"The indisposition which has long hung upon me, is at last grown to
such a head, that it must quickly make an end of me or of itself....
Were I able to dress up several thoughts of a serious nature, which
have made great impressions on my mind during a long fit of sickness,
they might not be an improper entertainment for one of your Saturday's
papers."
What a natural remark from a writer who, Addison tells us, treats divine
topics "as one who has no interests in this world, as one who is hastening
to the object of all his wishes, and conceives hope from his decays and
infirmities!" This sublime paper, or "series of thoughts," stamped with the
peculiar beauties and polish of Addison's style, closes with the hymn in
question, composed, as the writer says, "during this my sickness."
Watts survived the date of this paper above thirty-five years. Had it been
his own composition, would he not have claimed the authorship, and
incorporated the hymn amongst his sacred songs?
Let us not, in the pages of "N. & Q." at least, witness farther attempts to
misappropriate the writings of one, whose undying fame will be
cotemporaneous with the literature of England. Still, in the beautiful
language of Addison's friend Tickell, may he in his hymns--
----"warn poor mortals left behind,
A task well suited to his gentle mind."