THE POET'S DAUGHTER. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: JOHN MACRONE, 3, ST. JAMES'S SQUARE. MDCCCXXXVII. PREFACE, I AM told that I must write a Preface and never was mortal in a more pitiable pre dicament than I am, in consequence of this necessity! I neither know what to say or who to address !-But, as “ l'appetit vient en man geant" I trust that ideas may flow as I write. If I plead youth and inexperience as an excuse for my numerous errors, I shall be told that I had no business to turn Authoress. If I crave the kind indulgence of reviewers, they will marvel at my audacity ;-then, if I address the public-of what may my Public consist ? Perhaps of some half dozen readers, who may manage to wade on to the last page! But I will hope that they may be as many as serve to make up a jury; and knowing the leaning towards mercy which my countrymen have ever evinced, I throw myself on their leniency, and trust they will pronounce an indulgent verdict. I can only say, that I felt erery word I wrote, and, therefore, I may hope to awaken some kindred feelings in kindred bosoms; for although it is the fashion to talk much of the heartlessness and coldness of the world, I do believe I know that there is far more thought lessness than absence of heart in this same world, and that deep feeling, genuine kind |