Dear Joseph-five and twenty years ago
Alas how time escapes! 'tis even 80-
With frequent intercourse, and always sweet,
And always friendly, we were wont to cheat
A tedious hour and now we never meett
As some grave gentleman in Terence says,
('Twas therefore much the same in ancient days)
Good lack, we know not what to-morrow brings
Strange Auctuation of all human things!
True. Changes will befall, and friends may part,
But distance only cannot change the heart:
And, were I called to prove the assertion true,
One proof should serve--a reference to you.

Whence comes it then, that in the wane of life, Though nothing have occurred to kindle strife, We find the friends we fancied we had won, Though numerous ooce, reduced to few or none? Can gold grow worthless that has stood the touch? No; gold they seemed, but they were never such.

· Horatio's servant once, with bów and cringe;?,,
Swinging the parlour door upon its linge,; .
Dreading a negative, and overawed. .
Lest he should trespass, begged to go abroad. "
Go, fellow whithertanturning short about
Nay. Stay at bomic--you are always going oat.
'Tis but a step, sir, just at the street's end. j
For what? An please you, sir, to see a friend
A friend! Horatio cried, and seemed to start . .
Yea marry shalt thou, and with all my heart...
And fetch my cloak; for though the night be raw
I'll see him toon-the first I ever saw, i . '

"I knew the man, and knew his nature mild, ! "
And was his play thing often when a child ; ' '
But somewhat at that moment pinched him close,
Else he was seldom bitter or morose.
Perhaps his confidence just then betrayed,
His grief might prompt him with the speech he

made;
Perhaps 'twas mere good-humour gave it birth,
The harmless play of pleasantry and mirth.
Howe'er it was, his language, in my mind,
Bespoke at least a man that knew mankind. .

But not to moralize too much, and strain
To prove an evil of which all complain,
(I hate long arguments verbosely spun,)
One story more, dear Hill, and I have done.
Once on a time an emperor, a wise man, :
No matter where, in China or Japan,
Decréed that whosoever should offend
Against the well-known duties of a friend,

Convicted once should ever after wear : ? But half a coat, and show his bosom båre; si The punishment importing this, no doubt, .. That all was naught within, and all found out..

Oh bappy. Britain! we have not to fear ; Such hard and arbitrary measure here; s ... Else, could a law, like that which I relate, Once have the sanction of our triple state, Some few, that I have known in days of old, Would run most dreadful risk of catching.cold; : While you, my friend, whatever wind should blow). Might traverse England safely to and fro, :,:!1 An honest man, close buttoned to the chin, I Broad cloth without, and a warm heart within.:

Αρχή πολιτειας απασης νεων τροφα.

2611 DioG. LAERT,

TO THE

REV. WILLIAM CAWTHORNE UNWIN

RECTOR OF STOCK, FN ESSEX,

THE TUTOR OF HIS TWO SONS,

THL FOLLOWING

. PO E M,

RECOMMENDING PRIVATE TUITION

2. PAKEISER CE TO

AN EDUCATION AT SCHOOL,

xti:,.I$ INSCRIBED,

BY HIS AFFECTIONATE TRJEND,

WILLIAM COWPER.

Olney, Nov. 6, 1784. :