The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets —— With Critical Observations on Their Works

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ISBN: 9781333015183 出版年：2016 页码：467 Samuel Johnson Forgotten Books

The Booksellers having determined to publish a body Of English Poetry, I was persuaded to promise them a preface to the works of each author; an undertaking, as it was then presented to my mind, not very ex' tensive or difficult. My purpose was only to have allotted to every poet an advertisement, like those which we find in the French Miscellanies, contain ing a few dates and a general character; but I have been led beyond my intention, I hope by the honest desire of giving useful pleasure.