A POEM; IN SIX CANTOS; WITH NOTES AND A PREFACE; INCLUDING STRICTURES ON THE STATE OF THE ARTS, CRITICISM, PATRONAGE, BY W. BULMER AND CO. CLEVELAND-ROW, ST. JAMES's. 1809. PREFACE. THE following pages contain, in six cantos, the three remaining books of a poem, which was printed some time since, under the title of Rhymes on Art." 66 Why the present publication has been so long deferred, after the indulgent reception of that little essay, may perhaps, be thought to require some explanation; though it seems rather unnecessary, to account for the late appearance of that, the non-appearance of which at all, would probably, be as little remarked as regretted. The Author however, owes it to those who have honoured him by enquiring for his work, as well as to his own feelings of gratitude for the liberality which he has experienced, to say a few words on the subject: particularly, as the delay seemed to strengthen an impression, which vi some persons were not unwilling to receive, that either, no more of the work existed, and the idea of a continuation, was suggested to divert the attention from its evident incompletion; or the Author feared to risk in a second adventure, the little credit which he had obtianed by his first. The Author is willing to flatter himself, that those who know him, will acquit him of the artifice expressed in the one, or the apprehension supposed in the other of these imputations. The defects which he cannot excuse by candor, he will never attempt to cover by finesse; and he hopes, he is not so far blinded by his vanity, to the true character of the little commendation he has received, as to mistake the marks of indulgence, for the stamp of desert. The whole of his work had been composed for a considerable time, before the Author formed the resolution, or found the opportunity to revise a part of it for the press. When he published Rhymes on Art," and for some time " afterwards, he certainly, from the confined nature of the subject, as well as from his distrust of the skill with which it was treated, had no expectation, that the reception of his little volume would be such, as to induce him to bring forward the larger portion of the poem which remained. His manuscript therefore, lay by him untouched, till the kindness of the public encouraged him to think, it might be offered to their perusal without the risk of imprudence, or the charge of presumption. When however, he commenced the task of preparation, he found, that the occasional leisure hours afforded by an arduous profession, though they might suffice for the composition, were not sufficient for the correction of an extensive work. Rhymes are something like recruits, which may be raised in all situations, but to fit them for service, requires the convenience of a parade, and the discipline of a drill. He was therefore, obliged to postpone the printing of his book, till circumstances should enable him to devote a month or six weeks to its undisturbed consideration The autumn of last year, furnished him with the first opportunity, of which he could avail himself for that purpose, and he now submits to the reader the result of his revisal. Some introductory lines have been added at |