178 



is probable that a sense of her private worth might 

 have led my mind to overlook or palliate the gloomy 

 tendency of her poem. As it is, I read without 

 prejudice. 



I promised to tell you what I thought of this 

 book, and I have done so without reserve ; you 

 would have a right to despise me, if I could sacri- 

 fice truth even on the altar of friendship. I would 

 rather lose some little portion of the love of my 

 friends, than one iota of their esteem. Love may be 

 won by flattery ; esteem must be the result of good 

 qualities, and the power of appreciating them. 

 Your ever affectionate Friend, 



E. Cobbold. 



Sir J. E. Smith to Mrs. Cobbold. 



My dear Madam, Norwich, March 30, 181?. 



I did not doubt your admiring Mrs. Barbauld's 

 poetry ; indeed, I think this poem (without any al- 

 lowance for her age) may take its stand amongst 

 the most lofty productions of any poet, male or fe- 

 male ; as I think her hymn, beginning 



"Jehovah reigns: let every nation hear!" 



the most sublime and poetical hymn that ever was 

 written, — without any allowance for her youth or 

 her sex in that case either. Indeed she requires no 

 allowance, though ever ready to claim it ; for her 

 character tind her humility are equal to her talents. 

 Now let me tell you my opinion of the politics of 

 her poem. I conceive the three first pages and 



