omissions where the subject turned on mere matters of business, or private and domestic circumstances; and he has taken the liberty of altering a very few words which occurred in the freedom of the most familiar correspondence; but it must be added, that this has not taken place above three or four times in the whole collection of letters; and only in those cases where the original expression could not with propriety have been retained. The thanks of the editor are also due to Mrs. Chute, of the Vine, in Hampshire, who with great liberality forwarded whatever manuscripts of Gray's were in her possession. They consisted of a few letters, written in his most pleasing manner, and the valuable remarks which he made on the works of ancient and modern art which he saw at Rome. To Mr. Rogers, the ready and generous friend of every attempt to improve and illustrate the art which he has cultivated with such eminent success, the editor is under similar obligations, for the use of the copies of Mason's edition of Gray, with MS. remarks by Cole and G. Steevens; for some letters, and for some remarks on Gray's Poems which will be found among the notes: and he has also received from him the additional favour of being permitted to inscribe this edition of a Poet whom he much admires, to him. James Heywood Markland, Esq. of the Inner Temple, will be kind enough to receive the editor's thanks for the interest he has taken in the work, and the readiness with which he offered any assistance that was required. To his friend, Mr. Dyce, he is under many similar obligations, and indeed the editor looks to him on all subjects connected with literature, as affording a never-failing supply of valuable and authentic information. He has only further to observe, that he is not aware of any other letters of Gray being in existence, than those now printed; except that very valuable correspondence which passed between him and his friend Mr. Nichols, of Blundeston, now in the possession of Mr. D. Turner, of Yarmouth: and which, with the most courteous liberality, he permitted the editor to peruse. It is much to be desired, that this gentleman should add to the obligations he has already conferred upon the public, by permitting them to be acquainted with a correspondence, which will afford more than all the rest, a familiar acquaintance with the character of Gray. The notes marked with a W, are taken from the edition of Mr. Wakefield. Since these volumes were printed the Editor has learned that the article on Gray's Odes, in the Monthly Review, 1757, was written by Goldsmith. He has seen also with pleasure, that Mr. Carey in his Translation of the Birds of Aristophanes,* has done justice to Gray's accurate erudition, as displayed in his notes on that author; and that * See Birds of Aristophanes, by Carey, Prf. xx. and notes passim. Mr. Hallam,* in his late volume, has spoken in terms of high praise of Gray's valuable metrical criticism, and his poetical taste, and knowledge. * See Hallam's Introduction to Literature, vol. i. p. 42, 171. BENHALL, April, 1837. |