It covers his childhood school days, his time at St. Alban's, his move to Huntingdon, and finally his move to the Unwin's in 1765. It is a passionate account of William Cowper's thoughts of "self-murder" and also his joy in finding God. The Appendix includes many letters by William Cowper from the years 1765-6, which illustrate his remarkable conversion. An appendix article by Samuel Miller shows that suicide is a sin against God, human nature, our fellow man, and our interests beyond the grave.