112 MORE POT-POURRI 



as much as possible to those works which I can bear to 

 read over and over again. Of such character is Words- 

 worth's poetry, and I should be glad if no day elapsed 

 without my reading some portion of it. If you have 

 his works with you, pray read the "Ruth," the 

 "Laodamia," the "Ode to Duty," the "Lines Written 

 Near Tintern Abbey " (I know nothing more beautiful 

 than this), the "Cumberland Beggar," and a little 

 poem — I think he calls it the "Yew Tree" or the 

 "Yew Tree Seat" (for I have not the book with me) — 

 in which there are some lines beginning, ' ' The man 

 whose eye is ever on himself doth look on one the least 

 of Nature's works," etc. I like Coleridge's poetry, but 

 less well. Of all his long pieces I like his translation of 

 Schiller's Wallenstein the best. It is admirable as a 

 poem, while it is perfect as a translation. His "Ancient 

 Mariner" and his "Love" or "Genevifeve" are very 

 beautiful. I hope you will be able to read my friend's 

 play, which my sister told you of .^ I longed to send it 

 to you. It is a work of genius, and at the same time of 

 great labour. He is a man of humble birth, but of an 

 exalted mind ; and that, I am sure, you will think better 

 than being ' ' some tenth transmitter of a foolish 

 face"! In religious works, I have best liked Butler's 

 "Analogy" and "Sermons," Taylor's and South's ser- 

 mons, Paley's "Evidences," all Whateley's works — 

 especially his "Romish Errors" and the "Peculiarities 

 of Christianity" — and Davison on prophecy. This is a 

 work which will survive the present day. Its author is 

 just dead, prematurely. He was a man of great powers 

 of mind, but his health prevented him from sustaining 

 any great intellectual labour. Sumner's" Records of the 

 Creation" is a very instructive work, as well as a most 

 interesting one. I should like to recommend to you 



' Phil^ van Artevelde. 



