p in nature, but set to song many of the wondrous speculations of
modern psychology. A taste for ancient, simple poetic writers spread
widely, and produced Scott's brilliant imitations of ballad poetry, and
Wordsworth's early lyrical strains. Popular principles began to prevail,
and knowledge to circulate among the lower classes; and they learned not
only to read poems with relish, but their "poor dumb mouths" ever and
anon were opened to utter a stern and vigorous poetry of their own.
Along with these and other beneficial changes, there were, indeed, much
extravagance and exaggeration introduced. With the formality and
stiffness, much of the point, pith, and correctness of the old school
was lost--a good deal of false enthusiasm and pretence, mingled with the
real inspiration; jackdaws and mocking-birds, as well as doves and
eagles, abounded. But, on the whole, we question if any age of the world
has equalled the early part of the nineteenth century, in the quantity,
or in the quality, in the power, depth, brilliance, or variety of its
poetry.

* * * * *

WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES--whom we have ventured to call the father of modern
poetry, since not only was he first in the field, but since his sonnets
inspired the more powerful muse of Coleridge--was descended from an
ancient and respectable family in Wiltshire. His grandfather and father
were both clergymen in the Church of England. The poet was born in
King's Sutton, and baptized there on the 25th of September 1762. In the
year 1776 he was placed on the Wykeham foundation at Winchester. His
master was Dr Joseph Warton, who, seeing genius disguised under the veil
of his pupil's boyish timidity, encouraged him in his efforts, was
warmly loved by Bowles in return, and transmitted to him his very
moderate estimate of the poetry and character of Pope. Bowles has
testified his gratitude to his teacher in his very pleasing "Monody on
the Death of Dr Warton." During the last year he passed at Winchester,
Bowles was captain of the school. In the year 1781, he was elected a
scholar of Trinity College, Oxford, having selected this college,
because the brother of his old master, Thomas Warton, was residing
there. In 1783, he gained the Chancellor's prize for Latin verse--"Calpe
Obessa; or, The Siege of Gibraltar," being the subject of the poem. At
college he got no fellowship, nor did he procure his degree till 1792.
At an early age, he is said to hav