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��NOTES BY THE WAY.
��The first edition of Cowper's ' Table-Talk,' published in one octavo volume in 1782, forms the subject of a query by John Bruce on the 1st of January, 1859 ; and on the 22nd, in reply to a query in reference to Newton's preface to Cowper's poems, he states that it was written at Cowper's solicitation. It was dated February, 1782, and was set up immediately afterwards :
Newton's " Johnson, the printer and publisher, paid great attention to
Preface to Cowper's volume as it was passing through the press, and gave the the Poems, inexperienced author many valuable hints. When in due time Johnson saw Newton's Preface, he instantly took alarm. Although by no means devoid of interest, and calculated to please Newtorrs friends, his comments were not of a character to attract that larger body at whom both poet and publisher took aim. Correspondence ensued between Johnson, Cowper, and Newton. The poet left the question of the pub- lication or withdrawal of the Preface wholly in the hands of the pub- lisher and the preface-writer, and the latter instantly consented to its suppression, when the reasonable scruples of the publisher had been explained to him. Some few copies of the Preface were struck off. Newton sent a copy to Hannah More in 1787 ; and it was bound up with some of the donation copies of the volume of 1782. In 1790, when the success of ' The Task ' had established Cowper's poetical reputation, and put an end to Johnson's fear of the possible effect of the with- drawn Preface, Newton solicited that it might be inserted in future editions, so that his name might go down to posterity together with that of his friend. His request was complied with, and from that time it has been printed in almost all the editions of the poet's ' Works.' "
On the 9th of April, 1859, at the head of ' Minor Queries,' appears the following :
Quevedo. " Quevedo. Cowper writes :
Quevedo, as he tells his sober tale, Asked, when in hell, to see the royal jail ; Approved their method in all other things, ' But where, good sir, do you confine your kings ? ' ' There,' said his guide, ' the group is full in view.' ' Indeed ! ' replied the Don, ' there are but few ! ' His black interpreter the charge disdained ' Few, fellow ! these are all that ever reigned.'
" The question has been asked before, but never in ' N. & Q.' what was Cowper's authority for attributing this story to Quevedo ? Southey produced a passage from a work of Quevedo, which he thought might have been the original upon which some imitator or licentious translator had exaggerated. The passage does not seem to me to justify Southey's conclusion : but even it it did so, the question remains, whose is the translation or exaggeration in which Cowper found his story, and where, and when, was it published ? I have looked for it in many places, but in vain. There is so much curious learning among your contributors that probably some of them can enlighten me.
JOBEN
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