PR 3380 42 1814

Preface

TO THE

FIRST VOLUME.

WH
HEN an Author, by appearing in print, re-
quests an audience of the Public, and is upon the
point of speaking for himself, whoever presumes to
step before him with a preface, and to say, "Nay,
but hear me first," should have something worthy of
attention to offer, or he will be justly deemed offi-
cious and impertinent. The judicious reader has
probably, upon other occasions, been beforehand
with me in this reflection: and I am not very will-
ing it should now be applied to me, however I may
seem to expose myself to the danger of it. But the
thought of having my own name perpetuated in
connexion with the name in the title page, is so
pleasing and flattering to the feelings of my heart,

1

that I am content to risk something for the gratification.

This Preface is not designed to commend the Poems, to which it is prefixed. My testimony would be insufficient for those, who are not qualified to judge properly for themselves, and unnecessary to those, who are. Besides, the reasons which render it improper and unseemly for a man to celebrate his own performances, or those of his nearest relatives, will have some influence in suppressing much of what he might otherwise wish to say in favour of a FRIEND, when that friend is indeed an ALTER IDEM, and excites almost the same emotions of sensibility and affection, as he feels for himself.

of

It is very probable these Poems may come into the hands of some persons, in whom the sight of the author's name will awaken a recollection of incidents and scenes, which through length of time they had almost forgotten. They will be reminded ONE, who was once the companion of their chosen hours, and who set out with them in early life in the paths which lead to literary honours, to influence and affluence, with equal prospects of success. But he was suddenly and powerfully withdrawn from those pursuits, and he left them without regret; yet