THEIB AUTHORS AND ORIGIN. 97
may also be reasonably attributed to the associations of tbe neighbourhood in which he wrote.
" When I can read my title clear
To mansions in the skies." No. 705.
It has been remarked that Cowper has used these lines in his poem on " Truth," in the comparison of the lot of Voltaire and that of the poor but believing cottager, who
" Just knows, and knows no more, her Bible true A truth the brilliant Frenchman never knew : And in that charter reads with sparkling eyes Her title to a treasure in the sides."
" Our journey is a thorny maze." No. 706.
This is the last five verses of a hymn of twelve verses, the 53rd, second book, beginning
" Lord, what a wretched land is this ! " " Absent from flesh ! blissful thought ! "No. 723.
This is one of five lyric odes on " Death and Heaven," given by Dr. Watts in his " Miscellaneous Thoughts" in prose and verse, at page 554 of the fourth volume of his collected works. These odes were sent to a friend to solace him in bereavement. The letter that accompanied them explained that they had all been written about the same time, and had afterwards lain in silence. The preface to the "Miscellaneous Thoughts " bears date 1734. Another of these odes is
"Unveil thy bosom, faithful tomb ! " No. 732. and another, not given in the " New Congregational," begins " And is this heav n ? and am I there ! "
In these odes Dr. Watts takes a very high flight, and they are of great poetic excellence.
" How bright these glorious spirits shine ! " No. 750. H
�� �
