Advertisement [By George Pearch]
1 In an age like the present, wherein the study of Poetry is so much
cultivated and encouraged; many poetical performances, whose merit might entitle
them to a longer remembrance than fugitive pieces usually meet with, are daily
thrown upon the public, and left to perish in oblivion. To select these from
the trifling productions of the day has frequently been esteemed an employment,
not unworthy the attention of our most eminent authors; and the favourable
reception the late Mr. Robert Dodsley's elegant Collection of Poems has obtained
from the public, is a sufficient motive to encourage a continuation of that
deservedly esteemed Miscellany. Some attempts of this kind have been already
made, but none with success enough to render the present undertaking useless or
unnecessary. Seventeen years are now elapsed since the last
volumes of that work were published, during which period many pieces haave made
their appearance, which are not inferior to the best preserved in that
Miscellany. To confirm the truth of this assertion, the Editor has only to
appeal to the following Collection, which is compiled from the best productions
published within that time, with the addition of others, which seem to have
escaped Mr. Dodsley's researches, and several original Poems, with which the
Editor has been favoured by gentlemen, whose names are sufficient to give
reputation to any Collection. On the first publication of the present
selection, the Editor submitted to the determination of the public, how far it
was entitled to their protection; and from the sale of two numerous impressions,
he has been induced to make such alterations in the present as he trusts will
render it still more worthy their favour. He flatters himself, that he has not
suffered private friendship to obtrude any piece into this Collection, which is
unworthy of the rest; and great care has been taken to prevent the insertion of
any performance, which has not been approved by gentlemen of
distinguished reputation; but as he is sensible, that the taste of persons is
very different, he expects not, after all, that every piece will meet with equal
applause, being convinced of the truth of Mr. Dodsley's observation, "That
it is impossible to furnish out an entertainment of this nature, where every
part shall be relished by every guest."