Chapter LX: Letter XXIV: Schools

To every class we have a school assign'd,
Rules for all ranks and food for every mind;
Yet one there is, that small regard to rule
Or study pays, and still is deem'd a school:
That, where a deaf, poor, patient widow sits,
And awes some thirty infants as she knits;
Infants of humble, busy wives, who pay
Some trifling price for freedom through the day.
At this good matron's hut the children meet,
Who thus becomes the mother of the street. 10
Her room is small, they cannot widely stray--
Her threshold high, they cannot run away;
Though deaf, she sees the rebel-heroes shout;--
Though lame, her white rod nimbly walks about;
With band of yarn she keeps offenders in,
And to her gown the sturdiest rogue can pin.
Aided by these, and spells, and tell-tale birds,
Her power they dread and reverence her words.
To learning's second seats we now proceed,
Where humming students gilded primers read; 20
Or books with letters large and pictures gay,
To make their reading but a kind of play--
"Reading made Easy," so the titles tell;
But they who read must first begin to spell.
There may be profit in these arts, but still
Learning is labour, call it what you will--
Upon the youthful mind a heavy load;
Nor must we hope to find the royal road.
Some will their easy steps to science show,
And some to heav'n itself their by-way know; 30
Ah! trust them not;--who fame or bliss would share,
Must learn by labour, and must live by care.
Another matron of superior kind
For higher schools prepares the rising mind;
_Preparatory_ she her learning calls,
The step first made to colleges and halls.
She early sees to what the mind will grow,
Nor abler judge of infant-powers I know;
She sees what soon the lively will impede,
And how the steadier will in turn succeed; 40
Observes the dawn of wisdom, fancy, taste,
And knows what parts will wear and what will waste:
She marks the mind too lively, and at once
Sees the gay coxcomb and the rattling dunce.
Long has she lived, and much she loves to trace
Her former pupils, now a lordly race;
Whom when she sees rich robes and furs bedeck,
She marks the pride which once she strove to check.
A burgess comes, and she remembers well
How hard her task to make his worship spell; 50
Cold, selfish, dull, inanimate, unkind,
'Twas but by anger he display'd a mind;
Now civil, smiling, complaisant, and gay,
The world has worn th' unsocial crust away;
That sullen spirit now a softness wears,
And, save by fits, e'en dulness disappears:
But still the matron can the man behold,
Dull, selfish, hard, inanimate, and cold.
A merchant passes;--"probity and truth,
Prudence and patience, mark'd thee from thy youth." 60
Thus she observes, but oft retains her fears
For him, who now with name unstain'd appears;
Nor hope relinquishes for one who yet
Is lost in error and involved in debt;
For latent evil in that heart she found,
More open here, but here the core was sound.
Various our day-schools: here behold we one
Empty and still;--the morning duties done,
Soil'd, tatter'd, worn, and thrown in various heaps,
Appear their books, and there confusion sleeps; 70
The workmen all are from the Babel fled,
And lost their tools, till the return they dread.
Meantime the master, with his wig awry,
Prepares his books for business by-and-by.
Now all th' insignia of the monarch laid
Beside him rest, and none stand by afraid;
He, while his troop light-hearted leap and play,
Is all intent on duties of the day;
No more the tyrant stern or judge severe,
He feels the father's and the husband's fear. 80
Ah! little think the timid trembling crowd,
That one so wise, so powerful, and so proud,
Should feel himself, and dread the humble ills
Of rent-day charges and of coalman's bills;
That, while they mercy from their judge implore,
He fears himself--a knocking at the door;
And feels the burthen as his neighbour states
His humble portion to the parish-rates.
They sit th' allotted hours, then eager run,
Rushing to pleasure when the duty's done; 90
His hour of leisure is of different kind,
Then cares domestic rush upon his mind;
And half the ease and comfort he enjoys,
Is when surrounded by slates, books, and boys.
Poor Reuben Dixon has the noisiest school
Of ragged lads, who ever bow'd to rule;
Low in his price--the men who heave our coals,
And clean our causeways, send him boys in shoals.
To see poor Reuben, with his fry beside--
Their half-check'd rudeness and his half-scorn'd pride-- 100
Their room, the sty in which th' assembly meet,
In the close lane behind the Northgate-street;
T' observe his vain attempts to keep the peace,
Till tolls the bell, and strife and troubles cease,
Calls for our praise; his labour praise deserves,
But not our pity; Reuben has no nerves.
'Mid noise and dirt, and stench, and play, and prate,
He calmly cuts the pen or views the slate.
But Leonard!--yes, for Leonard's fate I grieve,
Who loathes the station which he dares not leave; 110
He cannot dig, he will not beg his bread;
All his dependence rests upon his head;
And, deeply skill'd in sciences and arts,
On vulgar lads he wastes superior parts.
Alas! what grief that feeling mind sustains,
In guiding hands and stirring torpid brains;
He whose proud mind from pole to pole will move,
And view the wonders of the worlds above;
Who thinks and reasons strongly--hard his fate,
Confined for ever to the pen and slate. 120
True, he submits, and when the long dull day
Has slowly pass'd, in weary tasks, away,
To other worlds with cheerful view he looks,
And parts the night between repose and books.
Amid his labours, he has sometimes tried
To turn a little from his cares aside;
Pope, Milton, Dryden, with delight has seized,
His soul engaged and of his trouble eased.
When, with a heavy eye and ill-done sum,
No part conceived, a stupid boy will come; 130
Then Leonard first subdues the rising frown,
And bids the blockhead lay his blunders down;
O'er which disgusted he will turn his eye, }
To his sad duty his sound mind apply, }
And, vex'd in spirit, throw his pleasures by. }
Turn we to schools which more than these afford--
The sound instruction and the wholesome board;
And first our school for ladies:--pity calls
For one soft sigh, when we behold these walls,
Placed near the town, and where, from window high, 140
The fair, confined, may our free crowds espy,
With many a stranger gazing up and down,
And all the envied tumult of the town;
May, in the smiling summer-eve, when they
Are sent to sleep the pleasant hours away,
Behold the poor (whom they conceive the bless'd)
Employ'd for hours, and grieved they cannot rest.
Here the fond girl, whose days are sad and few
Since dear mamma pronounced the last adieu,
Looks to the road, and fondly thinks she hears 150
The carriage-wheels, and struggles with her tears.
All yet is new, the misses great and small,
Madam herself, and teachers, odious all;
From laughter, pity, nay command, she turns,
But melts in softness, or with anger burns;
Nauseates her food, and wonders who can sleep
On such mean beds, where she can only weep.
She scorns condolence--but to all she hates
Slowly at length her mind accommodates;
Then looks on bondage with the same concern 160
As others felt, and finds that she must learn
As others learn'd--the common lot to share,
To search for comfort and submit to care.
There are, 'tis said, who on these seats attend,
And to these ductile minds destruction vend;
Wretches (to virtue, peace, and nature, foes)
To these soft minds, their wicked trash expose;
Seize on the soul, ere passions take the sway,
And lead the heart, ere yet it feels, astray:
Smugglers obscene!--and can there be who take 170
Infernal pains, the sleeping vice to wake?
Can there be those, by whom the thought defiled
Enters the spotless bosom of a child?
By whom the ill is to the heart convey'd, }
Who lend the foe, not yet in arms, their aid, }
And sap the city-walls before the siege be laid? }
Oh! rather skulking in the by-ways steal,
And rob the poorest traveller of his meal;
Burst through the humblest trader's bolted door;
Bear from the widow's hut her winter-store; 180
With stolen steed on highways take your stand,
Your lips with curses arm'd, with death your hand;--
Take all but life--the virtuous more would say, }
Take life itself, dear as it is, away, }
Rather than guilty thus the guileless soul betray. }
Years, pass away--let us suppose them past,
Th' accomplish'd nymph for freedom looks at last;
All hardships over, which a school contains,
The spirit's bondage and the body's pains;
Where teachers make the heartless, trembling set 190
Of pupils suffer for their own regret;
Where winter's cold, attack'd by one poor fire,
Chills the fair child, commanded to retire;
She felt it keenly in the morning air,
Keenly she felt it at the evening prayer.
More pleasant summer; but then walks were made
Not a sweet ramble, but a slow parade;
They moved by pairs beside the hawthorn-hedge,
Only to set their feelings on an edge;
And now at eve, when all their spirits rise, 200
Are sent to rest, and all their pleasure dies;
Where yet they all the town alert can see,
And distant plough-boys pacing o'er the lea.
These and the tasks successive masters brought--
The French they conn'd, the curious works they wrought,
The hours they made their taper fingers strike,
Note after note, all dull to them alike;
Their drawings, dancings on appointed days,
Playing with globes, and getting parts of plays;
The tender friendships made 'twixt heart and heart, 210
When the dear friends had nothing to impart:--
All! all! are over;--now th' accomplished maid
Longs for the world, of nothing there afraid.
Dreams of delight invade her gentle breast,
And fancied lovers rob the heart of rest;
At the paternal door a carriage stands,
Love knits their hearts, and Hymen joins their hands.
Ah!--world unknown! how charming is thy view,
Thy pleasures many, and each pleasure new!
Ah!--world experienced! what of thee is told? 220
How few thy pleasures, and those few how old!
Within a silent street, and far apart
From noise of business, from a quay or mart,
Stands an old spacious building, and the din
You hear without, explains the work within;
Unlike the whispering of the nymphs, this noise
Loudly proclaims a "boarding-school for boys."
The master heeds it not, for thirty years
Have render'd all familiar to his ears;
He sits in comfort, 'mid the various sound 230
Of mingled tones for ever flowing round;
Day after day he to his task attends--
Unvaried toil, and care that never ends.
Boys in their works proceed; while his employ
Admits no change, or changes but the boy;
Yet time has made it easy;--he beside
Has power supreme, and power is sweet to pride.
But grant him pleasure;--what can teachers feel,
Dependent helpers always at the wheel?
Their power despised, their compensation small, 240
Their labour dull, their life laborious all;
Set after set, the lower lads to make
Fit for the class which their superiors take;
The road of learning for a time to track
In roughest state, and then again go back;
Just the same way on other troops to wait--
Attendants fix'd at learning's lower gate.
The day-tasks now are over;--to their ground
Rush the gay crowd with joy-compelling sound;
Glad to [elude] the burthens of the day, 250
The eager parties hurry to their play.
Then in these hours of liberty we find
The native bias of the opening mind;
They yet possess not skill the mask to place,
And hide the passions glowing in the face;
Yet some are found--the close, the sly, the mean,
Who know already all must not be seen.
Lo! one who walks apart, although so young,
He lays restraint upon his eye and tongue;
Nor will he into scrapes or dangers get, 260
And half the school are in the stripling's debt.
Suspicious, timid, he is much afraid
Of trick and plot--he dreads to be betray'd;
He shuns all friendship, for he finds they lend,
When lads begin to call each other friend.
Yet self with self has war; the tempting sight
Of fruit on sale provokes his appetite;--
See! how, he walks the sweet seduction by; }
That he is tempted, costs him first a sigh-- }
'Tis dangerous to indulge, 'tis grievous to deny! 270 }
This he will choose, and whispering asks the price.
The purchase dreadful, but the portion nice;
Within the pocket he explores the pence;
Without, temptation strikes on either sense,
The sight, the smell;--but then he thinks again
Of money gone! while fruit nor taste remain.
Meantime there comes an eager thoughtless boy,
Who gives the price and only feels the joy:
Example dire! the youthful miser stops,
And slowly back the treasured coinage drops. 280
Heroic deed! for should he now comply,
Can he to-morrow's appetite deny?
Beside, these spendthrifts who so friendly live,
Cloy'd with their purchase, will a portion give.--
Here ends debate, he buttons up his store,
And feels the comfort that it burns no more,
Unlike to him the tyrant-boy, whose sway
All hearts acknowledge; him the crowds obey:
At his command they break through every rule;
Whoever governs, he controls the school; 290
'Tis not the distant emperor moves their fear,
But the proud viceroy who is ever near.
Verres could do that mischief in a day,
For which not Rome, in all its power, could pay;
And these boy-tyrants will their slaves distress,
And do the wrongs no master can redress.
The mind they load with fear; it feels disdain }
For its own baseness; yet it tries in vain }
To shake th' admitted power;--the coward comes again. }
'Tis more than present pain these tyrants give, 300
Long as we've life some strong impressions live;
And these young ruffians in the soul will sow
Seeds of all vices that on weakness grow.
Hark! at his word the trembling younglings flee;
Where he is walking none must walk but he;
See! from the winter-fire the weak retreat;
His the warm corner, his the favourite seat,
Save when he yields it to some slave to keep
Awhile, then back, at his return, to creep.
At his command his poor dependents fly, 310
And humbly bribe him as a proud ally;
Flatter'd by all, the notice he bestows
Is gross abuse, and bantering and blows;
Yet he's a dunce, and, spite of all his fame
Without the desk, within he feels his shame:
For there the weaker boy, who felt his scorn,
For him corrects the blunders of the morn;
And he is taught, unpleasant truth! to find
The trembling body has the prouder mind.
Hark to that shout, that burst of empty noise, 320
From a rude set of bluff, obstreperous boys;
They who, like colts let loose, with vigour bound,
And thoughtless spirit, o'er the beaten ground;
Fearless they leap, and every youngster feels
His Alma active in his hands and heels.
These are the sons of farmers, and they come
With partial fondness for the joys of home;
Their minds are coursing in their fathers' fields,
And e'en the dream a lively pleasure yields;
They, much enduring, sit th' allotted hours, 330
And o'er a grammar waste their sprightly powers;
They dance; but them can measured steps delight,
Whom horse and hounds to daring deeds excite?
Nor could they bare to wait from meal to meal,
Did they not slyly to the chamber steal,
And there the produce of the basket seize,
The mother's gift! still studious of their ease.
Poor Alma, thus oppress'd, forbears to rise,
But rests or revels in the arms and thighs[72].
"But is it sure that study will repay 340
The more attentive and forbearing?"--Nay!
The farm, the ship, the humble shop have each
Gains which severest studies seldom reach.
At college place a youth, who means to raise
His state by merit and his name by praise;
Still much he hazards; there is serious strife
In the contentions of a scholar's life.
Not all the mind's attention, care, distress,
Nor diligence itself, ensure success;
His jealous heart a rival's power may dread, 350
Till its strong feelings have confused his head,
And, after days and months, nay, years of pain,
He finds just lost the object he would gain.
But, grant him this and all such life can give,
For other prospects he begins to live;
Begins to feel that man was form'd to look
And long for other objects than a book.
In his mind's eye his house and glebe he sees,
And farms and talks with farmers at his ease;
And time is lost, till fortune sends him forth 360
To a rude world unconscious of his worth;
There in some petty parish to reside,
The college-boast, then turn'd the village-guide;
And, though awhile his flock and dairy please,
He soon reverts to former joys and ease:
Glad when a friend shall come to break his rest,
And speak of all the pleasures they possess'd--
Of masters, fellows, tutors, all with whom
They shared those pleasures, never more to come;
Till both conceive the times by bliss endear'd, 370
Which once so dismal and so dull appear'd.
But fix our scholar, and suppose him crown'd
With all the glory gain'd on classic ground;
Suppose the world without a sigh resign'd,
And to his college all his care confined;
Give him all honours that such states allow,
The freshman's terror and the tradesman's bow;
Let his apartments with his taste agree,
And all his views be those he loves to see;
Let him each day behold the savoury treat, 380
For which he pays not, but is paid to eat;
These joys and glories soon delight no more,
Although, withheld, the mind is vex'd and sore;
The honour too is to the place confined;
Abroad they know not each superior mind:
Strangers no _wranglers_ in these figures see,
Nor give they worship to a high degree.
Unlike the prophet's is the scholar's case,
His honour all is in his dwelling-place;
And there such honours are familiar things; 390
What is a monarch in a crowd of kings?
Like other sovereigns he's by forms address'd,
By statutes govern'd and with rules oppress'd.
When all these forms and duties die away,
And the day passes like the former day,
Then, of exterior things at once bereft,
He's to himself and one attendant left;
Nay, John too goes; nor aught of service more
Remains for him; he gladly quits the door,
And, as he whistles to the college-gate, 400
He kindly pities his poor master's fate.
Books cannot always please, however good;
Minds are not ever craving for their food;
But sleep will soon the weary soul prepare
For cares to-morrow that were this day's care;
For forms, for feasts, that sundry times have past,
And formal feasts that will for ever last.
"But then from study will no comforts rise?"
Yes! such as studious minds alone can prize;
Comforts, yea! joys ineffable they find, 410
Who seek the prouder pleasures of the mind:
The soul, collected in those happy hours,
Then makes her efforts, then enjoys her powers;
And in those seasons feels herself repaid,
For labours past and honours long delay'd.
No! 'tis not worldly gain, although by chance
The sons of learning may to wealth advance;
Nor station high, though in some favouring hour
The sons of learning may arrive at power;
Nor is it glory, though the public voice 420
Of honest praise will make the heart rejoice;
But 'tis the mind's own feelings give the joy,
Pleasures she gathers in her own employ--
Pleasures that gain or praise cannot bestow,
Yet can dilate and raise them when they flow.
For this the poet looks the world around,
Where form and life and reasoning man are found.
He loves the mind in all its modes to trace,
And all the manners of the changing race;
Silent he walks the road of life along, 430
And views the aims of its tumultuous throng;
He finds what shapes the Proteus-passions take,
And what strange waste of life and joy they make,
And loves to show them in their varied ways,
With honest blame or with unflattering praise.
'Tis good to know, 'tis pleasant to impart,
These turns and movements of the human heart;
The stronger features of the soul to paint,
And make distinct the latent and the faint;
Man as he is, to place in all men's view, 440
Yet none with rancour, none with scorn pursue;
Nor be it ever of my portraits told,--
"Here the strong lines of malice we behold."--

* * * * *

This let me hope, that when in public view
I bring my pictures, men may feel them true;
"This is a likeness," may they all declare,
"And I have seen him, but I know not where;"
For I should mourn the mischief I had done,
If as the likeness all would fix on one.
Man's vice and crime I combat as I can, 450
But to his GOD and conscience leave the man;
I search (a [Quixote!]) all the land about,
To find its giants and enchanters out,
(The giant-folly, the enchanter-vice,
Whom doubtless I shall vanquish in a trice;)
But is there man whom I would injure?--no!
I am to him a fellow, not a foe--
A fellow-sinner, who must rather dread
The bolt, than hurl it at another's head.
No! let the guiltless, if there such be found, 460
Launch forth the spear, and deal the deadly wound;
How can I so the cause of virtue aid,
Who am myself attainted and afraid?
Yet, as I can, I point the powers of rhyme,
And, sparing criminals, attack the crime.

FOOTNOTES:

[72] Should any of my readers find themselves at a loss in this
place, I beg leave to refer them to a poem of Prior, called Alma, or
the Progress of the Mind.

ERRATA

[_Except in the case of short poems with unnumbered lines, or in that
of prefaces, mottos, notes &c. the line of the poem, not the line
of the page, is cited._]

PAGE 1 l. 11 for _chests_ read _chiefs_.

p. 3 l. 5 for _she's a_ read _she, "'s a_.

p. 4 l. 2 for _beaut'y_ read _beauty's_.

p. 5 l. 18 for _moans_ read _mourn_.

p. 7 l. 9 for _stand_ read _stands_.

p. 9 l. 1 for _Shenstone's_ read _Byrom's_.

p. 14 l. 31 for _nature_ read _Nature's_.

p. 20 l. 75 for _devine_ read _divine_.
_ib._ l. 90 for _unwraught_ read _unwrought_.
_ib._ l. 102 for _pleasures_ read _pleasure's_.

p. 21 l. 116 for _distant_ read _distance_.

p. 23 l. 186 for _desturb_ read _disturb_.
_ib._ l. 196 for _titt'ring_ read _titt'rings_.
_ib._ note for _puris_ read _purus_.

p. 24 l. 214 for _sits_ read _sets_.
_ib._ l. 226 for _fall_ read _pall_.
_ib._ for _refind_ read _refin'd_.

p. 27 l. 82 for _to humble or to brave_ read _too humble or too brave_.

p. 28 l. 101 for _Errors_ read _Error's_.

p. 30 l. 153 for _be_ read _by_.

p. 48 l. 41 for _Meonides_ read _Mæonides_.
_ib._ l. 54 for _triump'd_ read _triumph'd_.
_ib._ l. 61 for _Wonders_ read _wanders_.

p. 49 l. 67 for _Titerus_ read _Tityrus_.
_ib._ l. 69 for _Neareds_ read _Nereids_.
_ib._ l. 83 for _glomiest_ read _gloomiest_.
_ib._ l. 87 for _Thompson_ read _Thomson_.
_ib._ l. 89 for _years Verdent_ read _year's Verdant_.
_ib._ l. 91 for _Aspin_ read _Aspen_.

p. 50 l. 104 for _Vally_ read _Valley_.
_ib._ l. 111 for _glomier_ read _gloomier_.
_ib._ l. 118 for _Challange_ read _Challenge_.

p. 51 l. 142 for _Disapointment_ read _Disappointment_.
_ib._ l. 149 for _Currant_ read _Current_.
_ib._ l. 160 for _Eccho's_ read _Echo's_.

p. 52 l. 185 for _ignious_ read _igneous_.
_ib._ l. 201 for _not_ read _out_.
_ib._ l. 212 for _ages_ read _age's_.
_ib._ l. 215 for _ratling_ read _rattling_.

p. 53 l. 235 for _Simphony_ read _Symphony_.
_ib._ l. 237 for _Scence_ read _Scene_.

p. 55 l. 295 for _Fiend, fang'd_ read _Fiend and fang'd_.
_ib._ l. 297 for _thretned_ read _threaten'd_.
_ib._ l. 313 for _Rotteness_ read _Rottenness_.

p. 56 l. 343 for _distinguis'd_ read _distinguish'd_.
_ib._ l. 351 for _Worldwind's_ read _Whirlwind's_.

p. 57 l. 379 for _dispis'd_ read _despis'd_.

p. 59 l. 439 for _beseige_ read _besiege_.
_ib._ l. 441 for _tenaceous_ read _tenacious_.
_ib._ l. 446 for _Death Thoughts_ read _Death, Thought's_.
_ib._ l. 466 for _Emminence_ read _Eminence_.

p. 82 note for _Od. 8_ read _Od. 6_.

p. 87 l. 8 for _Paneg. ad Pisones, Lucan_ read _Paneg. ad Pisones_.

p. 115 l. 543 for _reverend_ read _reverent_.

p. 123 l. 118 for _Theirs_ read _Their_.

p. 146 l. 157 for _Indited_ read _Indicted_.

p. 152 l. 393 for _silly_ read _slily_.

p. 155 l. 8 for _teneres_ read _teneras_.
_ib._ l. 15. The reading in Shakspere is not _furnish up_, but
_finish up_.

p. 158 l. 8 for _restat_ read _restet_.

p. 161 l. 139 for _cives_ read _chives_.

p. 182 l. 63 not in inverted commas.

p. 187 ll. 235-6 not in inverted commas.

p. 205 l. 270 for _passion_ read _passions_.

p. 211 l. 507 for _Snowden's_ read _Snowdon's_.

p. 212 ll. 551-2 not in inverted commas.

p. 230 l. 214 for _One_ read _one_.

p. 232 l. 319 for _Reubens_ read _Rubens_.
_ib._ l. 320 for _shall_ read _shalt_.

p. 237 l. 96 for _If_ read _In_.

p. 238 l. 11. _I'll know no more_, not printed as beginning of new
stanza.

p. 239 l. 36 not printed as beginning of new stanza.
_ib._ not in inverted commas.

p. 251 l. 4 for 22 read 22 _and_ 23.

p. 252 l. 5 for _dolor_ read _labor_.

p. 256 l. 4 for _deplorant_ read _deplangunt_.

p. 257 l. 22 for _elmin_ read _elmen_.

p. 284 l. 7 for _scenes_ read _place hath_.
_ib._ l. 15 for _discutient_ read _discutiunt_.
_ib._ l. 17 for _ver._ 520 read vv. 519-523.

p. 289 l. 154 (Lonely yet public stands) not enclosed _sic_ in brackets.

p. 292 l. 299 for _suceeds_ read _succeeds_.

p. 301 l. 266 for _thoughts_ and _spirits_ read _thoughts'_ and
_spirit's_.

p. 303 l. 13 for _of_ read _o'er_.
_ib._ l. 14 for _while_ read _whilst_.

p. 307 l. 132 for _Comes_ read _Come_.

p. 313 l. 6 for _Churches_ read _Church's_.
_ib._ l. 12 for _knew_ read _know_.
_ib._ l. 14 for _Oh!_ read _Ah!_

p. 327 l. 528 for _staid_ read _stay'd_.

p. 328 l. 12 for xxvii. read xxviii.

p. 329 l. 6 for _leader_ read _captain_.
_ib._ l. 8 for _beer: all_ read _beer ... all_.
_ib._ _ib._ for _I_ read _and I_.
_ib._ ll. 10, 11 for _and they shall all worship me as_ read _and
worship me_.

p. 336 l. 7 for _Manilius_ read _Plaut. Trucul._

p. 340 l. 114 for _professions_ read _professions'_.

p. 347 instead of ll. 4, 5 read as in text:
_Finirent multi letho mala; credula vitam
Spes alit, et melius cras fore semper ait_.

p. 364 l. 6 for _Catull_, lib. 3 read _(Dionys.) Cato De Moribus_ III. 7.
_ib._ l. 7 for _fatiscat_ read _fatiscit_.

p. 374 l. 14 for _Et_ read _Sed_.
_ib._ for _juncta_ read _multa_.

p. 407 l. 7 for _pool_ read _pond_.
_ib._ l. 9 is followed in Shakspere by the line:
'_Of wisdom, gravity, profound conceit._'

p. 417 l. 5 for _quia_ read _quam_.
_ib._ l. 12 for _tibi_ read _cui_.
_ib._ l. 15 for _blessing_ read _blessings_.

p. 422 l. 147 for _reverend_ read _reverent_.

p. 428 l. 114 for _blissing_ read _blessing_.

p. 431 l. 5 six lines follow after 'Burning Lamp.'
_ib._ for _wast_ read _wert_.
_ib._ l. 7 five lines follow after _this fire_.
_ib._ 'An everlasting bonfire light!' follows after 'perpetual
triumph.'
_ib._ l. 8 for _in a_ read _with thee in the_.

p. 439 l. 4 for _who_ read _that_.
_ib._ l. 5 for _in time_ read _in the time_.

p. 451 l. 71 for _birth_ read _berth_.

p. 480 l. 4 for _Coepis_ read _Coepisti_.
_ib._ for _desines_ read _desinis_.

p. 485 l. 166 for _then_ read _than_.

p. 502 l. 7 for _my_ read _our_.

p. 512 l. 24 six lines follow after _at taw_.

p. 519 l. 250 for _illude_ read _elude_.

p. 524 l. 452 for _Quixotte!_ read _Quixote!_

The (mis)quotation from Ovid in p. 5 cannot be identified; the lines quoted on p. 284 as 'Pope's Homer's Iliad, bk. vi. line 45' are not to be found in that work; and the stanza attributed on p. 294 to Percy is not traceable to the _Reliques_.

VARIANTS.

=POEMS.= Dedication and Preface. Variants in edition of 1807 (first edition).

Dedication:

p. =88=, l. 2. Henry-Richard.

p. =89=, l. 5. judgement.
l. 10. have taught.

Preface:

p. =90=, l. 11. enquiry.
l. 27. judgement.

p. =91=, l. 23. among.
l. 32. as Mr Boswell (since Lord Auchinleck) has told.

p. =92=, l. 7. suspence.

p. =93=, l. 2, my friends.
l. 5. judgement.
l. 9. blameable.

p. =94=, l. 13. such opinion.
l. 18. Charles-James.
l. 28. criticizing.
l. 36. judgement.

p. =95=, l. 12. judgement.
l. 15. Lope de Vega.
l. 22. an high degree.
l. 26. Lope de Vega.

p. =96=, l. 20. judgement.
l. 26. in a beneficed clergyman.

p. =97=, l. 23. Baptisms.
l. 31. enquiry.

p. =98=, l. 25. judgement.
l. 26. intitled.

p. =99=, l. 8. judgement.
l. 14. or the exultation.

=THE LIBRARY.= Variants in edition of 1781 (first edition).

l. 16. _for_ wo: woe.
l. 22. prevail.
l. 28. her old.
_instead of_ ll. 51-54:

Come then, and entering view this spacious scene,
This sacred dome, this noble magazine;

l. 57. asswage.
_instead of_ ll. 63-178:

In this selection, which the human mind
With care has made; for Glory has design'd,
All should be perfect; or at least appear
From falshood, vanity, and passion clear:
But man's best efforts taste of man, and show
The poor and troubled source from whence they flow;
His very triumphs his defeats must speak,
And ev'n his wisdom serves to prove him weak.
Fashion, though Folly's child, and guide of fools,
Rules e'en the wisest, and in Learning rules;
From courts and crowds to Wisdom's seat she goes,
And reigns triumphant o'er her mother's foes:
Yon Folios, once the darlings of the mode,
Now lie neglected like the birth-day ode;
There Learning, stuff'd with maxims trite though sage,
Makes Indigestion yawn at every page;
Chain'd like Prometheus, lo! the mighty train
Brave Time's fell tooth, and live and die again;
And now the scorn of men and now the pride,
The sires respect them, and the sons deride.

l. 183. every note and every comment.
l. 197. is.
l. 200. your judges are your rivals.
_instead of_ ll. 201-322:

But ne'er, discourag'd, fair attempts lay by, }
For Reason views them with approving eye, }
And Candour yields what cavillers deny. }
She sees the struggles of the soul to steer
Through clouds and darkness, which surround us here,
And, though the long research has ne'er prevail'd,
Applauds the trial and forgets it fail'd.

_followed by_ ll. 105--140 _of the text; then continuing:_

Wits, Bards and Idlers fill a tatter'd row;
And the vile Vulgar lie disdain'd below.

Amid these works, on which the eager eye
Delights to fix, or glides reluctant by
Where all combin'd their decent pomp display,
Where shall we first our early offering pay?

To thee PHILOSOPHY! to thee, the light,
The guide of mortals through their mental night,
By whom the world in all its views is shown,
Our guide through Nature's works, and in our own;
Who place in order Being's wondrous chain, }
Save where those puzzling, stubborn links remain, }
By art divine involv'd, which man can ne'er explain. }
These are thy volumes; and in these we look,
As abstracts drawn from Nature's larger book;
Here first describ'd the humble glebe appears,
Unconscious of the gaudy robe it wears;
All that the earth's profound recesses hide,
And all that roll beneath the raging tide;
The sullen gem that yet disdains to shine,
And all the ductile matter of the mine.
Next to the vegetable tribes they lead,
Whose fruitful beds o'er every balmy meed
Teem with new life, and hills, and vales, and groves,
Feed the still flame, and nurse the silent loves;
Which, when the Spring calls forth their genial power
Swell with the seed, and flourish in the flower:
There, with the husband-slaves, in royal pride,
Queens, like the Amazons of old, reside;
There, like the Turk, the lordly husband lives,
And joy to all the gay seraglio gives;
There, in the secret chambers, veil'd from sight,
A bashful tribe in hidden flames delight;
There, in the open day, and gaily deck'd,
The bolder brides their distant lords expect;
Who with the wings of love instinctive rise,
And on prolific winds each ardent bridegroom flies.
Next are that tribe whom life and sense inform,
The torpid beetle, and the shrinking worm;
And insects, proud to spread their brilliant wing,
To catch the fostering sunbeams of the spring;
That feather'd race, which late from winter fled,
To dream an half-existence with the dead;
Who now, returning from their six months' sleep,
Dip their black pinions in the slumbering deep;
Where, feeling life from stronger beams of day,
The scaly myriads of the ocean play.
Then led by Art through Nature's maze, we trace
The sullen people of the savage race;
And see a favourite tribe mankind attend,
And in the fawning follower find the friend.

l. 346. virtues seek.
l. 390. subtle.
l. 408. a song.
l. 410. did ne'er
l. 422. Abridgements.
l. 431. cries.
_instead of_ l. 432: Ere laws arose, ere tyrants bade them rise;
l. 435. no tumults.
_instead of_ ll. 441-2:

Bound by no tyes but those by nature made,
Virtue was law, and gifts prevented trade.

l. 444. chearless.
_instead of_ l. 454: Taught by some conquering friends who came as foes.
l. 477. Primæval.
_After_ l. 478:

Now turn from these, to view yon ampler space,
There rests a sacred, grave and solemn race;
There the devout an awful station keep,
Vigils advise and yet dispose to sleep;
There might they long in lasting peace abide }
But controversial authors lie beside, }
Who friend from friend and sire from son divide: }
Endless disputes around the world they cause
Creating now, and now controuling laws.

_followed by_ ll. 223-266 _of the text, with the ensuing variations:_

ll. 237-244:

Calvin grows gentle in this silent coast,
Nor finds a single heretic to roast:
Here, their fierce rage subdu'd, and lost their pride
The Pope and Luther slumber side by side:

l. 245. whom the Church's.
l. 248. Crumbs.
ll. 249-256 _omitted_.
_instead of_ l. 257: And let them lie--for lo! yon gaudy frames.
l. 259. dread.
l. 260. sparks of Grace.
l. 265. prophane, or impiously.
l. 537. What tho' neglect has shed.
l. 550. dæmons.
l. 555. strait.
l. 578. tipling.
l. 595. fancy'd.

=THE VILLAGE.= Variants in edition of 1783 (first edition).

=Book I.=

_Synopsis of contents omitted._
l. 5. forms.
_instead of_ ll. 7-8:

Fled are those times, if e'er such times were seen,
When rustic poets prais'd their native green;

l. 18. echo's.
l. 31. one chief cause.
_instead of_ ll. 33-35:

They ask no thought, require no deep design,
But swell the song and liquefy the line;
The gentle lover takes the rural strain.

l. 40. gazes.
l. 59. sooth.
l. 76. And the wild tare clings round.
_instead of_ ll. 99-100:

And foil'd beneath the young Ulysses fell;
When peals of praise the merry mischief tell?

l. 107. Or, yielding part (when equal knaves contest).
l. 108. for the rest.
l. 118. their's.
_after_ l. 143:

Like him to make the plenteous harvest grow,
And yet not share the plenty they bestow;

l. 153. as luxury.
_instead of_ ll. 166-7:

Or will you urge their homely, plenteous fare,
Healthy and plain and still the poor man's share?

_instead of_ l. 171:

As you who envy would disdain to touch.

l. 183. its own.
l. 189. straitest.
l. 197. And urge the efforts.
l. 204. rouz'd.
l. 219. Slow in their gifts, but.
l. 223. woe.
l. 265. is all.
l. 271. Nor wipes.
l. 273. Nor promise.
l. 295. mutely hastens to the grave.
_instead of_ ll. 312-13:

Sure in his shot his game he seldom mist,
And seldom fail'd to win his game at whist;

l. 325. oh! Death.
l. 327. farmer gets.

=THE VILLAGE.=

=Book II.=

_Synopsis of contents omitted._
l. 30. began.
l. 52. the Lord's.
l. 55. Hear too.
_instead of_ ll. 59-62:

How their maids languish, while their men run loose,
And leave them scarce a damsel to seduce.

_instead of_ l. 68:

One cup, and that just serves to make them foes;

l. 70. And batter'd faces end.
l. 85. faultering.
l. 102. you reckon great.
_instead of_ ll. 111-112:

Who gave up pleasures you could never share,
For pain which you are seldom doom'd to bear,

_instead of_ ll. 161-2:

But Rutland's virtues shall his griefs restrain,
And join to heal the bosom where they reign.

l. 165. Hush the loud grief.
l. 168. can please.
l. 172. not valu'd.
l. 176. terror.
_instead of_ l. 177:

But 'tis the spirit that is mounting high.

l. 178. a native.
l. 193. nearer woes.
_after_ l. 197:

Victims victorious, who with him shall stand
In Fame's fair book the guardians of the land;

l. 201. streams go murmuring by.
l. 204. strong stream.

=THE NEWSPAPER.= Variants in edition of 1785 (first edition).

l. 37. Yet you in pity check.
l. 38. and still vouchsafe to write.
_instead of_ ll. 39-40:

(While your choice works on quiet shelves remain,
Or grace the windows of the trade in vain;
Where ev'n their fair and comely sculptures fail,
Engrav'd by Grignion, and design'd by Wale)--

_instead of_ ll. 47-48:

But lend your aid to make my prowess known,
And puff my labours as ye puff your own.

l. 51. or what the time they fly.
_instead of_ ll. 57-60:

Gray evening comes, and comes not evening gray
With all the trifling tidings of the day?

_instead of_ ll. 71-72:

Yet soon each reptile tribe is lost but these,
In the first brushing of the wintry breeze;

l. 73. These still remain.
_after_ l. 78:

(The Oglio now appears, a rival name,
Of bolder manners, tho' of younger fame);

l. 83. lye.
l. 85. holy day.
_instead of_ l. 92: Tomorrow Woodfall, and the world below.
l. 104. the weak man's brain.
_after_ l. 126:

Soon as the chiefs, whom once they choose, lie low,
Their praise too slackens, and their aid moves slow;
Not so, when leagu'd with rising powers, their rage
Then wounds th' unwary foe, and burns along the page.

l. 132. nor leaves the winter one.
l. 134. Fly in successive troops this fluttering race.
_after_ l. 136:

Or are there those, who ne'er their friends forsook,
Lur'd by no promise, by no danger shook?
Then bolder bribes the venal aid procure,
And golden letters make the faithless sure:
For those who deal in flattery or abuse,
Will sell them when they can the most produce.

l. 155. Justice, Rector and Attorney.
l. 160. tythe.
_instead of_ ll. 163-4:

Here comes the neighbouring Squire, with gracious air,
To stamp opinions, and to take the chair;

l. 172. plagues.
l. 175. Brook's and St Albin's.
l. 178. owes.
_instead of_ ll. 190-192:

"Strive but for power, and parley but for place;"
Yet hopes, good man! "that all may still be well,"
And thanks the stars that he's a vote to sell.

_after_ l. 192:

While thus he reads or raves, around him wait
A rustic band and join in each debate;
Partake his manly spirit, and delight
To praise or blame, to judge of wrong or right;
Measures to mend, and ministers to make,
Till all go madding for their country's sake.

l. 193. th' all-teeming Press.
l. 194. These pois'nous.
_instead of_ ll. 211-12:

Studious we toil, correct, amend, retouch,
Take much away, yet mostly leave too much;

l. 230. deny'd.
l. 253. chearful.
l. 260. And slighting theirs, make comments of their own.
l. 266. monies.
_instead of_ ll. 267-8:

While the sly widow, and the coxcomb sleek,
Dive deep for scandal through a hint oblique.

_instead of_ ll. 273-4:

Hence on that morn no welcome post appears,
That luckless mind a sullen aspect wears;

l. 279. Such restless passion.
l. 280. Worse than an itch for Music or the Muse.
l. 284. Has neither chance for cure, nor intervals of rest.
_after_ l. 284:

Such powers have things so vile, and they can boast
That those peruse them who despise them most.

l. 285. Thus sung--say Muse.
l. 294. Or coin fresh tales.
l. 300. No British widow turns Italian bride.
l. 304. peers give place, and own her fair.
_instead of_ ll. 309-312:

Such tales as these with joy the many read,
And paragraphs on paragraphs succeed;
Then add the common themes that never cease
The tide-like Stocks, their ebb and their increase;

_instead of_ l. 336: And nameless murder'd in the face of day.
l. 337. Here, first in rank, the Stage.
l. 344. From self, and.
l. 346. try'd.
l. 373. gray.
_instead of_ ll. 379-80:

Such are their puffs, and would they all were such,
Then should the verse no poet's laurel touch;

l. 386. frizeurs.
l. 416. sacred labours.
l. 428. On the scroll'd bar-board, view'd too long before.
l. 429. tipling.
l. 438. For these no more shall live, than they shall die.
_instead of_ ll. 449-50:

Nameless you this way print your idle rhymes,
A thousand view them, you a thousand times:

l. 462. Leave wealth, indulge not these but nobler fires.
Note 1. SPLEEN, a poem.

_The following footnotes appear in the first edition of_ The Newspaper, _but were not reprinted_:

l. 1. The greatest part of this Poem was written immediately after the dissolution of the late parliament.

l. 68. The Ephemera, or May-fly, is an insect remarked by naturalists for the very short time it lives, after assuming its last and more perfect form.

l. 78. [See Variant.] The OGLIO, a Sunday paper, advertised about October last.

=THE PARISH REGISTER.= Variants in edition of 1807 (first edition).

=Part I.=

_Instead of_ ll. 43-50:

Above the mantel bound with ribband blue,
The Swain's emblazon'd Arms demand our view.
In meadow _Vert_, there feeds in _Gules_ a cow,
Beneath an _Argent_ share and _Sable_ plough;
While for a crest, an _Azure_ arm sustains
In _Or_ a wheatsheaf, rich with bristling grains.

l. 53. when tried.
l. 54. who prov'd misfortunes.
l. 61. that England fed.
l. 66. That nations dreaded and that Nelson beat.
_instead of_ ll. 67-8:

And here will soon that other fleet be shown,
That Nelson made the ocean's and our own.

l. 85. by famous Heads made out.
l. 86. That teach the simple reader where to doubt.
l. 87. That made him stop.
l. 88. And where he wonder'd then.
l. 112. Laid.
_instead of_ ll. 127-8:

These hear the parent Swain, reclin'd at ease
With half his listening offspring on his knees.

l. 140. The tall _Leek_, tapering with his rushy stem.
l. 177. who knew not sex.
l. 193. gutters flow.
l. 197. woe.
l. 248. drink and play.
l. 270. Glories unsought, the Fathers.
l. 309. an haughty soul.
l. 310. controul.
l. 314. seldom shed.
l. 339. What then was left, these Lovers to requite?
l. 368. Higler's.
l. 369. antient.
_instead of_ ll. 371-2:

Day after day were past in grief and pain,
Week after week, nor came the Youth again;

_instead of_ ll. 417-18:

Few were their Acres,--but they, well content,
Were on each pay-day, ready with their rent;

_instead of_ ll. 453-60:

'Far other thoughts, your Reverence, caus'd the ill,
'Twas pure good-nature, not a wanton will;
They urg'd me, paid me, beg'd me to comply, }
Not hard of heart, or slow to yield am I, }
But prone to grant as melting charity. }
For wanton wishes, let the frail-ones smart,
But all my failing is a tender heart.'

l. 470. Gerrard.
_instead of_ ll. 471-2:

Seven have I nam'd, and but six years have past
By him and Judith since I bound them fast.

l. 477. he would no more increase.
l. 481. humbled.
l. 521. pedlar's.
l. 539. woe with woe.
l. 540. "Ah! Humphrey! Humphrey!"
l. 558. said Humphrey.
l. 559. an husband's.
l. 569. antient.
_instead of_ ll. 582-3:

To prove these arrows of the giants' hand,
Are not for man to stay or to command.

_instead of_ l. 604:

Of news or nothing, she by looks compel.

l. 628. _Artimisia_.
l. 631. _Senecio_.
l. 649. turged _Anthers_.
_instead of_ l. 650:

"But haste and bear them to their spouse away;
In a like bed you'll see that spouse reclin'd,
(Oh! haste and bear them, they like love are blind,)

l. 652. make the marriage sure.
l. 663. to life's great duty, Love.
l. 676. some notice they will claim.
_instead of_ ll. 678-9:

The straitest furrow lifts the ploughman's heart,
Or skill allow'd firm in the bruiser's art.

l. 700. For he who lent a name to babe unknown.
l. 702. they ask'd the name of all.
l. 713. controul.
l. 743. that seem'd.
l. 744. that nothing meant.
l. 748. steelly.
l. 751. still more sure about the world.
l. 784. Keeps looking on the ground.
l. 785. These looks and sighs.
l. 803. transcendant.
l. 811. Bishoprick.
l. 826. Passions.
l. 833. Spencer; Spencer's.
_The note to_ l. 833 _is omitted in the first edition._

=Part II.=

_Instead of_ ll. 5-6:

If Poor, Delay shall for that Want prepare,
That, on the hasty, brings a World of Care;

_instead of_ l. 17:

Yet thee too long, let not thy Fears detain

l. 19. tied.
l. 26. Banns.
_instead of_ ll. 34-60.

Fie, Nathan! fie! to let a sprightly Jade
Leer on thy Bed, then ask thee how 'twas made
And lingering walk around at Head and Feet,
To see thy nightly Comforts all complete;
Then waiting seek--not what she said she sought,
And bid a Penny for her Master's Thought;--
(A Thought she knew, and thou could'st not send hence,
Well as thou lov'dst them, for ten thousand Pence!)
And thus with some bold Hint she would retire,
That wak'd the idle Wish and stirr'd the slumbering Fire;
Didst thou believe thy Passion all so laid }
That thou might'st trifle with thy wanton Maid, }
And feel amus'd, and yet not feel afraid? }
The dryest Faggot, Nathan, once was green,
And laid on Embers, still some Sap is seen;
Oaks, bald like thee above, that cease to grow,
Feel yet the Warmth of Spring and Bud below;
More senseless thou than Faggot on the Fire
For thou could'st feel and yet would'st not retire;
Less provident than dying Trees,--for they }
Some vital Strength, some living Fire display, }
But none that tend to wear the Life itself away. }
Ev'n now I see thee to the Altar come;
Downcast thou wert and conscious of thy Doom:
I see thee glancing on that Shape aside,
With blended Looks of Jealousy and Pride;
But growing Fear has long the Pride supprest,
And but one Tyrant rankles in thy Breast;
Now of her Love, a second Pledge appears,
And Doubts on Doubts arise, and Fears on Fears;
Yet Fear defy, and be of Courage stout,
Another Pledge will banish every Doubt;
Thine Age advancing as thy Powers retire,
Will make thee sure--What more would'st thou require?

l. 68. antient.
l. 96. Drew Oil, drew Essence.
l. 100. Mrs.
l. 269. And hid the Snare, prepar'd to catch the Maid.
l. 290. Scrolls.
_instead of_ ll. 301-308:

Is it that strong and sturdy in the Field
They scorn the Arms of idle Men to wield
Or give that Hand to guide the Goosequill Tip,
That rules a Team, and brandishes a whip?
The Lions they, whom conscious Power forbid,--
To play the Ape and "dandle with the Kid."

l. 313. For Bridget Dawdle.
l. 317. To Roger Pluck.
l. 321. In all his Dealings, Hodge was just and true.
l. 340. Bridget's.
l. 341. Roger.
l. 351. Bridget.
l. 353. Roger's.
l. 355. Roger's _bis_.
_instead of_ ll. 372-375:

So two dried Sticks, all fled the vital juice,
When rubb'd and chaf'd, their latent Heat produce;
All in one part unite the cheering Rays,
And kindling burn with momentary Blaze.

l. 380. when touch'd with Galvin's Wire.
_instead of_ ll. 400-1:

No more she plays, no more attempts to fit
Her Steps responsive to the squeaking Kit,

l. 419. in room apart.
l. 424. And Wives like these assert and prove their own;
l. 430. (_note_). Spencer.
l. 437. Nor sought their Bliss, at _Cupid's_ wild Commands,
l. 444. was her Reuben's Care;
_instead of_ ll. 461-66:

Nor these alone, (though favour'd more) are blest;
In time, the Rash, in time, the Wretched rest;
They first-sad years of Want and Anguish know,
Their Joys come seldom, and their Pains pass slow;

_instead of_ ll. 473-4:

When Life's Afflictions long with dread endur'd,
By Time are lessen'd, or by Caution cur'd;

l. 477. And calm in Cares, with Patience, Man and Wife,
l. 490. Quite.
_instead of_ ll. 491-2:

For me, (he thinks,) shall soon this Deed be done,
A few steps forward, and my Race is run;

l. 499. He gives his Friend a tear, and heaves himself a sigh.
l. 516. Plowman's.
l. 521. spare, for Rapture to enjoy?
_instead of_ ll. 565-7:

Who caus'd the Anguish they disdain'd to heal,
Have at some time, the Power of Virtue known,
And felt another's good promote their own:

l. 568. the youth.
l. 569. Who took the Maid, with innocence and truth;
l. 572. its vigour keep.
l. 583. When Beauty all decays.

=Part III.=

l. 33. that sad submission.
l. 48. as a Sinner's Right.
l. 49. God is good.
l. 50. And, none have liv'd, as Wisdom wills they should.
l. 54. To think about beginning to repent.
l. 65. That feels the useful Pain, Repentance brings.
l. 66. Dejection's Sorrows.
l. 67. And then, the Hope, that Heaven these Griefs approve.
l. 68. And lastly Joy that springs.
l. 75. Collet.
_instead of_ ll. 151-2:

Like that industrious Kind, no thoughts of Sex
No cares of Love, could her chaste Soul perplex.

l. 159. welcome at her Board to share.
_After_ l. 172: As Bridget churn'd the Butter, for her Hand.
l. 173. (Geese, Hens, and Turkeys following where she went.)
l. 185. as the more.
l. 186. She grasp'd with greater force.
l. 212. To bear a Grandchild.
l. 219. check the passions.
l. 220. Youth's Disappointments, the Regrets of Age.
_instead of_ ll. 225-31:

Blest is the Nurseling never taught to sing,
But thrust untimely from its Mother's Wing;
Or the grown Warbler, who, with grateful Voice,
Sings its own Joy and makes the Grove rejoice;
Because, ere yet he charm'd th' attentive Ear.

l. 278. aweful.
l. 283. woe's.
l. 297. Studds.
l. 329. Catharine's.
l. 345. And held the Golden Watch, the Ruby-Rings.
l. 357. the Lady's.
l. 381. On Pride that governs, Pleasure that will grow.
l. 394. Bawbles.
l. 412. Catharine.
l. 428. the Joy.
l. 431. that wounds.
l. 432. Who miss one Comfort that.
l. 434. He felt with many.
l. 436. an old Neighbour.
l. 443. he knew.
l. 444. More skilful none, and skill'd like him, but few.
_instead of_ 458-60:

By the new Light, to the new Way direct;--
"Mine now are Faith and Hope," he said; "Adieu!
I fear to lose them, in a way so new."

_instead of_ ll. 467-8:

His honest Fame he yet retain'd; no more,
His wife was buried, and his Children poor;

l. 473. And just, as kind.
l. 474. And then for Comforts.
l. 477. with him to live.
l. 478. Who, while he feeds me, is as loath to give.
l. 480. guages.
l. 485. to mourn my Lot is vain.
l. 486. Mine it is not to choose but to sustain.
l. 495. aweful.
l. 499. that suppliant Look.
l. 500. Nor that pure Faith, that gave it Force are there.
l. 510. Intic'd.
l. 565. An House.
l. 573. And thus he rose, but tried.
_instead of_ ll. 594-6:

And all was Terror, till all Hope was gone;
Was silent Terror, where that Hope grew weak,
Look'd on the Sick, and was asham'd to speak.

l. 601. So sure.
l. 654. Glib.
l. 664. Glib.
l. 670. With Luck and Leah.
l. 675. "Nay, but," he said "and dare you.
l. 700. Judgement.
l. 715. Woe.
l. 825. Ailes.
l. 848. sly Dissenters.
l. 863. An whoreson Cough.
l. 882. Gypsies.
l. 891. Aile.
l. 921. antient.
l. 966. while Parents them and us forsake.

=THE BIRTH OF FLATTERY.= Variants in edition of 1807 (first edition).

l. 1. Spencer.
l. 15. Siren.
l. 21. An hireling.
l. 50. Dissentions.
l. 52. Say what Success has one Projection crown'd?
l. 60. Ingulph'st.
l. 65. worthless Arts.
l. 111. nuptual.
l. 125. repay'd.
l. 191. antient.
l. 213. controul.
l. 304. _Gorze_.
l. 317. Tenniers.
l. 333. Mein.
l. 344. that well their Worth she knew.
l. 347. While all Disgrace attend.

=SIR EUSTACE GREY.= Variants in edition of 1807 (first edition).

l. 23. Will sometimes point.
l. 24. And will with.
l. 26. Will veil.
l. 37. Well! I am calm.
l. 38. woe.
l. 58. an.
l. 171. Dæmons.
l. 234. Travellers.
Note 3, l. 5. Intended to cast ridicule on any religious persuasion.
l. 8. enthusiastical.

_The notes appear as footnotes in the first edition._

=THE HALL OF JUSTICE.= Variants in edition of 1807 (first edition).

=Part I.=

l. 11. forbad.
l. 36. woe.
l. 41. on Want and Error.

=WOMAN!= Variants in edition of 1807 (first edition).

l. 1. Africk's.
l. 4. Dæmons.

=THE BOROUGH.= Variants in the edition of 1810 (first edition).

=Preface.=

p. =266=, l. 9. may fairly be.
l. 24. values.

p. =268=, l. 16. connections.

p. =269=, l. 12. an hope.

p. =271=, l. 5, enquiries.

p. =273=, l. 13, enquiry.
_ib._ l. 28. controul.

p. =274=, l. 35. attornies.

p. =275=, l. 2. license.
_ib._ l. 39. set down.

p. =276=, l. 7. give us more favourable view.

p. =277=, l. 33. an hundred.

p. =278=, l. 2. an happier.
_ib._ l. 31. immoveable.

p. =279=, l. 14. _after_ insane,: and why the visions of his distempered
brain should be of so horrible a nature.

p. =282=, l. 7. mottos.

=Letter 1.=

l. 85. wreathes.
l. 153. an House.
l. 156. tipling.
l. 175. stoney Beech.
l. 195. o'ershrowd.
l. 290. rimpling.

=Letter 2.=

Synopsis, l. 2. Columns and Aysles;
l. 8. Grief in the surviver.
l. 29. Yet Gothic all.
l. 34. aisle.
l. 40. grey.
l. 57. greys.
l. 62. grey.
l. 76. The stoney Tower as grey.
l. 114. Woe.
l. 127. teiz'd.

=Letter 3.=

l. 46. inlists.
l. 62. antient.
l. 105. charardes.
l. 127. antient.
l. 132. aisle ... aisle.
l. 137. woe.
_instead of_ ll. 158-159:

Mamma approv'd a safe contented guest
And Miss a Friend to back a small request;

_instead of_ ll. 202-205:

Oh! had he learn'd to make the Wig he wears,
To throw the Shuttle or command the Sheers,
Or the strong Boar-skin for the Saddle shap'd,
What pangs, what terrors had the Man escap'd.

l. 214. woeful.

=Letter 4.=

Synopsis, l. 3. Swedenburgeans.
ll. 5, 9. Armenian.
l. 12. extatic.
l. 21. doat, extacies.
l. 70. tye.
l. 75. Dioclecian.
l. 120. antient.
l. 129. antient.
l. 168. Swedenbourgeans.
l. 184. Phaætons.
l. 191. chastizing.
l. 205. rev'rendly.
l. 230. bye-word.
l. 255. antient.
_instead of_ ll. 258-259:

True _Independants_: while they _Calvin_ hate,
They heed as little what _Socinians_ state;
They judge _Arminians Antinomians_ stray
Nor _England's Church_, nor Church on Earth obey;

l. 260. But for themselves.
l. 264. inlists.
l. 267. Westley.
l. 299. an helping hand.
l. 338. ingulph'd.
l. 389. antient, Westley.
l. 419. naught.
l. 477. stoney.
l. 487. stoney-cold.
l. 500. aweful.
l. 503. woe.

=Letter 5.=

l. 92. for then he's most.
l. 113. burrs.
_instead of_ ll. 167-170:

In fact the Fisher was amaz'd; as soon
Could he have judg'd Gold issued from the Moon;
But being taught, he griev'd with ail his heart,
For lack of knowledge in this precious art;

=Letter 6.=

l. 52. Socilitor.
l. 64. the far-resounding.
l. 75. buz.
l. 108. controul.
l. 114. Whose Sons aspiring, for Professions call.
l. 292. dosing.
l. 295. if he try.
l. 298. strait.
l. 306. doat.
l. 335. He'd balked.

=Letter 7.=

Synopsis, l. 6. Empiricks.
l. 8. Empirick.
_instead of_ ll. 1-4:

From Law to Physic stepping at our ease,
We find a way to finish--by degrees;
Forgive the quibble, and in graver style,
We'll sing of those with whom we seldom smile.

l. 15. an hope.
l. 19. Physician.
_instead of_ l. 59:

So Merit suffers, while a Fortune's made.

l. 64. the licenc'd Tribe.
l. 79. Coblers.
l. 80. Lyars.
l. 96. their Patents.
l. 111. Schirrus.
l. 124. Empirick's.
l. 147. fewel.
l. 156. intreats.
l. 257. controul.
l. 262. bar'd
l. 268. Ev'n. some who'd known him.
l. 271. neither reason.

=Letter 8.=

Synopsis, l. 5. _After_ 'The Weaver an Entomologist, etc.
_insert_ 'Hunting Butterflies,' etc.
l. 18. an high.
l. 27. expence.
l. 30. Th' estimate that's made.
l. 216. controul

=Letter 9.=

l. 17. an Hall.
l. 27. Sheers.
l. 64. Where.
l. 152. Expence.
l. 154. favouring Gale.
l. 176. this Envy.
l. 197. on the Waters float.
l. 198. Note.
l. 216. Shores to Shores.

=Letter 10.=

Synopsis, l. 5. Petulences.
l. 121. an happier few.
l. 123. not fretful.
l. 129. antient.
_instead of_ ll. 165-6:

Against their Nature they might show their Skill
With small Success, who're Maids against their will.

l. 167. bashful muse.
l. 253, 258. Aye.
l. 293. Gulph.
l. 353. gregareous.
l. 382. tye.
l. 385. Himself to strengthen, or himself to shun;

=Letter 11.=

l. 55. Ribbands.
l. 78. the work of Treason done.
_instead of_ ll. 79-80:

Have, like the _Guillotine_, the royal Neck
Parted in twain--the Figure is a Wreck;

l. 102. antient.
l. 136. Styes.
l. 143. Basons.
l. 185. antient.
l. 286. Controul.
l. 287. an Home.

=Letter 12.=

Synopsis, l. 6. An Heroine;
l. 8. Frederic.
l. 21. an House.
l. 54. an Hero's.
l. 65. Havock.
l. 75. Woe.
l. 87. Wane.
l. 94. in the appointed Course.
l. 105. pityful.
l. 136. Woe.
l. 148. Woe.
l. 185. teiz'd.
l. 195. Taylor's.
l. 202. Frederic.
_instead of_ ll. 205-6:

It was not quite within the Merchant's line.
To think of College, but the Boy would shine.

l. 207. he'd prosper, none could doubt.
l. 214. Frederic.
l. 222. Frederic.
l. 236. authoriz'd:
_between_ ll. 266-7:

Vice, dreadful habit! when assum'd so long,
Becomes at length inveterately strong;
As more indulg'd it gains the Strength we lose,
Maintains its Conquests and extends it Views;
Till the whole Soul submitting to its Chains,
It takes possession, and for ever reigns.

l. 282. an Home.
l. 298. an Home.
l. 330. an Hoy.
l. 332. Frederic.
l. 339. Enquiries.
l. 341. Frederic.
l. 347. Enquiry.
l. 356. an happier.
l. 369. Woe.

=Letter 13.=

_Instead of_ ll. 5-6:

He wore his Coat till every Thread was bare,
And fed his Body with the meanest Fare;

l. 13. Crumbs.
l. 25. favorite.
_instead of_ ll. 27-28:

Haunts have been trac'd to which he nightly went,
And serious Sums in private Pleasures spent;

l. 78. Controul.
l. 107. controul.
l. 121. Detracter.
l. 135. Enquiry.
_instead of_ l. 173: Small is his private Room: you'd find him there.
l. 188. an herd.
_instead of_ ll. 191-2:

You'd meet Sir Denys in a morning Ride,
And be convinced he'd not a spark of Pride;

l. 202. Equipt.
l. 203. an Horse.
l. 207. An handsome Youth _Sir Denys_; and an Horse.
l. 214. Aye.
l. 226. cloath'd.
l. 244. controul'd.
l. 275. try'd.
l. 296. t' asswage.

=Letter 14.=

Synopsis, l. 6. Connections.
l. 17. Enquiry.
l. 31. Expences.
l. 49. try'd.
l. 58. antient.
l. 120. this final Hoard.
_instead of_ l. 138: Those whom he'd daily shaken by the hand.
l. 145. Billedeux.
l. 148. an useful.
_instead of_ l. 165: He'll even read to learn the Ill they've done.
l. 169. he'll dispose the Mind.
l. 212. antient.

=Letter 15.=

l. 19. and Poems.
l. 93. an Heart so fond, an Hand so priz'd;
l. 108. straiter.
l. 152. try'd.
l. 216. antient.

=Letter 16.=

Synopsis, l. 11. Dolly.
l. 86. Vallies.
l. 90. forebore.
l. 127. 'twould not believe its Eyes.
l. 128. 'Twould sadly glide.
l. 132. an huge.
l. 133. an huge.
l. 156. Breakfasts.
l. 159. teiz'd.
l. 183. railing.
l. 209. She held him babish and his Captives blind.
_instead of_ ll. 211-213:

Her Sexe's Pattern, without Thoughts of Sex;
Our timid Girls and Lovers half afraid,
All shunn'd the Speeches of the frank old maid.

l. 230. antient.

=Letter 17.=

l. 7. Woe.
l. 17. all have.
l. 41. inclose.
l. 48. has never heard.
l. 78. Woe.
l. 113. bruize.
l. 138. an House.
l. 208. Tyes.
l. 248. place in view.
l. 261. well-dry'd.
l. 277. do the work.

=Letter 18.=

Synopsis, l. 8. Bye-Ways.
l. 12. antient.
l. 24. antient.
l. 94. antient.
l. 130. Woe.
l. 199. try'd.
l. 218. 'till he's run his Race.
l. 222. antient.
_instead of_ l. 264:

Which that low Paling, form'd of Wreck, surround;

l. 270. relicks.
l. 318. an Handmaid.
l. 327. Virtue's.
l. 332. an Humourist.
l. 336. an Home.
l. 365. antient.
l. 369. contain.
l. 389. fry'd.

Notes. _These appear in the first edition as footnotes._

=Letter 19.=

_Instead of_ ll. 18-19:

This book-taught Man, with ready mind receiv'd
More than Church commanded or believ'd;

l. 64. their very Look's a charm.
l. 94. try'd.
l. 110. Abash'd.
l. 131. an hearing.
l. 196. Aisle.
l. 259. cry'd.
l. 269. _not in inverted commas_.
l. 299. enquir'd.

=Letter 20.=

Synopsis, l. 6. An Husband.
l. 7. The Men's.
l. 34. _Darnly-Cottages_.
l. 59. Chateux.
l. 97. an Hound.
l. 101. Woe.
l. 112. Woe.
l. 135. teiz'd.
l. 182. an Hovel's.
l. 196. affrighten'd.
_instead of_ ll. 262-3:

I would all Memory of his Fate were fled
He was our second Child, our darling _Ned_;

l. 269. Slight.
l. 283. Tyger.
l. 299. might be proud.
Notes. _These appear in the first edition as footnotes._
Note 1. l. 1. Southerwood.
l. 2. _Artimisia_.
Note 2. l. 2. tenor.
l. 6. teazing.
l. 10. teazed.

=Letter 21.=

l. 51. aukward.
l. 86. antient.
l. 110. thine Heart.
l. 122. (thou had'st them).
l. 183. laid.
l. 184. blest the dying Maid.
l. 211. Pedlar's.
l. 214. Entitled.
l. 218. stedfast.
l. 231. lead.
_instead of_ l. 263:

Oh! please your Rev'rence, rev'rendly I said.

l. 289. woe.
Note. _This does not appear in the first edition._

=Letter 22.=

Synopsis, l. 6. insipient.
l. 30. an happy Time.
l. 54. controul.
l. 69. enquir'd.
l. 165. an helping Hand.
l. 228. Dæmons.
l. 259. could'nt.
l. 361. Dæmons.

=Letter 23.=

Synopsis, l. 6. an Highwayman.
l. 78. succeed.
l. 89. The Folly diverse.
l. 102. an Home.
l. 105. try'd.
l. 165. enquiries.
l. 184. Woe.
l. 219. Controul.
l. 308. brouzes.

=Letter 24.=

l. 27. an heavy Load.
l. 104. Strife on both sides.
l. 129. an heavy Eye.
l. 188. All Hardship.
l. 250. illude the Burdens.
_instead of_ l. 276:

Of Money wasted! when no taste remain.

l. 290. controuls.
l. 310. Dependants.
l. 334. bear.
l. 335. slily.
l. 339, footnote, _not in first edition_.
l. 380. savory.
l. 387. an high degree.

END OF VOL. I.

CAMBRIDGE: PRINTED BY JOHN CLAY, M.A. AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS.

Transcriber's Note:

Regarding the set of lines beginning with

"When shall I rest--O! let me, Night, [besiege]
Thy drowsy Ear with wailing, but be thou 440
[Tenacious] of my Guilt;

due to a page break it could not be said from the layout whether a new stanza began before; however, as the last line before that line ends in an em-dash, and since that usually indicates the end of a stanza, the line quoted above was treated as the beginning of a new stanza.

The typesetter of the original used a mix of endnotes (at the end of poems or ballads) and footnotes. In order to avoid confusing interruptions of this text version, all footnotes were converted to endnotes located after the chapter, ballad or poem to which they belong. Endnotes which were such in the original contain references to their original anchor (e.g. "Note 1, page 489, line 308.")