" mind-such as the lleas of umbr and figure, and the logical forms and combinations o conception or tho . The mind that is rich and exuberant in this intellectual wealth is pt, like a ier, o dwell upon the vain contemplation of its riches, is disposed to generaliz and methodise to excess, ever philosophising, and never descending to action, spreading its wings high in the air above some beloved spot, but never flying far and wide over earth and sea, to seek food, or to enjoy the endless beauties of nature; the fresh morning, and the warm noon, and the dewy eve. On the other hand, still less is to be expected, towards the methodising of science, from the man who flutters about in blindness like the bat; or is carried hither and thither, like the turtle sleeping on the wave, and fancying, because he moves, that he is in progress. It is not solely in the formation of the human understanding, and in the constructions of science and literature, that the employment of method is indispensably necessary; but its importance is equally felt, and equally acknowledged, in the whole business and economy of active and domestic life. From the cottager's hearth or the workshop of the artisan, to the palace or the arsenal, the first merit-that which admits neither substitute nor equivalent-is, that everything is in its place. Where this charm is wanting, every other merit either loses its name, or becomes an additional ground of accusation and regret. Of one by whom it is eminently possessed we sa, proverbially, that he is like clock-work. The resemblance extends bey nd the point of regularity, and yet falls far short of the truth. Both do, indeed, ›d vide and announce the silent and otherwise indistinguishable lapse of time; bu the man f methodical industry and honourable pursuits does more; he realises its ideal divisions, and gives a character and individuality to its moments. If the iar des ibed as killing time, e may be justly said to call it into life and moral being, while he makes it the listinct object not only of the consciousness, but of the Coice. He organizes the hours, and gives them a soul; and to that, the very essence of which is to fleet and to have been, he communicates an imperishable and a spi tua. nature Of the good and faithful servant, whose energies, thus directed, cre thu n ethodised, it is less truly affirmed that he lives in time, than that time lives in him. His days, months, and years, as the stops and punctual marks in the records of duties performed, will survive the wreck of worlds, and remain extant when time itself shall be no more. 6 REV. WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES. The REV. WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES (1762-1850) enjoys the distinction of having 'delighted and inspired' the genius of Coleridge. His first publication was a small volume of sonnets published in 1789, to which additions were made from time to time, and in 1805 the collection had reached a ninth edition. Various other poetical works proceeded from the pen of Mr. Bowles: 'Coombe Ellen and St. Michael's Mount,' 1798; Battle of the Nile,' 1799; 'Sorrows of Switzerland,' 1801; Spirit of Discovery,' 1805; The Missionary of the Andes,' 1815; Days Departed,' 1828; St. John in Patmos,' 1833; &c. None of these works can be said to have been popular, though all of them contain passages of fine descriptive and meditative verse. Bowles had the true poetical feeling and imagination, refined by classical taste and acquirements. Coleridge was one of his earliest and most devoted admirers. A volume of Mr. Bowles's sonnets falling into the hands of the enthusiastic young poet, converted him from some 'perilous errors' to the love of a style of poetry at once tender and manly. The pupil outstripped his master in richness and luxuriance, though not in elegance or correctness. Mr. Bowles, in 1806, edited an edition of Pope's works, which, being attacked by Campbell in his Specimens of the Poets, led to a literary controversy, Mr. in which Lord Byron and others took a part. Bowles insisted strongly on descriptive poetry forming an indispensable part of the poetical character; 'every rock, every leaf, every diversity of hue in nature's variety.' Campbell, on the other hand, objected to this Dutch minuteness and perspicacity of colouring, and claimed for the poet (what Bowles never could have denied) nature, moral as well as external, the poetry of the passions, and the lights and shades of human manners. In reality, Pope occupied a middle position, inclining to the artificial side of life. Mr. Bowles was born at King'sSutton, Northamptonshire, and was educated first at Winchester School, under Joseph Warton, and subsequently at Trinity College, Oxford. He long held the rectory of Bremhill, in Wiltshire (of which George Herbert and Norris of Bemerton had also been incumbents), and from 1828 till his death he was a canon residentiary of Salisbury Cathedral. He is described by his neighbour, Moore the poet, as a simple, amiable, absent-minded scholar, poet, and musician. Sonnets. O Time! who know'st a lenient hand to lay The faint pang stealest, unperceived away; I And think when thou hast dried the bitter tear Fair Moon! that at the chilly day's decline Of sharp December, through my cottage pane I but remark mortality's sad doom; Whilst hope and joy, cloudless and soft appear Hope. As one who, long by wasting sickness worn, Weary has watched the lingering night, and heard, Salute his lonely porch, now first at morn He the green slope and level meadow views, Or turns his ear to every random song Sweet Hope! thy fragrance pure and healing incense steal. Ye holy towers that shade the wave-worn steep, Oft listening tearful when the wild winds beat Of midnight, when the moon is hid on high, Blest if her aid some fainting wretch might save, South American Scenery. Beneath aërial cliffs and glittering snows, And Chillan trailed its smoke and smouldering fires. Amid the clear blue light, are wandering by; With twinkling wing is spinning o'er the flowers; The woodpecker is heard with busy bill, The mock-bird sings-and all beside is still. And look! the cataract that bursts so high, As not to mar the deep tranquillity, The tumult of its dashing fall suspends, And, stealing drop by drop, in mist descends; Through whose illumined spray and sprinkling dews, Here, its gay network and fantastic twine The purple cogul threads from pine to pine, And oft, as the fresh airs of morning breathe, Dips its long tendrils in the stream beneath. There, through the trunks, with moss and lichens white The sunshine darts, its interrupted light, And 'mid the cedar's darksome bough, illumes, With instant touch, the lori's scarlet plumes. Sun-dial in a Churchyard. So passes, silent o'er the dead, thy shade, And have not they, who here forgotten lie- Once marked thy shadow with delighted eye, And dust to dust' proclaimed the stride of death. I heard the village-bells, with gladsome sound- While memory wept upon the good man's bier. Enough, if we may wait in calm content Blameless improve the time that heaven has lent, BLANCO WHITE. It is a singular circumstance in literary history, that what many consider the finest sonnet in the English language should be one written by a Spaniard. The REV. JOSEPH BLANCO WHITE (1775– 1841) was a native of Seville, son of an Irish Roman Catholic merchant settled in Spain. He was author of 'Letters from Spain by Don Leucadoin Doblado' (1822), Internal Evidence against Catho licism' (1825), and other works both in English and Spanish. A very interesting memoir of this remarkable man, with portions of his correspondence, &c. was published by J. H. Thom (London, 3 vols. 1845): 6 Sonnet on Night. Mysterious Night! when our first parent knew This glorious canopy of light and blue? Bathed in the rays of the great setting flame, And lo! Creation widened in man's view! Who could have thought such darkness lay concealed Whilst fly and leaf and insect stood revealed, ROBERT SOUTHEY. One of the most voluminous and learned authors of this period was ROBERT SOUTHEY, LL. D., the poet-laureate. A poet, scholar, antiquary, critic, and historian, Southey wrote more than even Scott, and he is said to have burned more verses between his twentieth and thirtieth year than he published during his whole life. His time was entirely devoted to literature. Every day and hour had its appropriate and select task; his library was his world within which he was content to range, and his books were his most cherished and constant companions. In one of his poems, he says: My days among the dead are passed; Where'er these casual eyes are cast, The mighty m nds of old; My never-failing friends are they, With whom I converse night and day. It is melancholy to reflect, that for nearly three years preceding his death, Mr. Southey sat among his books in hopeless vacuity of mind, the victim of disease. This distinguished author was a native of Bristol, the son of a respectable linen-draper of the same name, and was born on the 12th of August 1774. He was indebted to a maternal uncle for most of his education. In his fourteenth year he was placed at Westminster School, where he remained between three and four years, but having in conjunction with several of his school associates set on foot a periodical entitled 'The Flagellant,' in which a sarcastic article on corporal punishment appeared, the head-master, Dr. Vincent, commenced a prosecution against the publisher, and Southey was compelled to leave the school. This harsh exercise of authority probably had considerable effect in disgusting the young enthusiast with the institutions of his country. In November 1792 he was entered of Balliol College, Oxford. He had then distinguished himself by poetical productions, and had formed literary plans enough for many years or many lives. In political opinions he was a democrat; in religion, a Unitarian; consequently he could not take orders in the church, or look for any official appointment. He fell in with Coleridge, as already related, and joined in the plan of emigration. His academic career was abruptly closed in 1794. The same year, he published a volume of poems in conjunction with Mr. Robert Lovell, under the names of Moschus and Bion. About the same time he composed his drama of Wat Tyler,' a revolutionary brochure, which was long afterwards published surreptitiously by a knavish bookseller to annoy its author. 'In my youth,' he says, 'when my stock of knowledge consisted of such an acquaintance with Greek and Roman history as is acquired. |