ashes and their disturbers. There appears also to than Mr. Bowles's prose at the beginning of this have been some slight personal provocation. Mr. pamphlet, and his verse at the end of it. In page Gilchrist, with a chivalrous disdain of the fury of 4, he speaks of "those most respectable characters an incensed poet, put his name to a letter avowing who have the direction, &c., of the periodical press," the production of a former essay in defence of Pope, and in page 10, we find "Ye dark inquisitors, a monk-like band, Who o'er some shrinking victim-author stand, and consequently of an attack upon Mr. Bowles. Mr. Bowles appears to be angry with Mr. Gilchrist for four reasons:-firstly, because he wrote an arti cle in "The London Magazine;" secondly, because he afterwards avowed it: thirdly, because he was the author of a still more extended article in "The And so on-to" 'bloody law" and "red scourges," Quarterly Review;" and, fourthly, because he was with other similar phrases, which may not be alto NOT the author of the said Quarterly article, and gether agreeable to the above-mentioned "most had the audacity to disown it-for no earthly reason respectable characters." Mr. Bowles goes on, “I but because he had NOT written it. concluded my observations in the last Pamphleteer Mr. Bowles declares, that "he will not enter into with feelings not unkind towards Mr. Gilchrist, or a particular examination of the pamphlet," which by [it should be nor] "to the author of the review of a misnomer is called "Gilchrist's Answer to Bowles," Spence, be he whom he might."-"I was in hope, when it should have been called "Gilchrist's Abuse as I have always been ready to admit any errors of Bowles." On this error in the baptism of Mr. might have been led into, or prejudice I might have Gilchrist's pamphlet, it may be observed, that an entertained, that even Mr. Gilchrist might be disanswer may be abusive and yet no less an answer, posed to a more amicable mode of discussing what I though indisputably a temperate one might be the had advanced in regard to Pope's moral character." better of the two; but if abuse is to cancel all pre- As Major Sturgeon observes, "There never was a tensions to reply, what becomes of Mr. Bowles's set of more amicable officers-with the exception of answers to Mr. Gilchrist? a boxing-bout between Captain Shears and the Colonel." Mr. Bowles continues,-"But as Mr. Gilchrist derides my peculiar sensitiveness to criticism, before A page and a half-nay only a page before-Mr. I show how destitute of truth is this representation, Bowles reaffirms his conviction, that "what he has I will here explicitly declare the only grounds,' said of Pope's moral character is (generally speak&c., &c., &c.-Mr. Bowles's sensibility in denying ing) true, and that his "poetical principles are his "sensitiveness to criticism" proves perhaps too invariable and invulnerable." He has also pubmuch. But if he has been so charged, and truly-lished three pamphlets,-ay, four of the same tenor, what then? There is no moral turpitude in such and yet, with this declaration and these declamaacuteness of feeling: it has been, and may be, com- tions staring him and his adversaries in the face, he bined with many good and great qualities. Is Mr. speaks of his "readiness to admit errors or to abanBowles a poet, or is he not? If he be, he must, don prejudices!!!" His use of the word "amicafrom his very essence, be sensitive to criticism; ble reminds me of the Irish Institution (which and even if he be not, he need not be ashamed of I have somewhere heard or read of) called the the common repugnance to being attacked. All" Friendly Society," where the president always that is to be wished is, that he had considered how carried pistols in his pocket, so that when one amidisagreeable a thing it is, before he assailed the cable gentleman knocked down another, the differgreatest moral poet of any age, or in any language. ence might be adjusted on the spot, at the harmoPope himself "sleeps well,"-nothing can touch nious distance of twelve paces. him further; but those who love the honor of their But Mr. Bowles "has since read a publication by country, the perfection of her literature, the glory him (Mr. Gilchrist) containing such vulgar slander, of her language-are not to be expected to permit affecting private life and character," &c., &c.; and an atom of his dust to be stirred in his tomb, or a Mr. Gilchrist has also had the advantage of reading leaf to be stripped from the laurel which grows a publication by Mr. Bowles sufficiently imbued with personality; for one of the first and principal Mr. Bowles assigns several reasons why and when topics of reproach is that he is a grocer, that he has "an author is justified in appealing to every upright a "pipe in his mouth, ledger-book, green canisters, and honorable mind in the kingdom." If Mr. Bowles dingy shop-boy, half a hogshead of brown treacle," limits the perusal of his defence to the "upright &c. Nay, the same delicate raillery is upon the and honorable" only, I greatly fear that it will not very title-page. When controversy has once combe extensively circulated. I should rather hope menced upon this footing, as Dr. Johnson said to that some of the downright and dishonest will read Dr. Percy, "Sir, there is an end of politeness-we and be converted, or convicted. But the whole of are to be as rude as we please-Sir, you said that I his reasoning is here superfluous-"an author is was short-sighted." As a man's profession is genejustified in appealing," &c., when and why he rally no more in his own power than his personpleases. Let him make out a tolerable case, and both having been made out for him-it is hard that few of his readers will quarrel with his motives. he should be reproached with either, and still more Mr. Bowles "will now plainly set before the lite- that an honest calling should be made a reproach. rary public all the circumstances which have led If there is any thing more honorable to Mr. Gilto his name and Mr. Gilchrist's being brought to- christ than another it is, that being engaged in gether," &c. Courtesy requires, in speaking of others commerce he had the taste, and found the leisure, and ourselves, that we should place the name of the to become so able a proficient in the higher literaformer first-and not "Ego et Rex meus." Mr. ture of his own and other countries. Mr. Bowles, Bowles should have written "Mr. Gilchrist's name who will be proud to own Glover, Chatterton, Burns, and his." and Bloomfield for his peers, should hardly have over it. This point he wishes "particularly to address to quarrelled with Mr. Gilchrist for his critic. Mr. those most respectable characters, who have the di- Gilchrist's station, however, which might conduct rection and management of the periodical critical him to the highest civic honors, and to boundless press." That the press may be, in some instances, wealth, has nothing to require apology; but even if conducted by respectable characters is probable it had, such a reproach was not very gracious on enough; but if they are so, there is no occasion to the part of a clergyman, nor graceful on that of a tell them of it; and if they are not, it is a base gentleman. The allusion to "Christian criticism" adulation. In either case, it looks like a kind of is not particularly happy, especially where Mr. Gilflattery, by which those gentry are not very likely christ is accused of having set the first example of to be softened; since it would be difficult to find this mode in Europe." What Pagan criticism may two passages in fifteen pages more at variance, have been we know but little; the names of Zoilus and Aristarchus survive, and the works of Aristotle, I would not, however, recommend this rigor to plain Longinus, and Quintilian: but of "Christian criti-women in general, in the hope of securing the glory cism" we have already had some specimens in the of two suicides a-piece. I believe that there are works of Philelphus, Poggius, Scaliger, Milton, few men who, in the course of their observations Salmasius, the Cruscanti (versus Tasso), the French on life, may not have perceived that it is not the Academy (against the Cid), and the antagonists of greatest female beauty who forms the longest and Voltaire and of Pope-to say nothing of some arti- the strongest passions. cles in most of the reviews, since their earliest But, apropos of Pope.-Voltaire tells us that the institution in the person of their respectable and Marechal Luxembourg (who had precisely Pope's still prolific parent, "The Monthly." Why, then, figure) was not only somewhat too amatory for a is Mr. Gilchrist to be singled out "as having set great man, but fortunate in his attachments. La the first example?" A sole page of Milton or Valiere, the passion of Louis XIV., had an unSalmasius contains more abuse-rank, rancorous, sightly defect. The Princess of Eboli, the mistress unleavened abuse-than all that can be raked forth of Philip II. of Spain, and Maugiron, the minion of from the whole works of many recent critics. There Henry III. of France, had each of them lost an are some, indeed, who still keep up the good old eye; and the famous Latin epigram was written custom; but fewer English than foreign. It is a upon them, which has, I believe, been either transpity that Mr. Bowles cannot witness some of the lated or imitated by Goldsmith:Italian controversies, or become the subject of one. He would then look upon Mr. Gilchrist as a panegyrist. * * * "Lumine Acon dextro, capta est Leonilla sinistro, "Vanesca, aged scarce a score, Sighs for a gown of forty-four." To me it appears of no very great consequence whether Martha Blount was or was not Pope's mistress, though I could have wished him a better. Wilkes, with his ugliness, used to say that "he She appears to have been a cold-hearted, interested, was but a quarter of an hour behind the handsomest ignorant, disagreeable woman, upon whom the ten-man in England;" and this vaunt of his is said not derness of Pope's heart in the desolation of his to have been disproved by circumstances. Swift, latter days was cast away, not knowing whither to when neither young, nor handsome, nor rich, nor turn, as he drew towards his premature old age, even amiable, inspired the two most extraordinary childless and lonely,-like the needle which, ap- passions upon record-Vanessa's and Stella's. proaching within a certain distance of the pole, becomes helpless and useless, and, ceasing to tremble, rusts. She seems to have been so totally unworthy of tenderness, that it is an additional proof He requited them bitterly; for he seems to have of the kindness of Pope's heart to have been able broken the heart of the one, and worn out that of to love such a being. But we must love something. the other; and he had his reward, for he died a soliI agree with Mr. B. that she "could at no time tary idiot in the hands of servants. have regarded Pope personally with attachment," For my own part, I am of the opinion of Pausabecause she was incapable of attachment; but I nias, that success in love depends upon Fortune. deny that Pope could not be regarded with personal They particularly renounce Celestial Venus, into attachment by a worthier woman. It is not proba- whose temple, &c., &c., &c. I remember, too, to ble, indeed, that a woman would have fallen in love have seen a building in Egina in which there is a with him as he walked along the Mall, or in a box statue of Fortune, holding a horn of Amalthea; at the opera, nor from a balcony, nor in a ball-room; and near her there is a winged Love. The meaning but in society he seems to have been as amiable as of this is, that the success of men in love affr unassuming, and, with the greatest disadvantages depends more on the assistance of Fortune than the of figure, his head and face were remarkably hand- charms of beauty. I am persuaded, too, with Pinsome, especially his eyes. He was adored by his dar (to whose opinion I submit in other particulars), friends-friends of the most opposite dispositions, that Fortune is one of the Fates, and that in a cerages, and talents-by the old and wayward Wycher- tain respect she is more powerful than her sisters." ley, by the cynical Swift, the rough Atterbury, the -See Pausanias, Achaics, book vii., chap. xxvi., p. gentle Spence, the stern attorney-bishop Warbur-256. Taylor's "Translation." ton, the virtuous Berkeley, and the "cankered Grimm has a remark of the same kind on the dif Bolingbroke." Bolingbroke wept over him like a ferent destinies of the younger Crebillon and Rouschild; and Spence's description of his last moments seau. The former writes a licentious novel, and a is at least as edifying as the more ostentatious young English girl of some fortune and family (a account of the death-bed of Addison. The soldier Miss Strafford) runs away, and crosses the sea to Peterborough and the poet Gay, the witty Congreve marry him; while Rousseau, the most tender and and the laughing Rowe, the eccentric Cromwell and passionate of lovers, is obliged to espouse his chamthe steady Bathurst, were all his intimates. The bermaid. If I recollect rightly, this remark was also man who could conciliate so many men of the most repeated in the Edinburgh Review of Grimm's coropposite description, not one of whom but was a respondence, seven or eight years ago. remarkable or a celebrated character, might well In regard to the strange mixture of indecent, have pretended to all the attachment which a rea- and sometimes profane levity, which his conduct sonable man would desire of an amiable woman. and language often exhibited," and which so much Pope, in fact, wherever he got it, appears to have shocks Mr. Bowles, I object to the indefinite word understood the sex well. Bolingbroke, "a judge often;" and in extenuation of the occasional ocof the subject," says Warton, thought his "Epistle currence of such language it is to be recollected, on the Characters of Women" his "master-piece." that it was less the tone of Pope, than the tone of And even with respect to the grosser passion, which the time. With the exception of the correspondence takes occasionally the name of "romantic," ac- of Pope and his friends, not many private letters of cordingly as the degree of sentiment elevates it the period have come down to us; but those, such above the definition of love by Buffon, it may be as they are-a few scattered scraps from Farquhar remarked, that it does not always depend upon and others-are more indecent and coarse than any personal appearance, even in a woman. Madame thing in Pope's letters. The comedies of Congreve, Cottin was a plain woman, and might have been Vanbrugh, Farquhar, Cibber, &c., which naturally virtuous, it may be presumed, without much inter- attempted to represent the manners and conversaruption. Virtuous she was, and the consequences tion of private life, are decisive upon this point; as of this inveterate virtue were that two different are also some of Steele's papers, and even Addiadmirers (one an elderly gentleman) killed them- son's. We all know what the conversation of Sir selves in despair (see Lady Morgan's "France.") | R. Walpole, for seventeen years the prime minister of the country, was at his own table, and his excuse, the most of it. Capital letters, like Kean's name, for his licentious language, viz., "that every body large upon the bills," are made use of six or seven understood that, but few could talk rationally upon times to express his sense of the outrage. The less common topics." The refinement of latter charge is, indeed, very boldly made; but, like days, which is perhaps the consequence of vice," Ranold of the Mist's" practical joke of putting which wishes to mask and soften itself, as much as the bread and cheese into a dead man's mouth, is, of virtuous civilization,―had not yet made sufficient as Dugald Dalgetty says, "somewhat too wild and progress. Even Johnson, in his "London," has salvage, besides wasting the good victuals." two or three passages which cannot be read aloud, and Addison's "Drummer" some indelicate allusions. Mr. Bowles appeals to the "Christian reader!" upon this "Gilchristian criticism." Is not this play upon such words "a step beyond decorum" in To return to Mr. Bowles. "If what is here ex-a clergyman? But I admit the temptation of a pun tracted can excite in the mind (I will not say of any to be irresistible. 'layman,' of any Christian,' but) of any human But "a hasty pamphlet was published, in which being," &c., &c. Is not Mr. Gilchrist a "human some personalities respecting Mr. Gilchrist were being? Mr. Bowles asks "whether in attributing suffered to appear." If Mr. Bowles will write an article," &c., &c., "to the critic, he had any "hasty pamphlets," why is he so surprised on rereason for distinguishing him with that courtesy," ceiving short answers? The grand grievance to &c., &c. But Mr. Bowles was wrong in "attribut- which he perpetually returns is a charge of " Нуроing the article" to Mr. Gilchrist at all; and would chondriacism," asserted or insinuated in the Quarnot have been right in calling him a dunce and a terly. I cannot conceive a man in perfect health grocer, if he had written it. being much affected by such a charge, because his Mr. Bowles is here "peremptorily called upon to complexion and conduct must amply refute it. But speak of a circumstance which gives him the great-were it true, to what does it amount?-to an imest pain, the mention of a letter he received from peachment of a liver complaint. "I will tell it to the editor of The London Magazine.'" Mr. Bowles the world," exclaimed the learned Smelfungus.-seems to have embroiled himself on all sides;-You had better," said I, "tell it to your physician." whether by editing, or replying, or attributing, or There is nothing dishonorable in such a disorder. quoting, it has been an awkward affair for him. which is more peculiarly the malady of students. It Poor Scott is now no more. In the exercise of has been the complaint of the good, and the wise, his vocation, he contrived at last to make himself and the witty, and even of the gay. Regnard, the the subject of a coroner's inquest. But he died author of the last French comedy after Molière, like a brave man, and he lived an able one. I knew was atrabilious; and Molière himself, saturnine. him personally, though slightly. Although several Dr. Johnson, Gray, and Burns, were all more or less years my senior, we had been schoolfellows together affected by it occasionally. It was the prelude to at the "grammar-schule" (or, as the Aberdonians the more awful malady of Collins, Cowper, Swift, pronounce it, ". squeel") of New Aberdeen. He and Smart; but it by no means follows that a pardid not behave to me quite handsomely in his capa- tial affliction of this disorder is to terminate like city of editor a few years ago, but he was under no theirs. But even were it so,obligation to behave otherwise. The moment was too tempting for many friends and for all enemies. At a time when all my relations (save one) fell from me like leaves from the tree in autumn winds, and If this be the criterion of exemption, Mr. Bowles's my few friends became still fewer,-when the whole last two pamphlets form a better certificate of sanity periodical press (I mean the daily and weekly, not than a physician's. Mendehlson and Bayle were at the literary press) was let loose against me in every times so overcome with this depression, as to be shape of reproach, with the two strange exceptions obliged to recur to seeing "puppet-shows, and (from their usual opposition) of "The Courier" and counting tiles upon the opposite houses," to divert The Examiner," the paper of which Scott had themselves. Dr. Johnson at times "would have the direction was neither the last nor the least vitu- given a limb to recover his spirits." Mr. Bowles, perative. Two years ago I met him at Venice, when who is (strange to say) fond of quoting Pope, may he was bowed in griefs, by the loss of his son, and perhaps answer, "Nor best, nor wisest, are exempt from thee: "Go on, obliging creatures, let me see All which disgrac'il my betters met in mc.” had known, by experience, the bitterness of domestic privation. He was then earnest with me to return to England; and on my telling him, with a smile, that he was once of a different opinion, he But the charge, such as it is, neither disgraces them replied to me, "that he and others had been greatly nor him. It is easily disproved if false; and even misled; and that some pains, and rather extraordi- if proved true, has nothing in it to make a man so nary means, had been taken to excite them." Scott very indignant. Mr. Bowles himself appears to be is no more, but there are more than one living, who a little ashamed of his " hasty pamphlet; " for he were present at this dialogue. He was a man of attempts to excuse it by the "great provocation;" very considerable talents, and of great acquire- that is to say, by Mr. Bowles's supposing that Mr. ments. He had made his way, as a literary charac- Gilchrist was the writer of the article in the Quar. ter, with high success, and in a few years. Poor terly, which he was not. fellow! I recollect his joy at some appointment "But, in extenuation, not only the great provocawhich he had obtained, or was to obtain, through tion should be remembered, but it ought to be said, Sir James Mackintosh, and which prevented the that orders were sent to the London booksellers, further extension (unless by a rapid run to Rome) that the most direct personal passages should be of his travels in Italy. I little thought to what it omitted entirely," &c This is what the proverb would conduct him. Peace be with him!-and may calls "breaking a head and giving a plaster;" but, all such other faults as are inevitable to humanity in this instance, the plaster was not spread in time, be as readily forgiven him, as the little injury which and Mr. Gilchrist does not seem at present disposed he had done to one who respected his talents, and to regard Mr. Bowles's courtesies like the rust of regrets his loss. the spear of Achilles, which had such "skill in I pass over Mr. Bowles's page of explanation, surgery," upon the correspondence between him and Mr. But Mr. Gilchrist has no right to object, as the S. It is of little importance in regard to Pope, reader will see." I am a reader, a "gentle reader," and contains merely a recontradiction of a contra- and I see nothing of the kind. Were I in Mr. Gildiction of Mr. Gilchrist's. We now come to a point christ's place, I should object exceedingly to being where Mr. Gilchrist has, certainly, rather exagge-abused; firstly, for what I did write, and, secondly, rated matters; and, of course, Mr. Bowles makes for what I did not write; merely because it is Mr. Bowles's will and pleasure to be as angry with me, the critique in the Quarterly to Octavius Gilchrist for having written in the London Magazine, as for All these "reasons consist of surmises of Mr. not having written in the Quarterly Review. Bowles, upon the presumed character of his op Mr. Gilchrist has had ample revenge; for he ponent. "He did not suppose there could exist a has, in his answer, said so and so," &c., &c. There man in the kingdom so impudent, &c., &c., except is no great revenge in all this; and I presume that Octavius Gilchrist."-" He did not think there was nobody either seeks or wishes it. What revenge a man in the kingdom whe would pretend ignorance, Mr. Bowles calls names, and he is answered. But &c., &c., except Octavius Gilchrist."—" He did not Mr. Gilchrist and the Quarterly Review are not conceive that one man in the kingdom would utter poets, nor pretenders to poetry; therefore they can such stupid flippancy, &c., &c., except Octavius have no envy nor malice against Mr. Bowles; they Gilchrist."-"He did not think there was one man have no acquaintance with Mr. Bowles, and can in the kingdom who, &c., &c., could so utterly have no personal pique; they do not cross his path show his ignorance, combined with conceit, &c., as of life, nor he theirs. There is no political feud Octavius Gilchrist."-" He did not believe there between them. What, then, can be the motive of was a man in the kingdom so perfect Mr. Gilchrist's their discussion of his deserts as an editor?-vene-old lunes,'" &c., &c.-He did not think the mean ration for the genius of Pope, love for his memory, mind of any one in the kingdom," &c,, and so on; and regard for the classic glory of their country. always beginning with "any one in the kingdom," Why would Mr. Bowles edite? Had he limited his and ending with "Octavius Gilchrist," like the honest endeavors to poetry, very little would have word in a catch. I am not "in the kingdom,” and been said upon the subject, and nothing at all by have not been much in the kingdom since I was his present antagonists. one-and-twenty, (about five years in the whole, since Mr. Bowles calls the pamphlet a "mud-cart," and I was of age,) and have no desire to be in the kingthe writer a "scavenger.' Afterwards he asks, dom again, whilst I breathe, nor to sleep there "Shall he fling dirt and receive rose-water?" This afterwards; and I regret nothing more than having metaphor, by-the-way, is taken from Marmontel's ever been "in the kingdom" at all. But though Memoirs; who, lamenting to Chamfort the shed- no longer a man "in the kingdom," let me hope ding of blood during the French revolution, was that when I have ceased to exist, it may be said, as answered, "Do you think that revolutions are to be was answered by the master of Clanronald's hench made with rose-water?" man, his day after the battle of Sheriff-Muir, when -- For my own part, I presume that "rose-water" he was found watching his chief's body. He was would be infinitely more graceful in the hands of asked, "who that was?" he replied "it was a Mr. Bowles than the substance which he has substi- man yesterday." And in this capacity, "in or cut tuted for that delicate liquid. It would also more of the kingdom," I must own that I participate in confound his adversary, supposing him a "scaven- many of the objections urged by Mr. Gilchrist ger." I remember, (and do you remember, reader, participate in his love of Pope, and in his not that it was in my earliest youth, "Consule Planco,") understanding, and occasionally finding fault with, on the morning of the great battle, (the second) the last editor of our last truly great poet. between Gulley and Gregson,- Cribb, who was One of the reproaches against Mr. Gilchrist is, matched against Horton for the second fight, on that he is (it is sneeringly said) an F. S. A. If the same memorable day, awaking me (a lodger at will give Mr. Bowles any pleasure, I am not an F. the inn in the next room) by a loud remonstrance S. A., but a Fellow of the Royal Society at his to the waiter against the abomination of his towels, service, in case there should be any thing in that which had been laid in lavender. Cribb was a coal-association also which may point a paragraph. heaver and was much more discomfitted by this "There are some other reasons," but "the author odoriferous effeminancy of fine linen, than by his is now not unknown." Mr. Bowles has so totally adversary Horton, whom he "finished in style," exhausted himself upon Octavus Gilchrist, that he though with some reluctance; for I recollect that has not a word left for the real quarterer of his he said, "he disliked hurting him, he looked so edition, although now "deterre." pretty,' Horton being a very fine fresh-colored The following page refers to a mysterious charge young man. of "duplicity, in regard to the publication of Pope's To return to "rose-water"-that is, to gentle letters." Till this charge is made in proper form, means of rebuke. Does Mr. Bowles know how to we have nothing to do with it: Mr. Gilchrist hints revenge himself upon a hackney-coachman, when it-Mr. Bowles denies it; there it rests for the he has overcharged his fare? In case he should present. Mr. Bowles professes his dislike to Pope's not, I will tell him. It is of little use to call him a duplicity, not to Pope a distinction apparently "rascal, a scoundrel, a thief, an impostor, a black-without a difference. However, I believe that I guard, a villain, a ragamuffin, a-what you please;" understand him. We have a great dislike to Mr. all that he is used to-it is his mother-tongue, and Bowles's edition of Pope, but not to Mr. Bowles; probably his mother's. But look him steadily and nevertheless, he takes up the subject as warmly as quietly in the face, and say "Upon my word, I if it was personal. With regard to the fact of think you are the ugliest fellow I ever saw in my "Pope's duplicity," it remains to be proved-like life," and he will instantly roll forth the brazen Mr. Bowles's benevolence towards his memory. thunders of the charioteer Salmoneus as follows:In page 14, we have a large assertion, that "the Hugly! what the h-ll are you? You a gentleman? Eloisa" alone is sufficient to convict him of grass Why -!" So much easier it is to provoke-and licentiousness." Thus, out it comes at last. Mr. therefore to vindicate-(for passion punishes him Bowles does accuse Pope of " gross licentiousness," who feels it more than those whom the passionate and grounds the charge upon a poem. The licen would excruciate)-by a few quiet words the aggres- tiousness is a "grand puet-etre," according to the sor, than by retorting violently. The "coals of fire turn of the times being. The grossness I dent, of the Scripture are benefits;-but they are not the On the contrary, I do believe that such a subject less "coals of fire." never was, nor ever could be, treated by any poet I pass over a page of quotation and reprobation with so much delicacy, mingled with, at the same "Sin up to my song "-"Oh let my little bark"-time, such true and intense passion. Is the "Atys" "Arcades ambo""Writer in the Quarterly Re- of Catullus licentious? No, nor even gross; and view and himself"-"In-door avocations, indeed" yet Catullus is often a coarse writer. The subject "Kings of Brentford"-"One nosegay"-Peren- is nearly the same, except that Atys was the suicide nial nosegay "-"Oh Juvenes,"-and the like. of his manhood, and Abelard the victim. Page 12, produces "more reasons,"-(the task The "licentiousness" of the story was not Pope's ought not to have been difficult, for as yet there-it was a fact. All that it had of gross, he has were none)" to show why Mr. Bowles attributed | softened;-all that it had of indelicate, he has purified;-all that it had of passionate, he has," a certain illustrious foreigner," what do these beautified;-all that it had of holy, he has hal- words ever precede, but defamation? Had he felt lowed. Mr. Campbell has admirably marked this a spark of kindling kindness for John Clare, he in a few words (I quote from memory), in drawing would have named him. There is a sneer in the the distinction between Pope and Dryden, and sentence as it stands. How a favorable review of a pointing out where Dryden was wanting. "I deserving poet can "rather injure than promote his fear," says he, "that had the subject of Eloisa', cause is difficult to comprehend. The article fallen into his (Dryden's) hands, that he would denounced is able and amiable, and it has "served" have given us but a coarse draft of her passion." the poet, as far as poetry can be served by judicious Never was the delicacy of Pope so much shown as and honest criticism. in this poem. With the facts and the letters of With the two next paragraphs of Mr. Bowles's "Eloisa" he has done what no other mind but that pamphlet it is pleasing to concur. His mention of of the best and purest of poets could have accom-" Pennie," and his former patronage of "Shoel," plished with such materials. Ovid, Sappho (in the do him honor. I am not of those who may deny ode called hers)-all that we have of ancient, all Mr. Bowles to be a benevolent man. I merely that we have of modern poetry, sinks into nothing assert, that he is not a candid editor. compared with him in this production. Mr. Bowles has been "a writer occasionally Let us hear no more of this trash about "licen- upwards of thirty years," and never wrote one tiousness." Is not "Anacreon" taught in our word in reply in his life "to criticisms, merely as schools?-translated, praised, and edited? Are criticisms.' This is Mr. Lofty in Goldsmith's Goodnot his Odes the amatory praises of a boy? Is not natured Man; "and I vow by all that's honorable, Sappho's Ode on a girl? Is not this sublime and my resentment has never done the men, as mere (according to Longinus) fierce love for one of her men, any manner of harm,-that is, as mere men.' own sex? And is not Phillip's translation of it in "The letter to the editor of the newspaper" is the mouths of all your women? And are the English owned; but "it was not on account of the criticism. schools or the English women the more corrupt for It was because the criticism came down in a frank all this? When you have thrown the ancients into directed to Mrs. Bowles!!!"-(the italics and three the fire, it will be time to denounce the moderns. notes of admiration appended to Mrs. Bowles are "Licentiousness!"-there is more real mischief copied verbatim from the quotation,) and Mr. and sapping licentiousness in a single French prose Bowles was not displeased with the criticism, but novel, in a Moravian hymn, or a German comedy, with the frank and the address. I agree with Mr. than in all the actual poetry that ever was penned, Bowles that the intention was to annoy him; but I or poured forth, since the rhapsodies of Orpheus. fear that this was answered by his notice of the The sentimental anatomy of Rousseau and Mad. de reception of the criticism. An anonymous letterS. are far more formidable than any quantity of writer has but one means of knowing the effect of verse. They are so, because they sap the principles his attack. In this he has the superiority over the by reasoning upon the passions; whereas poetry is viper; he knows that his poison has taken effect, in itself passion, and does not systematise. It when he hears the victim cry;-the adder is deaf. assails, but does not argue; it may be wrong, but The best reply to an anonymous intimation is to it does not assume pretensions to Optimism. take no notice directly nor indirectly. I wish Mr. Bowles could see only one or two of the thousand which I have received in the course of a literary life, which, though begun early, has not yet extended to a third part of his existence as an author. Mr. Bowles now has the goodness" to point out the difference between a traducer and him who sincerely states what he sincerely believes." He might have spared himself the trouble. The one is a liar, who lies knowingly; the other (I speak of a scandal- I speak of literary life only. Were I to add permonger of course) lies, charitably believing that he speaks truth, and very sorry to find himself in falsehood;-because he "Would rather that the dean should die, so your servant." sonal, I might double the amount of anonymous letters. If he could but see the violence, the threats, the absurdity of the whole thing, he would laugh, and so should I, and thus be both gainers. To keep up the farce,-within the last month of this present writing (1821), I have had my life After a definition of a "traducer," which was threatened in the same way which menaced Mr. quite superfluous (though it is agreeable to learn Bowles's fame,-excepting that the anonymous that Mr. Bowles so well understands the character), denunciation was addressed to the Cardinal Legate we are assured, that "he feels equally indifferent, at Romagna, instead of to Mrs. Bowles. The CarMr. Gilchrist, for what your malice can invent, or dinal is, I believe, the elder lady of the two. I your impudence utter." This is indubitable; for it append the menace in all its barbaric but literal rests not only on Mr. Bowles's assurance, but on Italian, that Mr. Bowles may be convinced; and as that of Sir Fretful Plagiary, and nearly in the same this is the only "promise to pay," which the Italwords," and I shall treat it with exactly the same ians ever keep, so my person has been at least as calm indifference and philosophical contempt, and much exposed to a "shot in the gloaming," from John Heatherblutter" (see Waverly), as ever Mr. One thing has given Mr. Bowles concern.' It Bowles's glory was from an editor. I am, neveris "a passage which might seem to reflect on the theless, on horseback and lonely for some hours patronage a young man has received." MIGHT (one of them twilight) in the forest daily; and The passage alluded to expresses, that if this, because it was my "custom in the afternoon," Mr. Gilchrist be the reviewer of "a certain poet of and that I believe if the tyrant cannot escape amidst nature," his praise and blame are equally con- his guards (should it be so written?) so the humtemptible.-Mr. Bowles, who has a peculiarly am- bler individual would find precautions uscless. biguous style, where it suits him, comes off with a Mr. Bowles has here the humility to say, that "not to the poet, but the critic," &c. In my hum-" he must succumb; for with Lord Byron turned ble opinion, the passage referred to both. Had against him, he has no chance,"-a declaration of Mr. Bowles really meant fairly, he would have said self-denial not much in unison with his " "promise," so from the first-he would have been eagerly five lines afterwards, that "for every twenty-four transparent." A certain poet of nature" is not lines quoted by Mr. Gilchrist, or his friend, to greet the style of commendation. It is the very prologue him with as many from the Gilchrisiad;' to the most scandalous paragraphs of the news- much the better. Mr. Bowles has no reason to "succumb but to Mr. Bowles. As a poet, the author of "The Missionary" may compete with the foremost of his contemporaries. Let it be recollected, that all my previous opinions of Mr. seem! papers, when "Willing to wound, and yet afraid to strike." "A certain high personage,"-" a certain peeress," but so |