POETICAL WORKS OF THE REV. GEORGE CRABBE: WITH HIS LETTERS AND JOURNALS, AND HIS LIFE, BY HIS SON. IN EIGHT VOLUMES, VOL. IV: LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. MDCCCXXXIV. ADVERTISEMENT. This volume contains the last five Letters of “ THE BOROUGH;" and the first eight of the “ Tales," originally published in 1812. Between the close of “ The BOROUGH,” and the commencement of the “ Tales,” the Editor has been induced to insert a few Occasional Pieces, never before printed, which have been recently found among Mr. Crabbe's note-books, or supplied by the kind attention of his friendsand one poem of greater importance, composed in the same measure with Şir Eustace Grey,” and entitled “ The World of Dreams.” This performance, though it may not, perhaps, have received the last polish which the Author could have given it, appears to the Editor so characteristic of his highest genius, that it could not be omitted without injustice to his memory. Some Occasional Pieces, composed at a later period, will, in like manner, be for the first time printed in the next volume of this collection; but the original plan, that of reserving entire for Volume VIII. all the Poems destined by Mr. Crabbe himself for a posthumous publication, has not been departed from. CONTENTS OF VOL. IV. The Widow's Cottage — Blind Ellen one- Hers not the Sor- rows or Adventures of Heroines — What these are, first described - Deserted Wives; rash Lovers; courageous Damsels : in desolated Mansions; in grievous Perplexity- These Evils, however severe, of short Duration - Ellen's Story- Her Employment in Childhood — First Love; first Adventure; its miserable Termination – An idiot Daughter - A Husband - Care in Business without Success - The Men's Despondency and its Effect - Their Children : how disposed of — One particularly unfortunate - Fate of the Daughter — Ellen keeps a School and is happy-becomes Blind: loses her School - Her Consolations Page 1 |