16 



Japonica because it was not a rose, or deny the privi- 

 lege of growth to two leaves, because, though totally 

 unlike in form, they were both leaves, as to reject the 

 lyrics of Alexander because they were the products 

 of the seasons, which Keble immortalized. Keble 

 walked in the footprints of Heber, and yet he sus- 

 tained throughout his own peculiarity of genius ; and 

 surely another may step into his, if he has only the 

 power to breathe over it his own rich genius, and 

 preserve his own individuality. This Dr. Alexander 

 did. He was no copyist of Keble, as Keble was no 

 copyist of Heber. No man loves Keble or his genius 

 more than I do. But still the path is open; and of 

 one* who has strowed it with the flowers of true poetry, 

 as Dr. Alexander has done, I cannot breathe one word 

 of censure, or think him either bold or presumptuous. 



There is nothing, on which criticism is more disposed 

 to issue its flippant decrees, than poetry, music, and 

 painting and yet there is nothing, which so calls for 

 the exercise of its noblest powers, and keenest discrimi- 

 nation. I respect criticism, and pay all deference to 

 its learned decisions ; but I have no patience with that 

 pretentious usurper, who is constantly seating himself 

 in the seat of judgment, and in stupid ignorance of 

 what in reality constitutes the subtle essence of true 

 poetry, and destitution 6f the imagination, which is 

 needful to its just appreciation, decries what he does 

 not chance to relish. 



My learned friend, writing to me a short time before 

 his death, accepts the popular standard of merit, the 

 pay it returns ; and modestly waved the claim to the 

 award that will undoubtedly yet crown his noble essay 

 in this most difficult branch of the poetic art. But I 

 do not. Fidelity to the churchly teaching, and the 

 Scripture, woven into the service of the day, hampers 



