acute and +learned Dr. Tucker, Dean of Gloucester, in a stage coach, who soon +discovered the superiority of his companion, and after a reasonable +acquaintance, in which the opinion he had at first entertained of John +Henderson's surprising genius was amply confirmed, he wrote to his +father, urging him to send a young man of such distinguished talents to +an UNIVERSITY, where only they could expand, or be rightly appreciated; +and, in the most handsome way, he accompanied this request with a present +of TWO HUNDRED POUNDS. Such an instance of generosity, will confer +lasting credit on the name of DEAN TUCKER. + +On John Henderson's arrival at Oxford, he excited no small degree of +surprise among his tutors, who very naturally inquired his reason for +appearing at that place, and, as might be supposed, were soon contented +to learn, where they had been accustomed to teach.[113] + +It might be stated also, the late Edmund Rack, a gentleman possessed of +much general knowledge, and antiquarian research, and whose materials for +the "History of Somersetshire," formed the acknowledged basis of +Collinson's valuable History of that county, thus expressed himself, in +writing to a friend in London. + +"My friend, Henderson, has lately paid me a visit, and stayed with me +three weeks. I never spent a three weeks so happily, or so profitably. He +is the only person I ever knew who seems to be a complete master of every +subject in literature, arts, sciences, natural philosophy, divinity; and +of all the books, ancient and modern, that engage the attention of the +learned; but it is still more wonderful, that at the age of twelve, he +should have been master of the Latin and Greek; to which he subsequently +added, the Hebrew, Italian, Spanish, German, Persian, and Syriac +languages; and also, all the ancient rabbinical learning of the Jews, and +the divinity of the fathers; this was, however, the case. The learned DR. +KENNICOTT told me, four years since, 'That the greatest men he ever knew +were mere CHILDREN, compared to HENDERSON.' In company he is ever new. +You never hear a repetition of what he has said before. His memory never +fails, and his fund of knowledge is inexhaustible." + +Dr. Kennicott, (before whom nothing superficial could have stood for a +moment,) died in the year 1783, and John Henderson, at the time Dr. K, +passed on him this eulogium, could have been only twenty-three years of +age! One year after he had entered at Oxford. + +Though not of the higher order of attainments, it may not be improper to +mention his singular talent for IMITATION. He could not only assume the +dialect of every foreign country, but the particular tone of every +district of England so perfectly, that he might have passed for a native +of either: and of the variations of the human accent in different +individuals his recollection was so acute, and the modulation of his +voice so varied, that, having once conversed with a person, he could most +accurately imitate his gestures and articulation for ever after.[114] + +No man had more profoundly traced the workings of the human heart than +himself. A long observation on the causes and effects of moral action, +with their external symbols, had matured his judgment in estimating the +characters of men, and from the fullest evidence, confirmed him in a +belief of the Science of PHYSIOGNOMY. + +Though the "Physiognomical Sensation," in a greater or less degree, may +exist in all, yet the data which support it are so obscure, and at all +times so difficult to be defined, that if nature does not make the +Physiognomist, study never will: and to be skilled in this science +requires the combination of such rare talents, that it cannot excite +wonder, either that the unskilful should frequently err, or that the +multitude should despise, what they know they can never attain. + +But John Henderson's discrimination qualified him to speak of all +persons, in judging from their countenances, with an almost infallible +certainty: he discovered, in his frequent decisions, not an occasional +development of character, but a clear perception of the secondary as well +as predominant tendencies, of the mind. + + "Making his eye the inmate of each bosom." + COLERIDGE. + +It would appear like divination, if John Henderson's friends were to +state the various instances they have known of that quick discernment +which he possessed, that, as it were, penetrated the veil of sense, and +unfolded to him the naked and unsophisticated qualities of the soul. +There are many who will cordially admit the fact, when it is said, that, +his eye was scarcely the eye of a man. There was a luminousness in it--a +calm but piercing character, which seemed to partake more of the nature +of spirit than of humanity. + +His conversation was such as might have been expected from a man whose +fancy was so creative, whose knowledge omnifarious, and whose +recollection so unbounded. He combined scholastic accuracy with +unaffected ease; condensed and pointed, yet rich and perspicuous. Were it +possible for his numerous friends, by any energy of reminiscence, to +collect his discourse, John Henderson would be distinguished as a +voluminous author, who yet preserved a Spartan frugality of words. + +His contemporaries at Oxford well remember, the enthusiasm with which +every company received him; and his friends, in that University, +consisted of all who were eminent for either talent or virtue. + +It would be injustice to his memory not to mention the great marks of +attention which were paid him, and the high estimation in which he was +held by the late Edmund Burke and Dr. Johnson; the former of whom +strenuously urged him either to apply to the bar, or to the church, and +told him, that, in that case, it was impossible to doubt, but that he +would become either a judge or a bishop. Such was the great +lexicographer's admiration, also, of John Henderson, that in his annual +visits to Oxford, to whatever company he was invited, he always +stipulated for the introduction of his young friend, John Henderson,[115] +which, in the result, converted a favour into an obligation. It might be +named also, that many of the heads of colleges and other eminent +characters, habitually attended his _evening parties_; an honour unknown +to have been conferred before on any other _under-graduate_. + +So great was John Henderson's regard for truth, that he considered it a +crime, of no ordinary magnitude, to confound in any one, even for a +moment, the perceptions of right and wrong; of truth and falsehood; he +therefore never argued in defence of a position which his understanding +did not cordially approve, unless, in some unbending moment, he intimated +to those around him, that he wished to see how far error could be +supported, in which case he would adopt the weakest side of any question, +and there, intrenched, like an intellectual veteran, bid defiance to the +separate or combined attacks of all who approached him. + +On these occasions it was highly interesting to remark the felicity of +his illustration, together with his profound logical acuteness, that knew +how to grant or deny, and both, it may be, with reference to some distant +stage of the argument, when the application was made with an unexpected, +but conclusive effect. + +From possessing this rare faculty of distinguishing the immediate, as +well as of tracing the remote consequences of every acknowledgment; and, +by his peculiar talent at casuistic subtleties, he has been frequently +known to extort the most erroneous concessions, from men distinguished +for erudition and a knowledge of polemic niceties, necessarily resulting +from premises unguardedly admitted. + +Henderson's chief strength in disputation seemed to consist in this clear +view in which he beheld the diversified bearings of every argument, with +its precise congruity to the question in debate; and which, whilst it +demonstrated the capacity of his own mind, conferred on him, on all +occasions, a decided and systematic superiority. It must, however, be +granted, that when contending for victory, or rather for the mere +sharpening of his faculties, instead of convincing, he not unfrequently +confounded his opponent; but whenever he had thus casually argued, and +had obtained an acknowledged confutation, like an ingenious mechanic, he +never failed to organize the discordant materials and to do homage to +truth, by pointing out his own fallacies, or otherwise, by formally +re-confuting his antagonist. + +It might be expected that, by such a conduct, an unpleasant impression +would sometimes be left on the mind of an unsuccessful disputant, but +this effect is chiefly produced when the power of the combatants is held +nearly in equilibrium; no one, however, considered it a degradation to +yield to John Henderson, and the peculiar delicacy of his mind was +manifested in nothing more than in the graceful manner with which he +indulged in these coruscations of argument. He obtained a victory without +being vain, or even, from his perfect command of countenance, appearing +sensible of it; and, unless he happened to be disputing with pedantry and +conceit, with a dignified consciousness of strength, he never pursued an +enemy who was contented to fly, by which means a defeat was often +perceived rather than felt, and the vanquished forgot his own humiliation +in applauding the generosity of the conqueror. + +In all companies he led the conversation; yet though he was perpetually +encircled by admirers, his steady mind decreased not its charms, by a +supercilious self-opinion of them; nor did he assume that as a right, +which the wishes of his friends rendered a duty. He led the conversation; +for silence or diminished discourse, in him, would have been deservedly +deemed vanity, as though he had desired to make his friends feel the +value of his instructions from the temporary loss of them. But in no +instance was his superiority oppressive; calm, attentive, and cheerful, +he confuted more gracefully than others compliment; the tone of dogmatism +and the smile of contempt were equally unknown to him. Sometimes indeed +he raised himself stronger and more lofty in his eloquence, then chiefly, +when, fearful for his weaker brethren, he opposed the arrogance of the +illiterate deist, or the worse jargon of sensual and cold-blooded +atheism. He knew that the clouds of ignorance which enveloped their +understandings, steamed up from the pollutions of their hearts, and, +crowding his sails, he bore down upon them with salutary violence. + +But the qualities which most exalted John Henderson in the estimation of +his friends, were, his high sense of honour, and the great benevolence of +his heart; not that honour which originates in a jealous love of the +world's praise, nor that benevolence which delights only in publicity of +well-doing. His honour was the anxious delicacy of a christian, who +regarded his soul as a sacred pledge, that must some time be re-delivered +to the Almighty lender; his benevolence, a circle, in which self indeed +might be the centre, but, all that lives was the circumference. This +tribute of respect to thy name and virtues, my beloved Henderson! is paid +by one, who was once proud to call thee tutor and friend, and who will do +honour to thy memory, till his spirit rests with thine. + +Those who were unacquainted with John Henderson's character, may +naturally ask, "What test has he left the world of the distinguished +talents thus ascribed to him?"--None!--He cherished a sentiment, which, +whilst it teaches humility to the proud, explains the cause of that +silence so generally regretted. Upon the writer of this brief notice once +expressing to him some regret at his not having benefited mankind by the +result of his deep and varied investigations--he replied, "More men +become writers from ignorance, than from knowledge, not knowing that they +have been anticipated by others. Let us decide with caution, and write +late." Thus the vastness and variety of his acquirements, and the +diffidence of his own mental maturity alike prevented him from +illuminating mankind, till death called him to graduate in a sphere more +favourable to the range of his soaring and comprehensive mind.--He died +on a visit to Oxford, in November, 1788, in the 32nd year of his age. + +Few will doubt but that the possession of pre-eminent colloquial talents, +to a man like John Henderson, in whom so amply dwelt the spirit of +originality, must be considered, on the whole, as a misfortune, and as +tending to subtract from the permanency of his reputation; he wisely +considered posthumous fame as a vain and undesirable bubble, unless +founded on utility, but when it is considered that no man was better +qualified than himself to confound vice and ennoble virtue; to unravel +the mazes of error, or vindicate the pretensions of truth, it must +generally excite a poignant regret, that abilities like his should have +been dissipated on one generation, which, by a different application, +might have charmed and enlightened futurity. + +It is however by no means to be concluded that he would not have written, +and written extensively, if he had attained the ordinary age of man, but +he whose sentiments are considered as oracular, whose company is +incessantly sought by the wise and honourable, and who never speaks but +to obtain immediate applause, often sacrifices the future to the present, +and evaporates his distinguished talents in the single morning of life. + +But whilst we ascribe attributes to John Henderson, which designate the +genius, or illustrate the scholar, we must not forget another quality +which he eminently possessed, which so fundamentally contributes to give +stability to friendship, and to smooth the current of social life. A +suavity of manner, connected with a gracefulness of deportment, which +distinguished him on all occasions. + +His participation of the feelings of others, resulting from great native +sensibility, although it never produced in his conduct undue complacency, +yet invariably suggested to him that nice point of propriety in behaviour +which was suitable to different characters, and appropriate to the +various situations in which he might be placed. Nor was his sense of +right a barren perception. What the soundness of his understanding +instructed him to approve, the benevolence of his heart taught him to +practise. In his respectful approaches to the peer, he sustained his +dignity; and in addressing the beggar, he remembered he was speaking to a +man. + +It would be wrong to close this brief account of John Henderson, without +naming two other excellencies with which he was eminently endowed. First, +the ascendancy he had acquired over his temper. There are moments, in +which most persons are susceptible of a transient irritability; but the +oldest of his friends never beheld him otherwise than calm and collected. +It was a condition he retained under all circumstances,[116] and which, +to those over whom he had any influence, he never failed forcibly to +inculcate, together with that unshaken firmness of mind which encounters +the unavoidable misfortunes of life without repining, and that from the +noblest principle, a conviction that they are regulated by Him who cannot +err, and who in his severest allotments designs only our ultimate good. +In a letter from Oxford, to my brother Amos, his late pupil, for whom +John Henderson always entertained the highest esteem, he thus expresses +himself: "See that you govern your passions. What should grieve us, but +our infirmities? What make us angry, but our own faults? A man who knows +he is mortal, and that all the world will pass away, and by-and-by, seem +only like a tale--a sinner who knows his sufferings are all less than his +sins, and designed to break him from them--one who knows that everything +in this world is a seed that will have its fruit in eternity--that GOD is +the best, the only good friend--that in him is all we want--that +everything is ordered for the best--so that it could not be better, +however we take it; he who believes this in his heart is happy. Such be +you--may you always fare well, my dear Amos,--be the friend of GOD! +again, farewell." + +The other excellence referred to, was the simplicity and condescension of +his manners. From the gigantic stature of his understanding, he was +prepared to trample down his pigmy competitors, and qualified at all +times to enforce his unquestioned pre-eminence; but his mind was +conciliating, his behaviour unassuming, and his bosom the receptacle of +all the social affections. + +It is these virtues alone which can disarm superiority of its terrors, +and make the eye which is raised in wonder, beam at the same moment with +affection. There have been intellectual, as well as civil despots, whose +motto seems to have been, "Let them hate, provided they fear." Such men +may triumph in their fancied distinctions; but they will never, as was +John Henderson, be followed by the child, loved by the ignorant, and yet +emulated by the wise.... + +J. C. + + + + +ROWLEY AND CHATTERTON + +The following is an extract from the extended view of the question +between Rowley and Chatterton, which appeared in my "Malvern Hills," &c. +(Vol. 1. p. 273.) + +"... Whoever examines the conduct of Chatterton, will find that he was +pre-eminently influenced by one particular disposition of mind, which +was, through an excess of ingenuity, to impose on the credulity of +others. This predominant quality elucidates his character, and is +deserving of minute regard by all who wish to form a correct estimate of +the Rowleian controversy. A few instances of it are here recapitulated. + +1st. The Rev. Mr. Catcott once noticed to Chatterton the inclined +position of Temple church, in the city of Bristol. A few days after, the +blue-coat boy brought him an old poem, transcribed, as he declared, from +Rowley, who had noticed the same peculiarity in his day, and had moreover +written a few stanzas on the very subject. + +2ndly. A new bridge is just completed over the river Avon, at Bristol, +when Chatterton sends to the printer a genuine description, in antiquated +language, of the passing over the old bridge, for the first time, in the +thirteenth century, on which occasion two songs are chanted, by two +saints, of whom nothing was known, and expressed in language precisely +the same as Rowley's, though he lived two hundred years after this event. + +3rdly. Mr. Burgham, the pewterer, is credulous, and, from some whimsical +caprice in his nature, is attached to heraldic honours. Chatterton, who +approaches every man on his blind side, presents him with his pedigree, +consecutively traced from the time of William the Conqueror, and coolly +allies him to some of the noblest houses in the kingdom! + +4thly. Mr. Burgham, with little less than intuitive discernment, is one +of the first persons who expresses a firm opinion of the authenticity and +excellence of Rowley's Poems. Chatterton, pleased with this first blossom +of success, and from which he presaged an abundant harvest, with an +elated and grateful heart, presents him (together with other +testimonials,) with the 'Romaunte of the Cnyghte,' a poem written by John +De Burgham, one of his own illustrious ancestors, who was the great +ornament of a period, four hundred and fifty years antecedent; and the +more effectually to exclude suspicion, he accompanies it with the same +poem, modernized by himself! + +5thly. Chatterton wishes to obtain the good opinion of his relation, Mr. +Stephens, leather-breeches maker of Salisbury, and, from some quality, +which it is possible his keen observation had noticed in this Mr. +Stephens, he deems it the most effectual way, to flatter his vanity, and +accordingly tells him, with great gravity, that he traces his descent +from Fitz-Stephen, son of Stephen, Earl of Ammerle, who was son of Od, +Earl of Bloys, and Lord of Holderness, who flourished about A.D. 1095! + +6thly. The late Mr. George Catcott, (to whom the public are so much +indebted for the preservation of Rowley,) is a very worthy and religious +man, when Chatterton, who has implements for all work, and commodities +for all customers, like a skilful engineer, adapts the style of his +attack to the nature of the fortress, and presents him with the fragment +of a sermon, on the divinity of the Holy Spirit, as 'wroten by Thomas +Rowley.' + +7thly. Mr. Barrett is zealous to establish the antiquity of Bristol. As a +demonstrable evidence, Chatterton presents him with an escutcheon (on the +authority of the same Thomas Rowley) borne by a Saxon, of the name of +Ailward, who resided in Bristow, A.D. 718! + +8thly. Mr. Barrett is also writing a comprehensive History of Bristol, +and is solicitous to obtain every scrap of information relating to so +important a subject. In the ear of Chatterton he expressed his anxiety, +and suggested to him the propriety of his examining all Rowley's +multifarious manuscripts with great care for an object of such weight. + +Soon after this, the blue-coat boy came breathless to Mr. Barrett, +uttering, like one of old, 'I have found it!' He now presented the +historian with two or three notices, (in _his own hand-writing_, copied, +as _he declared_, faithfully from the originals,) of some of the ancient +Bristol churches; of course, wholly above suspicion, for they were in the +true old English style. These communications were regarded as of +inestimable value, and the lucky finder promised to increase his +vigilance, in ransacking the whole mass of antique documents for fresh +disclosures. It was not long before other important scraps were +discovered, conveying just the kind of information which Mr. Barrett +wanted, till, ultimately, Chatterton furnished him with many curious +particulars concerning the castle, and every church and chapel in the +city of Bristol! and these are some of the choicest materials of Mr. +Barrett's otherwise, valuable history! + +9thly. Public curiosity and general admiration are excited by poems, +affirmed to be from the Erse of Ossian. Chatterton, with characteristic +promptitude, instantly publishes, not imitations, but a succession of +genuine translations from the Saxon and Welsh, with precisely the same +language and imagery, though the Saxon and Welsh were derived from +different origins, the Teutonic and Celtic; (which bishop Percy has most +satisfactorily shown in his able and elaborate preface to 'Mallet's +Northern Antiquities,') and whose poetry, of all their writings, was the +most dissimilar; as will instantly appear to all who compare Taliessin, +and the other Welsh bards, with the Scandinavian Edda of Saemond. + +10thly. Mr. Walpole is writing the history of British painters; +Chatterton, (who, to a confidential friend, had expressed an opinion that +it was possible, by dexterous management, to deceive even this master in +antiquities,) with full confidence of success, transmits to him 'An +Account of eminent Carvellers and Peyncters who flourished in Bristol, +and other parts of England, three hundred years ago, collected for Master +Canynge, by Thomas Rowley!' + +Chatterton's communication furnishes an amusing specimen of the quaint +language with which this beardless boy deceived the old antiquarian. It +commences thus: + +'Peyncteynge ynn Englande, haveth of ould tyme bin in use; for sayeth the +Roman wryters, the Brytonnes dyd depycte themselves yn soundry wyse, of +the fourmes of the sonne and moone, wythe the hearbe woade: albeytte I +doubt theie were no skylled carvellers,' &c. &c. + +Mr. Walpole was so completely imposed upon, that, in his reply, without +entertaining the slightest suspicion of the authenticity of the document, +he reasons upon it as valid, and says, 'You do not point out the exact +time when Rowley lived, which I wish to know, as I suppose it was long +before John al Ectry's discovery of oil painting; if so, it confirms what +I have guessed, and have hinted in my anecdotes, that oil painting was +known here much earlier than that discovery, or revival.' + +Another important argument, may be adduced from the following reflection: +all the poets who thus owe their existence to Chatterton, write in the +same harmonious style, and display the same tact and superiority of +genius. Other poets living in the same, or different ages, exhibit a wide +diversity in judgment, fancy, and the higher creative faculty of +imagination, so that a discriminating mind can distinguish an individual +character in almost every separate writer; but here are persons living in +different ages; moving in different stations; exposed to different +circumstances; and expressing different sentiments; yet all of whom +betray the same peculiar habits, with the same talents and facilities of +composition. This is evidenced, whether it be-- + + The Abbatte John, living in the year - - 1186 + Seyncte Baldwin - - - - - - 1247 + Seyncte Warburgie - - - - - - 1247 + John De Burgham - - - - - - 1320 + The Rawfe Cheddar Chappmanne - - - - 1356 + Syr Thybbot Gorges - - - - - - 1440 + Syr Wm. Canynge - - - - - - 1469 + Thomas Rowley - - - - - - 1479 + Carpenter, Bishoppe of Worcester + Ecca, Bishoppe of Hereforde + Elmar, Bishoppe of Selseie + John Ladgate, or, + Mayster John à Iscam. + +And the whole of these poets, with the exception of Ladgate, completely +unknown to the world, till called from their dormitory by Chatterton! +Such a fact would be a phenomenon unspeakably more inexplicable than that +of ascribing Rowley to a youth of less than sixteen, who had made +'Antique Lore' his peculiar study, and who was endued with precocious, +and almost unlimited genius. + +Those who are aware of the transitions and fluctuation, which our +language experienced in the intermediate space comprised between Chaucer +and Sir Thomas More; and still greater between Robert of Gloucester, +1278, and John Trevisa, or his contemporary Wickliffe, who died 1384, +know, to a certainty, that the writers enumerated by Chatterton, without +surmounting a physical impossibility, could not have written in the same +undeviating style. + +Perhaps it may be affirmed that numerous old parchments were obtained +from the Muniment Room or elsewhere. This fact is undeniable; but they +are understood to consist of ancient ecclesiastical deeds, as unconnected +with poetry, as they were with galvanism. + +Let the dispassionate enquirer ask himself, whether he thinks it possible +for men, living in distant ages, when our language was unformed, and +therefore its variations the greater, to write in the same style? Whether +it was possible for the Abbatte John, composing in the year 1186, when +the amalgamation of the Saxon and the Norman formed an almost +inexplicable jargon, to write in a manner, as to its construction, +intimately resembling that now in vogue. On the contrary, how easy is the +solution, when we admit that the person who wrote the first part of the +"Battle of Hastings," and the death of "Syr Charles Bawdin," wrote also +the rest. + +Does it not appear marvellous, that the learned advocates of Rowley +should not have regarded the ground on which they stood as somewhat +unstable, when they found Chatterton readily avow that he wrote the first +part of the "Battle of Hastings," and discovered the second, as composed +three hundred years before, by Thomas Rowley? This was indeed an +unparalleled coincidence. A boy writes the commencement of a narrative +poem, and then finds in the Muniment-Room, the second part, or a +continuation, by an old secular priest, with the same, characters, +written in the same style, and even in the same metre! + +Another extraordinary feature in the question, is the following; there +are preserved in the British Museum, numerous deeds and proclamations, by +Thomas Rowley, in Chatterton's writing, relating to the antiquities of +Bristol, all in modern English, designed no doubt, by the young bard, for +his friend Mr. Barrett; but the chrysalis had not yet advanced to its +winged state. + +One of the proclamations begins thus: + +"To all Christian people to whom this indented writing shall come, +William Canynge, of Bristol, merchant, and Thomas Rowley, priest, send +greeting: Whereas certain disputes have arisen between," &c., &c. + +Who does not perceive that these were the first rough sketches of genuine +old documents that _were to be?_ + +In an account of "St. Marie Magdalene's Chapele, by Thomas Rowley," +deposited also in the British Museum, there is the following sentence, +which implies much: "Aelle, the founder thereof, was a manne myckle +stronge yn vanquysheynge the Danes, as yee maie see ynne mie unwordie +Entyrlude of Ella!" + +It is Rome or Carthage. It is Rowley or Chatterton: and a hope is +cherished that the public, from this moment, will concur in averring that +there is neither internal nor external evidence, to authorize the belief +that a single line of either the prose or the verse, attributed to +Rowley, or the rest of his apocryphal characters, was written by any +other than that prodigy of the eighteenth century, Thomas Chatterton. + +The opinion entertained by many, that Chatterton found part of Rowley, +and invented the rest, is attended with insurmountable objections, and is +never advanced but in the deficiency of better argument; for in the first +place, those who favor this supposition, have never supported it by the +shadow of proof, or the semblance even of fair inferential reasoning; and +in the second place, he who wrote half, could have written the whole; and +in the third, and principal place, there are no inequalities in the +poems; no dissimilar and incongruous parts, but all is regular and +consistent, and without, in the strict sense of the word, bearing any +resemblance to the writers of the period when Rowley is stated to have +lived. + +Whoever examines the beautiful tragedy of Ella, will find an accurate +adjustment of plan, which precludes the possibility of its having been +conjointly written by different persons, at the distance of centuries. +With respect, also, to the structure of the language, it is +incontrovertibly modern, as well as uniform with itself, and exhibits the +most perfect specimens of harmony; which cannot be interrupted by slight +orthographical redundancies, nor by the sprinkling of a few uncouth and +antiquated words. + +The structure of Rowley's verse is so unequivocally modern, that by +substituting the present orthography for the past, and changing two or +three of the old words, the fact must become obvious, even to those who +are wholly unacquainted with the barbarisms of the "olden time." As a +corroboration of this remark, the first verse of the song to Aella may be +adduced. + + "O thou, or what remains of thee, + Aella, thou darling of futurity. + Let this, my song, bold as thy courage be, + As everlasting--to posterity." + +But, perhaps, the most convincing proof of this modern character of +Rowley's verse, may be derived from the commencement of the chorus in +Godwin. + + "When Freedom, dress'd in blood-stain'd vest, + To every knight her war-song sung, + Upon her head wild weeds were spread, + A gory anlace by her hung. + She danced on the heath; + She heard the voice of death; + Pale-eyed Affright, his heart of silver hue, + In vain essay'd his bosom to acale, [freeze] + She heard, enflamed, the shivering voice of woe, + And sadness in the owlet shake the dale. + She shook the pointed spear; + On high she raised her shield; + Her foemen all appear, + And fly along the field. + + Power, with his head exalted to the skies, + His spear a sun-beam, and his shield a star, + Round, like two flaming meteors, rolls his eyes, + Stamps with his iron foot, and sounds to war: + She sits upon a rock, + She bends before his spear; + She rises from the shock, + Wielding her own in air. + Hard as the thunder doth she drive it on, + And, closely mantled, guides it to his crown, + His long sharp spear, his spreading shield, is gone; + He falls, and falling, rolleth thousands down." + +Every reader must be struck with the modern character of these extracts, +nor can he fail to have noticed the lyrical measure, so eminently +felicitous, with which the preceding ode commences; together with the +bold image of freedom triumphing over power. If the merits of the +Rowleian Controversy rented solely on this one piece, it would be +decisive; for no man, in the least degree familiar with our earlier +metrical compositions, and especially if he were a poet, could hesitate a +moment in assigning this chorus to a recent period. + +It is impossible not to believe that the whole of Rowley was written at +first in modern English, and then the orthographical metamorphose +commenced; and to one who had prepared himself, like Chatterton, with a +dictionary, alternately modern and old, and old and modern, the task of +transformation was not difficult, even to an ordinary mind. It should be +remembered also, that Chatterton furnished a complete glossary to the +whole of Rowley. Had he assumed ignorance, it might have checked, without +removing suspicion, but at present it appears inexplicable, that our sage +predecessors should not have been convinced that one who could write, in +his own person, with such superiority as Chatterton indisputably did, +would be quite competent to give words to another, the meaning of which +he so well understood himself. + +But the thought will naturally arise, what could have prompted +Chatterton, endued as he was, with so much original talent, to renounce +his own personal aggrandizement, and to transfer the credit of his +opulence to another. It is admitted to be an improvident expenditure of +reputation, but no inference advantageous to Rowley can be deduced from +this circumstance. The eccentricities and aberrations of genius, have +rarely been restricted by line and plummet, and the present is a +memorable example of perverted talent; but all this may be conceded, +without shaking the argument here contended for. + +There is a process in all our pursuits, and the nice inspector of +associations can almost uniformly trace his predilections to some +definite cause. This, doubtless, was the case with Chatterton. He found +old parchments early in life. In the first instance, it became an object +of ambition to decipher the obscure. One difficulty surmounted, +strengthened the capacity for conquering others; perseverance gave +facility, till at length his vigorous attention was effectually directed +to what he called "antique lore:" and this confirmed bias of his mind, +connected as it was, with his inveterate proneness to impose on others, +and supported by talents which have scarcely been equalled, reduces the +magnified wonder of Rowley, to a plain, comprehensible question. + +Dean Milles, in his admiration of Rowley, appeared to derive pleasure +from depreciating Chatterton, who had avowed himself the writer of that +inimitable poem, "The Death of Syr Charles Bawdin," but well knowing the +consequences which would follow on this admission, he laboured hard to +impeach the veracity of our bard, and represented him as one who, from +vanity, assumed to himself the writing of another! Dean Milles affirms, +that of this "Death of Syr Charles Bawdin," "A greater variety of +internal proofs may be produced, for its authenticity, than for that of +any other piece in the whole collection!" This virtually, was abandoning +the question; for since we know that Chatterton did write "The Death of +Syr Charles Bawdin," we know that he wrote that which had stronger proofs +of the authenticity of Rowley than all the other pieces in the +collection! + +The numerous proofs adduced of Chatterton's passion for fictitious +statements; of his intimate acquaintance with antiquated language; of the +almost preternatural maturity of his mind; of the dissimilitude of +Rowley's language to contemporaneous writers; and of the obviously modern +structure of all the compositions which the young bard produced, as the +writings of Rowley and others, form, it is presumed, a mass of +Anti-Rowleian evidence, which proves that Chatterton possessed that +peculiar disposition, as well as those pre-eminent talents, the union of +which was both necessary and equal to the great production of Rowley...." + +J. C. + + + + +THE WEARY PILGRIM + + Weary Pilgrim, dry thy tear, + Look beyond these realms of night; + Mourn not, with redemption near, + Faint not, with the goal in sight. + + Grief and pain are needful things, + Sent to chasten, not to slay; + And if pleasures have their wings, + Sorrows quickly pass away. + + Where are childhood's sighs and throes? + Where are youth's tumultuous fears? + Where are manhood's thousand woes? + Lost amidst the lapse of years! + + There are treasures which to gain, + Might a seraph's heart inspire; + There are joys which will remain + When the world is wrapt in fire. + + Hope, with her expiring beam, + May illume our last delight; + But our trouble soon will seem, + Like the visions of the night. + + We too oft remit our pace, + And at ease in slumbers dwell; + We are loiterers in our race, + And afflictions break the spell. + + Woe to him, whoe'er he be, + Should (severest test below!) + All around him like a sea, + Health, and wealth, and honors, flow! + + When unclouded suns we hail, + And our cedars proudly wave; + We forget their tenure frail, + With the bounteous hand that gave. + + We on dangerous paths are bound, + Call'd to battle and to bleed; + We have hostile spirits round, + And the warrior's armour need. + + We, within, have deadlier foes, + Wills rebellious, hearts impure; + God, the best physician, knows + What the malady will cure. + + Earth is lovely! dress'd in flowers! + O'er her form luxuriant thrown, + But a lovelier world is ours, + Visible to faith alone. + + Here the balm and spicy gales, + For a moment fill the air; + Here the mutable prevails, + Permanence alone is there. + + Heaven to gain is worth our toil! + Angels call us to their sphere; + But to time's ignoble soil + We are bound, and will not hear. + + Heaven attracts not! On we dream; + Cast like wrecks upon the shore + Where perfection reigns supreme, + And adieus are heard no more. + + What is life? a tale! a span! + Swifter than the eagle's flight; + What the boasted age of man? + Vanishing beneath the sight. + + Yet, our ardours and desires + Centred, circumscribed by earth; + Whilst eternity retires-- + As an object nothing worth! + + Oh, the folly of the proud! + Oh, the madness of the vain! + After every toy to crowd, + And unwithering crowns disdain! + + Mighty men in grand array, + Magnates of the ages past, + Kings and conquerors, where are they? + Once whose frown a world o'ercast? + + Faded! yet by fame enroll'd, + With their busts entwined with bays; + But if God his smile withhold, + Pitiful is human praise. + + With what sadness and surprise, + Must Immortals view our lot;-- + Eager for the flower that dies, + And the Amaranth heeding not. + + May we from our dreams awake, + Love the truth, the truth obey; + On our night let morning break-- + Prelude of a nobler day. + + Harmony prevails above, + Where all hearts together blend; + Let the concords sweet of love, + Now begin and never end. + + Have we not one common sire? + Have we not one home in sight? + Let the sons of peace conspire + Not to sever, but unite. + + Hence, forgetful of the past, + May we all as brethren own, + Whom we hope to meet at last-- + Round the everlasting throne. + + Father! source of blessedness, + In thy strength triumphant ride; + Let the world thy Son confess, + And thy name be magnified! + + Let thy word of truth prevail, + Scattering darkness, errors, lies; + Let all lands the treasure hail-- + Link that binds us to the skies. + + Let thy spirit, rich and free, + Copious shed his power divine, + Till (Creation's Jubilee!) + All Earth's jarring realms are thine! + + Saints who once on earth endured-- + Beating storm and thorny way, + Have the prize they sought secured, + And have enter'd perfect day. + + Wiser taught,--with vision clear, + (Kindled from the light above) + Now their bitterest woes appear-- + Charged with blessings, fraught with love:-- + + For, as earthly scenes withdrew, + In their false, but flattering guise, + They, rejoicing, fix'd their view-- + On the mansions in the skies. + + Art thou fearful of the end? + Dread not Jordan's swelling tide; + With the Saviour for thy friend! + With the Spirit for thy guide! + + Why these half subdued alarms-- + At the prospect of thy flight? + Has thy Father's house no charms?-- + There to join the Saints in Light? + + Terrors banish from thy breast, + Hope must solace, faith sustain; + Thou art journeying on to rest, + And with God shalt live and reign. + + Then, fruition, like the morn, + Will unlock her boundless store;-- + Roses bloom without a thorn, + And the day-star set no more. + + But, an ocean lies between-- + Stormy, to be cross'd alone; + With no ray to intervene-- + O'er the cold and dark unknown! + + Lo! a soft and soothing voice + Steals like music on my ears;-- + "Let the drooping heart rejoice; + See! a glorious dawn appears!" + + "When thy parting hours draw near, + And thou trembling view'st the last; + Christ and only Christ can cheer, + And o'er death a radiance cast!" + + Weary Pilgrim, dry thy tear, + Look beyond these shades of night; + Mourn not with Redemption near, + Faint not with the goal in sight. + + J. C. + +_Bristol, March 9, 1846._ + + + + +Footnotes: + +[1] The reader will bear in mind that the present work consists of +Autobiography, and therefore, however repugnant to the writer's feelings, +the apparent egotism has been unavoidable. + + +[2] Robert Lovell, himself was a poet, as will appear by the following +being one of his Sonnets. + + STONEHENGE. + + Was it a spirit on yon shapeless pile? + It wore, methought, a holy Druid's form, + Musing on ancient days! The dying storm + Moan'd in his lifted locks. Thou, night! the while + Dost listen to his sad harp's wild complaint, + Mother of shadows! as to thee he pours + The broken strain, and plaintively deplores + The fall of Druid fame! Hark! murmurs faint + Breathe on the wavy air! and now more loud + Swells the deep dirge; accustomed to complain + Of holy rites unpaid, and of the crowd + Whose ceaseless steps the sacred haunts profane. + O'er the wild plain the hurrying tempest flies, + And, mid the storm unheard, the song of sorrow dies. + + +[3] I had an opportunity of introducing Mr. Southey at this time, to the +eldest Mrs. More, who invited him down to spend some whole day with her +sister Hannah, at their then residence, Cowslip Green. On this occasion, +as requested, I accompanied him. The day was full of converse. On my +meeting one of the ladies soon after, I was gratified to learn that Mr. +S. equally pleased all five of the sisters. She said he was "brim full of +literature, and one of the most elegant, and intellectual young men they +had seen." + + +[4] It might he intimated, that, for the establishment of these lectures, +there was, in Mr. Coleridge's mind, an interior spring of action. He +wanted to "build up" a provision for his speedy marriage with Miss Sarah +Fricker: and with these grand combined objects before him, no effort +appeared too vast to be accomplished by his invigorated faculties. + + +[5] Copied from his MS. as delivered, not from his "Conciones ad Populum" +as printed, where it will be found in a contracted state. + + +[6] Muir, Palmer, and Margarot. + + +[7] An eminent medical man in Bristol, who greatly admired Mr. +Coleridge's conversation and genius, on one occasion, invited Mr. C. to +dine with him, on a given day. The invitation was accepted, and this +gentleman, willing to gratify his friends with an introduction to Mr. C. +invited a large assemblage, for the express purpose of meeting him, and +made a splendid entertainment, anticipating the delight which would be +universally felt from Mr. C. a far-famed eloquence. It unfortunately +happened that Mr. Coleridge had forgotten all about it! and the +gentleman, [with his guests, after waiting till the hot became cold] +under his mortification consoled himself by the resolve, never again to +subject himself to a like disaster. No explanation or apology on my part +could soothe the choler of this disciple of Glen. A dozen subscribers to +his lectures fell off from this slip of his memory. + + "Sloth jaundiced all! and from my graspless hand + Drop friendship's precious perls, like hour-glass sand. + I weep, yet stoop not! the faint anguish flows, + A dreamy pang in morning's feverish doze," + + +[8] This honest upholsterer, (a Mr. W. a good little weak man) attended +the preaching of the late eloquent Robert Hall. At one time an odd fancy +entered his mind, such as would have occurred to none other; namely, that +he possessed ministerial gifts; and with this notion uppermost in his +head, he was sorely perplexed, to determine whether he ought not to +forsake the shop, and ascend the pulpit. + +In this uncertainty, he thought his discreetest plan would be to consult +his Minister; in conformity with which, one morning he called on Mr. +Hall, and thus began. "I call on you this morning, Sir, on a very +important business!" "Well Sir." "Why you must know, Sir--I can hardly +tell how to begin." "Let me hear, Sir." "Well Sir, if I must tell you, +for these two months past I have had a strong persuasion on my mind, that +I possess ministerial talents."--Mr. Hall (whose ideas were high of +ministerial requisites) saw his delusion, and determined at once to check +it. The Upholsterer continued: "Though a paper-hanger by trade, yet, sir, +I am now satisfied that I am called to give up my business, and attend to +something better; for you know, Mr. Hall, I should not bury my talents in +a napkin." "O Sir," said Mr. H. "you need not use a napkin, a +pocket-handkerchief will do." + +This timely rebuke kept the good man to his paper-hangings for the +remainder of his days, for whenever he thought of the ministry, this same +image of the pocket-handkerchief, always damped his courage. + + +[9] Gilbert's derangement was owing to the loss of a naval cause at +Portsmouth, in which he was concerned as an Advocate. Among other +instances, one time when at his lodgings, he interpreted those words of +Christ personally, "Sell all that thou hast and distribute to the poor," +when, without the formality of selling, he thought the precept might be +more summarily fulfilled, and therefore, one morning he tumbled every +thing he had in his room, through the window, into the street, that the +poor might help themselves; bed, bolsters, blankets, sheets, chairs! &c., +&c, but unfortunately, it required at that season a higher exercise of +the clear reasoning process than he possessed, to distinguish accurately +between his own goods and chattels and those of his landlady! + +He had all the volubility of a practised advocate, and seemed to delight +in nothing so much as discussion, whether on the unconfirmed parallactic +angle of Sirius, or the comparative weight of two straws. Amid the circle +in which he occasionally found himself, ample scope was often given him +for the exercise of this faculty. I once invited him, for the first time, +to meet the late Robert Hall. I had calculated on some interesting +discourse, aware that each was peculiarly susceptible of being aroused by +opposition. The anticipations entertained on this occasion were +abundantly realized. Their conversation, for some time, was mild and +pleasant, each, for each, receiving an instinctive feeling of respect; +but the subject happened to be started, of the contra-distinguishing +merits of Hannah More and Ann Yearsley. By an easy transition, this led +to the quarrel that some time before had taken place between these two +remarkable females; the one occupying the summit, and the other moving in +about the lowest grade of human society; but in genius, compeers. They at +once took opposite sides. One argument elicited another, till at length +each put forth his utmost strength, and such felicitous torrents of +eloquence could rarely have been surpassed; where on each side ardour was +repelled with fervency, and yet without the introduction of the least +indecorous expression. + +Gilbert was an astrologer; and at the time of a person's birth, he would +with undoubting confidence predict all the leading events of his future +life, and sometimes (if he knew anything of his personal history) even +venture to declare the past. The caution with which he usually touched +the second subject, formed a striking contrast with the positive +declarations concerning the first. + +I was acquainted at this time with a medical man of enlarged mind and +considerable scientific attainments; and accidentally mentioning to him +that a friend of mine was a great advocate for this sublime science, he +remarked, "I should like to see him, and one half hour would be +sufficient to despoil him of his weapons, and lay him prostrate in the +dust." I said, "if you will sup with me I will introduce you to the +astrologer, and if you can beat this nonsense out of his head, you will +benefit him and all his friends." When the evening arrived, it appeared +fair to apprise William Gilbert that I was going to introduce him to a +doctor, who had kindly and gratuitously undertaken to cure him of all his +astrological maladies. "Will he?" said Gilbert. "The malady is on his +side. Perhaps I may cure him." + +Each having a specific business before him, there was no hesitation or +skirmishing, but at first sight they both, like tried veterans, in good +earnest addressed themselves to war. On one side, there was a +manifestation of sound sense and cogent argument; on the other, a +familiarity with all those arguments, combined with great subtlety in +evading them; and this sustained by new and ingenious sophisms. My +medical friend, for some time stood his ground manfully, till, at length, +he began to quail, apparently from the verbal torrent with which he was +so unexpectedly assailed. Encountered thus by so fearful and consummate a +disputant, whose eyes flashed fire in unison with his oracular tones and +empassioned language, the doctor's quiver unaccountably became exhausted, +and his spirit subdued. He seemed to look around for some mantle in which +to hide the mortification of defeat; and the more so from his previous +confidence. Never was a more triumphant victory, as it would +superficially appear, achieved by ingenious volubility in a bad cause, +over arguments, sound, but inefficiently wielded in a cause that was +good. A fresh instance of the man of sense vanquished by the man of +words. + + +[10] I would here subjoin, that when money, in future, may thus be +collected for ingenious individuals, it might be the wisest procedure to +transfer the full amount, at once, to the beneficiary, (unless under very +peculiar circumstances.) This is felt to be both handsome and generous, +and the obligation is permanently impressed on the mind. If the money +then be improvidently dissipated, he who acts thus ungratefully to his +benefactors, and cruelly to himself, reflects on his own folly alone. But +when active and benevolent agents, who have raised subscriptions, will +entail trouble on themselves, and with a feeling almost paternal, charge +themselves with a disinterested solicitude for future generations, +without a strong effort of the reasoning power, the favour is reduced to +a fraction. Dissatisfaction almost necessarily ensues, and the accusation +of ingratitude is seldom far behind. + + +[11] The Rev. James Newton, was Classical Tutor at the Bristol Baptist +Academy, in conjunction with the late Dr. Caleb Evans, and, for a short +season, the late Robert Hall. He was my most revered and honoured friend, +who lived for twenty years an inmate in my Father's family, and to whom I +am indebted in various ways, beyond my ability to express. His learning +was his least recommendation. His taste for elegant literature; his fine +natural understanding, his sincerity, and conciliating manners justified +the eulogium expressed by Dr. Evans in preaching his Funeral Sermon, +1789, when he said (to a weeping congregation), that "He never made an +enemy, nor lost a friend." + +Mr. Newton was on intimate terms with the late Dean Tucker, and the Rev. +Sir James Stonehouse, the latter of whom introduced him to Hannah More, +who contracted for him, as his worth and talents became more and more +manifest, a sincere and abiding friendship. Mr. Newton had the honour of +teaching Hannah More Latin. The time of his instructing her did not +exceed ten months. She devoted to this one subject the whole of her time, +and all the energies of her mind. Mr. Newton spoke of her to me as +exemplifying how much might be attained in a short time by talent and +determination combined; and he said, for the limited period of his +instruction, she surpassed in her progress all others whom he had ever +known. H. More was in the habit of submitting her MSS. to Mr. N.'s +judicious remarks, and by this means, from living in the same house with +him, I preceded the public in inspecting some of her productions; +particularly her MS. Poem on the "Slave Trade," and her "Bas Bleu." When +a boy, many an evening do I recollect to have listened in wonderment to +colloquisms and disputations carried on in Latin between Mr. Newton and +John Henderson. It gives me pleasure to have borne this brief testimony +of respect toward one on whom memory so often and so fondly reposes! Best +of men, and kindest of friends, "farewell till we do meet +again!"-(Bowles.) + + +[12] From his natural unassumed dignity, Mr. Foster used to call Mr. Hall +"_Jupiter_." + + +[13] Mr. Hall broke down all distinction of sects and parties. On one of +his visits to Bristol, when preaching at the chapel in Broadmead, a +competent individual noticed in the thronged assembly an Irish Bishop, a +Dean, and thirteen Clergymen. The late Dr. Parr was an enthusiastic +admirer of Mr. Hall. He said to a friend of the writer, after a warm +eulogium on the eloquence of Mr. H. "In short, sir, the man is inspired." +Hannah More has more than once said to the writer, "There was no man in +the church, nor out of it, comparable in talents to Robert Hall." + + +[14] I presented Mr. C. with the three guineas, but forbore the +publication. + + +[15] I received a note, at this time, from Mr. Coleridge, evidently +written in a moment of perturbation, apologising for not accepting an +invitation of a more congenial nature, on account of his "Watch +drudgery." At another time, he was reluctantly made a prisoner from the +same cause, as will appear by the following note. + +"April, 1796. + +My dear Cottle, + +My eye is so inflamed that I cannot stir out. It is alarmingly inflamed. +In addition to this, the Debates which Burnet undertook to abridge for +me, he has abridged in such a careless, slovenly manner, that I was +obliged to throw them into the fire, and am now doing them myself!... + +S. T. C." + + +[16] This "sheet" of Sonnets never arrived. + + +[17] A late worthy bookseller of Bristol, who by his exertions obtained +one hundred and twenty subscribers for Mr. C. + + +[18] "My Bristol printer of the Watchman refused to wait a month for his +money, and threatened to throw me into jail for between _eighty_ and +_ninety_ pounds; when the money was paid by a friend."--_Biographia +Literaria_. Mr. C.'s memory was here grievously defective. The fact is, +Biggs the printer (a worthy man) never threatened nor even importuned for +his Money. Instead also of _nine_ numbers of the Watchman, there were +_ten_; and the printing of these ten numbers, came but to _thirty five_ +pounds. The whole of the Paper (which cost more than the Printing) was +paid for by the Writer. + + +[19] It is evident Mr. C. must have had cause of complaint against one or +more of the booksellers before named. It could not apply to myself, as I +invariably adhered to a promise I had at the commencement given Mr. +Coleridge, not to receive any allowance for what copies of the 'Watchman' +I might be so happy as to sell for him. + + +[20] In all Mr. Coleridge's lectures, he was a steady opposer of Mr. +Pitt, and the then existing war; and also an enthusiastic admirer of Pox, +Sheridan, Grey, &c., &c., but his opposition to the reigning politics +discovered little asperity; it chiefly appeared by wit and sarcasm, and +commonly ended in that which was the speaker's chief object, a laugh. + +Few attended Mr. C.'s lectures but those whose political views were +similar to his own; but on one occasion, some gentlemen of the opposite +party came into the lecture-room, and at one sentiment they heard, +testified their disapprobation by the only easy and safe way in their +power; namely, by a hiss. The auditors were startled at so unusual a +sound, not knowing to what it might conduct; but their noble leader soon +quieted their fears, by instantly remarking with great coolness, "I am +not at all surprised, when the red-hot prejudices of aristocrats are +suddenly plunged iuto the cool water of reason, that they should go off +with a hiss!" The words were electric. The assailants felt as well as +testified, their confusion, and the whole company confirmed it by immense +applause! There was no more hissing. + + +[21] A law just then passed. + + +[22] It is this general absence of the dates to Mr. C.'s letters, which +may have occasioned me, in one or two instances, to err in the +arrangement. + + +[23] Mr. Wordsworth, at this time resided at Allfoxden House, two or +three miles from Stowey. + + +[24] How much is it to be deplored, that one whose views were so enlarged +as those of Mr. Coleridge, and his conceptions so Miltonic, should have +been satisfied with theorizing merely; and that he did not, like his +great Prototype, concentrate all his energies, so as to produce some one +august poetical work, which should become the glory of his country. + + +[25] Sister of the Premier. + + +[26] It appears from Sir James Macintosh's Life, published by his son, +that a diminution of respect towards Sir James was entertained by Mr. +For, arising from the above two letters of Mr. Coleridge, which appeared +in the Morning Post. Some enemy of Sir James had informed Mr. Fox that +these two letters were written by Macintosh, and which exceedingly +wounded his mind. Before the error could be corrected, Mr. Fox died. This +occurrence was deplored by Sir James, in a way that showed his deep +feeling of regret, but which, as might be supposed, did not prevent him +from bearing the amplest testimony to the social worth and surpassing +talents of that great statesman. + +Mr. Coleridge's Bristol friends will remember that once Mr. Fox was +idolized by him as the paragon of political excellence; and Mr. Pitt +depressed in the same proportion. + + +[27] The following is the Sonnet to Lord Stanhope, in the first edition, +now omitted. + + "Not STANHOPE! with the _patriot's_ doubtful name + I mock thy worth, FRIEND OF THE HUMAN RACE! + Since, scorning faction's low and partial aim, + Aloof thou wendest in thy stately pace, + Thyself redeeming from that leprous stain-- + NOBILITY! and, aye unterrified, + Pourest thy Abdiel warnings on the train + That sit complotting with rebellious pride + 'Gainst her, who from th' Almighty's bosom leapt, + With whirlwind arm, fierce minister of love! + Wherefore, ere virtue o'er thy tomb hath wept. + Angels shall lead thee to the throne above, + And thou from forth its clouds shalt hear the voice-- + Champion of FREEDOM, and her God, rejoice! + + +[28] The Skylark. + + +[29] It is to be regretted that Mr. C. in his emendations, should have +excluded from the second verse of the first poem, the two best lines in +the piece. + + "And thy inmost soul confesses + Chaste Affection's majesty." + + +[30] Mr. C. afterward requested that the "allegorical lines" might alone +be printed in his second edition, with this title: "To an Unfortunate +Woman, whom the Author had known in the days of her innocence." The first +Poem, "Maiden, that with sullen brow," &c. he meant to re-write, and +which he will be found to have done, with considerable effect. + + +[31] Mr. Wordsworth lived at Racedown, before he removed to Allfoxden. + + +[32] Mr. C. after much hesitation, had intended to begin his second +edition with this Poem from the "Joan of Arc," in its enlarged, but +imperfect state, and even sent it to the press; but the discouraging +remarks, which he remembered, of one and another, at the last moment, +shook his resolution, and occasioned him to withdraw it wholly. He +commenced his volume with the "Ode to the Departing Year." + + +[33] WRITTEN, (1793) WITH A PENCIL, ON THE WALL OP THE ROOM IN BRISTOL +NEWGATE, WHERE SAVAGE DIED. + + Here Savage lingered long, and here expired! + The mean--the proud--the censored--the admired! + + If, wandering o'er misfortune's sad retreat, + Stranger! these lines arrest thy passing feet, + And recollection urge the deeds of shame + That tarnish'd once an unblest Poet's fame; + Judge not another till thyself art free, + And hear the gentle voice of charity. + "No friend received him, and no mother's care + Sheltered his infant innocence with prayer; + No father's guardian hand his youth maintained, + Call'd forth his virtues, or from vice restrain'd." + Reader! hadst thou been to neglect consign'd, + And cast upon the mercy of mankind; + Through the wide world, like Savage, forced to stray, + And find, like him, one long and stormy day; + Objects less noble might thy soul have swayed, + Or crimes around thee cast a deeper shade. + While poring o'er another's mad career, + Drop for thyself the penitential tear; + Though prized by friends, and nurs'd in innocence, + How oft has folly wrong'd thy better sense: + But if some virtues in thy breast there be, + Ask, if they sprang from _circumstance_, or _thee!_ + And ever to thy heart the precept bear, + When thine own conscience smites, a wayward brother spare! + +J. C. + + +[34] My brother, when at Cambridge, had written a Latin poem for the +prize: the subject, "Italia, Vastata," and sent it to Mr. Coleridge, with +whom he was on friendly terms, in MS. requesting the favor of his +remarks; and this he did about six weeks before it was necessary to +deliver it in. Mr. C. in an immediate letter, expressed his approbation +of the Poem, and cheerfully undertook the task; but with a little of his +procrastination, he returned the MS. with his remarks, just one day after +it was too late to deliver the poem in! + + +[35] Verbatim, from Burns's dedication of his Poems to the nobility and +gentry of the Caledonian Hunt. + + +[36] It appears that Mr. Burnet had been prevailed upon by smugglers to +buy some prime cheap brandy, but which Mr. Coleridge affirmed to be a +compound of Hellebore, kitchen grease, and Assafoetida! or something as +bad. + + +[37] Mr. George Burnet died at the age of thirty-two, 1807. + + +[38] The reader will have observed a peculiarity in most of Mr. +Coleridge's conclusions to his letters. He generally says, "God bless +you, and, or eke, S. T. C." so as to involve a compound blessing. + + +[39] Mrs. Newton, Chatterton's sister, had complained to me of the +dishonorable conduct of a gentleman, who, some years prior, had called on +her, expressing an enthusiastic admiration of her brother's genius, and +requesting the melancholy pleasure of seeing all the letters, then in her +and her mother's possession. The gentleman appeared quite affected when +he saw her brother's writings, and begged to be allowed to take them to +his inn, that he might read them at leisure; the voice of sympathy +disarmed suspicion, and the timely present of a guinea and a half induced +them to trust him with the MSS., under the promise of their being +returned in half an hour. They were never restored, and some months +afterwards the whole were incorporated and published in a pamphlet, +entitled "Love and Madness," by Mr. Herbert Croft. Mrs. Chatterton felt +the grievous wrong that had been done her by this publication for the +benefit of another, as she often received presents from strangers who +called to see her son's writings; she remonstrated with Mr. Croft on the +subject, and received £10 with expressions of his regard. + +Here the affair rested, till 1796, when Mrs. Newton was advised to write +to Mr. Croft, for further remuneration. To this letter, no answer was +returned. Mrs. N. then wrote again, intimating that, acting by the advice +of some respectable friends, if no attention was paid to this letter, +some public notice would he taken of the manner in which he had obtained +her brother's papers. Upon this he replied, "The sort of threatening +letter which Mrs. Newton's is, will never succeed with me ... but if the +clergyman of the parish will do me the favour to write me word, through +Mrs. Newton, what Chatterton's relations consist of, and, _what +characters they bear!_ I will try by everything in my power, to serve +them; yet certainly not, if any of them pretend to have the smallest +_claim_ upon me." + +During Mr. Southey's residence in Bristol, I informed him of this +discreditable affair, and accompanied him to Mrs. Newton, who confirmed +the whole of the preceding statement. We inquired if she still possessed +any writings of her brother's? Her reply was, "Nothing. Mr. Croft had +them all," with the exception of one precious relic of no value as a +publication, which she meant to retain till death.--The identical pocket +book, which Chatterton took with him to London, and in which he had +entered his cash account while there, with a list of his political +letters to the Lord Mayor, and the first personages in the laud. I now +wrote to Mr. Croft, pointing out Mrs. Newton's reasonable chums, and +urging him, by a timely concession, to prevent that publicity which, +otherwise, would follow. I received no answer. Mr. Southey then +determined to print by subscription, all Chatterton's works, including +those ascribed to Rowley, for the benefit of Mrs. Newton and her +daughter. He sent "Proposals" to the Monthly Magazine, in which he +detailed the whole case between Mrs. Newton and Mr. Croft, and published +their respective letters. The public sympathized rightly on the occasion, +for a handsome subscription followed. Mr. Croft, at that time resided at +Copenhagen, when having heard of Mr. S.'s exposure, he published a +pamphlet, with the following title. + +"Chatterton, and Love and Madness. A Letter from Denmark, respecting an +unprovoked attack made upon the writer, during his absence from England, +&c." By the Rev. Sir Herbert Croft, Bart. In this he says:-- + +"I cannot be expected, by any man of honour! or feeling, to descend to +answer a scurrilous person, signing himself Robert Southey. + +"I have ever reverenced the little finger of Chatterton, more than Mr. +Southey knows how to respect the poor boy's whole body. + +"I learn so much of Mr. Southey's justice from his abuse, that I should +be ashamed of myself, were this person ever to disgrace me by his praise; +which might happen, did he wish to gain money, or fame! by becoming the +officious editor of MY WORKS! + +"Innocence would less often fall a prey to villany, if it boldly met the +whole of a nefarious accusation! + +"The great Mr. Southey writes prose somewhat like bad poetry, and poetry +somewhat like bad prose. + +"Chatterton was the glory of that Bristol which I hope Mr. S. will not +farther disgrace. + +"Mr. Southey, not content with trying to 'filch from me my good name,' in +order to enrich himself, (conduct agreeable enough to what I have heard +of BRISTOL Pantisocracy,) but condescends to steal from me my humble +prose!" &c. &c. + +This edition of Chatterton's works was published in three volumes, 8vo. +during a ten months' residence of mine, in London, in the year 1802. Mr. +Southey allowed me to make what observations I thought proper in the +course of the work, provided that I affixed to them my initials; and, +with the generosity which was natural to him, thus wrote in the preface: +"The editors (for so much of the business has devolved on Mr. Cottle, +that the plural term is necessary) have to acknowledge," &c. &c. "They +have felt peculiar pleasure, as natives of the same city, in performing +this act of justice to Chatterton's fame, and to the interests of his +family." + +The result of our labours was, that Mrs. Newton, received more than three +hundred pounds, as the produce of her brother's works. This money +rendered comfortable the last days of herself and daughter, and Mr +Southey and myself derived no common satisfaction in having contributed +to so desirable an end. + +In this edition Mr. Southey arranged all the old materials, and the +consideration of the authenticity of Rowley, I regret to say, devolved +exclusively on me. Mr. S. would doubtless have been more successful in +his investigations at the Bristol Museum and Herald's College than +myself. I however did not spare my best efforts, and was greatly assisted +by the late Mr. Haslewood, who had collected one copy of every work that +had been published in the Controversy. And as I had obtained much new +documentary evidence since that period, besides knowing many of +Chatterton's personal friends, I condensed the arguments in his favor +into four essays, distinguished by the initials, "J. C." + +In the year 1829, having received still an accession of fresh matter, I +enlarged these Essays, and printed them in the fourth edition of "Malvern +Hills, Poems, and Essays." I thought the subject worthy a full +discussion, and final settlement; and to this point I believe it now to +be brought. + +Higher authority than that of Mr. Wordsworth could hardly be adduced, who +on being presented by me with a copy of the above work thus replied, + +"My dear sir, + +I received yesterday, through the hands of Mr. Southey, a very agreeable +mark of your regard, in a present of two volumes of your miscellaneous +works, for which accept my sincere thanks. I have read a good deal of +your volumes with much pleasure, and, in particular, the 'Malvern Hills,' +which I found greatly improved. I have also read the 'Monody on +Henderson,' both favorites of mine. And I have renewed my acquaintance +with your observations on Chatterton, which I always thought very highly +of, _as being conclusive on the subject of the forgery_.... + +With many thanks, I remain, my dear Mr. Cottle, + +Your old and affectionate friend, + +William Wordsworth. + +Patterdale, August 2nd, 1829." + + +[40] War, a Fragment. + + +[41] John the Baptist, a Poem. + + +[42] Monody on John Henderson. + + +[43] Miss Sarah Fricker, afterwards, Mrs. Coleridge. + + +[44] Relating to these Sonnets, chiefly satirising himself, Mr. C. has +said, in his "Biographia;" "So general at that time, and so decided was +the opinion concerning the characteristic vices of my style, that a +celebrated physician, (Dr. Beddoes) speaking of me, in other respects, +with his usual kindness, to a gentleman who was about to meet me at a +dinner party, could not however resist giving him a hint not to mention, +in my presence, 'The House that Jack Built' for that I was as sore as a +boil about that sonnet, he not knowing that I myself was the author of +it." + +Mr. Coleridge had a singular taste for satirising himself. He has spoken +of another ludicrous consequence arising out of this indulgence. + +"An amateur performer in verse, expressed to a common friend, a strong +desire to be introduced to me, but hesitated in accepting my friend's +immediate offer, on the score that 'he was, he must acknowledge, the +author of a confounded severe epigram on Mr. C.'s 'Ancient Mariner,' +which had given him great pain.' I assured my friend, that if the epigram +was a good one, it would only increase my desire to become acquainted +with the author, and begged to hear it recited; when, to my no less +surprise than amusement, it proved to be one which I had myself, sometime +before, written and inserted in the Morning Post." + + TO THE AUTHOR OF THE ANCIENT MARINER. + + Your Poem must eternal be, + Dear Sir, it cannot fail, + For 'tis incomprehensible, + And without head or tail." + + +[45] The motto was the following: + +Duplex nobis vinculum, et amicitae et similium junctarumque Camoenarum; +quod utinam neque mors solvat, neque temporis longinquitas!--_Groscoll. +Epist. ad Car. Utenhov. et Ptol. Lux. Tast._ + + +[46] Eminent writers, particularly poets, should ever remember, they +wield a mighty engine for evil or for good. An author, like Mr. +Coleridge, may confidently talk of consigning to "pitch black oblivion," +writings which he deems immoral, or calculated to disparage his genius; +but on works once given to the world, the public lay too tenacious a +hold, to consult even the wishes of writers themselves. Improve they may, +but withdraw they cannot! So much the more is circumspection required. + + +[47] Chemical Lectures, by Dr. Beddoes, delivered at the Red Lodge. + + +[48] A portrait of Mr. Wordsworth, correctly and beautifully executed, by +an artist then at Stowey; now in my possession. + + +[49]Joan of Arc, 4to. first edition, had twenty lines in a page. + + +[50] Did the report of the "still," in the former page, originate in this +broken bottle of brandy? + + +[51] "Robert Southey and Edith Pricker were married, in St. Mary +Redcliffe Church, in the City of Bristol, the 14th day of November, 1795, +as appears by the Register of the Parish. + +George Campbell, Curate. + +Witnesses--Joseph Cottle, Sarah Cottle." + + +[52] At the instant Mr. Southey was about to set off on his travels, I +observed he had no stick, and lent him a stout holly of my own. In the +next year, on his return to Bristol, "Here" said Mr. S. "Here is the +holly you were kind enough to lend me!"--I have since then looked with +additional respect on my old igneous traveller, and remitted a portion of +his accustomed labour. It was a source of some amusement, when, in +November of 1836, Mr. Southey, in his journey to the West, to my great +gratification, spent a few days with me, and in talking of Spain and +Portugal, I showed him his companion, the Old Holly! Though somewhat bent +with age, the servant (after an interval of forty years) was immediately +recognised by his master, and with an additional interest, as this stick, +he thought, on one occasion, had been the means of saving his purse, if +not his life, from the sight of so efficient an instrument of defence +having intimidated a Spanish robber. + + +[53] See page 32 [Paragraph starting with "The deepest sorrow often +admits...." Transcriber.]. + + +[54] During the French war, Spanish dollars received the impression of +the King's head, and then passed as the current coin at 4s 6d. + + +[55] Dr. Hunter, translated St. Pierre. + + +[56] Dr. Gregory's life was prefixed entire the collection of +Chatterton's works, 8 vols. 8vo. Mr. Southey never fulfilled his +intention of writing a life Shatterton. The able review of this week, in +the Edinburgh was written by Sir Walter Scott. + + +[57] It was not true, but a vain fancy; causelessly entertained, by, at +least, four other ladies, under the same delusion as Miss. W. + + +[58] On visiting Mr. Southey, at Christ-Church, he introduced to me this +Mr. Rickman, whom I found sensible enough, and blunt enough, and +seditions enough; that is, simply anti-ministerial. The celebrated Sir G. +Rose, had his seat in the vicinity. Sir George was a sort of King of the +district. He was also Colonel of a regiment of volunteers. Mr. Rickman +told me that the great man had recently made a feast for the officers of +his regiment, about a dozen of them, the substantial yeomen of the +neighbourhood. After the usual bumper had uproariously been offered to +the "King and Constitution; and confusion to all Jacobins," the Colonel, +Sir G. called on the Lieutenant-Colonel, after the glasses were duly +charged, for a lady-toast. "I'll give you," he replied, "Lady Rose." This +being received with all honours, the Major was now applied to for his +lady-toast "I can't mend it," he replied, "I'll give Lady Rose." A +Captain was now called on; said he, "I am sure I can't mend it, Lady +Rose." So that the whole of these military heroes, concurred in drinking +good Lady Rose's health. + +One of the officers, it appeared, was a bit of a poet, and had composed a +choice song for this festive occasion, and which was sung in grand +chorus, the Right Honourable Colonel himself, heartily joining. The whole +ditty was supremely ludicrous. I remember only the last verse. + + "Sir George Rose is our Commander, + He's as great as Alexander; + He'll never flinch, nor stir back an inch, + He loves fire like a Salamander. + + CHORUS--He loves fire like a Salamander." + + +[59] Walter Savage Landor. + + +[60] The character of Exeter has been completely changed since the period +when this letter was written; and from a town, the least attractive, for +improvements of every description it may now vie with any town in +England. + + +[61] Mr. Southey paid this second visit to Lisbon, accompanied by Mrs. +Southey. + + +[62] By comparing Mr. Cattcott's copy with the original, it appeared that +Mr. C. had very generally altered the orthography so as to give the +appearance of greater antiquity, as 'lette' or 'let,' and 'onne' for +'on,' &c. + + +[63] The home of an 'Ap (son of) Griffiths, ap Jones, ap Owen, ap +Thomas.' Some of the old Welsh families carry their Apping pedigrees down +to Noah, when the progress is easy to Adam. Mr. Coleridge noticed how +little diversity there was in the Welsh names. Thus in the list of +subscribers to 'Owen's Welsh Dictionary,' to which none but Welshmen +would subscribe, he found of + +The letter D, of 31 names, 21 were Davis or Davies + E, 30 16 ... ... Evans + G, 30 two-thirds ... ... Griffiths + H, all Hughes and Howell + I, 66 all ... ... Jones + L, all Lloyds, except 4 Lewises, and 1 Llewellyn + M, four-fiths ... ... Morgans + O, all ... ... Owen + R, all Roberts, or Richards + T, all ... ... Thomases + V, all ... ... Vaughans + W, 64 56 ... ... Williams + +Mr. Southey felt great satisfaction when he had found a house in Wales +that exactly suited him. It was half way up one of the Glamorganshire +mountains; well wooded; the immediate scenery fine; the prospect +magnificent. The rent was approved, the time of entrance arranged, when, +before the final settlement, Mr. S. thought, on a second survey, that a +small additional kitchen was essential to the comfort of the house, and +required it of the proprietor, preparatory to his taking a lease. To so +reasonable a request the honest Welshman stoutly objected; and on this +slight occurrence, depended whether the Laurent should take up, perhaps, +his permanent residence in the Principality, or wend his way northward, +and spend the last thirty years of his life in sight of Skiddaw. + + +[64] Wm. Churchey was a very honest worthy lawyer, of Brecon, who +unfortunately adopted the notion that he was a poet, and to substantiate +his claim published the most remarkable book the world ever saw! It was a +poem called 'Joseph,' with other poems, in 4to, and of a magnitude really +awful! a mountain among the puny race of modern books. The only copy I +ever saw was af an old book stall, and I have regretted that I did not +purchase it, and get some stout porter to carry it home. Wm. Churchey was +a friend of John Wesley. His prodigious 4to was published by +subscription, and given away at the paltry sum of one guinea. I have an +autograph letter of John Wesley, to his friend Churchey, in which he +says, + +"My dear brother, + +... I have procured one hundred guineas, and hope to procure fifty more. + +John Wesley." + +Mr. Churchey's pamphlet is thus entitled, "An Apology, by Wm. Churchey, +for his public appearance as a Poet. Printed at Trevecca, Breconshire, by +Hughes and Co., 1805; and sold by the author, at Brecon, price 6d." + +The first paragraph in the 'Apology,' begins thus, the italics the +author's own. + +"The author has been ostracised from Parnassus by some tribe of the +critics on his former work of _Weight_, if not _Merit_, one set of whom +--the most ancient, the wisest of them all--condemned it in the _lump_. A +whole volume of ten thousand lines, in _one_ paragraph of their _Monthly +Catalogue_, for which they were _paid--nothing!_ without quoting _one_ +line! Whereas a _score (!)_ out of some idle _sonnet_, or some +_wire-drawn_ Cibberian ode, shall be _held up_ out of the _mud_ with a +placid grin of applause. The author _has_ forgiven them, and keeps, +therefore, the _name_ of their pamphlet in the back ground, in the +_charitable_ hope of their having fifteen years ago, _repented_ of that +_injustice_' This ponderous work however, to which the author alludes, +was his 'Poems and Imitations of the British Poets, in one _large_ vol. +in 4to, price only £1 1s. on _excellent_ paper and print! The same price +as even 'Jeffrey Gambado's _Gambol of Horsemanship_' went off as current, +at the same time. He _out-jockied_ me; I always was a bad Horseman." &c., +&c. + +As illustrating one of the extreme points of human nature, I may casually +mention that, after Mr. Churchey's death, which soon succeeded the +issuing of his 'Apology,' from understanding that his widow was in +straitened circumstances, and meeting with a gentleman who was going to +Brecon, I requested the favour of him to convey to her a guinea, as a +small present. A week after, I received a letter from the widow, thanking +me for my kind remembrance, but she said that she was not benefited by +it, as Mr. ---- said to her, 'This is a guinea, sent to you from Mr. +Cottle, of Bristol, but as your husband owed me money, I shall carry it +to the credit of his account'; when, buttoning his pocket, he walked +away.' I immediately sent another guinea, and requested her not to name +so disreputable an action, in one, from whom I had hoped better conduct. +This gentleman, till the period of his death, twenty years after, always +shunned me! At the time the abstraction took place, he was a wealthy man, +and kept his carriage; but from that time he declined in prosperity, and +died in indigence. + + +[65] In a better sent to me by Mr. Foster, dated June 22, 1843, he thus +explains the mysterious circumstances, relating to the publication of +"Wat Tyler." + +"My dear sir, + +... I wonder if Mr. Southey ever did get at the secret history of that +affair. The story as I heard it was, that Southey visited Winterbottom in +prison, and just as a token of kindness, gave him the M.S. of 'Wat +Tyler.' It was no fault of Winterbottom that it was published. On a visit +to some friends at Worcester, he had the piece with him; meaning I +suppose, to afford them a little amusement, at Southey's expense, he +being held in great reproach, even contempt, as a turn-coat. At the +house where Winterbottom was visiting, two persons, keeping the piece in +their reach at bed-time, sat up all night transcribing it, of course +giving him no hint of the manoeuvre. This information I had from one of +the two operators.... + + +[66] Poor John Morgan was the only child of a retired spirit merchant of +Bristol, who left him a handsome independence. He was a worthy +kind-hearted man, possessed of more than an average of reading and good +sense; generally respected, and of unpresuming manners. He was a great +friend and admirer of Mr. Coleridge; deploring his habits, and labouring +to correct them. Except Mr. Gillman, there was no individual, with whom +Mr. Coleridge lived gratuitously so much, during Mr. M's. residence in +London, extending to a domestication of several years. When Mr. Morgan +removed to Calne, in Wiltshire, for a long time, he gave Mr. C. an +asylum, and till his affairs, through the treachery of others, became +involved, Mr. Coleridge, through him, never wanted a home. That so +worthy, and generous a minded man should have been thus reduced, or +rather ruined in his circumstances, was much deplored by all who knew +him, and marked the instability of human possessions and prospects, often +little expected by industrious parents. + + +[67] A large collection of animal bones, many of them in fossil state, +consisting of the jaws and other bones, of tigers, hyenas, wolves, foxes, +the horse, the bos, &c., the whole obtained by me, in the year 1822, from +the Oreston caves, near Plymouth. The number of bones amounted to nearly +two thousand. Many of the specimens were lent to Professor Buckland, to +get engraved, for a new geological work of his. The major part of the +collection I presented to the Bristol Philosophical Institution. + + +[68] The decrease of the remarkable young lady, Sarah Saunders, my niece, +to whom the later Mr. Foster addressed a series of letters, during her +illness. These letters are printed in Mr. F's. "Life and Correspondence." + + +[69] LIST OF ARTICLES WRITTEN BY ROBERT SOUTHEY IN THE QUARTERLY REVIEW, +TO APRIL, 1825. + +No. + +1 Baptist Mission in India + +2 Portuguese Literature + +3 South Sea Missions + +-- Lord Valentia's Travels + +4 American Annals + +5 Life of Nelson + +6 Season at Tongataboo + +-- Graham's Georgics + +7 Observador Portuguez + +8 Feroe Islands + +-- On the Evangelical Sects + +11 Bell and Lancaster + +12 The Inquisition + +-- Montgomery's Poems + +13 Iceland + +14 French Revolutionists + +15 Count Julian + +-- Calamities of Authors + +16 Manufacturing system and the Poor + +19 Bogue and Bennett's History of the Dissenters + +21 Nicobar Islands + +-- Montgomery's World before the Flood + +22 23 British Poets + +23 Oriental Memoirs + +24 Lewis and Clark's Travels + +-- Barrè Roberts + +25 Miot's Expedition to Egypt + +25 Life of Wellington + +26 do. do. + +28 Alfieri + +29 Me. La Roche Jacqueline + +-- The Poor + +30 Ali Bey's Travels + +-- Foreign Travellers in England + +31 Parliamentary Reform + +32 Porter's Travels + +-- Rise and Progress of Disaffection + +33 Tonga Islands + +35 Lope de Vega + +37 Evelyn on the means of Improving the People + +41 Copy-Right Act + +42 Cemeteries + +43 Monastic Institutions + +45 Life of Marlborough + +46 New Churches + +48 Life of Wm. Huntington, S.S. + +50 Life of Cromwell + +52 Dobrizhoffer + +53 Camoens + +55 Gregorie's Religious Sects + +56 Infidelity + +57 Burnett's Own Times + +59 Dwight's Travels + +62 Hayley + +-- Mrs. Baillie's Lisbon + +Mr. Southey expressed an intention of sending me a list of all his +remaining papers, in the "Quarterly," which intention was not fulfilled. +Presuming on the accuracy of the present list, from Mr. S. himself, there +must be some mistakes in the account of Mr. Southey's contributions, as +stated in that old and valuable periodical, the "Gentleman's Magazine," +for 1844 and 1845. + + +[70] Every effort was made by me both by advertising and inquiry, but no +tidings of the first edition of Bunyan could be obtained in these parts. +Very recently I learnt that the first edition had been discovered, and +that the particulars might be learned of E. B. Underhill, Esq., Newmarket +House, near Nailsworth, Gloucestershire. Upon my writing to this +gentleman he politely favoured me with the following gratifying reply. + +"Feb. 27, 1847. + +Dear Sir, + +In answer to your inquiry, the first edition of the first part of the +Pilgrim's Progress is the property of J. S. Holford, Esq., a gentleman of +large possessions in this county. It was first made known I believe, by +the Art Union, that this unique volume was in existence. Some time last +summer I applied to Mr. H. for liberty to inspect it, and if agreeable to +him, to reprint it. This he at once most liberally granted, and at the +request of the council of the Hanserd Knollys' Society, George Offer, +Esq., one of our members undertook the task of editor. The book is in a +high state of preservation; both the paper and binding being as fresh as +they left the hands of the binder. Mr. Offer has most laboriously +collated it with subsequent editions, and has found many curious and +singular discrepancies. + +I remain, yours most truly, + +Edwd. B. Underhill. + +Jos. Cottle." + +In this publication will be found all the desired information on this +interesting subject. + +Letter from Mr. Offer to Mr. Cottle, on transmitting to him Mr. O.'s +correspondence with Mr. Southey, relating to a charge of Plagiarism in +John Bunyan. + +"Hackney, March 6, 1847. + +Dear sir, + +Enclosed I send you copies of the correspondence relative to 'Bunyan's +Pilgrim's Progress,' with Mr. Southey. + +About the year 1825, two gentlemen called to see my book rarities, and +among them a copy of 'Duyfken's ande Willemynkyns Pilgrimagee,' with five +cuts by Bolswert, published at Antwerp, 1627, the year before Bunyan's +birth. The first plate represents a man asleep--a pilgrim by his +bed-side--in the perspective two pilgrims walking together, they are then +seen on the ground by some water--in the extreme distance the sun +setting. Another plate represents the two pilgrims in a fair, Punch and +Judy, &c. A third, one pilgrim under a rock, within a circle of candles, +a magician with his wand, smoke and demons over the dismayed pilgrim's +head. A fourth, two pilgrims ascending a steep hill, one of them falling +head-long down. From a glance of a few moments at this curious book, +there shortly afterwards appeared in a newspaper in the North, an account +of Banyan's having borrowed some of his plot from this work. This was +answered by Mr. Montgomery, and others. Upon Mr. Southey not being able +to find the book, when he had undertaken to write the 'Life and Times of +Bunyan,' he addressed a letter to his publisher, Mr. Major, in which he +says, 'Can you give me Mr. Donce's direction, that I may ask him for some +account of the French poem? Cottle refers me to 'Dunlop's History of +Fiction,' for an account of a German book, which is of the same +character. Bunyan I am sure knew nothing either of the one or the other. +If the allegory was not an extension of the most common and obvious of +all similitudes--the _germ_ of it might be found in his own works.' Major +asked my advice, and I shewed him the book and gave him some little +account of it; and soon after I received from Dr. Southey the following +letter. + +'Keswick, 16 April, 1829. + +Sir,--Mr. Major has favoured me with your account of the Dutch work in +your possession, which in many parts bears a remarkable resemblance to +the 'Pilgrim's Progress.' It would require the strongest possible +evidence to convince me, against my will, that Bunyan is not an original +writer. The book we know he could not have read in the original; and if +there had been a translation of it, it is hardly likely that it should +have remained undiscovered till this time; it being almost impossible +that it should come into the hands of any one who had not read the +Pilgrim's Progress. This is possible, that Bunyan may have heard an +account of the book from some Dutch baptist in England, or some English +one who had seen it in Holland. I do not think that his obligations to it +can have been more than this; but of this I can better judge when I have +perused the book, which my knowledge of the language enables me to do, if +you favor me with it. + +Great men have sometimes been plagiarists; a grave charge of this kind +has recently been proved upon Lord Bacon,--no less than that of having +taken the fundamental principle of his philosophy from his name-sake, +Roger, and claimed it as his own. Bunyan, I am fully persuaded, was too +honest and too righteous a man to be guilty of any such baseness. He was +in a beaten path of Allegory,--a name, a hint he may have taken, but I +think nothing more. You will judge from this, sir, how very far from my +intentions or inclination, it would be, in the slightest respect, to +depreciate John Bunyan, whose book I have loved from my childhood. And +whatever his obligations to the Dutchman may have been, if any there +should prove to be, it is surely better that they should be stated by one +who loves and honours his memory, than brought forward hereafter by some +person in a different spirit; for nothing of this kind can long escape +discovery now. My present persuasion is, that he owes nothing to it +directly. Something perhaps, indirectly, but not much. And I promise you +that I will do him no wrong. + +Should you favor me by entrusting me with the book, I shall of course +make due mention of the obligation you have conferred. + +I remain, sir, yours with respect, + +Robert Southey. + +To George Offer, Esq.' + +The book was immediately sent, and shortly returned with the following +note and letter. + +'Keswick, 25 April, 1829. + +Sir,--Your book has been four and twenty hours in my possession, and I +return it with many thanks, having perused it carefully, made notes from +it, and satisfied myself most completely, that there is not the slightest +reason for supposing Bunyan had ever heard of it, nor that he could ever +have taken even a hint from it, if he had read it. + +I remain, sir, yours truly, + +Robert Southey. + +To George Offer, Esq.' + +The following letter was addressed to Mr. Major. + +'Keswick, April 25,1829. + +Dear Sir, + +You will perceive by the return of one of your treasures, that the +precious parcel arrived safely. I have read through the 'Dutch Original,' +and made notes from it;--there is not the slightest resemblance in it to +anything in the 'Pilgrim's Progress. The three striking circumstances +which you mentioned of the 'Hill of Difficulty,' the 'Slough of Despond,' +and 'Vanity Fair,' do not afford any ground for supposing that Bunyan had +ever heard of this book; or that even if he had read it, he should have +taken one hint from it. Here the incidents are, 1st that the wilful +Pilgrim stops in a village crowd to see some juggler's tricks at a fair, +and certain vermin in consequence shift their quarters from some of the +rabble close to her, to her person. 2nd. That by following a cow's track +instead of keeping the high road, she falls into a ditch. And 3rd. That +going up a hill at the end of their journey, from whence Jerusalem is in +sight, she climbs too high in a fit of presumption, is blown down, and +falls into the place whence there is no deliverance. I am very glad to +have had an opportunity of comparing it with the French translation, in +which, as you may suppose, every thing which is national, and peculiar, +and racy, is lost. + +The author's name is not to be found in 'Poppen's Bibliotheca Belgica.' +Another and larger bible of the same country, ought to be on its way to +me from Brussels at this time, and there I shall no doubt find an account +of him. But the inquiry is not worth much trouble, seeing how completely +all imitation or even resemblance will be disproved by an account of the +book. By the by, it cannot be very rare in its own country, seeing it was +popular enough for a French translation to be _re_-printed more than a +hundred years after its first appearance. Believe me, dear sir, + +Yours faithfully, + +Robert Southey.' + +The volume contains 294 pages in Dutch. Read, analysed, and a very +correct account of it completed in 24 hours!! + +I am, my dear sir, yours truly, + +George Offer. + +Joseph Cottle." + + +[71] Mr. Southey in a letter to me, dated May 13, 1799, thus writes: +"Arch, who purchased of you the first edition of Wordsworth's 'Lyrical +Ballads,' tells me, that he expects to lose by them!" + +It reflects credit on Hannah More, to whom I had presented the first +volume, that she immediately perceived the merits of the "Lyrical +Ballads." On my visiting Barley Wood soon after, she said to me, "Your +young friend Wordsworth, surpasses all your other young friends," when +producing the book, she requested me to read several of the poems, which +I did, to the great amusement of the ladies. On concluding, she said, "I +must hear 'Harry Gill,' once more." On coming to the words, "O, may he +never more be warm!" she lifted up her hands, in smiling horror. + + +[72] The house of the Pneumatic Institution was situated in Dowry Square, +Hotwells; the house in the corner, forming the north-east angle of the +Square. + + +[73] Mr. Davy often asked me to attend his experiments, at the Wells, and +as an evidence of the zeal with which he wished to induce as many as he +could to pursue his favourite chemistry, in consequence of my taking +great interest in his proceedings, he urged me to pursue chemistry, as a +science. To prove that he was in earnest, he bought for me a box of +chemical tests, acids, alkalies, glass tubes, retorts, blow-pipe, trough, +&c. &c. and assisted me in some of my first experiments. The trough I +occasionally use at the present time. + + +[74] This young Philosopher was suspected to be Mr. Davy, himself. + + +[75] The late Archdeacon Wrangham. + + +[76] Afterwards incorporated in another poem. + + +[77] These three initials would be the proper S. T. C. affixed to his +garments. + + +[78] This account of Mr. Coleridge's military life, I read to Mr. Wade, +who remarked that the greater part of what he had heard, Mr. Coleridge +had, at different times, repeated to him. Mr. W. having been an old and +steady friend of Mr. C. I expressed a desire that, he would read the +whole MS. Memoir thoughtfully, in my presence, on successive mornings, +and, without hesitation, dissent, if he thought it needful, from any of +my statements. He afterwards remarked, "I have read deliberately the +whole manuscript with intense interest, as all who knew Coleridge will, +and, I think, those who knew him not. It is Coleridge himself, +undisguised. All the statements I believe to be correct. Most of them I +know to be such. There is nothing in this Memoir of our friend to which I +object; nothing which I could wish to see omitted." He continued, "With +respect to those letters relating to opium, I think you would be +unfaithful, if you were to suppress them: but that letter addressed to +me, must be published, (according to Mr. Coleridge's solemn injunction,) +either by you, or myself. The instruction to be derived from this and his +penitential letters addressed to you, is incalculable. All my friends +unite with me in this opinion." + +Mr. W. related, at this time, one circumstance, received by him from Mr. +Coleridge, which was new to me, and which is as follows. One of the men +in Mr. C.'s company, had, it appeared a bad case of the small pox, when +Mr. C. was appointed to be his _nurse_, night and day. The fatigue and +anxiety, and various inconveniences, involved in the superintendence on +this his sorely diseased comrade, almost sickened him of hospital +service; so that one or two more such cases would have reconciled him to +the ranks, and have made him covet, once more, the holiday play of +rubbing down his horse. + +[79] At the time Mr. Coleridge belonged to the 15th Light Dragoons, the +men carried carbines, in addition to swords and pistols. More recently, a +shorter gun has been substituted, called a fusce. + +[80] Mr. Stoddart was a gentleman of whom he often talked, and spoke +feelingly of Mr. S.'s chagrin, in the earlier part of his professional +career. Briefs were then scarce, yet one evening an attorney called with +the object of his desire, but Mr. S. was not at home, and the urgency of +the case required it to be placed in other hands. This was long a subject +of lamentation to the young barrister, and also to his friends; but +success followed. + + +[81] Mr. Coleridge sustained one serious loss, on quitting Malta, which +he greatly deplored. He had packed in a large case, all his books and +MSS. with all the letters received by him during his residence on the +island. His directions were, to be forwarded to England, by the first +ship; with Bristol, as its ultimate destination. It was never received, +nor could he ever learn what became of it. It may be lying at this moment +in some custom-house wareroom, waiting for the payment of the duty! Of +which Mr. C. probably was not aware. + + +[82] It was a remarkable quality in Mr. Coleridge's mind, that _edifices_ +excited little interest in him. On his return from Italy, and after +having resided for some time in _Rome_, I remember his describing to me +the state of society; the characters of the Pope and Cardinals; the +gorgeous ceremonies, with the superstitions of the people, but not one +word did he utter concerning St. Peter's, the Vatican, or the numerous +_antiquities_ of the place. As a further confirmation, I remember to have +been with Mr. Coleridge at York on our journey into Durham, to see Mr. +Wordsworth, when, after breakfast at the inn, perceiving Mr. C. engaged, +I went out alone, to see the York Minster, being, in the way, detained in +a bookseller's shop. In the mean time, Mr. C. having missed me, he set +off in search of his companion. Supposing it _probable_ that I was gone +to the _Minster_, he went up to _the door_ of that magnificent structure, +and inquired of the porter, whether such an individual as myself had gone +in there. Being answered in the negative, he had _no further curiosity_, +not even _looking_ into the _interior_, but turned away to pursue his +search! so that Mr. C. left York, without beholding, or wishing to +behold, the chief attraction of the city, or being at all conscious that +he had committed by his neglect, _high treason against all architectural +beauty!_ This deficiency in his regard for edifices, while he was +feverishly alive to all the operations of _mind_, and to all intellectual +inquiries, formed a striking and _singular_ feature in Mr. Coleridge's +mental constitution worthy of being noticed. + + +[83] It was a favourite citation with Mr. Coleridge, "I in them, and thou +in me, that they all may he one in us." + + +[84] In corroboration of this remark, an occurrence might be cited, from +the Life of Sir Humphry, by his brother, Dr. Davy.--Sir Humphry, in his +excursion to Ireland, at the house of Dr. Richardson, met a large party +at dinner, amongst whom, were the Bishop of Raphoe, and another +Clergyman. A Gentleman, one of the company, in his zeal for Infidelity, +began an attack on Christianity, (no very gentlemanly conduct) not +doubting but that Sir H. Davy, as a Philosopher, participated in his +principles, and he probably anticipated, with so powerful an auxiliary, +an easy triumph over the cloth. With great confidence he began his +flippant sarcasms at religion, and was heard out by his audience, and by +none with more attention than by Sir Humphry. At the conclusion of his +harangue, Sir H. Davy, instead of lending his _aid_, entered on a +comprehensive defence of Christianity, 'in so fine a tone of eloquence' +that the Bishop stood up from an impulse similar to that which sometimes +forced a whole congregation to rise at one of the impassioned bursts of +Massillon. + +The Infidel was struck dumb with mortification and astonishment, and +though a guest for the night, at the assembling of the company the next +morning at breakfast, it was found that he had taken _French leave_, and +at the earliest dawn had set off for his own home. + + +[85] The father's remark on the occasion was, "There's an end of him! A +fine high-spirited fellow!" + + +[86] Perhaps, the most valuable production of Mr. Foster, as to style and +tendency, is the Essay which he prefixed to the Glasgow edition of +Doddridge's "Rise and Progress of Religion." Mr. F. having sent me a +letter relating to the above Essay, just as it was completed, it may not +be unacceptable to the Reader; where he will behold a fresh instance of +the complex motives, in which the best of human productions often +originate. + +"Sept. 10, 1825. + +My dear sir, + +I am truly sorry not to have seen you, excepting on one short evening for +so long a time, and as I expect to go on Monday next to Lyme, I cannot be +content without leaving for you a line or two, as a little link of +continuity, if I may so express it, in our friendly communications. The +preventive cause of my not seeing you, has been the absolute necessity of +keeping myself uninterruptedly employed to finish a literary task which +had long hung as a dead weight on my hands. + +Dr. Chalmers some three years since started a plan of reprinting in a +neat form a number of respectable religious works, of the older date, +with a preliminary Essay to each, relating to the book, or to any +analagous topic, at the writer's discretion. The Glasgow booksellers, +Chalmers and Collins, the one the Doctor's brother, and the other his +most confidential friend, have accordingly reprinted a series of perhaps +now a dozen works, with essays, several by Dr. C.; several by Irving; one +by Wilberforce; one by Daniel Wilson, &c. &c. I believe Hall, and +Cunningham promised their contributions. I was inveigled into a similar +promise, more than two years since. The work strongly urged on me for +this service, in the first instance, was "Doddridge's Rise and Progress," +and the contribution was actually promised to be furnished with the least +possible delay, on the strength of which the book was immediately printed +off--and has actually been lying in their warehouse as dead stock these +two years. I was admonished and urged again and again, but in spite of +the mortification, and shame, which I could not but feel, at these +occasioning the publisher a positive loss, my horror of writing, combined +with ill health, invincibly prevailed, and not a paragraph was written +till toward the end of last year, when I did summon resolution for the +attempt. When I had written but a few pages, the reluctant labour was +interrupted, and suspended, by the more interesting one of writing those +letters to our dear young friend, your niece. (Miss Saunders.) Not of +course that this latter employment did not allow me time enough for the +other, but by its more lively interest it had the effect of augmenting my +disinclination to the other. Soon after her removal, I resumed the task, +and an ashamed to acknowledge such a miserable and matchless slowness of +mental operation, that the task has held me confined ever since, till +actually within these few days. I believe that nothing but a strong sense +of the duty of fulfilling my engagement, and of not continuing to do a +real injury to the publishers, could have constrained me to so much time +and toil. The article is indeed of the length of nearly one half of +Doddridge's book, but many of my contemporary makers of sentences, would +have produced as much with one fifth part of the time and labour. I have +aimed at great correctness and condensation, and have found the labour of +revisal and transcription not very much less than that of the substantial +composition. The thing has been prolonged, I should say spun out to three +times the length which was at first intended, or was required. It has +very little reference to the book which it accompanies; has no special +topic, and is merely a serious inculcation of the necessity of Religion +on young persons, and men of the world. In point of merit, (that you know +is the word in such matters) I rate it very moderately, except in respect +to correctness, and clearness of expression. If it do not possess this +quality, a vast deal of care and labour has been sadly thrown away. I +suppose the thing is just about now making up to be sent from the +publishers' warehouse. I shall have a little parcel of copies, and shall +presume to request the acceptance of one in Dighton Street. + +My dear sir, I am absolutely ashamed to have been led into this length of +what is no better than egotism, when I was meaning just in five lines, to +tell what has detained me from the pleasure of seeing you.... My dear +sir. + +Yours most truly, + +John Foster." + + +[87] "I think Priestley must be considered the author of modern +Unitarianism. I owe, under God, my return to the faith, to my having gone +much farther than the Unitarians, and so having come round to the other +side. I can truly say, I never falsified the scriptures. I always told +them that their interpretations of scripture were intolerable, on any +principles of sound criticism; and that, if they were to offer to +construe the will of their neighbour, as they did that of their Maker, +they would be scouted out of society. I said, plainly and openly, that it +was clear enough, John and Paul were not Unitarians. + +I make the greatest difference between 'ans' and 'isms.' I should deal +insincerely, if I said, that I thought _Unitarianism_ was Christianity. +No, as I believe, and have faith in the doctrine, it is not the truth in +Jesus Christ. By-the-by, what do you (Unitarians) mean, by exclusively +assuming the title of Unitarians? As if Trio-Unitarians were not +necessarily Unitarians, as much (pardon, the illustration) as an +apple-pie, must of course be a pie! The schoolmen would perhaps have +called you _Unicists_, but your proper name is _Psilanthropists_, +believers in the mere human nature of Christ.... Unitarianism, is in +effect, the worst of one kind of Atheism, joined to one of the worst +kinds of Calvinism. It has no covenant with God, and it looks upon prayer +as a sort of self-magnetizing;--a getting of the body and temper into a +certain _status_, desirable, _per se_, but having no covenanted reference +to the Being to whom the prayer is addressed. + +The _pet_ texts of Socinians are quite enough for their confutation with +acute thinkers. If Christ had been a mere man, it would have been +ridiculous in him to call himself the 'Son of Man;' but being God and +_man_, it then became, in his own assumption, a peculiar and mysterious +title. So, if Christ had been a mere man, his saying, 'My father is +greater than I,' (John xv. 28.) would have been as unmeaning. It would be +laughable, for example, to hear me say, my 'Remorse' succeeded indeed, +but Shakspeare is a greater dramatist than I,' But how immeasurably more +foolish, more monstrous, would it not be for a man, however honest, good, +or wise, to say 'But Jehovah is greater than I.' + +"Either we have an immortal soul, or we have not. If we have not, we are +beasts; the first and wisest of beasts it may be, but still true beasts. +We shall only differ in degree, and not in kind; just as the elephant +differs from the slug. But by the concession of all the materialists, of +all the schools, or almost all, we are not of the same kind as beasts; +and this also we say, from our own consciousness. Therefore, methinks, it +must be the possession of a soul within us, that makes the difference. + +"Read the first chapter of the Book of Genesis without prejudice, and you +will be convinced at once. After the narrative of the creation of the +earth and brute animals, Moses seems to pause, and says, 'And God said, +Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.' And in the next +chapter, he repeats the narrative.--'And the Lord God formed man of the +dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;' +and then he adds these words, 'and man became a living soul.' Materialism +will never explain these last words." + + +[88] The following notice of Mr. C.'s opium habits, with the reasons for +disclosing them, were prefixed to the "Early Recollections," ten years +ago, but the arguments are equally applicable at this time, 1847. + + +[89] A Dissenting minister of Bristol. + + +[90] It is apprehended that this must be a mistake. I sent Mr. Coleridge +five guineas for my Shakespeare ticket, and entertain no doubt but that +some others did the same. But his remark may refer to some succeeding +lecture, of which I have no instinct recollection. + + +[91] A request of permission from Mr. Coleridge, to call on a few of his +known friends, to see if we could not raise an annuity for him of one +hundred a year, that he might pursue his literary objects without +pecuniary distractions. + + +[92] A worthy medical Friend of Bristol, who first in that city, +interested himself in the establishment of infant schools. + + +[93] This long sentence, between brackets, was struck out by Mr. Southey, +in perusing the MS., through delicacy, as it referred to himself; but the +present occasion it is restored. + + +[94] Some supplemental lecture. + + +[95] Mr. Coleridge, in his "Church and State," speaks of employing a +drawer in which were "too many of my _unopened letters._" + + +[96] These four lines in the edition of Mr. C.'s Poems, published after +his death, are oddly enough thrown into the "Monody on Chatterton," and +form the four opening lines. Many readers may concur with myself in +thinking, that the former commencement was preferable; namely;-- + + "when faint and sad o'er sorrow's desert wild, + Slow journeys onward poor misfortune's child;" &c. + + +[97] This man must hare been just the kind of vigilant superintendent Mr. +C. desired; ready to fetch a book, or a box of snuff, &c., at command. +The preceding occurrence would not have been introduced, but to +illustrate the supreme ascendancy which opium exercises over its unhappy +votaries. + + +[98] This statement requires an explanation, which none now can give. Was +the far larger proportion of this £300 appropriated to the discharge of +Opium debts? This does not seem unlikely, as Mr. C. lived with friends, +and he could contract few other debts. + + +[99] Such were omitted in the published work. + + +[100] When Coleridge dwelt at the 'Oat and Salutation,' in Newgate +Street, and talked of leaving it, his conversation had brought so many +customers to the house, that the landlord offered him _free-quarters_ if +he would only stay and continue to talk. + + +[101] Mr. Poole, who requested it as a favour, came all the way from +Stowey to peruse my MS. "Recollections of Coleridge," and who I have good +reason to believe, without any unkind intention, communicated a report to +_C.'s relations._ + + +[102] Mr. Southey's grandfather lived in the old manor-house at +Bedminster, where, in his younger days. Mr. S. passed many of his +happiest hours. When spending a week with me at Bedminster, with a year +of the date of this letter, he went to the old house, and requested +permission of the strangers who inhabited his grandfather's mansion, to +walk round the garden, and renew his acquaintance with the old trees +which he used to climb nearly six years before; a request which was +readily granted. The revival of such interesting associations, had they +occurred at a former period, would doubtless have produced some exquisite +poetical record. + + +[103] The illness of Mrs. Edith Southey. + + +[104] Mr. S. deemed it an admirable likeness of Mr. W. as he appeared in +younger life; and said that it bore at the present time, a striking +resemblance to Mr. W.'s son. + + +[105] The eminent Edinburgh Professor. For three years the private tutor +of Mr. T. Wedgewood. + + +[106] Westbury, near Bristol, the then residence of Mr. John Wedgewood, +Esq. + + +[107] The then residence of Mr. Wordsworth. + + +[108] List of Works and Poems which Mr. Coleridge _intended_ to write, +with the pages in which they are noticed. + +[Transcriber's note: After the page number the starting words of the +matching paragraph are given.] + + Poem on the Nativity (800 lines), p. 66 ["He speaks in the same + letter"] + + Plan of General Study, p. 66 ["In a letter of Mr. C. dated"] + + Pantisocracy, 4to., p. 73 ["Before I enter on an important"] + + 17 other works, p. 73 [See previous.] + + Translations of Modern Latin Poets 2 vols. 8vo., p. 73 [See + previous.] + + 8 Sonnets, p. 81 ["With regard to the Poems I mean to"] + + A book on Morals, in answer to Godwin, p. 102 ["Wordsworth's + conversation aroused me"] + + Oberon of Wieland (Trans.), p. 160 ["P. S. I am translating the"] + + Ballad. 340 lines, p. 173 ["I have finished my Ballad, it is"] + + 3 Works, promised, p. 292 ["Coleridge has left London for + Keswick"] + + New Review, p. 306 ["The preceding letter of Mr. Coleridge led"] + + Lectures on Female Education, p. 357 ["Even so the two far, far + more"] + + Odes on the different sentences of the Lord's Prayer, p. 387 + ["You will wish to know something of myself"] + + Treatise on the Corn Laws, p. 390 ["Indeed from the manner in + which it"] + + Hist. of German Belles Lettres, p. 427 ["What have I done in + Germany"] + + Life of Lessing, p. 427 [See previous.] + + Introduction to Lessing's Life, p. 437 ["Have you seen my + translation"] + + Progressiveness of all Nature, p. 430 ["Now I make up my mind to + a sort"] + + Principles of Population, p. 431 ["I shall remain in London till + April"] + + Finishing of Christabel, p. 438 ["There happen frequently little + odd"] + + Letters and condition of German Boors, p. 442 [See previous.] + + A Comedy, p. 442 ["My littlest one is a very stout boy"] + + Essay on writing in Newspapers, p. 445 ["I cannot write that + without"] + + Essay on Style in Prose and Verse, p. 446 ["Very soon however I + shall present"] + + Essay on Hall, Milton, and Taylor, p. 446 [See previous.] + + Essay on Johnson and Gibbon, p. 446 [See previous.] + + Book on the subject of Poetry, p. 446 [See previous.] + + Heroic Poem on the Siege of Jerusalem, p. 447 ["I have, since my + twentieth year"] + + +[109] An intention not fulfilled. + + +[110] Mr. Thomas Wedgewood visited the continent in 1803, with Mr. +Underwood as his travelling companion. He purposed to have proceeded to +the continent in 1804; but his disorders increasing, he retired to his +seat, near Blandford, and died July 10, 1805, aged 34. Mr. Coleridge, in +vain, recommended a continental journey. + +Josiah Wedgewood, Esq., died July 13, 1843, aged 74. + + +[111] Mr. Coleridge, when at the University of Gottingen, found pleasant +English society. With several gentlemen (students) whom he there met, +(Dr. Parry, the present eminent physician of Bath; Dr. Carlyon, the no +less eminent physician of Truro; Captain Parry, the North Pole Navigator; +and Mr. Chester.) They together made an excursion to the Hartz mountains. +Many striking incidents respecting this pedestrian excursion are before +the public, in Mr. C.'s own letters; and it may here be added, Dr. +Carlyon has published a work, entitled "Early Years and Late +Reflections," which gives among other valuable matter, many additional +particulars connected with this visit to the Brockhen, as well as +interesting notices concerning Mr. Coleridge, during his residence in +Germany. Dr. C. has more recently published a second volume, with able +dissertations, chiefly on Medical Science. + + +[112] Trevecka, a college established by Lady Huntingdon. + + +[113] After JOHN HENDERSON'S acquaintance and friendship had been matured +with Dean Tucker, he informed a particular friend, the Rev. James Newton, +"that whenever he was in the company of young Henderson, he considered +himself as a Scholar in the presence of his Tutor." The late Robert Hall +also well knew John Henderson, and in the latter part of his life, +referring to him, told me, that he considered John Henderson to have been +a Prodigy, and that, when in his company, he always considered himself as +a pupil. + + +[114] A German at Oxford was once much frightened by coming into the room +while JOHN HENDERSON was exercising his mimicry, for, as he protested, he +thought he heard himself talking at a distance. No person needed to have +gone out of HENDERSON'S company to have heard and almost seen Dr. +Johnson. During one of the Doctor's annual visits to Oxford, HENDERSON +and he one evening, for several hours, amused those around them, by +conversing expressly in hard words. It was generally admitted that JOHN +HENDERSON discovered the greater talent at this verbal forgery. And to +meet the Doctor on his own ground, was indeed a presumptuous thing. Their +conversations, in Latin, (often extending through a whole evening,) were +deemed splendid, as they were classically chaste. Dr. Adams, it was said, +was the only man in Oxford who approximated toward an equality with JOHN +HENDERSON in Latin colloquisms. + + +[115] His rooms, at Pembroke College, were those which had been occupied +by _Dr Johnson_. + + +[116] As a proof of his self-command, the following incident may be +adduced. During his residence at Oxford, a student of a neighbouring +college, proud of his logical acquirements, was solicitous of a private +disputation with the renowned Henderson; some mutual friends introduced +him, and having chosen his subject, they conversed for some time with +equal candour and moderation; but at length Henderson's antagonist, +perceiving his confutation inevitable, in the height of passion, threw a +full glass of wine in John Henderson's face. J. H. without altering his +features or changing his position, gently wiped his face, and then coolly +replied, "This, sir, is a digression; now for the argument." It is hardly +necessary to add, the insult was resented by the company turning the +aggressor out of the room. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Reminiscences of Samuel Taylor +Coleridge and Robert Southey, by Joseph Cottle + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OF COLERIDGE AND SOUTHEY *** + +This file should be named 8580-8.txt or 8580-8.zip + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Thomas Berger, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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