Finally, as I commenced with a recitation in the golden language of Poesy, by way of introduction to a lecture that, I fondly hope, has not totally failed of imparting some degree of interest, can I close my paper more appropriately than by a quotation from our own essentially English poet, Crabbe, so felicitously designated by Lord Byron

"Though Nature's sternest painter, yet the best."

It flows thus, calm and unruffled, as Cleopatra in her state-galley sailing down the Cydnus :

"Comforts, yea! joys ineffable they find,

Who seek the prouder pleasures of the mind;
The soul collected in those happy hours,
Then makes her efforts, then enjoys her powers;
No! 'tis not worldly gain, although, by chance,
The sons of learning may to wealth advance ;
Nor station high, though in some favouring hour
The sons of learning may arrive at power;

Nor is it glory, though the public voice

Of honest praise will make the heart rejoice ;
But 'tis the mind's own feelings give the joy,-
Pleasures she gathers in her own employ."

The Life and Works of the Poet

Keats:

A PAPER READ BEFORE THE

LIVERPOOL PHILOMATHIC SOCIETY,

ON THE EVENING OF APRIL 15, 1862.

THE LIFE AND WORKS OF THE

POET KEATS.

AMONG all the ravages which insatiate Death has caused throughout the ranks of those, distinguished in literature, who reflected such splendour on the early part of the nineteenth century, scarce one is more to be deeply regretted than the too rapid decease of that poet, a sketch of whose brief, but brilliant career, I am this evening about to trace. It may, perhaps, be imagined from this exordium, that my paper will assume more the character of a panegyric than anything else. Should such an idea be entertained, it shall constitute my earnest endeavour to vindicate my partiality, and to induce all to concur in my belief that (Chatterton himself not excepted) no other bard, in so short a time, has accomplished so much, and accomplished it so well, as KEATS; and that to refuse the meed of high commendation to such a man, were as ungenerous and unreasonable as it were unmerited. He was born in London, in the October