PREFACE.

M2

Y Bookfeller having informed me that there was no collection of English Poetry among us, of any eftimation, I thought a few: Hours fpent in making a proper felection would not be ill bestowed. Compilations of this kind are chiefly defigned for fuch as either want leifure, skill, or fortune, to choose for themselves; for perfons whofe profeffions turn them to different purfuits, or who, not yet arrived at fufficient maturity, require a guide to direct their application. To our youth, particularly, a publication

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