English Men of Letters: Crabbe
80-
rovided himself with "a fashionable tie-wig". Crabbe at once began preparations for his literary campaign, by correcting such verse as he had brought with him, completing "two dramas and a variety of prose essays," and generally improving himself by a course of study and practice in composition. As in the old Woodbridge days, he made some congenial acquaint
ds William IV., who had only the year before entered the navy as midshipman, but had already seen some service under Rodney. The next day's entry in the diary tells how he was not neglecting other possible chances of an honest livelihood. He had answered an advertisement in the Daily Advertiser for "an amanuensis, of grammatical education, and endued with a genius capable of making improvements in the writings of a gentleman not well versed in the English language." Two days later he called for a reply, only to find that
enclosed poem, which he has returned, as he apprehends the sale of it would probably not enable him to give any con
ket. He adds, however: "I find myself under the disagreeable necessity of vending or pawning some of my more useless articles: accordingly have put into a paper such as cost about two or three guineas, and, being silver, have not greatly lessened in the
o days later he had pawned his surgical instruments-redeemed and repawned his watch on more favourable terms-and was rejoiced to find himself still the possessor of ten shillings. He remained stout of heart-his faith in Providence still his strong comfort--and the Vickery family, though he must have been constantly in their debt, were unfailingly kind and hospitable. He was also appealing to the possible patrons of literature among the leading statesmen of the hour. On May 21 we learn that h
lest with all tha
ch or save a
s engross not
oe assail a p
, but not les
ed win thy n
ccess. Crabbe felt these successive repulses very keenly, but it is not necessary to tax North, Shelburne, and Thurlow with exceptional hardness of heart. London was as full of needy literary
iculars. He was himself an eye-witness of some of the most disgraceful excesses of the mob, the burning of the governor of Newgate's house, and the setting at liberty of the prison
was not felicitous. The publisher, "H. Payne, opposite Marlborough House, Pall Mall," had pledged himself that the author should receive some share of the profits, however small; but even if he had not become bankrupt immediately after its publication, it is unlikely that Crabbe would have profited by a single penny. It was indeed a very ill-advised attempt, even as regards the reviewers addressed. The very tone adopted, that of deprecation of criticism, would be in their view a proof of weakness, and as such they accepted it. Nor had the poem any better chan
. The poet relates how the Genius of Poetry (like, but how unlike, her who was seen b
ager in the a
triumph seldom
l, but wisely
abours one by
crap capriciou
y, and be pr
in the rubbi
little as a n
, that cloyed wi
, that ran on i
ays-Fortune F
im inclines b
it, nor with i
d, but none shal
ress is the h
ver with succ
win must ever
ode, and to t
rave to every
e lucky Mome
more his eager
t and Love, whe
some one who should strike into a newer path. The strong and powerful satirist Churchill, the classic Gray, and the inimitable Goldsmith had also departed; and more recently still, Chatterton had paid the bitter penalty of his imprudence under circumstances which must surely have rather disposed the patrons of talent to watch the next opportunity that might offer it
y instructor) he was trying experiments in more hopeful directions. On the twelfth, of May he intimates to his Mira that he has dreams of success in something different, something more human than had yet engaged his thoughts. "For the first time in my life that I recollect," he writes, "I have written three or four stanzas that so far touched me in the reading them as to take off th
uring many months when he was toiling in early life in London he hardly over tasted butcher-meat except on a Sunday, when he dined usually with a tradesman's family, and thought their leg of mutton, baked in the pan, the perfection of luxury." And it was only after some more weary months, when at last "want stared him in the face, and a gaol seemed the only imme
erable) that Crabbe addressed his letter, with specimens of his poetry, to Bur
le that I need ev
freedom I now take
ly urged, will, wit
don. I am one of th
out a friend, with
out
preface. I had a
ducation than his
better than was ne
I was designed fo
ng wherewithal to co
but served to conv
error it had occasi
three pounds, and
to supply me with th
ities should procure
ion, and a poetical
little of the worl
fancied perfection
they promised me a
putation, whilst my
cont
, and want have s
that which I think
such, have yet th
e common run of poe
ge of the late Mr.
consequence of which
cribe my little w
ll political allusio
ial point to me to w
it none to him, and
y re
ubscription would be
, therefore, endea
he enclosed
disgust you with this
ished in the miser
hat during this tim
could afford. Indeed
avoided it. The
usiness has had eve
rceive my situation
ut friends. About
note for seven pound
hat sum which I ow
y friends are poor
, and I ventured t
begged to be credi
ubscribers, which I b
this letter I had
by my importunity.
, I yesterday confes
entreaty and as t
when I am positive
y or prepare
purpose of so long
as a good and, let
tensions to your fa
is not easy to supp
am coward enough
n you, sir, in any
ask any demonstrat
n myself, but I ha
me, if possible, inte
rank and fortune
and are compelled to
ey know to be in dist
e I ventured to so
ve me, sir, if you
mpossible that sent
but a humane an
u, sir, to-morrow, a
credit with you, I m
in to myself, and ev
d in my distresses.
iness, now embitte
only to hope a spe
n: in which (thoug
p some consolation fr
ith, the greatest r
humble
E CRA
rabbe delivered it with his own hands at Burke's house in Charles Street, St. James's, and (as he l
Crabbe's story that could hardly be delusive, and a strain of modesty blended with courage that would at once appeal to Burke's generous nature. Again, Burke was not a poet (save in the glowing periods of his prose), but he had read widely in the poets, and had himself been possessed at one stage of his youth "with the furor poeticus." At this special juncture he had indeed little leisure for such matters. He had lost his seat for Bristol in the preceding year, but had speedily found another at Malton-a pocket-borough of Lord Rockingham's,-and, at the moment of Crabbe's appeal, was again actively opposing the policy of the King and Lord North. But he yet found time for an act of kindness that was to have no inconsi
ghbouring beach
vouring winds t
flight the ready
he favouring
hores where guilt
hapless they w
ain to hear t
essening shore; Till some fierc
w hut and all
enant weeps fr
r protection f
of a very different school was dominant. But here for the moment appears a fresher key and a later model. In the lines just quoted the feeling and the
e, whom hounds
ce from which it
there was something in Crabbe's more Pope-like couplets that was not foun
amily whom it was honour as well as pleasure to become in any degree associated with." The time thus spent was profitable to Crabbe in other ways than by enlarging his knowledge and ideas, and laying the foundation of many valued friendships. He devoted himself in earnest to complete his unfinished poems and revise others under Burke's judicious criticism. The poem he first published, The Library, he himself tells us, was written partly in his presence and submitted as a whole to his judgment. Crabbe elsewhere indicates clearly what were the weak points of his art, and what tendencies Burke found it most necessary he should counteract. Writing his reminiscences in the third person years later, he naively admitted that "Mr. Crabbe had sometimes the satisfaction of hearing, when the verses were
from the same hand. But circumstances were now changed, and Burke's recommendation and support were all-sufficient. Dodsley was all politeness, and though he declined to incur any risk-this was doubtless borne by Burke-he promised his best en
ns of theology, history, poetry, and the rest, as represented on the shelves of a library, and on the blessings of literature to the heart when wearied with business and the cares of life. Crabbe's verses on such topics are by no means ineffective. He had caught perfectly the trick of the school so soon to pass away. He is as fluent and copious-as skilful in spreading a truism over a dozen well-sounding lines-as any of his predecessors. There is little new in the way of ideas. Crabbe had as yet no wide insight into books and authors, and he was forced to deal largely in g
ng the dead
more novel than Crabbe's, are wor
nd these silent
lasting mansio
hinks a thousan
tombs of such
ternal fame, t
ll the little