xxviii
In 1775 Mrs. Barbauld committed to the press a small volume entitled Devotional Pieces compiled from the Psalms of David, with Thoughts on the Devotional Taste, and on Sects and Establishments. As a selection it did not meet with great success; nor did the essay escape without
some animadversion. It was afterwards separated from the Psalms and reprinted with the Miscellaneous Pieces, and will be further noticed in the sequel.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Barbauld proved unfruitful, and they sought to fill the void, of which in the midst of their busy avocations they were still sensible, by the adoption of a son out of the family of Dr. Aikin. Several particulars relative to this subject will be found in the letters of Mrs. Barbauld to her brother:—it is sufficient here to mention, that they received the child when somewhat
