William Cowper — Table Talk and Other Poems

London, The Religious Tract Society, c1868. Cloth. A reprint of the 1782 edition of Cowper's 'Table Talk', with notes by the former Poet Laureate Robert Southey. William Cowper was an English poet and hymnodist. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of eighteenth century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. In many ways, he was one of the forerunners of Romantic poetry. Samuel Taylor Coleridge called him "the best modern poet", whilst William Wordsworth particularly admired his poem 'Yardley-Oak&apos. Alongside 'Table Talk', the edition also features Charity, Conversation, Hope, and others. With numerous illustrations throughout by Harrison Weir, Wimperis, Barnes, Gilbert, Noel Humphreys, and other eminent artists In a green cloth binding with gilt lettering to spine. Externally a trifle rubbed with some wear to the extremities. Internally firmly bound, with bright and clean pages throughout with the odd spot to the first and last few pages. Ink inscription to front free-endpaper dated 1877. Good . Ill.: Various. Good .