GEORGE CRABBE.

TALES OF THE HAL L.

PREFACE.

IP I did not fear that it would appear to may again be elevated or depressed by the my readers like arrogancy, or if it did not suggestions of vanity and diffidence, and seem to myself indecorous to send two vo- may be again subject to the cold and hot lumes of considerable magnitude from the fit of aguish expectation; but he is no press without preface or apology, without more a stranger to the press, nor has the one petition for the reader's attention, or motives or privileges of one who is. With one plea for the writer's defects, I would respect to myself, it is certain they belong most willingly spare myself an address of not to me. Many years have elapsed since this kind, and more especially for these I became a candidate for indulgence as an reasons: first, because a preface is a part inexperienced writer; and to assume the of a book seldom honoured by a reader's perusal; secondly, because it is both difficult and distressing to write that which we think will be disregarded; and thirdly, because I do not conceive that I am called upon for such introductory matter by any of the motives which usually influence an author when he composes his prefatory address.

language of such a writer now, and to plead for his indulgences, would be proof of my ignorance of the place assigned to me, and the degree of favour which I have experienced; but of that place I am not uninformed, and with that degree of favour I have no reason to be dissatisfied.

It was the remark of the pious, but on some occasions the querulous author of When a writer, whether of poetry or the Night Thoughts, that he had “been so prose, first addresses the public, he has long remembered, he was forgotten;" an generally something to offer which relates expression in which there is more appearto himself or to his work, and which he ance of discontent than of submission: if considers as a necessary prelude to the he had patience, it was not the patience work itself, to prepare his readers for the that smiles at grief. It is not therefore entertainment or the instruction they may entirely in the sense of the good Doctor expect to receive; for one of these every that I apply these words to myself, or to man who publishes must suppose he af- my more early publications. So many fords-this the act itself implies; and in years indeed have passed since their first proportion to his conviction of this fact appearance, that I have no reason to commust be his feeling of the difficulty in plain, on that account, if they be now which he has placed himself: the difficulty slumbering with other poems of decent consists in reconciling the implied presump-reputation in their day-not dead indeed, tion of the undertaking, whether to please nor entirely forgotten, but certainly not or to instruct mankind, with the diffidence the subjects of discussion or conversation and modesty of an untried candidate for as when first introduced to the notice of fame or favour. Hence originate the many the public, by those whom the public will reasons an author assigns for his appear- not forget, whose protection was credit to ance in that character, whether they ac- their author, and whose approbation was tually exist, or are merely offered to hide fame to them. Still these early publicthe motives which cannot be openly avow-ations had so long preceded any other, that, ed; namely, the want or the vanity of if not altogether unknown, I was, when I the man, as his wishes for profit or repu- came again before the public, in a situatation may most prevail with him. tion which excused, and perhaps rendered necessary some explanation; but this also has passed away, and none of my readers will now take the trouble of making any inquiries respecting my motives for writing

Now, reasons of this kind, whatever they may be, cannot be availing beyond their first appearance. An author, it is true, may again feel his former apprehensions,