I am obliged to you for a volume of Poems which lately reached me in a parcel from Mess^rs Longmans.

You have been happier in the execution than in the choice of your subjects, – which is generally the case with young poets. Such stories as that of Eva are not calculated for poetry, which should avoid whatever is shocking & gives unmingled pain. We do not willingly read a second time any thing that draws tears, or excites shuddering. Your Ruined City had better, I think, have been an existing scene, – you might have found many such in Greece – Egypt – Asia – & on the African shores of the Mediterranean, & any of these would have given you the advantage of historic truth & venerable associations. You would however not have had an opportunity of touching upon modern manners & institutions, – which makes so prominent a part of your plan