great bulk, and from their never being printed separately from the other parts of Cowper's Works. In the collected editions, the Letters occupy six volumes, while his Original Poems hardly fill the space of two. It is thought that a SELECTION will be a valuable contribution for the service both of religion and literature. A selection may be advantageously made, by omitting such letters as refer merely to unimportant and transient topics; also those that may be considered as duplicates, as when the writer narrates the same events or feelings to different correspondents; and also leaving out the letters addressed to booksellers and critics when he was translating Homer or the Latin poems of Milton; subjects which, however they occupied the time of the poet, can hardly be interesting to the generality of readers. To the Selection of the Letters is prefixed a brief Memoir, giving an account of the chief points or periods of the poet's history; also, short notices of his principal correspondents. Reflections on the Death of two of his Friends-On a |