To which is prefixed
A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFE.

VOL. I.

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Sicut aqur tremulam labria ubi lumen ahenis
Sole repercussum, aut radiantis imagine lune,
Omnia pervolitat late loca, jarnque sub auras
Erigitur, summique ferit laquearia tecti.

VIRG, ÆX. Vlil
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 ruos, now flashes on the walls,

AMHERST, n. a.
PRINTED BY JOSEPH CUSHING.
Sold by him at his Bookstore ; by Manning & Loring No. 2,
and by Lincoln & Edmands, No. 53, Cornliill, Boston.

PREFACE

TO THE

FIRST VOLUME.

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 mé 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