and how cordially he returned that kindness, and attention, the following Letter will testify, which was probably written in the chamber of the invalide, whom the writer so fervently wishes to restore.

LETTER XXXI.

To Mrs. COWPER.

March 5, 1770

My Brother continues much

as he was. His case is a very dangerous one. An imposthume of the liver, attended by an asthma and dropsy. The physician has little hope of his recove

ry, I believe I might say, none at all, only being a friend, he does not formally give him over, by ceasing to visit him, lest it should sink his spirits. For my own part I have no expectation of his recovery, except by a signal interposition of Providence in answer to prayer. His case is clearly out of the reach of medicine; but I have seen many a sickness healed, where the danger has been equally threatening, by the only physician of value. I doubt not he will have an interest in your prayers, as he has in the prayers of many. May the Lord incline his ear,

and give an answer of peace.. I know it is good to be afflicted. I trust that you have found it so, and that under the teaching of God's own Spirit, we shall both be purified. It is the desire of my soul to seek a better country, where God shall wipe away all tears from the eyes of his people; and where, looking back upon the ways, by which he has led us, we shall be filled with everlasting wonder, love and praise.

I must add no more,

Yours ever,

W. C.

The sickness and death of his learned, pious, and affectionate Brother, made a very strong impression on the tender heart and mind of Cowper-an impression so strong, that it induced him to write a narrative of the remarkable circumstances which occurred at the time. He sent a copy of this narrative to Mr. Newton. The paper is curious in every point of view, and so likely to awaken sentiments of piety in minds, where it may be most desirable, to have

them awakened, that Mr. Newton has thought it his duty to print it.

Here it is incumbent on me to introduce a brief account of the interesting person, whom the poet regarded so tenderly. John Cowper was born in 1737, being designed for the church, he was privately educated by a clergyman, and became eminent for the extent and variety of his erudition in the university of Cambridge. His conduct and sentiments, as a minister of the Gospel, are copiously displayed by his brother, in recording the remarkable close of his life. Bennet college, of which he was a fellow, was his usual residence, and it became the scene of his death, on the twentieth of March, 1770. Fraternal affection has executed a perfectly just and graceful description of his character, both in prose and verse. I transcribe both as highly honourable to these exemplary brethren, who may indeed be said, to have dwelt together in unity.

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"He was a man (says the poet in speaking of his deceased Brother) "of a most candid and ingenuous spirit; his temper remarkably sweet, and, " in his behaviour to me he had always manifested an uncommon affection. His outward conduct so "far as it fell under my notice, or I could learn it

by the report of others, was perfectly decent and "unblamable. There was nothing vicious in any "part of his practice, but being of a studious,

thoughtful turn, he placed his chief delight in the

acquisition of learning, and made such acquisi"tions in it, that he had but few rivals in that of a "classical kind. He was critically skilled in the La"tin, Greek, and Hebrew languages; was begin

ning to make himself master of the Syriac, and

perfectly understood the French and Italian, the " latter of which, he could speak fluently. Learned " however as he was, he was easy and cheerful in " his conversation, and entirely free from the stiffness, which is generally contracted by men devot"ed to such pursuits."

"I had a Brother once:

"Peace to the memory of a man of worth!
"A man of letters, and of manners too!
"Of manners, sweet, as virtue always wears,
"When gay good humour dresses her in smiles!
"He grac'd a college, in which order yet
"Was sacred, and was honoured, lov'd, and wept

By more than one, themselves conspicuous there!"

Another interesting tribute to his memory, will be found in the following Letter,

DEAR JOE,

LETTER XXXII.

To JOSEPH HILL, Esqr.

May 8, 1770.

Your Letter did not reach

me till the last post, when I had not time to answer it. I left Cambridge immediately after my Brother's death..

I am obliged to you for the particular account have sent me

*

*

you He, to whom I have surrendered myself, and all my concerns, has otherwise appointed, and let his will be done. He gives me much, which he withholds from others, and if he was pleased to withhold all, that makes an outward difference, between me, and the poor mendicant in the street, it would still become me to say, his will be done.

It pleased God to cut short my Brother's connexions and expectations here, yet not without giving him lively, and glorious views of a better happiness, than any, he could propose to himself, in such a