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ADVERTISEMENT.

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HE Bookfellers having determined to publish a Body of English Poetry, I was perfuaded to promise them a Preface to the Works of each Author; an undertaking, as it was then presented to my mind, not very extenfive or difficult.

My purpose was only to have allotted to every Poet an Advertisement, like those which we find in the French Mifcellanies, containing a few dates and a general character; but I have been led beyond my intention, I hope, by the honest defire of giving useful pleasure.

In this minute kind of Hiftory, the fucceffion of facts is not easily discovered; and I am not without fufpicion that some of Dryden's works are placed

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in wrong years. I have followed Langbaine, as the best authority for his plays; and if I fhall hereafter obtain a more correct chronology, will publish it; but I do not yet know that my account is erroneous.

It had been told me, that in the College of Physicians there is fome memorial of Dryden's funeral, but the intelligence was not true; the story therefore wants the credit which such a testimony would have given it. There is in Farquhar's Letters an indiftinct mention of it, as irregular and disorderly, and of the oration which was then fpoken. More than this I have not discovered.

Dryden's Remarks on Rymer have Deen fomewhere printed before.

The

former edition I have not feen. This

was transcribed for the prefs from his own manufcript.

As this undertaking was occafional 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 enquiry, have gleaned many particulars, which would have diverfified and enlivened my Biography. These omiffions, which it is now useless to lament, have been often supplied by the kindness of my friends; and great afsistance has been given me by Mr. Spence's Collections, of which I confider the communication as a favour worthy of publick acknowledge

ment.

CON

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