In 1737 Watts sustained a loss in the innermost and most intimate circle of his acquaintance by the death of Mrs. Rowe. His early relations with this lady have round them some traditions of a tender mystery; it is generally supposed that upon his side at one time his feelings for Miss Singer, her maiden name, were something more than those of mere friendship. The charms of the lady appear to have been considerable, and procured her previous to marriage many admirers, among others Prior, the poet, who sought the lady’s hand in vain, and in his poem on “Love and Friendship” expresses himself after the most approved fashion of the disconsolate Werthers of that day, informing her that—
He dies in woe, that thou mayst live in peace.
It would seem that Watts’ attachment was some time talked about extensively, for Young refers to it in one of his satires:
What angels would those be, who thus excel
In theologies, could they sew as well!
Yet why should not the fair her text pursue?
Can she more decently the Doctor woo?
Isaac, a brother of the canting strain,
When he has knocked at his own skull in vain,