Obrazy na stronie
PDF
ePub

THOUGHTS

ON

SEVERAL SUBJECTS.

66

BY THE AUTHOR OF .

MEMOIRS OF A WORKING MAN," &c., &c.

our thoughts are heard in Heaven."

LONDON:

CHARLES COX, KING WILLIAM-STREET, STRAND.

1852.

270. C. 345.

W. BENNETT, PRINTER,

4, Warwick-square, Newgate-street.

PREFACE.

Whatever may be the faults or defects of this little book, they are not the consequences of either haste or carelessness. The pieces of which it is made up have been in manuscript for a long time: the first of the prose pieces not less than fourteen years. As to the Rhymes, some of the pieces were written full thirty years ago. All of them have been so many times revised and altered, that they may fairly be said to have been nearly re-written. The same may be said also of the prose pieces. The author now commends his work to the candid examination of those who may please to review it. It will give him high satisfaction should they be able to state that what he has written is adapted to promote the best interests of the reader.

NOTICE.

THE author wishes to bring out a second edition of his "Lectures on Taste," which are out of print. It is needful, however, that the expense of reprinting them should be provided for before they go to press. It is therefore respectfully requested, that such of the author's patrons as may be willing to assist him in this matter, will give their names and residences to his publisher, Mr. CHARLES Cox. The price of the book will not exceed two shillings and sixpence.

ERRATA.

In page 10, line 2, for "has," read "have."
18, line 3, for "Proverbs," read "Job."

WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR.

PUBLISHED BY CHARLES COX.

1. MEMOIRS OF A WORKING MAN.

2. A CONTINUATION OF THE MEMOIRS OF A
WORKING MAN.

REMARKS

ON

SACRED AND DEVOTIONAL POETRY.

POETRY is commonly believed to be merely an art; but there is good reason for believing it to be something besides, and very far beyond, this. That it is, indeed, of a divine origin and character may fairly be inferred from the fact of its having been so considered in all ages and countries: as also from that other fact, viz., that the earliest poetical compositions-in perhaps every country-have been written in honour of their deities, and made to form a distinguished part of their public religious exercises. Versification, indeed, is chiefly an art; and although by many persons it is thought to be, if not poetry, yet an essential ingredient in it, yet it is, in a general sense, as well as in a great degree, in all cases, little more than the mere mechanism, or framework, by means of which the true poet gives to the conceptions of the mind, or the emotions of the heart, a definite and permanent form or expression.

A

« PoprzedniaDalej »