Poem, 'Two cats'
Details
Type of record: Archive
Title: Poem, 'Two cats'
Classmark: BC MS Lt 133
Creator(s): Newton, John (1725-1807)()
Date(s): c.1795
Language: English
Size and medium: 1 leaf; manuscript papers; 1 folder
Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/477376
Collection group(s): Brotherton Collection Manuscript Verse
Description
An autograph poem concerning the construction of a canal at Southampton. Newton disagreed with this, believing that the existing river was wide enough and navigable. He compares the building of the canal to the actions of a man who cuts two holes in his wall, one for his large cat and one for his small one.
The poem is a manuscript in ink. It is written on a piece of paper torn from a letter which bears the remains of an address 'Revd. Joh, No. 6. Colem'. There are 8 lines of verse on one side and 6 on the other. Newton moved to Coleman Buildings in 1786 so the poem must have been written on, or after, this date.
Biography or history
John Newton was a former slave trading ships' captain who turned away from a life at sea and took up the curacy at Olney, Buckinghamshire, in 1764. He was appointed Rector at St. Mary Woolnoth, Lombard Street, London, in 1779 where he officiated until his death. From 1788 he was a vigorous campaigner against the slave trade. Newton was a close friend of the poet, William Cowper. The pair published the collection 'Olney hymns' in 1779. Newton is known for writing 'Amazing Grace' and 'Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken'. He died in 1807.
Access and usage
Reproduction
Access
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