ABSTRACT
Unquestionably, the temperament which disposes men to cultivate the higher and graver species of poetry, contributes to render them susceptible of impressions of this nature. Such a temperament, excited by the pathetic circumstances of a story more interesting than any tale of fiction, produced the vision of Dr Donne. When residing in Paris, he saw the figure of his wife, then in London, pass through the room,with her hair hanging loose, and carrying a dead child in her arms. After reading the exquisite poem which he wrote, previous to their separation, it is impossible to wonder at an impression of such a nature.
