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THE

POETICAL WORKS

OF

MARK AKENSIDE

AND

JOHN DYER.

EDITED BY

THE REV. ROBERT ARIS WILLMOTT,

INCUMBENT OF BEAR WOOD.

Illustrated by Birket Foster.

LONDON:

GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND CO.

FARRINGDON STREET.

NEW YORK: 18, BEEKMAN STREET.

1855.

280.2.9.

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PREFACE.

"IF it rained knowledge," said Johnson to Boswell, exulting in his canvass of Lord Marchmont, about Pope, "I'd hold out my hand." Humbler biographers are expected to take more pains, although their industry is often unfruitful. The history of Akenside has been investigated by Mr. Bucke, the Rev. Alexander Dyce, and the latest Editor of "Johnson's Lives." I have not been able to make much addition to their stores. The life of Akenside by Mr. Dyce, is particularly careful, and must always be consulted with advantage.

My inquiries respecting Dyer have been more successful. The kindness of Mr. W. H. Dyer Longstaffe, the descendant and the representative of the Poet, has furnished me with some unpublished verses of Dyer, and several interesting illustrations of his mind and genius. To the same gentleman I am indebted for the portrait which appears in this volume. The face

b

of Dyer, is now, for the first time, exhibited to his admirers; the portrait which was prefixed to the editions of his Poems, by Johnson and Bell, represented a very different Mr. Dyer, who is mentioned by Sir John Hawkins. My thanks are also due to Mr. Peter Cunningham, and Mr. I. G. Nichols. I should have been willing to enlarge the number of the Notes, but a crowded page is not pleasing; and every reader of a poet is expected to bring some information to the perusal. For the Notes, which have a signature, I am responsible.

St. Catherine's, May 28, 1855.

R. A. WILLMOTT.

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