ADVERTISEMENT. HE present edition of Akenside's that prepared in 1834, by the Rev. Alexander Dyce, for Pickering's "Aldine Edition of the British Poets." The elegant Memoir which he prefixed is given entire, and the few additions which seemed necessary, have been appended as notes. Every poem which could be traced to the author's pen has been inserted; each, except The Pleasures of Imagination, has been printed from the edition which received the last revision of the author; and by strictly adhering to it the greatest accuracy has been secured. "The Pleasures of Imagination" is here printed as first issued in 1744, and also as enlarged and published by Mr. Dyson, in The Odes and Miscellaneous Poems have also been printed from Mr. Dyson's edition, with the exception of Ode ii. Book II., which is taken from "Pearch's Collection of Poems;" "An Epistle to Curio," from the edition of 1744; "The Virtuoso," "Ambition and Content," "The Poet," "A British Philippic," and "A Hymn to Science," from the "Gentleman's Magazine;"" Love, an Elegy," from "The New Foundling Hospital for Wit;""To Cordelia," from an edition of Akenside's Works, published at New Brunswick, in 1808; and" A Song," from "Ritson's English Songs," vol. i. The date and manner of its first appearance has been added to each of those published during the author's lifetime. By the kind permission of Mr. Murray of Albemarle-street, three valuable letters, not included in the former edition, have been inserted as an appendix to Mr. Dyce's Memoir of the Poet. |
