"even"—have been as carefully as possible preserved, as illustrating Dyer's (and his century's) preferences in rhythm. In Book I. the 72nd and 89th lines have been changed in accordance with Dyer's directions to the printer. In former editions, these lines have been:
" Or marl with clay deep mixed, be then thy choice,"
and
"At a meet distance from the upland ridge."
These unimportant changes, and possibly others, had been suggested, as we learn from Duncombe's correspondence, to Dodsley the publisher; but without effect, because the poet died of a consumptive malady in the year of publication, 15th December, 1757, "aged 56," says the register at Coningsby. There he was buried and remains without memorial.
Postscript.—I thank Mr John Jenkins ("Gwili"), the Rev. Arthur Wright, Rector of Coningsby, and the Rev. J. Alex. Williams, Vicar of Llangathen, for their answers to my enquiries concerning the poet.
Note by the Publisher.
The portrait which appears as a frontispiece to this volume is taken from an Edition of Dyer's Poems, bearing the date 1779. There is, however, some doubt as to its being an authentic likeness of the poet.
