"He went sometimes with me to a _Debating Society_ [Footnote: It is another of the Constitutional Refinements of these times to have fetter'd, and as to every valuable purpose, silenc'd, these Debating Societies. They were at least, to say the lowest of them, far better amusements than drunkenness, gambling, or fighting. They were no useless Schools to some of our very celebrated Speakers at the Bar and in Parliament: and, what is of infinitely more importance, they contributed to the diffusion of Political Knowledge and Public Sentiment. L.] at _Coachmaker's-hall_, but not often; and a few times to _Covent-garden Theatre_. These are all the opportunities he ever had to learn from Public Speakers. As to _Books_, he had to wade through two or three Folios: an _History of England, British Traveller_, and a _Geography_. But he always read them as a task, or to oblige us who bought them. And as they came in sixpenny numbers weekly, he had about as many hours to read as other boys spend in play." "I at that time," proceeds his Brother, "read the _London Magazine_; and in that work about two sheets were set apart for a _Review ... Robert_ seem'd always eager to read this Review. Here he could see what the Literary Men were doing, and learn how to judge of the merits of the Works that came out. And I observ'd that he always looked at the _Poet's Corner_. And one day he repeated a _Song_ which he compos'd to an old tune. I was much surpris'd that a boy of sixteen [Footnote: He was probably 17; as appears on the statement from the Author himself. See N. to p. xvii.] should make so smooth verses: so I persuaded him to try whether the Editor of our Paper would give them a place in _Poet's Corner_. And he succeeded, and they were printed. And as I forget his other early productions, I shall copy this." THE MILK-MAID, ON THE FIRST OF MAY. Hail, MAY! lovely MAY! how replenish'd my pails! The young Dawn overspreads the East streak'd with gold! My glad heart beats time to the laugh of the Vales, And COLIN'S voice rings through the woods from the fold. The Wood to the Mountain submissively bends, Whose blue misty summits first glow with the sun! See thence a gay train by the wild rill descends To join the glad sports:... hark! the tumult's begun. Be cloudless, ye skies!... Be my Colin but there, Not the dew-spangled bents on the wide level Dale, Nor Morning's first blush can more lovely appear Than his looks, since my wishes I could not conceal. Swift down the mad dance, while blest health prompts to move, We'll count joys to come, and exchange Vows of truth; And haply when Age cools the transports of Love, Decry, like good folks, the vain pleasures of youth. No, no; the remembrance shall ever be dear! At no time LOVE with INNOCENCE ceases to charm: It is transport in Youth ... and it smiles through the tear, When they feel, in their children, its first soft alarm.