The chief, and almost the only, public source of information about the facts of Patmore's life is the Memoirs and Correspondence, in two vol umes, published by Mr. Basil Champneys in 1900. Mr. Champneys, whose work was performed with admirable judgment and sympathy, was supplied with all the necessary documents by Mrs. Patmore, whose devoted foresight during her husband's life, and indefatigable industry then and later, are cordially acknowledged by the biographer. This large work was not a memoir of Coventry Patmore alone, but of his parents, his wives, his deceased children, and many of his relatives. As a collection of documents, extremely full and authentic, it can never be superseded.
