MEMOIRS OF DR. WATTS. XXl The Hymns whichwere sungat the dissenting-meeting in Southampton,were so littleto his judgment and taste, that he could not forbear complaining of them to his father. His father, who, perhaps, fondly attached to his old guides in this service, and impatient of innovations, was not very wellpleased, bid him try what he could do to mend the matter. ' He immediately set to work, andso successful was he in his first essay, that a second was earnestly desired,and thena third, and a fourth, till there was such anumber as to make up a volume, which was afterwards considerably enlarged. The firstedition of his Hymns was published in 1707, and his Psalms, 1719. The happy manner inwhich he bas rendered these composures intelligible to the ignorant., yetinstructive and delightful to the more intelligent, spew at once, how warns a desire of extensive usefulness animated his heart, and how skilful an hand directed his pen; while the strong images, thebold flights, the lively painting, the sublimity ofthought, and majesty ofexpression, which occur insome other ofhis poetical writings, proclaim what a master he was in that art, and how much self-denial he practised, in condescending to a lower strain, when the genius for which he wrote required it, The two volumes published as the Dr.'s Posthumous Works, must be ascribedtotheavarice ofa bookseller, or to theurgent calls of hunger, expect- ing success from the celebrityof his character, and the general avidity with which his productions were received. Thesevolumes are said, in the title- page, to be compiledfrom papers in possession of his immediate successors, and to be adjusted and publishedby a gentleman of the University of Cam- bridge. Many of thehymns in the first volumewere published before, and, with only oneexception, they are unmercifully mutilated. The rest bear no more resemblanceto the poetic ardor and - sublimity of Dr. Watts'smuse, than the grasshopper does to the eagle. It would be easy to select various proofs of imposition in this work, were it necessary ; but none, who have read the poet, can hesitate to pronounce it a malicious attempt to hold him up to ridi- cule and contempt or, which is most probable, a design to make his name themedium of pecuniary advantage. Such a farrago should not have been mentioned, but as areason for their exclusion from the genuineworks. Such authors as the subjectof these memorials are the gloryof nations. Theman whose writings expose the doctrines and ordinances of christianity to contempt, who artfully endeavours to destroy the cause of virtue, while he affects to celebrate its praise, by faking away all its animating principle, throws open the flood gates of licentiousness, destroys all public spirit, social order, domestic fidelity, and personal happiness, takes the subject from under the restraintof thecivil law, saps the foundation of honour and confidence in com- merce, involves his wretched proselytes in the guilt of inveterate rebellion against the Prince of Life, and subjects them to inconceivablewoes in the fu- ture world. When authors, whose writings have thus subverted the faith, poisoned themorals, and destroyed the souls of their deluded readers, are for- gotten, or only remembered as objects of execration,the Works of Dr. Watts justly claim the gratitude of his country, will be perpetuated as blessings inthe church, andbe honoured with the final plaudit of the Supreme Judge. The dissolution ofDr. Watts fully corresponded with his holy and useful life. For near three years prior to this period, his lamp had given such a tremulous and uncertain light, that his friendsdaily expected its utter extinc- tion. But his prospects werebright and his confidence was firm. If his
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