but, to patronize her more antient Votarys at this time, is not more honourable to our Nation, than neceffary for them: Since fo much Prejudice has been ungratefully rais'd against them, by thofe, who have been most improv'd by their Writings. When therefore I was moved by the BRITISH MUSE to recommend thefe Antients to a Patron moft cminent for Abilities and Inclination to protect them; one of fufficient Knowledge to plead their Merits, and Interest to promote their Cause; I was prefently by her infpired, to make this Oblation to your LADY SHIP, fo nearly ally'd in Genius and Judgment to her, that I could not diftinguish your your Name, but as another for her own. Whatever Improprieties the Witty or the Wife may find in other Parts of my Choice throughout this Collection, I dare ftand their Teft in this. And I am perfuaded, the Authors themselves, could not be better fatiffied with all the Juftice that might be paid them, in reviving their Performances; than with fo much Credit as they may receive from your LADYSHIP'S Approbation. I am but their Sollicitor, and could not have the Boldness to fue for your Favour, but under the Umbrage of their Deferts. Alexander faved Part of a City from Deftruction, for the Merits only only of one Poet: Here the Merits of many Poets fue for the Protection only of one Book. I am, With the most profound Respect, Humble Servant, THOMAS HAYWARD PREFACE, Containing an Hiftorical and Critical Review of all the Collections of this Kind that were ever published. HE fuppofed ease of digefting the fine thoughts of our poets under their proper heads, has, no doubt, given birth to the feveral undertakings of this kind that have appeared in publick; and, probably, to many others of the fame nature, which still fleep, or have expired in manufcript. The advantage alfo arifing from fuch collections, may have had no fmall fhare in inducing feveral to make them publick For with what fuccefs may not an author flatter himself, who fupplies his reader with the fruits of a long application, at the expence of little time and pains; especially when thofe immortal fruits carry with them the neceffity of charming, infpiring, forming all hearts, and, like fcattered rays collected in one A 2 point point, cooperate with irrefiftible energy to fo defirable effects? But whatever eafe or hopes (except of gain) those who have hitherto published Collections of this kind may have conceived, their execution of them feems, to the author of this work, as well as to the writer of this preface, the clearest demonftration of their having greatly deceived themselves in their eftimates. The models of fome have been too narrow to be of any real or extenfive ufe. Others have made half their work confift of detached epithets, fuftian phrases, and dictionaries of rhyme. Some again, in their choice of thoughts, have given us abundance of alloy with very little ore; and, to fwell their volumes, have ftuffed them with useless matter, long tranflations, and paraphrafes of well-known originals. Some have confined their collections folely to the stage; and others entirely excluded whatever it could fupply. Some have cited their authors fo blindly, that no recourse can be had to their works; and others have not quoted them at all. Some, either through ignorance, or want of care, afcribe to one author the paffages of another; and others, officioufly turning authors themselves, continually fophifticate what they tranfcribe, and give us their own interpolations fo blended |