In the _Castle of Indolence_ (of which Gray speaks so coldly) these characteristics were almost as conspicuously displayed, and in verse more harmonious and diction more pure.

Yet that fine poem was neglected on its appearance, and is at this day the delight only of a few! When Thomson died, Collins breathed forth his regrets in an Elegiac Poem, in which he pronounces a poetical curse upon _him_ who should regard with insensibility the place where the Poet's remains were deposited.

The Poems of the mourner himself have now passed through innumerable editions, and are universally known, but if, when Collins died, the same kind of imprecation had been pronounced by a surviving admirer, small is the number whom it would not have comprehended.

The notice which his poems attained during his lifetime was so small, and of course the sale so insignificant, that not long before his death he deemed it right to repay to the bookseller the sum which he had advanced for them and threw the edition into the fire.
Next in importance to the _Seasons_ of Thomson, though a considerable distance from that work in order of time, come the _Reliques of Ancient English Poetry_, collected, new-modelled, and in many instances (if such a contradiction in terms may be used) composed by the Editor, Dr Percy.

This work did not steal silently into the world, as is evident from the number of legendary tales, that appeared not long after its publication, and had been modelled, as the authors persuaded themselves, after the old Ballad.