116 MEMOIR OF JOHN WILSON. 



mourn over their graves. I know that I tenderly loved my dear 

 brother, but his death has affected me more than I could have 

 imagined, and I yet feel as if I could never again be happy or 

 cheerful enough to resume my former occupations. 



" I leave every thing relating to my poems to your own judg- 

 ment. If they do not sell, my poetry never will ; for though I may 

 write better, they are good enough for popularity — far better than 

 many that circulate widely — and they deserve to sell. 



"Southey would have gladly reviewed them in the Quarterly, 

 but found it impossible, without speaking at length of himself and 

 Wordsworth ; so he from conscience declined it. Blair I have heard 

 nothing of since I saw you, nor am I likely to hear. A book must 

 ultimately owe its circulation to itself, and not to the grace of 

 reviewers. Take such steps about a second edition as you choose. 

 I would advise, if there be one, no more than *750 copies. I will 

 add no new poems, nor preface, nor note. 



" I would fain write you at greater length, but feel unable. Let 

 the beginning of my letter be my excuse." 



The extent of his plans of composition at this time is indicated 

 by a " List of subjects for meditation," in one of his books, contain- 

 ing no less than 131 titles of proposed poems. In what spirit he 

 entered on his work, the following note, written in his commonplace- 

 book, may illustrate : — 



'•'•June 12, 1812. — Expected that a volume will be completed 

 by June 12, 1814. May the Almighty enlighten my mind, so that I 

 may benefit my fellow-creatures, and discharge the duties of my 

 life.— J. W."* 



The list of subjects begins on the opposite page, and the proposed 

 character of the strain in each case is indicated by such notes as 

 these : — 



" Red Tarn — melancholy and mournful. 



" The widow — beautiful and fanciful. 



" A poet — characteristic and copious. 



* It will not, I hope, diminish in any reader's eyes the respect due to this solemn and surely 

 most heartfelt aspiration, that it is copied from a page, never meant for other eyes to see, be- 

 ginning with so different a kind of memorandum as this — " Small black muffled hen set herself 

 with about eight eggs on Monday night or Tuesday morning, 7th July." So far am I from being 

 offended by this curious contrast, that I specially note the fact as a characteristic illustration of 

 the wholeness and sincerity of the man, who, whether it were high poetic meditation or the 

 breeding of game-cocks that occupied him, did it with all his heart and strength, each in its season. 



