I dream nothing, hear nothing but from enemies; never wake without hearing; but the matter is generally so trivial, if it be not terrible, that it seems spoken only in derision. Poor Mrs. Unwin is again a great sufferer by a sore tongue. She is otherwise much as usual. As for me I have tolerable spirits, owing, as when I wrote last to company and laudanum. In about a month, perhaps in less, I shall begin Milton, and beg your prayers in the mean time on that subject, which always appears formidable to me. I am in a poor condition both of heart and mind to write evangelical Dissertations. A deaf man treating of music. I remain, with Mrs. U's. remembrances, Oct. 25, 1793. Sincerely yours, WM. C. [The five following letters are without date]. DEAR SIR, Every note of mine is nearly a repetition of the former, and I am glad that it is, for while Mrs. Unwin's amendment in health proceeds, it will be so. She continues to gather strength by little and little, and every day adds somewhat to her recovery. and As to my own restoration it seems still distant as ever, nothing so far as I can perceive is done toward it. But this is a tale that you often hear likewise, and less worth repeating. If Mr. Killingworth has finished one pair of Letter boards, 1 shall be glad to have it by the first opportunity, and am, Yrs, WM. COWPER. DEAR SIR, I would willingly send you cheerful tidings if I could, but have none such. My waking time in the morning is now as distressful as before the last manifestation; and I hardly ever fail to open my eyes to the sound of the trumpet and the alarm of war. I would gladly too make another attempt at Milton, but though I cannot convey to you an adequate impression of the disability of which I complain, I feel it myself so sensibly that I know it would be in vain. When He who has promised, or seems to have promised me his assistance for this purpose, shall be pleased to vouchsafe it, I shall undoubtedly find an alteration in my frame of mind, and outward hindrances, at present insurmountable, will obstruct no longer. Mrs. Unwin, except that she suffers by the East wind, is much as when you saw her, I thank you for interesting yourself so much in my feelings on the subject of my translation and the censure passed upon it in the Monthly Review. You may assure yourself that it never gave me much concern, and has long since ceased to give me any. It is a flimzy criticism, and proves nothing so clearly as the malevolence and insufficiency of its author. With respect to Milton, I have felt myself a little encouraged by the notice you communicated yesterday, and by another which I received myself this morning. I waked complaining that my spirit shrunk from the employment, and was answered in these words. I pushed her to that end, believing her well qualified to reach it. APPENDIX. The words were spoken more humano; for what God believes he knows, and I shall soon make trial of their veracity; for next Monday, if not sooner, I purpose to begin my Dissertations. My eyes are somewhat better, but at present not equal to much lapour. Mrs. Unwin has rested well, and is I hope in the way of recovery. Yrs. truly, DEAR SIR, WM. C. It is not always possible for me to write in the instant, and yesterday it was for your sake that I declined it. I could have said nothing that would not have augmented your distress, having myself received no alleviation of mine. If I am somewhat better to-day, it is not because I have been favoured with any positive comfort, but because these two last nights I have slept better, which I ascribe in part to a few drops of laudanum taken each night. But neither of these nights has passed without some threatenings of that which I fear more than any other thing, the loss of my faithful, longtried, and only Intimate. From whom they come I know not, nor is the time precisely mentioned, but is always spoken of as near approaching. Mrs. Unwin has slept her usual time, about five hours, and is this morning as well as usual. As for me, I waked with this line from Comus "The wonted roar is up amid the woods." Consequently I expect to hear it soon. Sat. Morn. I am, Dr. Sir Yrs. WM. COWPER. DEAR SIR, I am not well, but far from being so. Friday Morning. I wake almost con stantly under the influence of a nervous fever; by which my spirits are affected to such a degree that the oppression is almost insupportable. Since I wrote last I have been plunged in Deeps, unvisited I am convinced by any human soul but mine; and though the day in its progress bears away with it some part of this melancholy, I am never cheerful because I can never hope, and am so bounded in my prospects, that to look forward to another year, to me seems madness. In this state of mind how can I write? It is in vain to attempt it. I have neither spirits for it, as I have often said, nor leisure. Yet vain as I know the attempt must prove, I purpose in a few days to renew it. Mrs. Unwin is as well as when I wrote last, but, like myself, dejected. Dejected both on my account and on her own. Unable to amuse herself either with work or reading, she looks forward to a new day with despondence, weary of it before it begins, and longing for the return of night. Thus it is with us both. If I endeavour to pray, I get my answer in a double portion of misery. My petitions, therefore, are reduced to three words, and those not very often repeated— God have mercy! Adieu! Yrs. WM. COWPER. The preceding letters were copied verbatim, literatim, et punctualim, and without any variation from the originals. [The following are notes addressed by Mrs. Unwin to Mr. Teedon.] Thursday Morn. [Sep. 1, 91, added by Mr. Teedon.] Mrs. Unwin thanks Mr. Teedon for his letters, and is glad to find the Lord gives him so great encouragement to proceed, by shining on his addresses, and quickening him by his word. Mrs. Unwin acknowledges the Lord's goodness, which is mixed with the many and various trials He sees fit to visit his servants with. There is no doubt but there is a need be for the manifold temptations to which they are exposed by night and by day. In his own best time He will appear for them. Tuesday Morn. [Sep. 7, 1791, added by Mr. Teedon]. Mrs. Unwin has the satisfaction of informing Mr. Teedon, that Mr. Cowper is tranquil this morning; and that, with this, which Mr. Teedon receives, a letter by the post decisive of his undertaking the important business, will go by the same messenger. May the Lord speed it! His glory, the good of many, and our comfort, form the basis of his determination. Mr. Cowper and Mrs. Unwin are agreed, that it was hardly possible to find out a reference to the great point in Mr. Teedon's first letter; his second favour elucidated the whole, and removed all doubts. They hope Mr. Teedon will continue to help them. with his prayers on this occasion, and wish that every blessing bestowed upon them may be doubled to him. [The following is without date.] Mr. Cowper desires Mrs. Unwin to acquaint Mr. Teedon, that his anxiety did not arise from any difficulties he apprehended in the performance of his work; but his uncertainty whether he was providentially called to it or not. He is now clearly persuaded by Mr. Teedon's experiences and gracious notices that he is called to it, and is therefore perfectly easy. Mr. Cowper and Mrs. Unwin thank Mr. Teedon for the interesting part he takes in this affair, and hopes the Lord will continue to enable him not only to persevere, but also to feel a blessing in it, to his own self spiritually and personally. Mr. Cowper begs Mr. Teedon will be very earnest in prayer, that the possession of peace he now enjoys may be continued to him. LONDON: PRINTED BY MANNING AND SMITHSON, |