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mo. James Huntley Can phell 1-28-1932

TO THE

RIGHT HONOURABLE

EARL SPENCER.

MY LORD,

A GENERAL. request having encouraged me to become the Editor of a more complete collection of the posthumous compositions of my revered relation, the poct COWPER, than has hitherto appeared, I consider it as my duty to the deceased, to inscribe the volume that contains them to his exalted friend, by whom the genius of the poet was as justly appreciated, as the virtues of the moralist were effectually patronized. It would be impertinent in me to attempt any new encomium on a writer so highly endeared to every cultivated mind in that country which it was the favourite exercise of his patriotick spirit to describe and to celebrate : but I may be allowed to observe, that one of the few additions inserted in this collection will be particularly welcome to every reader of sensibility, as an eulogy on that attractive quality so gracefully visible in all the writings of Cowper.

Permit me to close this imperfect tribute of my respect, by saying, it is my deep sense of those important services, for which the afflicted poet was indebted to the kindness of LORD SPENCER, that impels me to the liberty I am now taking, of thus pubiickly declaring myself

Your Lordship's

Highly obliged, and
Very faithful servant,
JOHN JOHNSON.

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