mind, the works of such men seem to languish in unappreciated excellence; but it is far otherwise : the noble thought, the wise reflection, or the beautiful idea,-each has its hour and scene of influence; though often, like a trackless angel on some errand of love,-acting silent, secret, and unobserved. "Let it never be forgotten, that as good and evil are the two antagonistic influences at war in the world, so every writer, whatever his intellectual rank, ranges himself on one side or the other :-it is a glorious reflection that he co-operates, however humbly, with the former; and infinitely awful, to be found, however triumphantly, with the latter!" Care has been taken to select such passages as could best be detached from the body of each Work, without impairing the sense; but no classification of the extracts has been attempted. It was thought that by giving to each an appropriate title, and printing the whole in alphabetical order, the diversity of the subjects, aided by their metrical variety, would give the SELECTIONS an air of novelty and interest, independent of their value in a moral or poetical sense; and that, by so doing, every useful purpose would be answered. In the full expectation, therefore, that this volume, presenting, as it does, a fair specimen of Mr. R. Montgomery's Works, will afford general satisfaction, and be the means of C giving increased value and popularity to the whole, the Selector respectfully takes his leave :-being convinced that, wherever the dignity and pathos of true poetry are hallowed by the sublimity of the subject, the perusal of such works must tend to purify and exalt the minds of all who have a taste for the one, or a reverence for the other, FROM DEATH; WITH OTHER POEMS." Page Time's all-destroying Power, felt in the Death |