TO MISS SEWARD. Sutton Coldfield, May 24, 1789. I TAKE the opportunity of sending by Mr. Lister's man a little didactic poem, which I wrote the other day, for the inspection of my dear mistress. In entering upon this walk of poetry I am sensible I mistake the natural bent of my genius, and renounce it for the future. It is upon the school of Spenser and not that of Dryden, that my little talents ought to be formed. Once again, I have been experiencing the delightful magic of that necromancer, Rousseau, who has the key to every avenue of the heart. His "Eloisa," and his "Confessions," made me admire, made me wonder at him; but his "System of Education" has made me love him. The congeniality of our minds (particularly in matters of religion), which I discovered in every page, at first frightened, and afterwards flattered and charmed me. I have always been a true Christian, but never knew it till I read the " Savoyard Curate's Confession." But perhaps I am talking to you of a work which you have never read: if so, read it; if not, tell me what you think of it. Could we but choose our guardian spirits, thine, Rousseau*, should ever be my guide and conductor! Farewell, dear Madam, And believe me your affectionate servant, H. F. C. TO MISS SEWARD. MY DEAR MISTRESS, Sutton Coldfield, June 1, 1789. Forgive me for obtruding upon your goodness so soon, as I wish not to lose a moment in exculpating myself from the imputation of an egregious blunder. God knows I have a sufficient quantity of real mistakes to answer for, without being obliged to groan under any adventitious load. I meant to say, that in entering upon the didactic line I had mistaken the natural bent of my talents, which ought to have enlisted under the banners of Spenser, Milton, and Collins, and not under those of Dryden, Pope, and Hayley. I see however the error I was under, and re * Few who remember having read Rousseau's writings in their early life, and can call to mind the first impressions they produced, will be surprised at the degree of praise here bestowed on them. In after life, when Mr. Cary saw some volumes of Rousseau in the library of his son Francis, which was open for the use of young men, he recommended their removal from the shelves, on the ground that they were objectionable books to be placed in the hands of youth. nounce it for the future. Your candid disapprobation of the poem flatters me quite as much as any praises you could possibly bestow. That I did not intend to become a servile imitator even of Hayley, I am myself conscious; that I have ignorantly been betrayed into this character I believe, because you say so. I can attribute this involuntary imitation only to the impression made upon my mind by its excellent original; and as I do not wish to exhibit as a clown after so skilful a harlequin, do not think my request the effect of a splenetic fit, if I entreat you to consume my shame together with my verses in the flames. How happy am I to find that Lister is yet constant to the Muses! I spent a day and night with him at Lady Holte's last week, and found that he is still dearer to me than ever if possible. My pen would do my heart very little justice if it were to attempt to express how much I love and esteem him. I cannot help thinking that a distinction should be made between the Miltonic and Spenseric sonnet; the first may be used on grave and sublime, the latter on tender subjects; the diction of the former ought to be elevated yet simple, and should require a sort of majesty by the pauses and breaks peculiar to blank verse; that of the latter should be neat, polished, and smooth throughout. Two of Milton's sonnets (viz., that to Cromwell, and that which begins "Captain or Colonel,") and yours on Ingratitude, form examples of perfection in one species of this writing, some of Hayley's and Mrs. Smith's in the other. As I am in the expectation of setting out for Ireland in a week's time, I fear it will not be in my power to have the pleasure of seeing you for a long space. Dear as your letters are to me, your health is infinitely more so, and for this reason I do not ask you to write. Believe me your very affectionate Friend and Servant, H. F. CARY. SPENSERIC SONNET. Sweet are the tuneful murmurs of the spring, Sweet o'er their pebbly bed with silent pace Through the green sloping banks the waters glide, In the clear mirror of the glassy tide : To that calm breast where peace and joy reside, What heavenly raptures might these scenes impart ? But cast in deeper shades the gloom of grief. Need I say that I denominate this species of sonnet the Spenseric, because Spenser's sonnets are of this construction? TO MISS SEWARD. Sutton Coldfield, August 27, 1789. I CANNOT lose a moment in exculpating myself from a charge, which, if confirmed, must for ever stamp me as the most ungrateful of beings. All I can say is, that I am totally unconscious of having dropped any such proofs of disregard and declining affection as you accuse me of; as for the single instance you produce, it must be very much wrested to be applied to such a meaning. I believe Sir B. Boothby to be a fastidious and nice judge of literary merit, while I know from experience that through the warmth and generosity of your nature, you are ready to acknowledge a substance where there is no more than the shadow of genius. Hurried away by the first impressions you receive, you seldom can either commend or depreciate with moderation. It is for this reason that great poets in general make the worst critics in the world. This consideration, I candidly allow, was the motive of the obnoxious question; though I might with great show of truth allege another less likely to disoblige you. Surely the additional vote of so good a judge as Sir B. B. must at any rate enhance and give weight to your opinion. The concurrence of his approbation with yours could not fail of putting Jephson's claims beyond all doubt. I had displaced the |