The poetical works of Thomas Moore, with notes &c

THOMAS MOORE was born in Aungier Street, Dublin, May 28, 1779. His father was a respectable grocer and spirit dealer. Both his parents were Roman Catholics.

As early as his fourteenth year, Moore wrote verses, contributing to a Dublin magazine, called the Anthologia Hibernica. He was educated first, by Mr. Samuel Whyte (the schoolmaster also of Richard Brinsley Sheridan) and completed his studies at Dublin University ; which was opened to Roma, Catholic students only the year previous to his entrance at Trinity College1794. While studying the classics he also learned Italian from a priest, and French from a French emigrant. He likewise became a proficient in music.

In 1799 Moore left his own country for England, bringing with him his Odes to Anacreon.' The Poet was not rich, but he found a kind and powerful friend in Lord Moira, who obtained permission from the Prince Regent for Moore to dedicate his Odes to His Royal Highness, and also raised a profitable subscription for their publication. Moore had entered himself a student of the Middle Temple ou his arrival in England, but the success of his Odes' induced him to abandon the study of the law, and to adopt literature as his profession. In 1801 he published a volume of Poems under the cognomen of Thomas Little'-alluding to his own diminutive stature. They were very immoral and indelicate, and he felt ashamed of them in after years.

In 1803 he obtained an appointment at Bermuda, as Registrar to the Court of Admiralty. He proceeded thither the next year, but finding the duties of the post uncongenial, he appointed a deputy to do the work in his stead ; and, after travelling over part of America, returned to England, greatly disabused of the Republican visions which had haunted his boyhood and youth. In 1806 Moore published his 'Odes and Epistles,' which contain Poetical Satires on America, and Poems relating to the same country. Jeffrey criticised them with great severity in the Edinburgh Review, and Moore, much enraged, challenged him. The critic and the poet met at Chalk Farm, but the duel was prevented by the intervention of the police, when it was found that one of the pistols was without a bullet! The intended combatants ended by becoming great friends, and the circumstance is only memorable as originating the friendship between Byron and Moore–Byron, mentioning the duel with ridicule in English Bards and Scotch Reviewers,” received, in his turn, a challenge from the highspirited little poet; but the letter was long in reaching its destination, and the affair terminated in a good-natured explanation from Byron, which led to a lifelong friendship.

Moore became the fashion in London, and was a welcome guest at the tables of the aristocracy. In 1807 he entered into an arrangement with Mr. Power, a musical publisher, to write poems for a collection of Irish Melodies, which were to be arranged, etc., by Sir J. Stevenson. These Melodies established the author's fame by the immense popularity they obtained

In 1811 Moore married Miss Bessie Dykes, a young Irish actress of great beauty, who proved a tender and devoted wife. In 1814 he agreed to write * Lalla Rookh' for Messrs. Longmans, who were to pay him £3000 for the work when completed, which was in 1817. His other works—'Sacred and National Melodies,' • Loves of the Angels, etc., etc., followed in rapid succession

In 1818. Moore's deputy in Bermuda Aed with the proceeds of a ship and cargo, leaving Moore answerable for £6000. This circumstance obliged him to leave England for a time, and to these enforced travels we owe “Rhymes on the Road,” etc. When his affairs were settled, Moore returned to England.

Moore had three children ; they all died before him. The close of his life was as sad as that of the lives of Southey and Scott; for, three years before his death he was reduced to a state of sad mental infirmity, requiring all the self-devotion of his excellent wife. He died at Sloperton Cottage, in February, 1852, at the age of seventy-three.

Moore was an excellent son and husband, and a warm and faithful friend. His social accomplishments were of a high order ; his poetry is graceful and full of fancy and sentiment.

PUBLISHER'S PREFACE.

This Edition contains everything of Moore's Poems in which copyright has expired. They have been carefully compared with existing issues, and Explanatory Notes added where necessary.

SIR,– In allowing me to dedicate this work to your Royal Highness, you have conferred upon me an honour which I feel very sensibly; and I have only to regret that the pages which you have thus distinguished are not more deserving of such illustrious patronage.

Believe me,

SIR,
With erery sentiment of respect,

Your Royal Highness's

Very grateful and devoted Servante

THOMAS MOORE.

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