The British poets of the nineteenth century, including the select works of Crabbe ... and others. Being a suppl. vol. to The poetical works of Byron, Scott and Moore

I, I did not fear that it would appear to may again be elevated or depressed by the my readers like arrogancy, or if it did not suggestions of vanity and diffidence, and seem to myself indecorous to send two vo- may be again subject to the cold and hot lumes of considerable magnitude from the fit of aguish expectation ; but he is no press without preface or apology, without more a stranger to the press, nor has the one petition for the reader's attention, or motives or privileges of one who is. With one plea for the writer's defects, I would respect to myself, it is certain they belong most willingly spare myself an address of not to me. Many years have elapsed since this kind, and more especially for these I became a candidate for indulgence as an reasons: first, because a preface is a part inexperienced writer; and to assume the of a book seldom honoured by a reader's language of such a writer now, and to plead perusal; secondly, because it is both diffi- for his indulgences, would be proof of my cult and distressing to write that which ignorance of the place assigned to me, and we think will be disregarded; and thirdly, the degree of favour which I have expebecause I do not conceive that I am called rienced; but of that place I am not uninupon for such introductory matter by any formed, and with that degree of favour I of the motives which usually influence an have no reason to be dissatisfied. author when he composes his prefatory It was the remark of the pious, but on address.

some occasions the querulous author of When a writer, whether of poetry or the Night Thoughts, that he had been so prose, first addresses the public, he has long remembered, he was forgotten;" an generally something to offer which relates expression in which there is more appearto himself or to his work, and which he ance of discontent than of submission : if considers as a necessary prelude to the he had patience, it was not the patience work itself, to prepare his readers for the that smiles at grief. It is not therefore entertainment or the instruction they may entirely in the sense of the good Doctor expect to receive; for one of these every that I apply these words to myself, or to man who publishes must suppose he af- my more early publications.

many fords--this the act itself implies; and in years indeed have passed since their first proportion to his conviction of this fact appearance, that I have no reason to commust be his feeling of the difficulty in plain, on that account, if they be now which he has placed himself: the difficulty slumbering with other poems of decent consists in reconciling the implied presump- reputation in their day--not dead indeed, tion of the undertaking, whether to please nor entirely forgotten, but certainly not or to instruct mankind, with the diffidence the subjects of discussion or conversation and modesty of an untried candidate for as when first introduced to the notice of fame or favour. Hence originate the many the public, by those whom the public will reasons an author assigns for his appear- not forget, whose protection was credit to ance in that character, whether they ac- their author, and whose approbation was tually exist, or are merely offered to hide fame to them. Still these early publicthe motives which cannot be openly avow- ations had so long preceded any other, that, ed; namely, the want or the vanity of if not altogether unknown, I was, when I the man, as his wishes for profit or repu- came again before the public, in a situatation may most prevail with him. tion which excused, and perhaps rendered

Now, reasons of this kind, whatever they necessary some explanation ; but this also may be, cannot be availing beyond their has passed away, and none of my readers

An author, it is true, will now take the trouble of making any may again feel his former apprehensions, inquiries respecting my motives for writing

first appearance.

or for publishing these Tales or verses of If there be any combination of circumany description : known to each other as stances which may be supposed to affect readers and authors are known, they will the mind of a reader, and in some degree require no preface to bespeak their good to influence his judgment, the junction of will, nor shall I be under the necessity of youth, beauty, and merit in a female writer soliciting the kindness which experience has may be allowed to do this; and yet one of taught me, endeavouring to merit, I shall the most forbidding of titles is "Poems by not fail to receive.

a very young Lady,' and this although There is one motive-and it is a power- beauty and merit were largely insinuated. ful one—which sometimes induces an au- Ladies, it is truc, have of late little need thor, and more particularly a poet, to ask of any indulgence as authors, and names the attention of his readers to his prefa- may readily be found which rather excite tory address. This is when he has some the envy of man than plead for his lenity. favourite and peculiar style or manner Our estimation of title also in a writer has which he would explain and defend, and materially varied from that of our predechiefly if he should have adopted a mode cessors: "Poems by a Nobleman' would of versification of which an uninitiated create a very different sensation in our reader was not likely to perceive either minds from that which was formerly excited the merit or the beauty. In such case it when they were 60 announced. A noble is natural, and surely pardonable, to assert author had then no pretensions to a seat and to prove, as far as reason will bear so secure on the sacred hill,' that authors 118 on, that such method of writing has not noble, and critics not gentle, dared not both; to show in what the beauty con- attack; and they delighted to take revenge sists, and what peculiar difficulty there is, by their contempt and derision of the poet, which, when conquered, creates the merit. for the pain which their submission and How far any particular poet has or las respect to the man had cost them. But in not succeeded in such attempt is not my our times we find that a nobleman writes, business nor my purpose to inquire. I have not merely as well, but better than other no peculiar notion to defend, no poetical men; insomuch that readers in general heterodoxy to support, nor theory of any begin to fancy that the Muses have relinkind to vindicate or oppose--that which I quished their old partiality for rags and a have used is probably the most common garret, and are become altogether aristomeasure in our language; and therefore, cratical in their choice A conceit so well whatever be its advantages or defects, supported by fact would be readily admitthey are too well known to require from ted, did it not appear at the same time, me a description of the one, or an apology that there were in the higher ranks of sofor the other.

ciety men, who could write as tamely, or Perhaps still more frequent than any ex- as absurdly, as they had ever been accused planation of the work is an account of the of doing. We may, therefore, regard anthor himself, the situation in which he the worhs of any noble author as extrais placed, or some circumstances of pecu- ordinary productions, but must not found liar kind in his life, education, or entploy- any theory upon them, and, notwithstandment. How often has youth been pleaded ing their appearance, must look on genius for deficiencies or redundancies, for the and talent as we are wont to do on time existence of which youth may be an ex- and chance, that happen indifferently to cuse, and yet be none for their exposure. all mankind. Age too has been pleaded for the errors But whatever influence any peculiar siand failings in a work which the octoge-tuation of a writer might have, it cannot narian had the discernment to perceive, be a benefit to me, who have no such peand yet had not the fortitude to suppress. culiarity. I must rely upon the willingMany other circumstances are made apolo- ness of my readers to be pleased with that gies for a writer's infirmities; his much which was designed to give them pleasure, employment and many avocations, adver- and upon the cordiality which naturally wity, necessity, and the good of mankind. springs from a remembrance of our having These, or any of them, however availing before parted withont any feelings of disin themselves, avail not me. I am neither gust on the one side, or of mortification so young nor so old, so much engaged by on the other. one pursuit, or by many, I am not so With this hope I would conclude the urged by want, or ko stimulated by a de- present subject; but I am called upon by rire of public benefit,that I can borrow duty to acknowledge my obligations, and one apology from the many which I have more especially for two of the following wamed. How far they prevail with our Tales :- The Story of Lady Barbara, in readers, or with our judges, I cannot tell; Book XVI. and that of Ellen in Book XVIII. and it is unnecessary for me to inquire The first of these I owe to the kindness into the validity of arguments which I of a fair friend, who will, I hope, accept have not to produce.

the thanks which I very gratefully pay,

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The British poets of the nineteenth century, including the select works of ...