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 CONTENTS. 
 
 » — 
 
 PAGB 
 
 THE WALK ON A DAY IN SUMMER .... 1 
 
 HYMN, SUNG BY THE SCHOOL CHILDREN, ON LAYING THE 
 FOUNDATION STONE OF THE CHAPEL OF EASE ON 
 
 WESTWOOD HEATH, IN THE PARISH OF STONELEIGH 17 
 
 THE GREAT OAK . . 23 
 
 MAY, IN 1843 31 
 
 FAITH, HOPE 53 
 
 GENIUS 59 
 
 A DAY IN AUTUMN 63 
 
 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE, 1841 . . . . . 73 
 
 A VISION, (allegorical.) 91 
 
 CENTRALISATION 105 
 
 WHAT IS TASTE? 113 
 
 963842
 
 IV CONTENTS, 
 
 PAGE 
 WHAT IS SENTIMENT ? 121 
 
 WHAT IS TRUTH ? 133 
 
 THE MILLENNIUM ........ 147 
 
 NAPOLEON . 151 
 
 " SINCE FIRST I GAZED UPON THIS PLAIN " . . . 157 
 THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING 165
 
 THE 
 
 WALK ON A DAY IN SUMMER. 
 
 J
 
 THE WALK ON A DAY IX SUMMER. 
 
 " I rose anon and thought I would gone 
 
 Into the wood to hear the birds sing, 
 When that the misty vapour was agone, 
 
 And clear and faire was the morrowing." Chaucer. 
 
 Visible good, by nature shewu, accords 
 With human action, ill defined by words : 
 On such a day as this, with primal glow 
 Light had invested Eden — heaven below : 
 Then the first orisons in irrove and erlade 
 Aerial voices sang — ere man was made. 
 On such a day as this the Poet pm-e* 
 Poiir'd forth his grateful verse, that wiU endure 
 
 * Thomson. 
 • B 2
 
 THE WALK ON A DAY IN SUMMER. 
 
 As long as the revolving seasons bring 
 Those changes wonderful he loved to sino*. 
 
 As a saloon-frequenting poet vain, 
 
 Struts Chanticleer befoi-e his cackling train. 
 
 Rising o'er flowery meads soft gales upbear * 
 A thousand odours through the balmy air ; 
 Pure is that air as love of seraphs, sweet 
 The flowers that freshly rise our steps to greet. 
 Hence Poesy, as Flora deck'd the earth, 
 Bodied her rosy-bosom 'd hours forth. 
 
 And brightest things that chilling winds destroy, 
 To-day are on the wing elate with joy ; 
 Thus Fashion's minion, while on his affairs 
 Smiles fortune, wantons — with her frown, despairs. 
 Though fortune smiles again, his day is past ; 
 He irrecoverably loses caste. 
 
 * Aurarumque leves animae— Lucretius, Lib. v., v. 237.
 
 THE WALK ON A DAY IN SUMMER. 
 
 Familiar nods, how eloquently mute ! 
 
 Of high-born friends no more the youth salute. 
 
 But petrifying as Medusa's locks, 
 
 His nerves the stare unrecognising shocks. 
 
 The gentle stream flows on hke human life 
 When undistm-bed (how rare) by pam or strife ; 
 The ripples on it glittering in the beam, 
 Like healthy movements of employment seem. 
 Here all is natural joy, the even flow 
 Of happiness, of love the genial glow. 
 Roses are wreathed around the cottage waUs, 
 And ivy o'er the crimibling ruin falls; 
 Thus blooms the rose on rural maiden's cheek, 
 And ajre looks cheerful though infirm and weak. 
 The sweetest flower is shelter 'd from our gaze. 
 The bird most tuneful shuns the solar blaze ; 
 Oft wines that sparkle in translucent glass 
 In flavour those gemm'd goblets hold surpass.
 
 6 THE WALK ON A DAT IX SUMMER. 
 
 Like many-colour 'd schemes, all fancy-born. 
 Of youth, is gone the " opal-colour 'd" morn. 
 As noon advances deepens to the view 
 Intensely through the skies one azure hue : 
 And thus ambition gives its hue alone 
 To manhood, tints enchanting youth are gone ! 
 Float in the suntide gorgeous insects bright 
 In colours as an idle carpet-knight. 
 
 Far as the eye may distant views command. 
 Here — there — vast oaks in pride of fohage stand : 
 Thus view we through the vista of past ages 
 Those colimans bright of fame, Athena's sages. 
 Temple and tower decay, the winter's blast 
 Rends forests — works of genius perish last : 
 Through generations lights transmitted down, 
 Till o'er the world oblivion's pall is thrown. 
 They, as this glorious day's pervading charm 
 Delights the sense, the mind iUume and warm.
 
 THE WALK OX A DAY IX SUMMER. 
 
 As feudal chieftains o'er their vassals spread 
 
 Protection, thus far-branching overhead 
 
 Trees of coliunnar growth their underwood 
 
 Shield from the thiinder- storm's down rushing flood; 
 
 Thus would high-minded man protect from harms 
 
 Fair woman, timid with her thousand charms. 
 
 Woman, whatever orbs this world illume. 
 
 Here give to life " its lustre and perfume ; " 
 
 A beauteous plant, hereafter to arise 
 
 And flourish in her second paradise 
 
 With everlasting verdure, fresh as May — 
 
 For aye to-morrow lovely as to-day. 
 
 Beautiful objects that around us shine, 
 
 Above, below — flowers, gems, and light divine, 
 
 Illustrate faintly, faintly words express 
 
 The radiant charms of female loveliness. 
 
 The lofty fir, as simsliine gilds its bark, 
 E'en towering o'er the oak in grove, or park.
 
 S THE WALK ON A DAY IN SUMMER. 
 
 Stands like some high-born Thane whom exercise 
 Has bronzed, and health irradiates his eyes. 
 
 Like boding ravens among birds who sing 
 As if life was for them one endless spring, 
 Ascetics haunt not our green fields but towns, 
 And social mirth there trembles at their frowns. 
 He who deems rites all powerful to save, 
 An overweening self-esteem may have : 
 May boast of realms from sway of error won. 
 Yet would with lights on earth enlarge the sun I 
 
 Thus Preachers eloquent, who well discern 
 Pure gospel-truths, to pride their incense bum. 
 Astrology has had its day, but now 
 Thousands to vainer superstitions bow : 
 And ceremonial pageant supersedes 
 Heart-worship, vital principle of creeds ! 
 Oh not to acts external grace is given. 
 But to integrity of thought, by Heaven.
 
 THE WALK ON A DAT IN SUMMER. 
 
 Sun of the soul is truth, though oft the cloud 
 Of pride obscures it — mists of passion shroud. 
 
 If knowledge were the all in all, the good 
 Supreme, then Lucifer unchanged had stood ; 
 Had still above angelic hosts outshone 
 Myriads who brighten round the sapphire throne, 
 Comitless, as ocean-waves seen far and far 
 Glowing beneath the Day-God's blazing car. 
 But knowledge is to good or ill allied 
 As colour 'd by himiility or pride. 
 
 As wave atlantic, urged by wintry gales, 
 
 A miu-al pile of porphyry assails ; 
 
 Thus mob-impelled, ambitious spirits strive 
 
 Old institutions from their base to drive : 
 
 Prophets of woes themselves create, disdain 
 
 To aid their hving instruments of gain, 
 
 And burdens that they ought themselves to bear 
 
 On others' shoulders place, and fix them there.
 
 10 THE WALK ON A DAY IN SUMMER. 
 
 They, as the swallows that perplex the eye, 
 
 With rapid and erratic movements fly. 
 
 With tortuous fancies, useless to mankind, 
 
 Vex, dazzle, and distract the public mind. 
 
 Panting for fame, these spirits soar above 
 
 The sober flights of charity and love ; 
 
 While lightnings flashing round their course presage 
 
 Commotions on the earth, and civic rage ! 
 
 Though zealous for the pubUc good, they deem 
 
 Self-sacrifice to be an idle dream. 
 
 (The Priest refused his money to the knave 
 
 That ask'd for alms, and yet his blessing gave.) 
 
 Balm to hurt minds their eloquence afl"ords ; 
 
 Cheap vu'tue is humanity in words. 
 
 Brilliant as sunbeams are the sons of song 
 (As transient too,) the stirring crowd among, 
 Ere revolution darkens to deform 
 The moral world — they perish in the storm.
 
 THE WALK OX A DAY IN SUMMER. 11 
 
 But shadow like, more solemn things appear, 
 
 Such as fatigue the Town year after year ; 
 
 Their looks by fashion trimm'd have such pretence, 
 
 They almost seem to be informed with sense : 
 
 Why may they not, though seldom they unlock 
 
 Their cabinets, of wit possess a stock 
 
 For gaudy days reserved as presents, then 
 
 To be profusely lavished — Heaven knows when ! 
 
 The flush of simamer clouds that evening gilds, 
 
 Excels in splendour shi'ines that grandeur builds ; 
 
 Or famed Cleopohs, with golden spires 
 
 That ghtter through mid-air like spiral fires. 
 
 Art is but art, even when to taste allied 
 
 It rears a palace for imperial pride. 
 
 If on this earth such rays of glory fall, 
 
 What splendours, where God's presence gladdens all, 
 
 Through regions of interminable day. 
 
 Unveiled as spirits onward progress, play !
 
 12 THE WALK OX A DAY IN SUMMER. 
 
 There gifts of grace are as the stars untold, 
 And rich as fabled groves of verdant gold : 
 And minds reflect, as mirrors of the sky 
 Its lights, a brighter day-spring from on high. 
 
 June, 1842.
 
 NOTES 
 
 THE WALK ON A DAY IN SUMMER. 
 
 p. 3, 1. 5, 6. 
 
 Then the first orisons in grove and glade 
 Aerial voices sang— ere man was made. 
 
 " Sole and responsive each to others' note 
 Singing their great Creator." 
 
 Milton, book 4th, line 683. 
 
 P. 3, 1. 7, 0, 9. 10. 
 
 On such a day as this the Poet pure 
 Pour'd forth his grateful verse, that will endure 
 As long as the revolving seasons bring 
 Those changes wonderful he loved to sing. 
 
 The Poets Burns and CoUins have hallowed the memor}' 
 of Thomson in some beautiful stanzas. The late accom- 
 plished Sir George Beaumont was wont to say that it were
 
 14 NOTES TO THE WALK ON A DAT IN SUMMER. 
 
 better for the young Artist to copy from the descriptions in 
 Thomson's Seasons, in painting his landscapes, than even 
 from the works of the greatest masters. The Castle of 
 Indolence is, in my humble opinion, far superior to the 
 Seasons. There is an admirable comparison of the respective 
 merits of Cowper and Thomson in Campbell's Selection of 
 the Poets, vol. v. page 217. 
 
 p. 6, 1. 53—58. 
 
 Thus view we through the vista of past ages 
 Those columns bright of fame, Athena's sages. 
 Temple and tower decay, the winter's blast 
 Rends forests— works of genius perish last: 
 Through generations lights transmitted down, 
 Till o'er the world oblivion's pall is thrown. 
 
 " When time is old and hath forgot itself, 
 And blind oblivion swallowed cities up. 
 And mighty states characterless are grated 
 To dusty nothing," 
 
 The w^orks of the great writers of antiquity consecrated by 
 the admiration of ages : the universally acknowledged models 
 of excellence, shall be studied and illustrated by unborn 
 generations in distant lands that are yet untrodden by the 
 foot of man. Thousands will read with delight the " (Edipus 
 Coloneus " when Athens shall be no more.
 
 NOTES TO THE WALK ON A DAY IN SUMMER. 15 
 
 P. 9, 1, 107, 108. 
 
 As wave atlanUc, urged hy wintry gales, 
 A mural pile of porphyry assails. 
 
 " But the most sublime scene is whei-e a mural pile of por- 
 phyry escaping the progress of disintegration that is devas- 
 tating the coast, appears to have been left as a sort of ram- 
 part against the inroads of the Ocean ; the Atlantic vv'hen 
 provoked by wintry gales batters against it with all the force 
 of real artillery, the waves having in their repeated assaults 
 forced themselves an entrance." — LyelVs '■^Principles of 
 Geology^'' vol. ii. p. 41. Sixth edition. 
 
 p. 10, I. 128. 
 Cheap virtue is humanity in words. 
 
 " II en coLite," says the " Gar^on barbier " in Gil Bias, 
 " trop pour acquerir le fonds des vertus : on se contente 
 aujourd'hui d'en avoir les apparences ;" or, as Joseph Surface 
 says in " The School for Scandal," " The silver ore of pure 
 charity is an expensive article in the catalogue of a man's 
 good qualities, whereas the sentimental French plate I use 
 instead, makes just as good a show and pays no tax." 
 
 p. 11, 1. 133. 
 But shadoto like, more solemn things appear. 
 Shakspeare probably alludes to these " walking Gentlemen
 
 16 NOTES TO THE WALK ON A DAY IN SUMMER, 
 
 about Town " in the " Merchant of Venice," where Gra- 
 tiano says 
 
 " There are a sort of men whose visages 
 Do cream and mantle, like a standing pond, 
 And do a wilful stillness entertain. 
 With purpose to he dressed in an opinion 
 Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit ,-" 
 
 The species in these days may be somewhat different ; 
 " At genus immortale manet." 
 
 p. 11, 1. 150. 
 Unveiled as spirits onward progress. 
 
 " In these principles," says the eloquent author of Saturday 
 Evening,' " there is comprehended a provision never to be 
 exhausted for supplying nev^^ enjoyments to pure and intelli- 
 gent beings. It is evident that to active natures, endowed 
 with the power and desire of advancement, the eras of pro- 
 tracted duration must impart continually fresh accessions of 
 capacity for discerning the perfections of the Infinite God. 
 
 " That which might not be at all known or conceived of 
 in an early stage, may be comprehended in a stage more 
 advanced ; and thus the Boundless Felicity which none shall 
 ever fathom, will be to all and for ever a spring of pei'petual 
 pleasures." — Saturday Evening, p. 431.
 
 HYMN.
 
 HYMN, 
 
 SUNG BY THE SCHOOL CHILDREN, ON LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF 
 
 THE CHAPKL OF EASE ON WESTWuOD HEATH, IN THK PARISH 
 
 OF STONELEIGH. 
 
 We lift to God our hands and hearts * — 
 He comes — prepare the way : 
 
 He to our rising church imparts 
 His grace this blessed day. 
 
 To Thee, to whom all nations bow, 
 A house for prayer we raise ; 
 
 Our handy-work prosper Thou, 
 Accept our humble praise. 
 
 * " Sursum corda." 
 c 2
 
 20 HYMN. 
 
 Thy blessings shall oiir labours crown ; 
 
 And when our work is o'er, 
 Here we shall worship and fall down 
 
 Before Thee, and adore. 
 
 Our children, too, Thy holy word 
 Shall hear with awe and love ; 
 
 Here shall the sacred song be heard, 
 Ascend to Thee above. 
 
 For Thee, within the city's round, 
 
 Wliile lofty temples rise, 
 The lowhest place where truth is found 
 
 Is sacred in thine eyes. 
 
 Though shrines are for thy service given 
 
 That all may join in prayer ; 
 Thy footstool earth — Thy throne is heaven, 
 
 Thy presence everywhere.
 
 HYMX. 21 
 
 A while we sojourn on the earth, 
 Like shadows soon are gone ; 
 
 Our offerings all are nothing worth ; 
 We trust in Thee alone. 
 
 The want of all we wish to give 
 Thou only canst supply ; 
 
 Our pure heart-worship keep alive, 
 And raise our thoughts on high.
 
 THE GREAT OAK.
 
 THE GREAT OAK* 
 
 " O dia Quercus quce nemorum sinus 
 
 Superbienti vertice despicis, 
 
 Et brachia ad ventum coruscas 
 
 Regifico tenebrosa fastu." Wellesley. 
 
 " This mighty oak, 
 By whose immovable stem I stand, and seem 
 Almost annihilated — not a prince 
 In all that proud old world beyond the deep. 
 E'er wore his cro\vn as loftily as he 
 Wears the green coronal of leaves with which 
 Thy hand has graced him." Bryant. 
 
 Monarch of all this workl of shade, 
 Of full-leaved trees, on hill, in glade, 
 There separate, here massed ; 
 
 * The Oak that is the subject of the following stanzas, stands at about two 
 hundred yards to the north of the old Abbey gate-way entrance, at Stone- 
 Icigh Abbey, contiguous to a path leading to the village of Stoneleigh.
 
 26 THE GREAT OAK. 
 
 Or nobly towering, rank o'er rank, 
 Along the gently swelling bank. 
 Or in the river glassed — 
 
 It proudly stands, 'mong many more 
 Coeval oaks, now as of yore. 
 
 Majestic in repose : 
 And maidens fair, knights proud and brave, 
 Their plighted troth received and gave 
 
 Beneath its ample boughs, 
 
 See, where pre-eminent it rears 
 Its swelling foliage o'er compeers. 
 
 Like patriarchal sage. 
 Thus looked the matchless Shakspere, placed 
 Among those master-bards, who graced 
 
 Eliza's golden age. 
 
 Our present race it will survive. 
 By those who may hereafter live 
 In veneration held :
 
 THE GREAT OAK. 27 
 
 If by the lightning's stroke unrent, 
 Still flourishing, too prominent 
 
 In grandeur to be fell'd 
 
 And youth elate, in sportive mood, 
 Outrushing from the deep'ning wood 
 
 That bounds the interspace 
 So green, where couch the antler 'd deer. 
 Shall strive with laughter-moving cheer 
 
 The giant to embrace. 
 
 How many changes, dark and bright, 
 
 Shadow and smi-burst, has the flight 
 
 Of years around it cast ! 
 
 It flourishes, while things decay 
 
 That had their birth but yesterday, 
 
 It braves the tempest's blast. 
 • / 
 
 How many hearts shall beat with joy, 
 And cease to beat, ere time destroy 
 Its storm-defying frame :
 
 28 THE GREAT OAK. 
 
 How many scenes of weal and woe 
 Shall acted be, ere earth will shew 
 No vestige of its name. 
 
 This forest-scenery among 
 
 Rise others beautiful and strona: : 
 
 Perchance in after times, 
 As yon untiring sun returns, 
 To canopy a bard who mourns 
 
 In meditative rhymes. 
 
 Of their columnar greatness proud, 
 Their leafy fulness, like a cloud 
 
 Of verdure to the eye ; 
 Outlasting rising hall or tower, 
 They unborn Dians will embower. 
 
 As summers onward fly.
 
 NOTE 
 
 THE GREAT OAK. 
 
 p. 27, stanzas 6 and 7- 
 
 " Oh couldst thou speak, 
 As on Dodona once thy kindred trees 
 Oracular, I would not curious ask 
 The future, best unknown, but at thy mouth 
 Inquisitive, the less ambiguous past." 
 
 Cou'pcr's Ynrdley Oak.
 
 MAY, IN 1843.
 
 MAY, IN 1843. 
 
 "Largus item liquid! fons luminis, aetlierius Sol 
 Inrigat assidue cselum candore recenti, 
 Suppeditatque novo confestim lumine lumen.'" 
 
 Lucretius, Lib. v. v. 22. 
 
 Now garlands for her daughters pleasure wreathes, 
 Sweet odours beauty love-inspiring breathes : 
 Now life is sprightly up, and cheering morn 
 Laughs out, and Nature is as 'twere new-born. 
 Now througli saloons young maidens brighten, gay 
 As young gazelles, and beautiful as May. 
 
 On pamper 'd steeds of their fair riders proud. 
 The park at six what lovely Diana crowd I 
 
 D
 
 34 MAY, IN 1843. 
 
 Now moves the pageant near the Serpentine, 
 
 Of equipages gay a double Une. 
 
 Where is distress ? here all is life and joy ! 
 
 Yet ills at home may fashion's train annoy. 
 
 Where is distress ? in several alleys moan 
 
 Thousands, in garrets wretched, friendless, lone. 
 
 And Hves through misery waste, and minds decay, 
 
 That while hope cheer 'd them had been bright and gay. 
 
 Vainly for them now smiles the morning's dawn ; 
 
 The light that pierc'd through life's dull cloud withdrawn. 
 
 Oh ! there is sympathy at feasts with those 
 Who are in want while round the goblet goes ; 
 If you woidd hope that charities might thrive, 
 Equivalents in fetes and dinners give. — 
 And then with self-laudation hearts dilate ; 
 That talisman subscriptions to inflate. 
 
 Oft is a spirit of exclusion shewn 
 By territorial magnates plumed in town ;
 
 MAY, IN 1843. 35 
 
 And country neighbours whom they lov'd to greet 
 In fields, are scarce acknowledged in the street. 
 There what our wits would call bucolic worth 
 At zero is, if not upheld by birth. 
 
 Blown by young bards gay fancy's bubbles first 
 Mount, glitter in the sun of glory, biurst : 
 Ambition's next by statesmen are upblown, 
 Swell as they mount, till more inflated grown, 
 They suddenly dissolve, as nations stare 
 At their portentous grandeur, into air. 
 
 Now science is enthron'd in sun-bright halls. 
 Though somewhat pamper'd at great festivals, 
 Where men are tempted to prefer display 
 Of wit's gay hghts to truth's more sober ray. 
 Yet poesy may with her golden hue 
 Colour dcvelop'd facts sublunely true. 
 
 D 2
 
 36 MAY, IN 1843. 
 
 Gifts to the altar fair Armonia brings, 
 Of grateful science the fine ofi'erings : 
 While with a radiance pure devotion gilds 
 The system science-loving woman builds. 
 
 Through the long vista arch'd by green boughs gaze, 
 See, where it terminates, the solar blaze. 
 Thus through the eye of reason through the glass 
 Of faith we lights behold that suns siu-pass. 
 
 Men who their own vile interests pursue, 
 Boast that they have the pubUc good in view. 
 With what contentious spirit is display 'd 
 Fierce agitation for, against, free Trade ! 
 Each hates his brother, striving to restrain 
 Or ope the ports for import free of grain. 
 
 Each disputant his opposite by turns 
 Dazzles with wit or with invective burns :
 
 MAY, IN 1843. 37 
 
 As the logomachists in fencing mood 
 Stand, and pour forth of eloquence a flood, 
 Sage against sage by Commons back'd or Lords, 
 Shoots forth his arrows, even bitter words. 
 
 Many that strive to win the people's love, 
 Most doubtfid, onward 'gainst their conscience move : 
 Yet much would grieve if theories they hail 
 With loud applause, in practice should prevail. 
 The selfish hope is theirs, that in their day 
 The storm impending might not come — it may. 
 
 The millionnaire commercial, the proud squire 
 Ruffled hke game cocks crow with mutual ire ! 
 At market-place, in pulpits, is the song 
 Of triumph heard free-trading crowds among ! 
 
 Caught in the " Liberator's" artfid fold 
 Pants Erin, he will ne'er relax his hold,
 
 38 MAY, IN 1843. 
 
 While thousands at his feet their offerings pour, 
 And as a god the demagogue adore. 
 
 Repeal the Union, Erin shouts repeal ! 
 Repeal the Corn Laws for the puhlic weal ! 
 The word Repeal hereafter may disclose 
 More ills than from Pandora's box arose. 
 
 Now Adam Smith is oft invok'd extreme 
 Opinions to support — to prop a scheme ! 
 Appeals to passion, poor attempts at wit, 
 Mar subjects for calm reasoning most fit. 
 
 Old institutions, that unhurt oppose 
 The force collective of assailing foes, 
 Worn by the ever-undermining stream 
 Of time decay while yet untouched they seem. 
 Who would in permanence of systems trust? 
 The feudal fabric crumbles into dust.
 
 MAY, IN 1843. 33 
 
 Still speculation on untiring wing 
 Flies round the world home fancied wealth to bring. 
 Commerce a richer crown adorns thy brow — 
 And China is an El Dorado now. 
 While Albion boasts that streams of silver nm 
 Into the coffers of her merchant-son. 
 Yet other nations rush her spoils to share, 
 Sowing the seeds of future contests there. 
 
 Again ambitious to become the scourge 
 Of nations — strife beyond her confines urge, 
 France may relume the war-torch, shake the throne, 
 When from this world her master-mind is gone. 
 Then all the fiery spii'its that by peace 
 For years have been enchain'd shall strife release : 
 While rising from the nether world in swarms 
 Shall hell's black agents heighten earth-born storms : 
 And claims of state, that mutual fears suspend, 
 Shall like the warring elements contend.
 
 40 MAY, IN 1843. 
 
 As rose the giant Andes, thus the power 
 Of Russia rose old nations to o'er-tower : 
 Destin'd perchance to sink beneath the weight 
 Of some new empire yet in embryo state. 
 
 Though such sad bodings anxious bosoms fill, 
 Visible good outweighs contingent ill. 
 Not yet from Israel is her glory gone ; 
 Homaged by all smiles virtue on the throne : 
 And full of hope religion bears the tome 
 Of priceless value to each cottage-home. 
 
 Far where the flag of Britain is unfurl 'd 
 Triumphant, gospel-truths pervade the world : 
 There millions will proclaim with general voice 
 One God, one Saviour — in the Word rejoice. 
 The Word that shall redeem them from the grave 
 And their sons' sons, — omnipotent to save.
 
 MAY, IN 1843. 41 
 
 Lands, where the savage war-cry late was heard, 
 With hyninings to the Prince of Peace are cheer 'd. 
 Where once the seed is sown it will remain, 
 A thousand times is multiplied the grain. 
 
 Onward runs emigration's restless tide, 
 Hope is the young adventurer's star-like guide. 
 His rising family, of wealth a mine. 
 Not doom'd o'ertasked iu penury to pine, 
 Draw, while increase of gain o'ei'-pays the toil, 
 Exhaustless riches from a virjrin soil. 
 
 And distant lands regarded late as waste 
 Shall furnish plants to suit capricious taste ; 
 Some herh, or esculent perchance to change 
 The course of commerce, or extend its range. 
 
 Oh may the spirit from above dethrone 
 The brute-god in our breasts, there rule alone.—
 
 42 MAY, IN 1843. 
 
 Then stars that have their lustre lost, to cheer 
 The world with pristine light may re-appear 
 Shedding their influence, till all shall be 
 From the enchantments base of mammon free. 
 Howards will walk the earth with port erect. 
 And heart to heart by ties of love connect. 
 
 As vernal sun with equal warmth supplies 
 Multiform flowers that in communion rise ; 
 Thus pure benevolence, our sun below, 
 Difiuses through the world a genial glow ; 
 And never rests, its energy unspent, 
 With its transmitted effluence content ; 
 But daily renovates its virtue, still 
 Created things with joy intense to fill.
 
 NOTES 
 
 MAY, IN 1843. 
 
 p. 33, 1. 3, 4. 
 
 Now life is sprightly vp, and cheering viorp 
 Laughs out, and Nature is as 'twere new-born. 
 
 " So when the cheerfulness of the people is so sprightly 
 up." — Milton. 
 
 " The besy larke, the messager of day 
 Saleweth in hire song the morwe gray ; 
 And firy Phebus riseth up so bright 
 That all the orient laugheth of the sight, 
 And with his stremes drieth in the greves 
 The silver dropes, hanging on the leves." 
 
 Chauckb,— 2Vie Knight's Tale, verse 1493, Folio Edition.
 
 44 NOTES TO MAY, IN 1843. 
 
 P. 35, 1. 7. 
 Ambition's next hy statesmen are upblotcn. 
 
 " Mon enfant quel Eclair sinistre ! 
 
 C'etait I'astre d'un favori, 
 Qui se croyait un grand ministre 
 
 Quand de nos maux il avait ri. 
 Ceux qui servaient ce dieu fragile 
 
 Ont deja cach6 son portrait — 
 Encore une 6toile qui file 
 
 Qui file, file et disparait." — B£ranoer. 
 
 " It has long been known that certain stars are liable to 
 great and periodical fluctuations in splendour, and Sir J. 
 Herschel has lately ascertained (January, 1840,) that a large 
 and brilliant star, called alpha Orionis, sustained, in the 
 course of six weeks, a loss of nearly half its light." It is no 
 difficult matter metaphorically to apply this fact. 
 
 P. 35, 1.) 5, 16. 
 
 Yet poesy may with her golden hue 
 Colour develop' dfaets sublimely true. 
 
 The admirable articles written by Sir John Leslie, in the 
 Encyclopaedia Britannica, on various subjects of natural and 
 chemical science, combine the truth of science with the poetry 
 of romance ; 
 
 "clothing the palpable and familiar 
 In golden exhalations of the dawn."
 
 NOTES TO MAY, IN 1843. 45 
 
 In eloquence of description, and beauty of language, few 
 works of fiction excel Lyell's comprehensive work on Geology. 
 
 P. 3fi, 1. 3, 4. 
 
 While with a radiance pure devotion gilds 
 The system science-loving woman builds. 
 
 How simple yet sublime the conclusions of Mrs. Somer- 
 ville's excellent work, on the Physical Sciences. 
 
 " These formulae, emblematic of Omniscience, condense into 
 a few symbols the immutable laws of the Universe. This 
 mighty instrument of human power itself originates in the 
 primitive constitution of the human mind, and rests upon a 
 few fundamental axioms, which have eternally existed in Him 
 who implanted them in the breast of man when he created 
 him after His own image." 
 
 SoMERviLLE, ort the Physical Sciences, p. 418. 
 
 P. 37, 1. 13, 14. 
 
 At market-place, in pulpits, is the song 
 
 0/ triumph heard free-trading crowds among ! 
 
 " These things, indeed, you have articulated, 
 Proclaim'd at market crosses, read in churches." 
 
 Shakspearb, Henry IV., Act v. scene i. 
 
 I deprecate the application of the lines that follow. 
 Who can forget the Tyrtaean odes of Dr. Bov^Ting —
 
 46 NOTES TO MAY, IN 1843. 
 
 " quo non prasstantior ullus 
 JEre ciere viros, Martemque accendere cantu"? 
 
 Or the oratory of Messrs. Cobden and Bright, those " idols of 
 the theatre," in Drury Lane and elsewhere 1 
 
 "Who was so firm, so constant that this coyl 
 Would not infect his reason ? not a soul 
 But felt a fever of the mind." 
 
 ***** However, the subject of 
 the vexata qucestio of the Com Laws to be discussed fairly, 
 should be discussed with temper, and not made a handle for 
 furious invective against Landlords. Self-love seduces us all 
 to take a one-sided view of any question in which our own 
 particular interests are involved ; nor do I see any particular 
 virtue in the " Leaguers " that exempts them from this 
 common infirmity of human nature. The honesty of Land- 
 lords is, at least, on a par with the honesty of those by whom 
 they are arraigned. 
 
 The cold calculations of the political Economist are 
 opposed to those feelings that should animate the breast of 
 the Poet, })ut no doubt Mr, Cobden would complain of the 
 unfairness of that speaker who would quote the beautiful 
 lines of Campbell, on " revisiting the banks of the Clyde," as 
 a fair illustration of the manufacturing system ; yet, Mr. 
 Campbell is not (I believe) a Landlord.
 
 NOTES TO MAY, IN 1843. 47 
 
 P. 37, 1. 15. . 
 
 Caught in the Liberator's artful fold. 
 
 The ancients believed that the volcanic mountain Chimsera 
 was presided over by an Agathodsemon that rendered its 
 flames innoxious ; thus the wise in their generation fancy 
 that the " Liberator " controls l)y his restraining influence 
 the fiery disposition of his countiymen that would otherwise 
 flame out into rebellion : a restraining influence, similar to 
 that which is exercised by an equestrian worthy in Hyde 
 Park, 
 
 " "While his off heel insidiously aside 
 Provokes the caper which he seems to chide." 
 
 P. 38,1. 15, 16. 
 
 Who would in permanence of systems trust ? 
 The feudal fabric crumbles into dust. 
 
 " A day will arrive in the progress of the human race when 
 every record or trace of our existing establishments will be 
 regarded with the same curiosity with which we now regard 
 those of the Roman power before its decline. — 
 
 " The feudal arrangements which sprung up and over- 
 spread its ruins, are in their turn, decaying and giving place 
 to other ideas and principles ; and in this slow, but certain 
 succession of one system of human affairs to another, like the
 
 48 NOTES TO MAY, IN 1843. 
 
 successive formations of rocks in geological science, the phi- 
 losopher and the truly pious man hail in every change an 
 evident amelioration of the moral and physical condition of 
 mankind, a wonderful advance in morality, religion, good 
 government, and well being, and leave to the bigots in legis- 
 lation and religious forms the inconsistent and fruitless 
 attempt to hold back this mighty movement of divine and 
 beneficent will for the improvement of the moral and phy- 
 sical condition of its creatures." — Laing's Notes of a Tra- 
 veller, 8vo. p. 408. 
 
 " We have often thought that the motion of the public 
 mind in our country resembles that of the sea when the tide 
 is rising. Each successive wave rushes forward, breaks, and 
 rolls back, but the great flood is steadily coming in. A 
 person who looked on the waters only for a moment might 
 fancy that they were retiring. A person who looked on 
 them only for five minutes, might fancy that they were 
 rushing capriciously to and fro. But when he keeps his eye 
 on them for a quarter of an hour, and sees one sea-mark 
 disappear after another, it is impossible for him to doubt of 
 the general direction in which the ocean is moved. Just 
 such has been the course of events in England. In the 
 history of the national mind, which is in truth the history 
 of the nation, we must carefully distinguish between that 
 recoil which regularly follows every advance and a great
 
 NOTES TO MAT, IN 1843. 49 
 
 general ebb." — Critical and Historical Essays, by Thomas 
 Babington Macaulay, \ol. 2, -p-p. 228 — 9. .. ... 
 
 There is certainly, at present, a "recoil" ; the utilitarian 
 system, whether it be for good or for evil, is now out of 
 fashion. 
 
 " Sic volvenda aetas commutat tempora rerum. 
 Quod fuit in pretio : fit nullo denique honore : 
 Porro aliud succedit, et 6 contemtibus exit, 
 Inque dies magis appetitur, floretque repertum 
 Laudibus, et miro'st mortaleis inter honore." — Lucrktius. 
 
 It is, however, a good " sign of the times " that the works 
 now in demand with our Booksellers are those that are pub- 
 lished for the spiritual as well as physical well-being of the 
 people, works on religion and agriculture. Even the Author 
 of " Past and Future," that extraordinary book, truth-telling 
 in many respects, yet unpalatable to the few who under- 
 stand it, admits that "a sacred religion," "if you like the 
 name, does live in the heart of strange froth-ocean, not wholly 
 froth, which we call Literature ; and will more and more 
 disclose itself therefrom ; not now as scorching fire : the red 
 smoky scorching fire has purified itself into white sunny 
 Light." — Past and Present, by T. Carlyle, p. 317. 
 
 Our Kebles and our Wordsworths are now more highly 
 honoured than our Byrons, and Maturins. 
 
 As the elegant author of " L'Espagne sous Ferdinand VIL" 
 truly says, —
 
 so NOTES TO MAT, IN 1843. 
 
 " Ce qui fait le bonheur des societes ce n'est pas telle ou 
 telle institution, c'est 1 'irresistible adoucissement des moeurs, 
 c'est le progres des idees communes a tout le genre humain. 
 
 " Les peuples les plus avances sur cette route sont les 
 peuples sincerement religieux." 
 
 p. 40, 1. 13, 14. 
 
 There millions will proclaim with general voice 
 One God, one Saviour — in the Word rejoice. 
 
 In prophetic anticipation of this glorious consummation of 
 all things, the Poet Cowper rises to an elevation unusual even 
 with him, and bursts out into the following rapturous strain — 
 
 " One song employs all nations, and all cry, 
 
 ' Worthy the Lamb, for he was slain for us.' 
 
 The dwellers in the vales, and on the rocks 
 
 Shout to each other, and the mountain tops 
 
 From distant mountains catch the flying joy, 
 
 Till nation after nation taught the strain 
 
 Earth rolls the rapturous Hosanna round. 
 
 Behold the measure of the promise fill'd. 
 
 See Salem built, the labour of a God I 
 
 Bright as a sun the sacred city shines ; ^ 
 
 All kingdoms and all princes of the earth 
 
 Flock to that light ; the glory of all lands 
 
 Flows into her ; unbounded is her joy 
 
 And endless her increase." 
 
 Again — 
 
 " Eastern Java there 
 Kneels with the native of the/arthest west,
 
 NOTES TO MAY, IN 1843. 51 
 
 And ^Ethiopia spreads abroad the hand 
 And worships." 
 
 CowPER, The Task, Book 6. " The winter tcalk at nuon." 
 
 See Fareham's Travels in the Western Prairies, vol. ii. 
 p. 129, where he describes the devotions of the Indians in 
 Oregon. "A wandering Savage in Oregon calling upon 
 Jehovah in the name of Jesus Christ." " The Indian famify 
 engaged in their evening devotions, and singing a hymn in the 
 Nez Perces language.'" 
 
 Thus " the stream of divine knowledge unobserved, is 
 flowing in new channels, winding its course among humble 
 valleys, refreshing thirsty deserts, and enriching with far 
 other and far higher blessings than those of commerce the 
 most distant climes and nations, until, agreeably to the pre- 
 diction of the prophecy, the knowledge of the Lord shall cover 
 the lohole earth" — Robert Hall. 
 
 E 2
 
 FAITH. HOPE.
 
 FAITH, HOPE. 
 
 As mind toward uncreated Lifflit 
 Upsprings from bondage free, 
 
 Still Faith and Hope attend her flight. 
 Where truths evolved shall be. 
 
 Progressively unveil 'd appear 
 
 New glories, more remain 
 Yet unreveal'd, bright hope to cheer ; 
 
 Faith's ardour to sustain. 
 
 Through grades of endless life the mind 
 Still rises, higher — higher — 
 
 Fresh trial there for faith to find ; 
 For hope, increased desire.
 
 NOTE 
 
 TO 
 
 IH, HOPE 
 
 " As the perfections of God are infinite they are capable 
 of being eternally manifested : and after all manifestations, 
 there must be an infinitude of perfections still to be brought 
 to view." — Adam Clakkk.
 
 GENIUS.
 
 GENIUS. 
 
 — » — 
 
 Genius or with pure light brightens- 
 Ray, no mist can shroud ; 
 
 Or with glare sinister lightens 
 
 Through passion's sanguine cloud. 
 
 Genius is the talent given, 
 
 Still to be improved, 
 Rather lent to Man, of Heaven, 
 
 If misused, unloved. 
 
 Genius with high aspirations 
 
 Man ennobles here. 
 Faith-infusing intimations 
 
 Of a nobler sphere.
 
 62 GENIUS. 
 
 Genius Heaven-descending turns 
 From its course aside ; 
 
 The spirit that within it burns 
 Darken'd then bv Pride.
 
 A DAY IN AUTUMN.
 
 A DAY IN AUTUMN. 
 
 The Sun autumnal rising pours his flood 
 Of light on redd'ning foUage of the wood ; 
 Brightens the varied tints with golden hue, 
 And cheers with radiant smiles the Ocean blue. 
 As through the bracing air health's current flows. 
 The mind with renovated ardour glows. 
 Would it on social good its powers employ — 
 How many now deprest might life enjoj. 
 
 The fashion of the world must pass away — 
 How emblem 'd in the wither 'd leaf's decay ! 
 Man feels it as he contemplates the lost 
 Pride of the woods by whirhng breezes tost.
 
 66 A DAY IN AUTUMN. 
 
 Link of a chain that far far stretches forth 
 Into eternity is life on earth ; 
 Part of continuous being overprized 
 It cannot be — alone — to be despised. 
 Yet Man toils on incessantly, his aim 
 Through Ufe or present wealth, or future fame. 
 This a mere phantom, that acquired with pain 
 Hardens the heart the more we strive to gain. 
 
 How clear the noonday, luminous as thought 
 Of seraph with celestial wisdom fraught ! 
 How clear the noonday ! yon green hUl is crown 'd 
 With lofty oaks, their foliage all imbrown'd ; 
 Noble as Roman Senators who heard 
 Unmoved that Rome her foe victorious near'd. 
 
 How mild the air, yet thousands fear to-day 
 The coming on of winter's icy sway ;
 
 A DAY IN AUTUMN. 67 
 
 When wretches homeless wander, shivering lie 
 Through long, long nights beneath th' inclement sky, 
 And starving perish ; in her chariot Pride 
 Views their sad plight, and turns her head aside. 
 
 How every change of aspect Nature takes, 
 
 A new emotion in the mind awakes ! 
 
 Pensive the blackbird's mellow song we hear. 
 
 That sweet farewell to the declining year. 
 
 In youth's gay spring, in summer's manhood, glows 
 
 The love of fame, Ufe's autumn loves repose ! 
 
 In age, the good man's virtues are matured. 
 Like autumn fruit, but more from storms secured : 
 And spiritual graces in him glow, 
 As mingled colours their rich embroidery show, 
 Setting each other off ; but who can trace 
 Th' Invisible hand that works out every grace, 
 
 F 2
 
 68 A DAY IN AUTUMN. 
 
 And say to which priority is given 
 
 In tliis the loveliest pattern fit for Heaven ! 
 
 The year is waxing old, the world unworn 
 
 Discoveries new improve, new arts adorn. 
 
 No signs of cahn decay it shews but life 
 
 Vigorous, deriving strength increased from strife. 
 
 The mighty heart of social action beats 
 
 As strong as ever, knave with knave competes. 
 
 Movement checks movement — freedom, though opprest, 
 Rebreathes in Greece, " hope elevates her crest." 
 Yet flourishes, by adverse states unawed. 
 An empire based on force, enlarged by fraud. 
 
 ReUgion pours forth her vitaHties 
 
 Through streams the fount unsealed of truth supplies ; 
 
 Though various, all are gladden 'd by the Sun 
 
 Of suns, and catch His splendour as they run.
 
 A DAY IN AUTUMN. 69 
 
 Heaven speed the plough ! Oh ! on his natal soil 
 May the bold husbandman ne'er vainly toil : 
 Long may the cheering voice of praise impel 
 His work, with honest pride his bosom swell. 
 All charms with which our social life is graced, 
 Varied enjoyments, to the plough are traced. 
 Homaged by science, Ceres waves her wand, 
 And lo ! exuberant crops adorn the land. 
 Her foison to increase inventive skill 
 Creates improvements yearly — ever will. 
 And learned Chemists generously impart 
 To tillers of the earth their secret art ; 
 In what proportion clay with sand to mix, 
 And how ammonia volatile to fix. 
 
 Now statesmen strive each other to surpass, 
 In speaking on guano, stock, and grass.
 
 70 A DAY IN AUTUMN. 
 
 And tell you, with their calculations sure, 
 What weight of turnips gives some pet manure. 
 And farmers wonder, how that minds immersed 
 In state affairs in farm-craft are so versed. 
 
 When her last floating garland gentle eve 
 Around the setting sun has ceased to weave, 
 Rush bm'ghers to the theatre in crowds 
 To see young Peris spring from roseate clouds ; 
 To see sweet fancy's child through scenic aid 
 Shine forth embodied in a gracefid maid. 
 Even money-getting drudges seek rehef 
 In the ideal world from care and grief. 
 
 How beautiful the night ! the stars appear 
 With their prophetic lustre man to cheer. 
 If the unseen economy we knew 
 Of one of those most glorious orbs we view.
 
 A DAY IN AUTUMN. 
 
 The habitants of that fau- globe may have 
 Their course of action closing in the grave : 
 Then spirits " finely touched for issues fine " 
 Mount into higher spheres like gods to shine ; 
 To carry out of virtue plans, begun 
 In their first natal world, from sun to sun : 
 Reciprocating joys ne'er ne'er to cease 
 Wliere all is active energy — yet peace. 
 
 October, 1843.
 
 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 1841. 
 
 " Sermons in Stones, and good in every thing." 
 
 Shaksperb.
 
 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 An aU-pervading Beauty, if you will 
 
 Love call it, roseate smiles o'er dale and hill. ' 
 
 Lo ! what a stream of light the heavens outpour. 
 
 As with a glory-robe earth manthng o'er. 
 
 Each passing gale, a still small voice from heaven, 
 
 Whispers to man promise of sin forgiven. 
 
 For every dew-drop ghstening in the light, 
 
 There glows an infant spirit pure and bright. 
 
 With flowers numberless the banks are rife ; 
 
 So gay, they seem to brighten into life. 
 
 When May appears with all her charms as now. 
 The meanest hearts expand, the coldest glow —
 
 76 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 E'en sorrow smiles — to homage May, her queen. 
 
 The earth profusely gay with flowers is seen. 
 
 The venerahle oaks, as if in scorn 
 
 Of time, renew their green age though time-worn ; 
 
 Still throwing out their foliage green in spring, 
 
 As virtues in old age are blossominff. 
 
 Oh ! Nature, how prevailing is thy power ! 
 
 The veriest drudge with pride beholds his flower. 
 
 In all their full-blown grandeur reappear 
 
 The woods, as gorgeous Siunmer draweth near. 
 
 As proud, but not as beautiful, the dame, 
 
 Last Summer's glory, still would homage claim ; 
 
 Such is of fashion the transmuting power, 
 
 The weed in Autumn is a Summer flower, 
 
 sick'ning adulation of the great. 
 
 As if this faded thing could conquer fate !
 
 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 Suspend the laws of nature at her will, 
 And, a time- wrinkled dame, be Hebe still ! 
 
 She wiU around imfledged patricians draw 
 Her circle, force them to obey her law, 
 To turn from Beauty, radiant as the morn, 
 But not in her collateral sphere, with scorn ; 
 And since in her exclusive taste is seen, 
 She is in spite of years an evergreen. 
 
 As the fresh flowers that in our garden bloom 
 Lose all they have of freshness in a room, 
 Thus the vain child of fortune spoil 'd in town 
 Loses aU generous worth in boyhood shown : 
 He knows not that a superciUous gaze 
 A weak heart and a narrow mind betrays : 
 The creeping insect fancies that he soars. 
 When he, a noble idol, self adores.
 
 78 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 The fool a double character affects ; 
 
 That which he courts abroad, at home nesrlects. 
 
 Gratitude, fashion has her moral code, 
 
 Is not indeed a virtue a la mode. 
 
 But triflers such as these need not enffaore 
 
 Our thoughts, not worthy e'en of satire's page. 
 
 If by some chance a wealth-encumber 'd Peer 
 
 (Accumulating gold year after year) 
 
 To starving operatives gives fifty pounds, 
 
 The world with paeans to his praise resounds : 
 
 The journal teems with comments on his worth, 
 
 So naturally aUied to noble birth ! 
 
 Will he to aid the poor relinquish toys 
 
 Superfluous he possesses, not enjoys? 
 
 Or will he give, when pitying distress. 
 
 To high-born Beauty's stores one diamond less ? 
 
 The mite by self-denying virtue given 
 
 Fructifies into countless wealth in heaven. 
 
 {
 
 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. 79 
 
 happy great, whatever to do you choose, 
 Your movements all are chronicled as news. 
 Touch'd by the press, your banquets and your balls 
 Swell into more than orient festivals ! 
 Each fete is splendid as the sun at noon, 
 Each room a most magnificent saloon. 
 Around you are illusions thrown to hide 
 You from yourselves, and gratify your pride. 
 
 The restless spirit Claudius, tired of Town, 
 To Brighton flies, a change important, down ; 
 To trifle, as he can, his hom's away, 
 Or in pursuit of pleasure, or of play. 
 This great event, that country-cousins read. 
 Is posted through the land with railway speed. 
 So trumpet-tongued the feats of Claudius seem ; 
 They claim attention Hke a Premier's scheme.
 
 80 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 To gain, no matter how to gain, a name, 
 
 All burn — resistless are the charms of fame : 
 
 And each in his vocation strives to win her 
 
 Smiles with a " splendid speech, " or " sumptuous dinner. " 
 
 Thus to the sun, while eaglets view his blaze 
 
 Unblench'd, the peacock proud his fan displays. 
 
 But nests that topmost boughs of cedars crown, 
 Wlaen visited by winds may topple down *. 
 They are dismiss 'd scarce noticed to the grave, 
 Whose acts, when hving, fashion's journal gave : 
 Their sons, with flattery's grateful sweets perfumed, 
 Sparkle in fashion's annals, till inhumed. 
 
 Fast as light shadows o'er the meadow sweep, 
 Come, go, frail fashion's train, love, laugh, and weep ; 
 
 * Our aery buildeth in the cedar's top, 
 
 And dallies with the winds, and scorns the sun. 
 
 Shakspere, Richard III., Act 1, Scene 4.
 
 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. ^1 
 
 Now glittering like wavelets that reflect 
 The sun, anon o'erdarken'd by negiect; 
 Radiant to-day, 'mid scenes no care has gloom 'd, 
 To soUtudes misought, to-morrow doom'd. 
 Thus roseate splendours heralding the morn, 
 Precede black pageants, ominous, sky-born. 
 
 Though minds of mighty statesmen cannot reach 
 
 The height of " argument " that women teach, 
 
 (Errors transmissive are from sire to son - ,. 
 
 Like heir-looms, e'en when Truth her cause has won) 
 
 Yet social men a clearer view will take 
 
 Of their own interests, and to truth awake ; 
 
 And their auxiliar energies unite. 
 
 So to illume, that all may see the right ; 
 
 Wlien truths, that clamorous prejucUce has chased 
 
 Away, return to be as truths embraced ; 
 
 And independent genius, when it tm-ns 
 
 Truthward, to free the soid from tliralduiu burns. 
 
 G
 
 82 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 Like formalists the well-rank 'd poplars stand, 
 But oaks throw out their branches wildly grand, 
 And million-leaved — thus, though irreo-ular 
 Genius may be, its products splendid are. 
 Thus swolu streams, bursting o'er with wild turmoil 
 Their banks, enrich while they invade the soil. 
 
 Boast not self-love, man is to man akin, 
 
 The worst some virtues have, the best may sin. 
 
 All spiritual good in man revere, 
 
 As intimations of Heaven's presence here. 
 
 Trustful we are that virtue wiU increase 
 
 With knowledge, not indeed that crime will cease ! 
 
 Capacities for good, that none can see, 
 Latent in wayward spirits yet may be ; 
 Evoked by art of a discerning mind, 
 They must spring forth to benefit mankind :
 
 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. 83 
 
 As wild phenomena in nature may 
 Be brought by skill utility t' obey ; 
 And energies, else wasted, misapphed, 
 Knowledge will now enlist on virtue's side. 
 Gather the fragments up that nought be lost — 
 Mind may regain its coiu-se though tempest-tost. 
 Thus through the moral atmosphere diffused, 
 Float quahties that may be fix'd and used. 
 E'en in an erring brother's downcast eye 
 Pm-e rays of hope the Christian may descry ; 
 These Charity will more and more essay 
 To show, as skill the gem's most hidden ray, 
 When from that gem, of value great, though clouded. 
 Sparklets reveal the worth within it shrouded. 
 One generous feeling by a worldling shown. 
 Encouraged, keeps opposing vices down : 
 One noble thought express 'd, or on the stage. 
 Or in the senate, dignifies the age. 
 
 G 2
 
 84 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 As diflferent flowers in sweet communion thi-ive, 
 From the same solar orb tlieir strength derive ; 
 Thus noble souls from the same Heaven have caught 
 Their lustre, each with different hues of thought ; 
 All beautiful, but not with equal charms, 
 All Heaven's invigorating influence warms. 
 The impress they of their Creator bear, 
 As flowerets like the stars in form appear. 
 
 Each fresh discovery opens to their view, 
 
 Like hght shot through the glade, more wonders new. 
 
 Others, these grown famihar, are um'oU'd, 
 
 As further vistas woodland walks unfold. 
 
 And principles are understood, and clear 
 
 As skies to-day, the grounds of truth appear. 
 
 Gilt clouds of sophistry away have past. 
 
 Erst o'er them by the muse historic cast:
 
 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. 85 
 
 'Tis thus, gay parasites that cling around 
 Columnar shafts, to weaken them are found. 
 
 As various streamlets toward yon river ghde ; 
 
 There to roll on, one broad and mighty tide ; 
 
 Thus consentaneously in order move - 
 
 Onward, truth, science, piety, and love ; 
 
 Their glorious object is the good of man. 
 
 Progressive, on an ever- widening plan : ■ 
 
 For that the heart is beating, works the mind. 
 
 Intelligence, affection, both combined. 
 
 Virtue and knowledge on rehgion based 
 
 Tower like twin-oaks, sky-pointing, interlaced ; 
 
 And from above, 'tis nature's general law, 
 
 An ever-quickening energy they draw. 
 
 And pm-e Religion to Philosophy 
 
 A pillar luminous, a guide may be : 
 
 No priests vindictive now a sangiuue cloud 
 
 Around her raise ; and captive lead the crowd.
 
 86 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 The truths from Heaven each rising art attests, 
 As now increase of verdure earth invests ; 
 Thus Chahners' blaze of genius far display 'd 
 Illumines gospel-truths by Herschell's aid. 
 On the Geologist's labour, as on mines 
 Reveal'd the sim's, the hght of Scripture shines. 
 As after vernal showers the plants apace 
 Flush into beauty, thus the dews of grace 
 On young hearts falling, bid them above earth 
 Rise, and put forth their spiritual worth : 
 Such the celestial light, that will cndm'e 
 When suns shall perish, visits to mature. 
 
 A more than light supernal soon shall glow 
 On Zion's hiU, Seers hail its advent now. 
 Soon every shade of error driven down, 
 Truth in her visible glory Faith shall crown.
 
 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. ST 
 
 While pure devotion shall awake the lyre 
 Again, the Chiu'ch be perfect and entire ; 
 As yon green tree, o'er which the sunhght flows, 
 Shows on all sides luxuriant wealth of boughs. 
 The sacred muse to heaven ascending sings, 
 "Up-borne on indefatigable wings." 
 
 O'er hearts renew 'd the Holy Spirit broods, 
 Dove-like, hke cahn intense o'er yonder woods ; 
 And as anon the woods are gently stirr'd, 
 Its sacred influences are felt and heard. 
 The soul's emotions more and more shall be 
 Heighten'd, to an indefinite degree ; 
 When, casting ofi" their elements inert, 
 They will their sovereignty o'er mind assert. 
 They will through cycles new of ages live. 
 Accretions new of bhss receive, and give ;
 
 88 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 They will, emaning from a pui'er ray 
 
 Celestial, powers of intellect o'ersway: 
 
 With co-eternal strength, from joy to joy 
 
 Progressing, (still for action fresh employ,) 
 
 They Avill for exercise have ample scope, 
 
 Certain of bliss, yet buoyant as with hope. 
 
 They with continuous energy from height 
 
 To height wUl rise, increasing in their might ; 
 
 Thus now through Hght and heat the plant each hour 
 
 Shoots up, with ampler charms expands the flower.
 
 NOTES 
 
 THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 p. 85, 1. 13, 14. 
 
 And from, above, 'tis nature's general law. 
 An ever-quickening energy/ they draw. 
 
 See Liebig's " Organic Chemistry," p. 16, (Playfair's 
 translation). 
 
 P. 86, 1. 1. 
 The truths from Heaven each rising art attests. 
 
 " And in this manner, divine truth, while it hath made the 
 substance of religion sure and immutable, hath yet in a 
 manner tied its evidence to the restless wheel of man's en- 
 deavour, and mingled them with the other motives of his 
 impelling desires ; that so every step made in the prosecution 
 of sound study and humble inquiry may give them also a 
 new advance, and varied position ; on which the reflecting
 
 90 NOTES TO THOUGHTS AT WHITSUNTIDE. 
 
 mind may dwell with surpassing admiration." — Wiseman's 
 Lectures on Connexion between Science and revealed Religion, 
 vol. ii. page 142. 
 
 P. 87, 1. 11, 12. 
 
 The soul's emotions more and more shall he 
 Heighten'd. 
 
 " The affections of the Spirit, and their power of intimate 
 Communion with the Infinite Spirit, not only raise the mind 
 immeasurably above the level of the visible world, and carry 
 it clear of the fate of that world ; but raise it even above 
 the range of the merely intellectual faculties, so that a state 
 may be conceived far better and higher than that of the 
 highest exercise of reason." — Physical Theory of another 
 World, page 293.
 
 A VISION.
 
 A VISION. 
 
 (ALLEGORICAL.) 
 
 Legions of splendours there I saw, as stars 
 
 Numberless, bright 'iiing o'er a river clear, 
 Winnowing the air imruffled ; din of wars 
 
 They know not, nor approaching tempests fear ; 
 
 But endless songs of joy and trivimph hear. 
 And each, distinctly beautiful, at will 
 
 In various hues, as fancy prompts, appear ; 
 Gay as the flowers that with their fragrance fill. 
 Above the sun-bright stream, the air so mild, so still.
 
 94 A VISION. 
 
 II. 
 
 Action, with them, swift follows thought, and thought 
 
 Is almost intuition ; and awake 
 Their senses are, with strength co-equal fi-aught, 
 
 AU in one instant : thus the orhed lake 
 
 Reflects gilt clouds, green mountains, bush and brake : 
 And, as phenomena magnetic change 
 
 Their forms, still varying with the hues they take, 
 They through the light-impurpled ether range. 
 Glittering hke blazonry of arms, rich in devices 
 strange. 
 
 The river windeth on through vales immense, 
 Where " myriad-minded " beings ever reap 
 
 Harvests of knowledge, with delight intense ; 
 These in their memories they treasured keep ; 
 
 (Not, such as ours is, an ill-sorted heap),
 
 A VISION. 95 
 
 And love in them, entire affection, dwells ; 
 
 While zeal benevolent, that ne'er wiU sleep. 
 Their energy of intercoirrse impels : 
 Though vast their Avisdom is, their virtue that excels. 
 
 Fast interchange of virtues, knowledge, powers, 
 
 (For by communion only joys increase) 
 Is theirs ; idlesse our energies devom's, 
 
 Their rapid interactions never cease ; 
 
 That, which we toil to grasp, they win with ease. 
 And, as at rest a quick-revolving wheel 
 
 Appears when ht by flash of Ughtning, these 
 Bright beings of repose the strength reveal. 
 As with excess of ardour burns their vi\'id zeal. 
 
 The stream rolls on o'er rubies, sapphires, stones 
 Of wond'rous virtue, of which e'en the least
 
 96 A VISION. 
 
 Had been the richest gems of orient thrones, 
 Or goblets at the proud Belshazzar's feast, 
 Collective wealth of the exhaustless East : 
 
 Then darkhng, on it flows, through forest-shades 
 That harbour the plumed gryphon, mystic beast ; 
 
 That world of verdure no rude thing invades. 
 
 But nature's loveUest works are seen in all their grades. 
 
 A thousand thousand milk-white unicorns 
 
 There rove, fair types of virtue join'd to grace 
 And independent strength ; of gold then- horns 
 - Shme through the glades, as comets flame through 
 space. 
 And golden-hoof 'd they are, this glorious race. 
 Through forest-depths, sportive as virgins full 
 Of Ufe and joy, gazelles each other chase ; 
 Their beautiful movements to behold, e'en didl 
 Spirits woidd happy be, and garlands for them cull.
 
 A VISIOX. 97' 
 
 VII, 
 
 These emblem innocence that fears not ill. 
 
 And gaiety, from trust in Heaven that springs : 
 But there are other creatm'es fairer still, 
 
 Now here, now there, careering ; beauteous things. 
 
 With eyes like Hving sapphires in their wings ; 
 Such to the Sage of Patmos in liis dream 
 
 SubUme appear 'd before the "King of kings ; " 
 Types of angelic natures that supreme 
 Are, for the sun of smis on them pours forth his beam. 
 
 Ever-green trees I saw with fruit of gold, 
 For ages have they lived, yet undecay'd 
 
 And undecaying, ever young though old : 
 Unlike the upas-tree, beneath whose shade 
 Pernicious all that blooms must quickly fade,
 
 98 A VISION. 
 
 And sicken living things, they vigour give 
 
 Unwonted to the wights that seek the aid 
 Of their Hfe-giving branches, all to live, 
 Not as here dreamy man to vegetate, revive. 
 
 These signify the mighty power of faith 
 That renovates the mind by sin unstrimg ; 
 
 Omnipotent to save, the Gospel saith, 
 
 Is faith ; the golden fruit, on branches himg, 
 Typify virtues that from faith have sprung. 
 
 Far, far above the forest's verdurous mass, 
 ResembUng that of which great Dante sung. 
 
 Eagles, as many-colour 'd globes of glass 
 
 Glitter in sunlight, brighten, stellar Ughts surpass. 
 
 X. 
 
 Emblems of highest wisdom, that perceives 
 All the relations of all worlds, the chain
 
 A VISION. m 
 
 Of causes and effects that nature weaves, 
 All truths that unevolved in one remain, 
 Like future harvests in a single grain. 
 
 These eagles are : — in depths yet deep'ning lies, 
 More wonderful than aught Romance can feign, 
 
 A vast succession of realities : 
 
 A miracle is earth — with wonders teem the skies !
 
 NOTES TO A VISION. 
 
 (allegorical). 
 
 S. 3, 1. 2. 
 Where " myriad-minded " beings ever reap. 
 
 " Myriad-minded " is the noble epithet Coleridge applies 
 to Shakspere. No other human being deserves it, and pro- 
 bably no other human being ever will. 
 
 S. 4, 1. 6, 7. 
 
 And, as at rest a quicker evolving ivheel 
 Appears, when lit by flash of lightning, 
 
 " The velocity of Electricity is so great, that the most rapid 
 motion that can be produced by art appears to be actual rest 
 when compared with it. A wheel revolving with celerity 
 sufficient to render its spokes invisible, when illuminated by 
 a flash of lightning, is seen for an instant, with all its spokes 
 distinct, as if it were in a state of absolute repose." — Somer- 
 mllc's Connection of the Sciences, page 313.
 
 102 NOTES TO A VISION. 
 
 S. 9, 1. 7. 
 Resembling that o/tohich great Dante sung. 
 
 E quietata ciascuna in suo loco 
 La' testa e '1 collo d' un' aquila vidi 
 Rappresentare a quel distinto foco. 
 
 Dante del Paradiso, Canto 18. 
 
 " Where," says Jeremy Taylor, at the close of his mag- 
 nificent ' Sermon preached to the University of Dublin,' 
 " Where is Ignatius, in whom God dwelt ? Where is Dio- 
 nysius the Areopagite, that bird of Paradise, that celestial 
 Eagle?" — Taylor's Works, vol. vi. page 407. Heber's edition. 
 
 S. 10, 1. 4. 
 All truths that unevolved in one remain. 
 
 " There may be created powers of some high order, as we 
 know that there is one Eternal Power, able to feel in a single 
 comprehensive thought all those truths of which the genera- 
 tions of mankind are able, by successive analysis, to discover 
 only a few, that are perhaps to the great truths which they 
 contain, only as the flower that is blossoming before us is to 
 that infinity of future blossoms enveloped in it, with which, 
 in ever-renovated beauty, it is to adorn the summers of other 
 ages." — Brown's Philosophy of the Human, Mind, vol. ii. 
 p. 513.
 
 NOTES TO A VISION. 103 
 
 S. 10, lines 6—3. 
 
 ■ in depths yet deep'ning lies. 
 
 More wonderful than aught Romance can feign, 
 A vast succession of realities. 
 
 " When we see such magnificent bodies united in pairs 
 (revolving double stars), undoubtedly by the same bond of 
 mutual gravitation which holds together our own system, 
 and sweeping over their enormous orbits, in periods compre- 
 hending many centuries, we admit at once that they must be 
 accomplishing ends in creation which will remain for ever 
 unknown to man ; and that we have attained a point in 
 science where the human intellect is compelled to acknow- 
 ledge its weakness, and to feel that no conception the wildest 
 imagination can form will bear the least comparison with the 
 intrinsic greatness of the subject." — HerscheWs Discourse on 
 the Study of Natural Philosophy. 
 
 " All the Systems of Worlds, judging from analogy, have 
 probably a great common centre round which they revolve as 
 the planets round the sun. 
 
 " The centre of the immeasurable universe we may con- 
 ceive to be the most perfect scene of material existence, 
 unspeakably exceeding in gi'andeur and beauty anything 
 that we can represent to ourselves in this our dark abode." — 
 Sheppard.
 
 104 NOTES TO A VISION. 
 
 " And man now appears on a small planet almost imper- 
 ceptible in the vast extent of the Solar System, itself only 
 AN insensible point in the immensity of space ! " — Laplace's 
 System of the World, vol. ii. p. 342. Hart's Translation.
 
 CENTRALISATION.
 
 CENTRALISATION. 
 
 "Partout I'etat arrive de plus en plus a diriger par lui-meme les 
 moindres citoyens, et a conduire seul chacun d'eux dans les moindres 
 affaires."— i)e la Democratie en AmMque. Tocqueville, tome iv. p. 287. 
 
 Where is man's boasted self-reliance? gone,- 
 He cannot walk in his own paths alone ! 
 And central governments aroimd liim draw 
 Their thousand chains, he is begirt by law : 
 The Despot, sole or aggregate, his will 
 Directs, a mere machine for good or ill. 
 An all-pervading Power affects the Jove, 
 O'er-ruling social movements from above I
 
 108 CENTRALISATION. 
 
 Wliile men like cliildi-en are, who deem their might, 
 
 And not the boatman's, makes the bark go right. 
 
 Through labyi-inthine course of life's details. 
 
 The state its pupU guides — tlirough fear he fails. 
 
 So much have pubHc agencies engrost, 
 
 That individual energy is lost: 
 
 And regulating spirits are so mild, 
 
 That man with them must ever be a child. 
 
 Coi-porate bodies slmnber on content, 
 
 Mock'd with the semblance of self-government: 
 
 Ambitious subjects of a state or king 
 
 Are emidous to puU the puppets' string. 
 
 The State-Arachne leng-thens out her net 
 
 To draw towards her aU that she can get. 
 
 This net-work of constraining kindness spread 
 
 Aroimd the great and small, no statesmen di-ead, 
 
 Though Power expands his wings, and men become 
 
 Of their free-wiU curtail'd, abroad, at home.
 
 CENTRALISATION. 109 
 
 Those who should be self-radiant, borrow 'd light 
 
 From others seek, their own extinguish 'd quite. 
 
 A tutelary Angel, to protect 
 
 Those who their own self-interests neglect, 
 
 The Fay commission girdles with her zone 
 
 AU ranks, conditions, none escape, not one ! 
 
 Though the machine is, when state-guided, found 
 
 Perfect as clock-work, beautifully round, 
 
 No vital strength to that of life akin 
 
 Supports the social union, acts within. 
 
 The mightiest intellect is but the thrall 
 
 Of Briarean power, that reaches all 
 
 With his forthffoina; arms, as from the sun 
 
 Toward several objects rays diffusive run. 
 
 Absolute order moves, how unlike zeal, 
 
 In one dull circle round the social wheel ; 
 
 From centre to circumference is felt 
 
 His fiat, e'en where independence dwelt.
 
 110 CENTRALISATION. 
 
 While little arts are prized, and things that are 
 
 Valueless, men esteem as rich and rare. 
 
 King-craft, to liberalise the world, employs 
 
 Obedient science in pursuit of toys : 
 
 To calculate the numerous arteries 
 
 That go to form an insect's wing, or eyes, 
 
 Conclusive, as the wi-itings on outworn 
 
 Themes seem to be, on currency or corn. 
 
 To thought prescribes the state, that primal source 
 
 Of education, its allotted course !
 
 NOTES 
 
 CENTRALISATION. 
 
 p. no, lines. 
 To calculate the numerous arteries. 
 
 See Macculloch's "Attributes of God," vol. ii. page 158. 
 In his obsen-ations on the Eyes of the Drone and the Dragon- 
 fly, he says : " There is a spheroidal hollow shell perforated 
 by holes which amount to 7000 in the former insect, and 
 upwards of 12,000 in the latter, mathematically true, and 
 each of them containing a cornea, or a lens. If we look at 
 the precision of the workmanship, the number of the parts, 
 the diiFerence of the materials, it is fruitless to attempt con- 
 jecturing where the arteries that produced all these things 
 could exist, producing them also point by point. How many 
 were required for each hexagonal opening alone ? and yet 
 how few were there out of all that must have existed to
 
 112 NOTES TO CENTRALISATION. 
 
 produce the retinae for each with that interior complicated 
 structure which I need not here describe, and that nervous 
 branch which terminates in each retina." 
 
 p. 110, lines 7, 8. 
 
 Conclusive, as the writings on outworn 
 Themes seem to be, on currency or corn. 
 
 Those who have read the several works on " Currency and 
 Corn," that have been written by numerous authors, from 
 Smith to Tooke, have probably found in the " multitude of 
 counsellors," not vidsdom but confusion. Great authorities 
 are opposed to each other, and are often at variance with 
 themselves. Yet on these nice and difficult questions of 
 political economy much angry feeling has been excited, and 
 men who maintain certain opinions are often accused by their 
 opponents of being influenced by interested, or factious 
 motives in maintaining them.
 
 WHAT IS TASTE?
 
 WHAT IS TASTE? 
 
 ' Taste, like the silent dial's power. 
 
 That when supernal light is given, 
 Can measure inspiration's hour, 
 
 And tell its height in heaven." — Campbell. 
 
 Taste in harmonious adaptation shines, 
 Grandeui- with grandeur, grace with grace combines ; 
 And in a cottage may her judgment show, 
 Distinctive, as at Blenheim or at Stowe. 
 At noon-day gaudy birds are on the wing. 
 At eve the russet nightingales will sing. 
 And Taste adores, as Lights for every age, 
 VVliilc man is man, our Fielding, or Le Sage. 
 
 I 2
 
 1 16 WHAT IS TASTE ? 
 
 Let pleasure-gardens, rustic fence, enclose 
 The rose, it is the Queen of Flowers, the rose ; 
 And Beauty or enrobed in splendid dress 
 Or clad in peasant's garb is loveliness. 
 
 Taste in the balance of her judgment Aveighs 
 All that is worthy more or less of praise ; 
 Finds in the ore of Shakspere wealth untold 
 By thousand Commentators, all, all Gold ; 
 And, as if God-directed, gives the place 
 Unquestion'd or to Genius or to grace. 
 Each dehcate thought, that comes like light unbid, 
 Brightens for Taste, no beauties from her hid : 
 She with one word associate feelings links. 
 And half imagines what the Poet thinks. 
 Hence from our glorious orbs Ave may divine. 
 What suns through space interminable shine.
 
 WHAT IS TASTE ? 117 
 
 And Taste delighted, through a fairy grove 
 Of flowei'ing rhododendrons loves to rove ; 
 Luxuriantly full, the lovely mass 
 Brings before fancy's eye what Eden was ! 
 
 Through Poesy's bright temple, full of eyes. 
 Rapid in movement as Cerito, flies 
 Gay Fancy, with her sister Fiction, they. 
 Though wild, the laws that Taste prescribes obey. 
 
 The trees all glowing in the sunlight view ! 
 They seem the King of Glory's retinue ; 
 Here is Cuyp's sunny warmth, there shadows deep. 
 Like Poussin's, rest on distant mountain-steep ; 
 Heaven o'er the intermediate landscape flings 
 Her purple hue, as bright as Angel's wings. 
 
 Of this variety that God creates. 
 
 Each several grade Taste well discriminates.
 
 118 WHAT IS TASTE? 
 
 Taste in the master form of sculpture sees 
 All that with sense of excellence agrees 
 Embodied, strength, ease, beauty, life, repose 
 Seldom in man this union nature shows. 
 
 Art images perfections that in Heaven 
 Exist, to Taste perception of them given. 
 A s])iritual instinct, guide to good 
 Is Taste, 'tis Nature's law well understood.
 
 NOTES 
 
 WHAT IS TASTE? 
 
 p. 117, lines 5—7. 
 
 Through Poesy's bright temple, full of eyes, 
 Rapid in movement as Cento, Jlies 
 Gay Fancy— 
 
 Gerito, the celebrated opera-dancer, of whom it may be 
 truly said, that 
 
 " Her step is of light, her home is of air, 
 And she only, par complaisance, touches the ground."— Moore. 
 
 F. 1 18, lines 5, (i. 
 
 Art images perfections that in Heaven 
 Exist, to Taste perception of them given. 
 
 " Conceiving, as men have done of angels, we can imagine 
 an angel to be, or to possess the standard of Taste, or to feel 
 thoroughly and perfectly every beauty that exists." — Mac- 
 culloch ; Proofs and Illustrations of the Attributes of God, 
 &c., vol. iii. p. 270.
 
 120 NOTES TO WHAT IS TASTE? 
 
 " But ye, the true children of heaven, rejoice in the living 
 
 f 
 
 profusion of beauty. The creative essence which works and 
 lives through all time, embraces you within the happy bounds 
 of love ; and what hovers in changeful seeming, do ye fix 
 firm with everlasting thoughts." — {Translation of Faust.) 
 The interpretation of this (as the translator says) is, " there 
 being in the divine creation a ceaseless flow of beautiful 
 phenomena, which the divine intellect fixes, as it were, by 
 contemplation and thought."
 
 WHAT IS SENTIMENT?
 
 WHAT IS SENTIMENT ? 
 
 Feelings, affections, on romance expended, 
 Active in real life, the world had mended ; 
 This waste of virtuous sentiment we owe 
 To those who charm us with ideal woe. 
 The lights that young enthusiasts call divine, 
 Like gaudy flowers in putrid marshes shine. 
 Misery that is not by theatric glare 
 Set off, is beggarly, not worth our care. 
 Laffarge, as heroine of romance, is prized 
 In France ; with Fauntleroy we sympathized.
 
 124 WHAT IS SENTIMENT? 
 
 In o'er-worked labour sentiment can find 
 
 Nought to lament, but weeps for woes refined ; 
 
 Pities the knave, when punishment befalls 
 
 A wit, but turns from vulgar criminals. 
 
 Dull rogues may hang, but sentiment would save 
 
 Him who denounces laws he dares to brave. 
 
 Most hearts, when join'd to beauty, talent wins, 
 Covering, it seems, a multitude of sins ! 
 The rebel bold, who perpetrates a crime 
 That Scapins wonder at, has thoughts sublime ! 
 When Sophistry a lustre gives to guilt, 
 Sentiment sees no crime if blood be spilt. 
 Glory eclipsed, devouring once as fire. 
 Not worth by sorrow clouded, all admire. 
 But do we less the spotted panther fear, 
 Because his spots so beautiful appear ?
 
 WHAT IS SENTIMEMT? 125 
 
 Pure Haller's matron woes, there 's sentiment ! 
 Move those who ne'er the death of friends lament. 
 
 Many Sterne's story of Lefevre read, 
 
 And tearful read it, yet arc harsh indeed. 
 
 Hence sentimental dames with laurels crown 
 
 Authors on whom iceak moralists will frown ; 
 
 And self-idolaters in drawling tone 
 
 Whine about " brethren dear," yet care for none. 
 
 As selfishness is sentiment abused, 
 The gentle dram for medicine is used ; 
 In spite of self-deception, each the same 
 Pernicious thing with an emoUient name. 
 
 Ye who recline on couches, and inhale 
 Perfumes, intent upon the gorgeous talc 
 Of LaUa Rookli, sweet ladies, think of forms 
 Lovely as yours, by chilhng winds and storms
 
 126 WHAT IS SENTIMENT? 
 
 Bronzed and bow'd down, thei/ ask your sympathy, 
 More than the Peri o'er whose woes you sigh. 
 
 While gay retainers like their masters feed. 
 Affect the cant of fashion, journals read, — 
 lU fed, worse taught, the land an equal tills. 
 The ballad grudged with which he soothes his ills. 
 
 Some would aU knowledge to the poor refuse, 
 A luxury too costly for their use. 
 
 He who beholds with joy (the mists unroll'd) 
 A widening landscape beautiful and bold ; 
 Cornfields, as Wordsworth says, Uke shields of gold 
 Dropp'd from above, green meadows, mountains, glades. 
 With all the interchange of lights and shades. 
 He feels for toiling man, whose labom- rears 
 Much of the glittering show that there appears.
 
 WHAT IS SENTIMENT? 127 
 
 Triumphs successful art, the vast domain 
 Of cultivation brightens rich in grain. 
 
 And Nature teaches (what but Nature can ?) 
 The noble sympathy of man with man ; 
 Where 'mid her visible works are seen display 'd 
 Those labouring poverty for wealth has made. 
 He who reads Nature's book there learns to feel 
 Love for his brethren, to assist them zeal. 
 
 might the poor man of delights partake 
 In the new Edens that he toils to make, 
 Life's hues would then harmoniously agree 
 With splendours we on earth aromid us see. 
 
 Can the poor Peasant chained to the soil. 
 Enjoy the channs of nature 'mid his toil "i 
 No ! his best feelings wither 'd arc by grief, 
 As shrivelled in late autumn is the leaf.
 
 128 WHAT IS SENTIMENT? 
 
 Thousands have heard no music but the clank 
 Of chains, seen but the walls of prison dank. 
 
 Well, well, the bondsman, be he now opprest, 
 Through ages after ages shall be blest : 
 The poorest mortals in this world that breathe 
 May shine like glorious angels after death ; 
 Though by the cold side of life's mountain they 
 Unblest by light of joy wend on their -way, 
 That past, for them far lovelier vales expand 
 Than fancy dreams to be in fairy land, — 
 Scenes, that in imagery to om- state 
 On earth adapted, holy men relate. 
 
 In the rude hind what worth intreasured lies ! 
 Material good, that Nature boon supplies, 
 Is dross in value with the soul compared ; 
 The noblest gifts by all alike arc shared.
 
 WHAT IS SEXTLMENT? (129 
 
 Yon gleam is partial, clouds gloom o'er the mass ' '' 
 
 Of wood, the gospel-light glads every class ^ ■ 
 
 Of men, to few is wealth, is honom- given, ' l: 
 
 But there is, no exclusive right to heaven. , • • 
 
 Wondrous effect of the Redeemer's love, 
 
 The more diffused, the stronger will it prove ! 
 
 Piety is not sentiment nor song, 
 But love to do God's will, and hate of wrong. 
 A thousand homilies no more can teach ; 
 These feeUngs to excite good pastors preach ; 
 Too simple to adore the glittering haze 
 Tradition, on which mystics love to gaze. 
 
 The hmuble scripture-searcher prays for grace, 
 And has it, he shall see God face to face ; 
 By faith assured, he in his chimney nook 
 Reads, and interprets well, the sacred hook.
 
 130 WHAT IS SENTIMENT? 
 
 Though not on him is inspiration's light 
 Thi-own, as on seers, faith guides the Peasant right. 
 Clear to his mental eye the Word of Truth 
 Appears, as when the world was in its youth 
 The Word in visions homeless Patriarchs cheer 'd 
 With things eye never saw, ear never heard.
 
 NOTES 
 
 WHAT IS SENTIMENT ? 
 
 P. 123, lines 5, 6. 
 
 The lights that young enthusiasts call divine. 
 Like gaudy flowers in putrid marshes shine. 
 
 " So that when we look at the shining wits, poets, and phi- 
 losophers of that age, they appear like gaudy flowers growing 
 in a putrid marsh." — Foster, on Popular Ignorance. 
 
 p. 126, line 9. 
 He who beholds with joy {the mists itnroU'd). 
 
 " What soul was his, when from the naked top 
 Of some bold headland, he beheld the sun 
 Rise up and bathe the world in light ! " 
 
 Wordsworth ; Excursion, b. i. 
 K 2
 
 132 NOTES TO WHAT IS SENTIMENT? 
 
 P. 128, line 13. 
 In the rude hind what worth intreasured lies. 
 
 " Tous les corps, le firmament, les etoiles, la terre, et les 
 royaumes, ne valent pas le moindre des esprits, car il connait 
 tout cela, et soi-meme, et le coi-ps rien." — Penseesde Pascal. 
 
 V. 129, lines 11, 12. 
 
 Too simple to adore the glittering haze 
 Tradition, on which mystics love to gaze. 
 
 " The causes of superstitions are pleasing and sensual rites 
 and ceremonies, excess of outward and Pharisaical holiness : 
 overgreat reverence of traditions, which cannot hut load the 
 Church." — Bacon.
 
 WHAT IS TRUTH?
 
 WHAT IS TRUTH? 
 
 — ■♦- 
 
 Truth is a conscious harmony between 
 Goodness in Man, and excellence unseen, 
 Ap in Apollo's form, unrivall'd shine, 
 
 The charms of Poesv and lioht divine ! 
 
 And gifted spirits, in his proper sphere 
 Each mighty, Truth developes ever}"^ year. 
 Tx'uth, as great Bacon says, sought after, woo'd 
 And won, is human nature's sovereign good. 
 
 Truth is God manifest, wherever found, 
 In worlds above us, or on earth around.
 
 136 . WHAT IS TRUTH ? 
 
 As the star in the East the Magi led. 
 Till it stood o'er the infant Saviour's head. 
 The Lights of Knowledge thus inquirers lead 
 Onward, till they behold Truth's form indeed. 
 
 '^^J' He, who ambitions to seek Truth's abode. 
 Must not delay, nor falter on his road ; 
 Nor stoop for toys of fancy glittering near. 
 But rapidly move on in his career. 
 
 As in tlie world pass-words of error may 
 Inflict more evil than a tyrant's sway, 
 They who before our eyes Truth's mirror bring. 
 Outshine in doing good a patriot king. 
 
 That mirror they must gradually unveil, 
 
 Lest men, beholding there bright thoughts, grow pale 
 
 At their too sudden splendour, turn away, 
 
 And used to twilight, fly the bm-st of day.
 
 WHAT IS TRUTH? 137 
 
 Hence Truth must be attemper 'd to our sight, 
 
 As through humanity the Light of Light. > ■ •-' - • 
 
 Preached to the slave the rights of man awake 
 
 Madness in man, and social order shake. 
 
 If unprepared by culture be the soil, iv i i v ...:•■ ■ 
 
 To sow the seed is but a bootless toil. ...' .; ^>. ... 
 
 Hence Turgot's wisdom, far too premature 
 
 For France, could not his master's throne secure. 
 
 , n Ci .1:..'')'. K-.'l ni,.i ;-.»..-,■ • n.,i .- - t 
 Philosophy a many-sided view :: - >,-.•. yy^ ^i ^• 
 Of things on earth may take — yet not the true ; 
 The garb of Truth since specious errors wear, ■> i> • 
 Why marvel we that men mistrustful are ? 
 But Truth once proved, the uses will e.xplain 
 Of what might seem anomalous or vain ; - " 
 As of a puzzle, when you find the key, 
 Parts that appear 'd incongruous, agree. 
 
 ■« it
 
 138 WHAT IS TRUTH? 
 
 On slight analogies we often build 
 
 Systems imagination loves to gild ; 
 
 Ixion thus a goddess would embrace, 
 
 And witless grasp 'd a cloud that fill'd her place. 
 
 Truth is not here omnipotent, we err 
 
 With schoolmen, and blind guides to Truth prefer, 
 
 Opinion, custom, prejudice, and pride. 
 
 And low class-interests thought obscure beside. 
 
 More knowledge one new sense to man woidd give, 
 
 Than seers who ever lived, may ever hve ; 
 
 Even though another Shakspere might appear, 
 
 The world fatigued by mystic bards to cheer. 
 
 As Damocles beheld above his head 
 
 A sword suspended by a single thread. 
 
 For ever burns the bigot's fiery wrath 
 
 Near him who dares to quit thought's beaten path.
 
 WHAT IS TRUTH? 139 
 
 'Tis a hard task that which we learn 'cl in youth 
 
 To disbeUeve, to search anew for truth ; 
 
 'Tis a hard task to disenchant the mind 
 
 Of charms, that it in age to habit bind. 
 
 Few, hke Canova when before his view 
 
 Light came from Greece, woukl learn their art anew. 
 
 E'en when the scales have fallen from his eyes. 
 
 Small light the seer illimied to man supplies. 
 
 The mist of prejudice, that earth exhales, 
 
 The mind o'erclouding, long, too long prevails. 
 
 Woman who writes with feeling argues best, 
 Her words with truthful energy exprest ; 
 The thunderbolt of Truth, by woman hurl'd. 
 Struck from his throne the master of a woi-Id ! 
 A great example of what has been done 
 By those on Avliom the sun of genius shone.
 
 140 WHAT IS TRUTH? 
 
 "He hath a Devil," loudly cries self-love, 
 Who (lares to censure that which we approve ; 
 Ominous «"e, as writing on the wall 
 Smote the great king's the firmest heart appal. 
 
 Though fresh streams from the fount of science flow, 
 
 When all is learned how little do we know ! 
 
 Who have, how through sensorial organ mind 
 
 Is acted on by matter e'er divined ? 
 
 Wlio, the fine boundary-lines that lie between 
 
 Attraction and repulsion, e'er have seen? 
 
 Wliat is the nervous system? who discerns 
 
 Its nature, who its operation learns? 
 
 Truth in the natural world is shown by facts ; 
 In things divine, through faith on mind she acts. 
 No oracles of sense may supersede 
 By reasoning, faith, through grace \?^ fdi her creed.
 
 WHAT IS TRUTH? 141 
 
 Affection, charity, are given by grace 
 To faith, unerringly thcii Truth embrace. 
 
 Thou vesper hght to this our wintry day 
 
 Of ignorance, still, still on us thy ray 
 
 Emit, most glorious Truth, the time will come 
 
 When we shall view thee in thy sun-like home ; 
 
 And bright 'ning with thy crescent light shall know 
 
 More, more, — as infinite ages onward flow.
 
 NOTES 
 
 WHAT IS TRUTH? 
 
 p. 135, line 7. 
 Truth, as <jreat Bacon says, sought a/ler, ivou'd. 
 
 " Truth which only doth judge itself teaches that, the 
 enquiry of Truth, which is the love-making or wooing of it — 
 the knowledge of Truth, which is the presence of it — and the 
 belief of Truth, which is the enjoying of it — is the sovereign 
 good of human nature." — Bacon's Essay on Truth. 
 
 p. 136, line 13. 
 That mirror they must gradually unveil- 
 
 " The subjection of the soul to foimer usage, till roused by 
 circumstances of more than common energy, is like the inertia 
 that retains bodies in the state in which they happen to be, 
 till some foreign force operate to suspend their motion or rest .
 
 144 NOTES TO WITAT IS TRUTH? 
 
 And it is well upon the whole, in the great concerns of life — 
 those which relate not to speculative science but to the direct 
 happiness of nations — this intellectual inertia subsists. The 
 difficulty of moving the multitude, though it may often be the 
 unfortunate cause of preventing benefits which they might 
 readily receive, still has the important advantage of allowing 
 time for reflection before their force, which is equally irre- 
 sistible for their self-destruction as for their preservation, 
 could be turned to operate greatly to their owti prejudice. 
 The restless passions of the individual innovator, Man, thus 
 find an adequate check in the general principles of mankind. 
 The same power who has balanced the causes of action and 
 repose in the material world, has mingled them with equal 
 skill in the intellectual ; and in the one as much as in the 
 other, the veiy irregularities that seem at first sight to lead to 
 the destruction of that beautiful system of which they are a 
 part, are found to have in themselves the cause that leads 
 them again from apparent confusion into harmony and order." 
 — Broicn's " Philosophy of the. Human 31ind" \o\. ii.p. 413. 
 See also Adam Smith's " Moral Sentiments,'''' vol. ii. p. 110. 
 
 p. 137, line 7- 
 Hence Turgnl's wixdi)m,/ar too premature. 
 
 See Professor Smyth's " Lectures on the French Revolution,'''' 
 vol. i. p. 100.
 
 NOTES TO WHAT IS TRUTH? 145 
 
 P. 138, lines 1,2. 
 
 On slight analogies we often build 
 Systems — 
 
 " In all the sciences there are many volumes that teach 
 little, as there is a conventional language which passes for 
 knowledge, encumbering, not enlightening, him who desires 
 to understand and know in what knowledge consists." — 
 Macmilloch. 
 
 " It would be easy to form theories referring the action of 
 blood impregnated with nitrous oxide, to its power of supply- 
 ing the nervous and muscular fibre with such proportions of 
 condensed nitrogen, oxygen, and light, or ethereal fluid, as 
 enabled them more rapidly to pass through those changes 
 which constitute their life ; but such theories would be only 
 collections of terms derived from known phenomena, and 
 applied l)y loose analogies of language to unknown things." 
 — Sir Humphry Davy's Works, vol. iii. p. 267. 
 
 p. 1.3!i, line 12. 
 The world fatigued by mystic bards — 
 
 These geniuses are like planetaiy nebula? — hollow, emit- 
 ting light only from their surfaces.
 
 146 NOTES TO WHAT IS TRUTH? 
 
 P. 139, lines 5, 6. 
 Few, like Canova when be/ore his view 
 Light came from Greece, would learn their art anew. 
 
 When Canova viewed the Elgin Marbles, in the British 
 Museum, he declared, that he had to learn his Art anew. 
 
 P. 139, lines 13, 14. 
 
 The thunderbolt oftrtifh by tcoman hurl'd. 
 Struck from his throne the master of a world. 
 
 Madame de Stael, it is said, wrote the celebrated manifesto 
 of Bernadotte that roused the nations of Europe against the 
 tyranny of Napoleon, and finally caused the overthrow of his 
 colossal Power. 
 
 p. 140, lines 15, 16. 
 
 No oracles of sense may supersede 
 By reasoning, faith — 
 
 " Those who consider reason not the handmaid but the 
 
 mistress of religion, totally mistake both her office and her 
 
 power. They plunge at once into the depths of error. They 
 
 do not consider that reason is only perception and judgment, 
 
 that perception is much limited in regard to many of the 
 
 phenomena of nature, and that judgment, in reference to 
 
 many objects on earth, thus wdth difficulty perceived, is often 
 
 defeated, and much embarrassed, in deciding on the force of 
 
 different kinds and degrees of evidence — ' but the things 
 
 which are in heaven, who hath searched out?' " — Tatham's 
 
 Chart and Scale of Truth, vol. ii. p. 49.
 
 THE MILLENNIUM. 
 
 t 2
 
 THE MILLENNIUM. 
 
 When Prefects sliall with equal measure mete 
 
 Justice to all, plebeian, or elite ; 
 
 When France shall be ingenuous, nor pretend 
 
 A zeal for national honour as the end 
 
 Of Pacha-loving poUey, and feel 
 
 A love, new-born indeed, for Eui-ope's weal; 
 
 When men shall individually become 
 
 That which they laud collectively, <it home ; 
 
 When Schoolmen /alii hie, who deprecate 
 
 Infallibility in those they hate,
 
 150 THE MILLENNIUM. 
 
 Shall cease of language to assume a tone 
 Imperative, that suits a Pope alone ; 
 When Authors, without bias, Truth shall woo, 
 And having won, support her nobly too ; 
 Wlien Poland shall be integral and free ; 
 Then Saints may the Millennium hope to see.
 
 NAPOLEON
 
 NAPOLEON. 
 
 " In none of his arrangements did Napoleon think of securing to his 
 cause the attachment of nations. Astonishment, awe, and force were 
 his weapons, and his own great name the chosen pillar of his throne." — 
 Channing. 
 
 What has lie done, great man, for France, 
 Has he her mind sought to advance, 
 
 To cherish aught but hist of strife ? 
 The " fire-eyed maid of smoking war" 
 His Goddess was, and to her car 
 
 Yoked the foul fiends that trouble life. 
 Millions on battle-field lay gory. 
 That France might cover'd be with glory.
 
 154 NAPOLEON. 
 
 Shaker of many an o'er-rank state, 
 He could destroy but not create : 
 
 Though Monarchs in his presence quail 'd, 
 No institutions free he gave 
 To Nations, none sought he to save 
 
 By neighbour-tyrants when assail 'd. 
 Chivalrous aid to suffering man 
 Was no part of his selfish plan. 
 
 His power that soon colossal grew 
 Through fear, opinion overthrew. 
 
 When arm'd its terrors to oppose: 
 It had not in the social frame 
 Permanent place, since none became 
 
 Wiser or happier as it rose : 
 To renovated states aUied 
 It might have stood, and worlds defied. 
 
 Dec. 15, 1840.
 
 NOTES 
 
 N A POLE ON 
 
 p. 153, line 4. 
 The "fire-eijed maid of smoking war." 
 
 Shakspeare. 
 
 P. 154, line 1. 
 Shaker of many an o'er-rttnk sfiifi'. 
 
 " Oh, great corrector of enormous times, 
 Shaker of o'er-rank states, thou gi-eat decider 
 Of dusty and old titles, that heal'st with blood 
 The earth when it is sick, and cur'st the world 
 0' th' pleurisy of people." 
 
 " Two NoNc Kins7iieii," hy Fi.KTrHEii and Shakspeare.
 
 "SINCE FIRST I GAZED UPON THIS 
 PLAIN."
 
 "SINCE FIRST I GAZED UPON THIS 
 PLAIN." 
 
 Days, weeks, and years have quickly past. 
 Since first I gazed upon this plain ; 
 
 And now the time's approaching fast 
 When I shall ne'er " look on 't again." 
 
 . And cattle that have daily fed 
 
 Successive generations, there 
 Have been devour 'd — men have bled 
 On battle-field, and died elsewhere.
 
 160 "SINCE FIRST I GAZED UPON THIS PLAIN/ 
 
 While some have trifled life away. 
 
 Poetic flowers gaily wi-eathing ; 
 Others have through their little day 
 
 Raved, slaughter against Christians breathing. 
 
 Warrior, and Sage who seem'd to think 
 Old truths as new with pomp inditing ; 
 
 One spilling blood, the other ink — 
 
 Have uselessly been scribbUng, fighting. 
 
 New Shepherds have o'erlook'd new flocks. 
 Crowns have been won, lost, won again ; 
 
 And Bramah has contrived new locks 
 Since first I gazed upon this plain :
 
 'SINCE FIRST I GAZED UPON THIS PLAIN. 161 
 
 Its verdant carpet by the sun 
 
 Oft brightened, is embrown 'd by clouds ; 
 Childi'en of enterprise and fun ' 
 
 The darkness of the grave enshrouds. - 
 
 Into a thousand forms I'd shajje 
 
 The mists that there at night-fall rose ; 
 
 Napoleon — Cribb — the giant, ape — 
 Nature's abortions, men of blows. 
 
 Though the clear sky has often given 
 Unwonted clearness to the mind ; 
 
 Thoughts, as the thistle down is driven. 
 Are scattered by a blighting wind.
 
 1G2 "SINCE FIRST I GAZED UPON THIS PLAIN. 
 
 We hurry on with railway speed ; 
 
 In railroads there is "something new." 
 We build, we plant, we laugh, we read, 
 
 Then sicken, and to life adieu.
 
 NOTES 
 
 "SINCE FIRST I GAZED UPON THIS PLAIN.' 
 
 p. 160, line 6. 
 Old truths as new with pomp inditing. 
 
 " We," says Swift, " whom the world is pleased to honour 
 with the title of modern Authors, should never have been 
 able to compass our great design of an everlasting remem- 
 brance, and never-dying fame, if our endeavour had not been 
 so highly serviceable to the general good of mankind." 
 
 This sarcasm is as applicable now to the self-laudatory 
 cackling of authors. 
 
 p. 161, lines 5, 6. 
 
 Into a thousand forms I 'd shape 
 The mists that there at night-fall rose. 
 
 " And while the mists, 
 Flying and rainy vapours, call out shapes 
 And phantoms from the craigs and solid earth." 
 
 ■\VoRDSWORTH. 
 M 2
 
 THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING.
 
 THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING. 
 
 All, all is Poetry around ; 
 
 How merrily the rivers flow ! 
 Favonius has the Earth unbound, 
 
 With health renew 'd she seems to glow, 
 
 And, Dian-like, comes beauty forth, 
 Her ringlets in the gentle wind 
 
 Dancing, less joyously from earth 
 
 Upsprings the lark when heaven is kind,
 
 168 THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING. 
 
 Than beauty bounds the lawn along, 
 Brilliant as is the genial light ; 
 
 She carols forth her favourite song, 
 Expressive of her heart's dehght. 
 
 And streamlets from the rock leap out, 
 Musical, sparkling, light, and life : 
 
 And birds within the woods, without, 
 Outbreast each other in tuneful strife. 
 
 And mirth fuU of \'italities. 
 
 Leading up Flora in her prime, 
 
 Sportive as childhood runs or flies — 
 Yes, Spring is come, it is spring-time.
 
 THE FIRST DAT OF SPRING. 169 
 
 VI. 
 
 And Sport, a youth untiring, brown 
 Witli exercise, comes rushing by— 
 
 And Pleasure with her vernal crown, 
 Sweet flower herself, is flushing nigh. 
 
 VII. 
 
 E'en Ease, the languid maid, looks gay, 
 So fresh 'ning is the balmy air: 
 
 So clear is the life-giving day. 
 
 It smooths, like Love, the brow of care. 
 
 Lambkins are frisking In the sun. 
 
 Wild deer are bounding thro' the glades, 
 
 And children o'er the meadows run ; 
 One soul of joy the world pervades.
 
 170 THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING. 
 
 The uplands green, the uplands green, 
 Save where along distinctly cast 
 
 Shadows of giant oaks are seen, 
 Brighten around, luxuriant, vast. 
 
 There graceful Ariels, fancy-born, 
 Might love the vernal air to breathe ; 
 
 And Hebes, blooming as the morn. 
 
 Might garland-wise the gay dance wreathe.
 
 NOTE 
 
 TO 
 
 THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING. 
 
 p. 168, line 8. 
 Outbreast each other— 
 
 " I have heard 
 Two emulous Philomels beat the ear o' th' night 
 With their contentious notes ; now one the higher, 
 Anon the other, then again the first, 
 And by and by out-breasted, that the sense 
 Could not be judge between." 
 
 " Two Noble Kinsmen," by Fletcher anj Shakspeabe, 
 Act V. Scene Hi.
 
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