ORIGINAL ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE

FIRST EDITION, 1779-1780.

THE booksellers having determined to publish a body of Eng. lish poetry, I was persuaded to promise them a preface to the works of each author; an undertaking, as it was then presented to my mind, not very extensive or difficult.

My purpose was only to have allotted to every poet an advertisement, like those which we find in the French miscellanies, containing a few dates and a general character; but I have been led beyond my intention, I hope, by the honest desire of giving useful pleasure. In this minute kind of history, the succession of facts is not easily discovered; and I am not without suspicion that some of Dryden's works are placed in wrong years. I have followed Langbaine, as the best authority for his plays: and if I shall hereafter obtain a more correct chronology, will publish it: but I do not yet know that my account is erroneous.*

Dryden's Remarks on Rymer have been somewheret printed before. The former edition I have seen. This was transcribed for the press from his own manuscript.

As this undertaking was occasional and unforeseen, I must be supposed to have engaged in it with less provision of materials than might have been accumulated by longer premeditation. Of the later writers at least I might, by attention and inquiry, have gleaned many particulars, which would have diversified and enlivened my biography. These omissions, which it is now useless to lament, have been often supplied by the kindness of Mr. Steevens and other friends; and great assistance has been given me by Mr. Spence's collections, of which I consider the communication as a favour worthy of publick acknowledgment.

* Langbaine's authority will not support the dates assigned to Dryden's plays. These are now rectified in the margin by refer ence to the original edition, the only guides to be relied on. R.

† in the edition of Beaumont and Fletcher, by Mr. Colman. R.