Walloway ADVERTISEMENT. SOME progress had been made in printing the present Volume, when the Editor was favoured by the Executors of the late Mrs. Smith with the collection of Cowper's letters, which had descended to that lady, as Mr. Newton's niece; an obligation for which he is principally indebted to the kindness of Mr. Bull. The originals have been carefully collated with the printed copies in Hayley's work, and in the (so called) Private Correspondence. Several letters from this collection will now be published for the first time; in many others passages are restored which there was no longer any motive for suppressing. Frequently it was found that one part of a letter had been published by Hayley, and another by Dr. J. Johnson; and that Hayley had put together parts from different letters. These disjointed fragments are now assorted and reunited, the connecting paragraphs replaced, and the letters presented as they were written. The cause therefore which has delayed the present volume in the press has very materially enhanced its value. Mr. Newton's collection contains many of his own letters to Cowper and to Mrs. Unwin, and of Mrs. Unwin and her son to him. From these and other documents, which have reached the Editor during his progress, some particulars have come to his knowledge which should have. been stated in the Life of Cowper, had he been acquainted with them in time; and some letters have appeared which should have been inserted : there but where no diligence has been wanting, no apology can be needed for unavoidable defects. The most convenient manner in which such defects can now be supplied, will be by introducing these materials in the Life of Mr. Newton, and in brief Memoirs of other persons more or less intimately connected with Cow per; and for this a supplementary volume will be required. KESWICK, May 5, 1836. WHILE this Advertisement was in the May 14. press, the writer has received an additional proof of the interest with which the nearest friends and relations of Cowper regard this careful and faithful collection of his works. The Publishers have transmitted to him the following sanction, and which they are authorised to give publicity to, in any and in all ways that they may think most serviceable to their Edition. As Administratrix to my cousin, William Cowper, Esq. of Olney, and afterwards of WestonUnderwood, I freely authorise Messrs. Baldwin and Cradock to publish any of his Letters which may come into their possession, so far as their publication shall be sanctioned and approved by Robert Southey, Esq. the Editor of this Edition of Cowper's Works. Signed For Messrs. Baldwin and Cradock. ANNE BODHAM, May 10, 1836. |