Starves, in the midst of nature's bounty curst, O Liberty, thou goddess heavenly bright, In ten degrees of more indulgent skies, Nor at the coarseness of our Heaven repine, Though o'er our heads the frozen Pleiads shine: 'Tis Liberty that crowns Britannia's isle, And makes her barren rocks and her bleak mountains smile. PARAPHRASE ON PSALM XXIII. THE Lord my pasture shall prepare, When in the sultry glebe I faint, Though in the paths of death I tread, Though in a bare and rugged way, AN ODE. THE spacious firmament on high, And spangled heavens, a shining frame, Their great Original proclaim. Th' unwearied sun, from day to day, Does his Creator's power display; And publishes to every land, The work of an Almighty hand. Soon as the evening shades prevail, The moon takes up the wonderous tale; And nightly, to the listening earth, Repeats the story of her birth: Whilst all the stars that round her burn, And all the planets, in their turn, Confirm the tidings as they roll, What though in solemn silence, all ISAAC WATTS was born in 1674, at Southampton, where his father, who was a Dissenter, kept a boarding school. He was the eldest of nine children, and gave indications of genius while yet a child. At the age of sixteen, his abilities had become so generally known that it was proposed to raise a subscription for his support at the University. The youth had, however, resolved to adhere to the tenets of his forefathers; and accordingly entered a Dissenting academy in London, with a view to preparation for the ministry. This object was attained; he became the zealous, upright, and eloquent pastor of a congregation; but his constitution, always delicate, compelled him, from time to time, to abstain from labour; until he was induced to accede to the wishes of his friend, Sir Thomas Abney, by becoming a permanent resident in his house. Here the remainder of his years were spent; enjoying uninterrupted demonstrations of the truest friendship, in a family which "for piety, order, harmony, and every virtue, was a house of God." To this happy circumstance the world is mainly indebted for the many rare and estimable productions of the pen of Dr. Watts. Ease of mind, with graceful relaxations from laborious studies, domestic quiet and competence, were matters upon the obtaining of which even his existence depended. The history of his life from the time of his entering this "home" is merely that of his works. He continued actively employing his pen-producing his "Logic," "Improvement of the Mind," Sermons, Discourses, Prayers, Essays, and Poemsall tending to one great object-the glory of God and the benefit of human kind. At length, full of years and honours, he died on the 25th of November, 1748. Dr. Watts is described as of remarkably small stature; scarcely exceeding five feet; his countenance was amiable and benevolent; his eloquence rich and persuasive; his natural temper was quick of resentment; but by his established and habitual practice, he was gentle, modest, and inoffensive. The works of Dr. Watts, in prose and verse, were collected and published under the superintendence of Dr. Doddridge, in 6 vols. 8vo. in 1754. They are proofs of his fine genius, fervent piety, extensive learning, and benevolent heart; and they continue to retain a very large share of public favour. His poems are, for the most part, devotional. His nature and his education both prompted him to employ his talents in the service of the Creator. Poetry with him, therefore, was but the giving a more delightful and inviting dress to that which is naturally grand, dignified, and beautiful. "Yet," as he says, "it was not the business of his life"-and if he seized those hours of leisure wherein his soul was in a more sprightly frame, to entertain his friends or himself with a divine or moral song-he hopes he shall find an easy pardon. These remarks occur in the preface to his Lyric Poems; the subjects of which are varied, although chiefly of a sacred character. They do not perhaps possess merit sufficient to establish the name of the writer among the highest order of British Poets;-but they are the productions of a healthy mind, a sound judgment, and a discriminating taste; and the versification is exceedingly easy and correct, except when he "attempts in rhyme the same variety of cadence, comma, and period, which blank verse glories in as its peculiar elegance and ornament." The Divine Songs for Children" we are disposed to class among the rarest and most valuable works to which genius has ever given existence. If the earliest impressions are of the greatest importance, because the most effective and the most enduring, how essential is it that the bias of the young mind should be towards virtue, honesty, industry, and humanity! There is no lesson in either which Dr. Watts has left untaught. Children lisp his verses long before they can read them-the moral fixes upon the mind through the imagination, and is retained for life. The "Divine Songs are neither too high nor-what is less easy of attainment-too low for the comprehension of a child, and they tempt perusal and thought by the graces of easy rhyme. They are simple without being weak; and they reason without being argumentative; they are just of sufficient length to be committed to memory, without being long enough to become wearisome as a task. They are indeed the most perfect examples in our language of the achievement of that which a writer desires to achieve. We regard Dr. Watts, therefore, as one of the greatest benefactors of human kind; and may search in vain through the thousand tomes of our poets for so many golden Look back to hear his dying cries, Then mount and see his throne above. See where he languish'd on the cross; If I behold his bleeding heart, There love in floods of sorrow reigns, He triumphs o'er the killing smart, most valuable works to which genius has ever given existence. If the earliest impressions are of the greatest importance, because the most effective and the most enduring, how essential is it that the bias of the young mind should be towards virtue, honesty, industry, and humanity! There is no lesson in either which Dr. Watts has left untaught. Children lisp his verses long before they can read them-the moral fixes upon the mind through the imagination, and is retained for life. The "Divine Songs" are neither too high nor- what is less easy of attainment-too low for the comprehension of a child, and they tempt perusal and thought by the graces of easy rhyme. They are simple without being weak; and they reason without being argumentative; they are just of sufficient length to be committed to memory, without being long enough to become wearisome as a task. They are indeed the most perfect examples in our language of the achievement of that which a writer desires to achieve. We regard Dr. Watts, therefore, as one of the greatest benefactors of human kind; and may search in vain through the thousand tomes of our poets for so many golden |