Sicut aquz tremulam labris ubi lumen ahenis
Sole repercussum, aut radiantis imagine lune,
Omnia pervolität late loca, ja que sub auras
Erigitur, summique ferit laquearia tecti.

VIRG. ÆN. Vlit
So water, trembling in a polish'd vase,
Reflects the beam that plays upon its face ;
The sportive light, uncertain where it falls,
Now strikes the roof, now flashes on the walls.

AMHERST, x. .
PRINTED BY JOSEPH CUSHING.
Sold hy him at his Bookstore : by Manning & Loring No. 2,
and by Lincoln & Edmands, No, 53, Cornbill, Bustun.

PREFACE

TO THE

FIRST VOLUME.

W HEN an Author, by'appearing in print, request's an audience of the public, and is upon the point of speaking for himself, whoever presumes to step before him with a preface, and to say, “ Nay, but hear' me first,” should have something worthy of attention to offer, or he will be justly deemed officious and impertinent. The judicious reader has, probably, upon other occasions, been beforehand with me in this reflection : and I am not very willing it should now be applied to me, however I may seem to expose myself to the danger of it. But the thought of having my own name perpetuated in connexion with the name in the title page, is so pleasing and flattering to the feelings of my heart, that I am content to risk something for the gratification.

This Preface is not designed to commend the Po. ems to which it is prefixed. My testimony would be insufficient for those who are not qualified to judge prop