THE PREFACE.
At my return, after near ten years’ abſence, I found ſeveral editions had been publiſhed of Verſes and Poems, &c. under my name, but ſo maimed and imperfect as would have put me out of countenance, had not the public received them with ſuch diſtinguiſhing candour, even under all thoſe diſadvantages.
As it is plain, from their ſeveral ſubjects, that they were compoſed, for the moſt part, in the earlieſt time of my appearance in the world, I can attribute that indulgence to no other conſideration but a generous connivance at youthful follies.
So favourable a reception, however, led me, in this time of leiſure and retirement, to examine upon what foundation I had been ſo much obliged to the public, and in that examination I have diſcovered ſuch ſtrange variations from the original writing, as can no way be accounted for but From the negligence, ignorance, or conceitedneſs of different tranſcribers from ſurreptitious copies: many things attributed to myſelf of which, by not belonging to me, it would be unjuſt to aſſume the merit; and as many attributed to others which, by belonging to me, would be as much unjuſt to leave them to the cenſure.
To rectify therefore all paſt miſtakes, and to prevent all future impoſitions, I have been prevailed upon to give way to this preſent publication; diſowning
