LIFE IN EDINBURGH. 137 



in the mind of the author. With the exception of that first sugges- 

 tion of the subject already referred to, I find no allusion to the prin- 

 cipal poem nor any trace of it in note-books. Of the other poems, 

 there are but four which correspond m title with any in the " List 

 of Subjects" of 1812. These are "The Children's Dance," "The 

 Convict," "Solitude," and "The Farewell and Return." 



In the next number of the Edinburgh Review, the volume received 

 a friendly criticism from the hand of Jeffrey, who, in reply to a 

 letter from the author, unfortunately not extant, addressed the fol- 

 lowing interesting letter to him : — 



" My dear Sir : — I am extremely gratified by your letter, and 

 thank you very sincerely, both for the kindness it expresses, and 

 the confidence it seems to place hi me. It is impossible, I think, to 

 read your writings without feeling affection for the writer ; and 

 under the influence of such a feeling, I doubt whether it is possible 

 to deal with them with the same severe impartiality with which 

 works of equal literary merit, but without that attraction, might 

 probably be treated. Nor do I think that this is desirable or would 

 even be fair ; for part, and not the least part of the merit of poetry, 

 consists hi its moral effects, and the power of exciting kind and 

 generous affections seems entitled to as much admiration as that of 

 presenting pleasing images to the fancy. 



" You wish, however, to be treated as a stranger, and, I think, I 

 have actually treated you as one, for the partiality which I have 

 already mentioned as irresistibly produced by your writings, cer- 

 tainly has not been lessened by the little personal intercourse we 

 have had. I am not aware that it has been materially increased by 

 that cause, and was inclined to believe that I should have felt the 

 same kindliness towards the author of the work I am reviewing, 

 although I had never seen his face. As to showing you no favor 

 for the future on the score of the past, I am afraid if I do not exactly 

 comply with your request, it will be more owing to my own selfish 

 unwillingness to retract my former opinions and abandon my pre- 

 dictions, than from any excess of good-nature towards their objects. 

 However, your request is very natural and manly, and I shall do 

 what I can to let you have nothing more than justice, and save you 

 from having any other obligations to your critic than for his dili- 

 gence and integrity. 



