Cowley. And this character of his genius, though it be expreffed, indeed, in his other writings, comes out efpecially, and takes our attention moft, in some of his smaller poems and effays; which, therefore, it seemed to be for the author's credit, and the convenience of his readers, to draw near to each other, and place, together, in one view. I have faid-for the convenience of his readers: for, though all are capable of being entertained, perhaps inftructed, by the image of a good mind, when fet before them, yet few will be at the pains. to feek that inftruction or entertainment for themselves, through the scattered works of fo unequal and voluminous a writer. To To do justice to the memory of Mr. Cowley, in these two refpects, mean, in his capacity both of a polite and moral writer, is the fole end of this publication. Every man of taste and virtue will read it with pleasure. There are, indeed, many lines dif perfed through his other poems, which deserve praife. But, on the whole, it is enough if this small collection go down to pofterity: In that cafe, neither they, nor the author, will have any great lofs, though the reft be forgotten, Lincoln's-Inn, April 21, 17728 R. HURD. CON MR. ed to my care the revifing of all his works that were formerly printed, and the collecting of those papers which he had defigned for the prefs. And he did it with this particular obligation, That I fhould be fure to let nothing pass, that might feem the least offence to religion or : VOL. I. B good good manners. A caution, which you will judge to have been altogether needlefs. For certainly, in all ancient or modern times, there can fearce any author be found, that has handled fo many different matters in fuch various forts of style, who lefs wants the correction of his friends, or has lefs reafon to fear the feverity of ftrangers. 10 ACCORDING to his defire and his own intention, I have now fet forth his Latin and English writings, each in a volume apart; and to that which was before extant in both languages, I have added all that I could find in his clofet, which he had brought to any manner of perfection. I have thus, Sir, performed the will of the dead. But I doubt I fhall not fatisfy the expectation of the living, unless fome account be here premised concerning this excellent man. I know very well, that be has given the world the beft image of his own mind in thefe immortal monuments, of his Wit. Yet Yet there is ftill room enough left, for one of his familiar acquaintance to fay many things of his poems, and chiefly of his. life, that may ferve for the information of his readers, if not for the increafe of his name; which, without any fuch helps, is already fufficiently established. THIS, Sir, were an argument most proper for you to manage, in refpect of your great abilities, and the long friendship you maintained with him. But you have an obftinate averfion from publifhing any of your Writings. I guess what pretence you have for it, and that you are confirmed in this refolution by the prodigious multitude and imperfections of us writers of this age. I will not now difpute, whether you are in the right; though I am confident you would contribute more to our reformation by your example, than reproofs. But however, feeing you perfift in your purpose, and have refufed to adorn even this very fubject, which you love fo well; I beg your affiftance B 2 |