boundary fixed for common minds, at least to step near to the tremendous verge, and form some idea of the terrors that are stalking in the interdicted space.

When first I had written "Aaron, or The Gipsy," I had no unfavourable opinion of it; and had I been collecting my verses at that time for publication, I should certainly have included this tale. Nine years have since elapsed, and I continue to judge the same of it; thus literally obeying one of the directions given by the prudence of criticism to the eagerness of the poet: but how far I have conmay formed to rules of more importance, must be left to the less partial judgment of the reader.

The concluding poem, entitled "Woman!" was written at the time when the quotation from Mr. Ledyard was first made public: the expression has since become hackneyed; but the sentiment is congenial with our feelings, and, though somewhat amplified in these verses, it is hoped they are not so far extended as to become tedious.

After this brief account of his subjects, the author leaves them to their fate, not presuming to make any remarks upon the kinds of versification he has chosen, or the merit of the execution: he has, indeed, brought forward the favourable opinion of his friends, and for that he earnestly hopes his motives will be rightly understood; it was a step of which he felt the advantage, while he foresaw

the danger: he was aware of the benefit, if his readers would consider him as one who puts on a defensive armour against hasty and determined severity; but he feels also the hazard, lest they should suppose he looks upon himself to be guarded by his friends, and so secure in the defence, that he may defy the fair judgment of legal criticism. It will probably be said, "he has brought with him his testimonials to the bar of the public;" and he must admit the truth of the remark: but he begs leave to observe in reply, that, of those who bear testimonials of any kind, the greater number feel apprehension, and not security; they are, indeed, so far from the enjoyment of victory, of the exultation of triumph, that, with all they can do for themselves, with all their friends have done for them, they are, like him, in dread of examination, and in fear of disappointment.

Muston, Leicestershire,
September, 1807.

THE LIBRARY. (')

(1) [For Mr. Crabbe's own account of the preparation of this poem for the press, under Mr. Burke's eye, at Beaconsfield, see the preceding volume of this collection, p. 95. "The Library" appeared anonymously, in June, 1781; but the author's name and designation as domestic chaplain to the Duke of Rutland were on the title-page of a second edition published in 1783.]

Books afford Consolation to the troubled Mind, by substituting a lighter Kind of Distress for its own— - They are productive of other Advantages — An Author's Hope of being known in distant Times Arrangement of the Library Size and Form of the Volumes-The ancient Folio, clasped and chained— Fashion prevalent even in this Place — The Mode of publishing in Numbers, Pamphlets, &c. - Subjects of the different Classes Divinity - Controversy - The Friends of Religion often more dangerous than her Foes Sceptical Authors - Reason too much rejected by the former Converts; exclusively relied upon by the latter Philosophy ascending through the Scale of Being to moral Subjects - Books of Medicine: their Variety, Variance, and Proneness to System: the Evil of this, and the Difficulty it causes Farewell to this Study - Law: the increasing Number of its Volumes Supposed happy State of Man without Laws - Progress of Society - Historians: their Subjects- Dramatic Authors, Tragic and Comic-Ancient Romances The Captive Heroine- Happiness in the Perusal of such Books: why-Criticism - Apprehensions of the Author: removed by the Appearance of the Genius of the Place; whose Reasoning and Admonition conclude the Subject.