Cambridge, Sept. 20. 1851.
_Gray's Obligations to Jeremy Taylor_ (Vol. iv., p. 204.).--I perfectly
agree with RT. in his admiration for Gray; but, to my shame be it
spoken, am not very well read in Jeremy Taylor. RT. would oblige me, as
well as other admirers of "the sweet Lyrist of Peter-house," by
furnishing an example or two of the latter's obligations to the bishop.
RT. will excuse me if I fail to perceive any great degree of similarity
between his two last quoted passages from Gray and those from Cowley,
which he adduces as parallel. This refers especially to the last
instance, in which I trace scarcely any similarity beyond that of a
place of education and a river being commemorated in each. Would RT.
supply us with a few more examples of borrowing from Cowley?
With RT.'s wish for a new edition of Gray, "with the parallel passages
annexed," I cordially coincide. However, failing this new edition, he
will allow me to recommend to his notice (if indeed he has not seen it)
the Eton edition of the poet, with introductory stanzas of great
elegance and beauty, by another of Eton's bards, the Rev. J. Moultrie,
author of that most pathetic little poem "My Brother's Grave."