It was a season, especially at Olney, of thick fog combined with bitter frosts.

To Cowper this state of the atmosphere appeared the emblem of his mental state; we see in it the cause.

At the close the letter slides from spiritual despair to the worsted-merchant, showing that, as we remarked before, the language of despondency had become habitual, and does not always flow from a soul really in the depths of woe.
TO THE REV.

JOHN NEWTON.
"_Jan.

13th_, 1784.
"MY DEAR FRIEND,--I too have taken leave of the old year, and parted with it just when you did, but with very different sentiments and feelings upon the occasion.