Chapter I: Preface

The poems contained in this volume, which comprise the whole of the _Tales_ and the first eleven of the _Tales of the Hall_, are without exception printed from the edition of 1823, the last of Crabbe’s works published in this country in his lifetime.

The _Variants_ in the _Tales_ are from the first edition (1812) and from the ‘Original MS.’ readings given as footnotes in the younger Crabbe’s edition of his father’s _Life and Poems_ (1834). The _Variants_ in the _Tales of the Hall_ are from the first edition (1819); from the ‘Original MS.’ readings as above; from the Crabbe MSS. in the possession of the Cambridge University Press (which will be described in the Preface to Vol. III, where a much fuller use will be made of them), and from the MSS. in the valuable collection of Mrs Mackay of Trowbridge, most kindly lent by her for examination and use (to which the same remark applies). In the present volume will also be found certain _Addenda_ to the _Variants_ in Vol. I, from the ‘Original MS.’ readings printed by the younger Crabbe.

Among the _Errata_ in this volume are included a considerable number of quotations from Shakespeare with wrong indications of acts or scenes, and occasionally even of the plays from which the passages are taken. A large proportion of the quotations are in themselves imperfect, or otherwise incorrect. Perhaps it is stretching a point to treat all these defects as oversights; sometimes Crabbe may have made intentional changes, and more frequently he may have been wilfully careless. No readings which he could have found in any current edition of Shakespeare have been altered.

In the preparation of the present volume, I have again enjoyed the advantage of the friendly aid and cooperation of Mr A. T. BARTHOLOMEW, to whom I am specially indebted for the compilation of the _Variants_. Our joint efforts have been occasionally defeated by the illegibility of passages in the Crabbe MSS. acquired by our University Press. It is hoped that the third and concluding volume of this edition, which will contain a considerable amount of previously unpublished verse, will appear in the course of the summer.

A. W. WARD.

PETERHOUSE LODGE, CAMBRIDGE.
_March 19th, 1906._

CONTENTS.

TALES PAGE
I. THE DUMB ORATORS 13
II. THE PARTING HOUR 27
III. THE GENTLEMAN FARMER 41
IV. PROCRASTINATION 56
V. THE PATRON 67
VI. THE FRANK COURTSHIP 87
VII. THE WIDOW’S TALE 101
VIII. THE MOTHER 113
IX. ARABELLA 124
X. THE LOVER’S JOURNEY 134
XI. EDWARD SHORE 145
XII. ’SQUIRE THOMAS 159
XIII. JESSE AND COLIN 170
XIV. THE STRUGGLES OF CONSCIENCE 185
XV. THE ’SQUIRE AND THE PRIEST 199
XVI. THE CONFIDANT 211
XVII. RESENTMENT 228
XVIII. THE WAGER 242
XIX. THE CONVERT 251
XX. THE BROTHERS 264
XXI. THE LEARNED BOY 276

TALES OF THE HALL
I. THE HALL 302
II. THE BROTHERS 312
III. BOYS AT SCHOOL 319
IV. ADVENTURES OF RICHARD 332
V. RUTH 346
VI. ADVENTURES OF RICHARD (_concluded_) 359
VII. THE ELDER BROTHER 371
VIII. THE SISTERS 394
IX. THE PRECEPTOR HUSBAND 419
X. THE OLD BACHELOR 430
XI. THE MAID’S STORY 451

TALES.

TO HER GRACE ISABELLA

DUCHESS DOWAGER OF RUTLAND.

MADAM,

The dedication of works of literature to persons of superior worth and eminence appears to have been a measure early adopted, and continued to the present time; so that, whatever objections have been made to the language of dedicators, such addresses must be considered as perfectly consistent with reason and propriety; in fact, superior rank and elevated situation in life naturally and justly claim such respect and it is the prerogative of greatness to give countenance and favour to all who appear to merit and to need them; it is likewise the prerogative of every kind of superiority and celebrity, of personal merit when peculiar or extraordinary, of dignity, elegance, wealth, and beauty, certainly of superior intellect and intellectual acquirements; every such kind of eminence has its privilege, and, being itself an object of distinguished approbation, it gains attention for whomsoever its possessor distinguishes and approves.

Yet the causes and motives for an address of this kind rest not entirely with the merit of the patron, the feelings of the author himself having their weight and consideration in the choice he makes; he may have gratitude for benefits received, or pride not illaudable in aspiring to the favour of those whose notice confers honour; or he may entertain a secret but strong desire of seeing a name in the entrance of his work which he is accustomed to utter with peculiar satisfaction, and to hear mentioned with veneration and delight.

Such, madam, are the various kinds of eminence for which an author on these occasions would probably seek, and they meet in your grace; such too are the feelings by which he would be actuated, and they centre in me: let me therefore entreat your grace to take this book into your favour and protection, and to receive it as an offering of the utmost respect and duty, from,

May it please Your Grace,
Your Grace’s
Most obedient, humble,
And devoted servant,
GEORGE CRABBE.

Muston, July 31, 1812.