GLASGOW COLLEGE. - 29 



philosophical investigation, will perceive how far it may be carried, 

 and what consequences are likely to result from it. 



" Your poems, sir, are of very great advantage to the world, from 

 containing in them a system of philosophy that regards one of the 

 most curious subjects of investigation, and at the same time one of 

 the most important. But your poems may not be considered 

 merely in a philosophical light, or even as containing refined and 

 natural feelings ; they present us with a body of morality of the 

 purest kind. They represent the enjoyment resulting from the cul- 

 tivation of the social affections of our nature ; they inculcate a con- 

 scientious regard to the rights of our fellow-men ; they show that 

 every creature on the face of the earth is entitled in some measure 

 to our kindness. They prove that in every mind, however depraved, 

 there exist some qualities deserving our esteem. They point out 

 the proper way to happiness. They show that such a thing as per- 

 fect misery does not exist. They flash on our souls conviction of 

 immortality. Considered therefore in this view, Lyrical Ballads 

 is, to use your own words, the book which I value next to my Bi- 

 ble ; and though I may, perhaps, never have the happiness of see- 

 ing you, yet I will always consider you as a friend, who has by his 

 instructions done me a service which it never can be in my power 

 to repay. Your instructions have afforded me inexpressible plea- 

 sure ; it will be my own fault if I do not reap from them much 

 advantage. 



" I have said, sir, that in all your poems you have adhered strictly 

 to natural feelings, and described what comes within the range of 

 every person's observation. It is from following out this plan that, 

 in my estimation, you have surpassed every poet both of ancient and 

 modern times. But to me it appears that in the execution of this 

 design you have inadvertently fallen into an error, the effects of 

 which are, however, exceedingly trivial. No feeling, no state of 

 mind ought, in my opinion, to become the subject of poetry, that 

 does not please. Pleasure may, indeed, be produced in many ways, 

 and by means that, at first sight, appear calculated to accomplish a 

 very different end. Tragedy of the deepest kind produces pleasure 

 of a high nature. To point out the causes of this would be foreign 

 to the purpose. But we may lay this down as a general rule, that 

 no description can please, where the sympathies of our soul are not 

 excited, and no narration interest, where we do not enter into the 



