PROEM. THE design of the following poem is less to exhibit descriptions of rural life and local scenery, than to mark the influence of Solitude upon the passions and faculties of mankind. The nature of such a subject admits not that regularity of developement, and unity of delineation, which peculiarly constitute the beauty of composition. In the two leading divisions, the author has adopted the method of ZIMMERMAN, as natural, correct, and comprehensive. He is duly sensible, that his work is an irregular fabric; and that digressions form a considerable part of it. These were adopted partly with a design to give variety to a didactic outline, and partly from a belief, that truth is never more forcibly im A pressed, than when it appears in the substantial forms of historic truth, or the sportive fablings of mythology. Wherever distinct imitation has been detected, appropriate credit has been given. Probably much has escaped notice, as similarity of thought and expression on a subject, which has incidentally claimed attention from most poetic writers, is unavoidable from incorrectness of memory, as well as congeniality of sentiment. No small share of sagacity is required in marking the minute shades of imitation, and determining, when the thought is the suggestion of our own mind, and when derived from extraneous sources. Some of the allusions in the poem, are borrowed from other compositions, but only when their features admitted refinement, or required new colorings to fix the outlines of analogy. In fine, it was the desire of the author to avoid equally the sterility of dry and monitory reflections, and the tedious dazzling of superfluous decoration. How far he has succeeded, the public must determine. He shall not be ashamed to fail, where many cannot expect excellence. This volume professes to be a second edition of a poem, composed and published before the termination of the author's fifth lustrum. But as not much more, than one third part of the original, remains in this edition, and as that is greatly altered in dress and application by incorporation with the new matter, the whole may be justly considered a new work in plan, in ornament, and in disposition. SALEM, OCTOBER 18, 1802. The miscellaneous poems now added, are, for the most part, the productions of distant years. Many of them are occasional tributes to deceased inerit. The |