"I am altogether uncertain, whether to look upon myself as a man building a monument or burying the dead "-POPE'S PREFACE TO HIS POEMS. BIBL LONDON: WILLIAM ALLAN, 13, PATERNOSTER ROW. 280. v. 28. ORDER OF CONTENTS. The Exordium. Contemplation invoked. The theme introduced-an Author composing. His study and anxieties. The opinion of others respecting him-in company-as a friend. Re- trospect on the origin of writing-Sinai. Aspira- tions common to authors. The pleasant thought developed. Authors in their variety, compared to the Solar System. Compilers and Reasoners. Historians. The pious Bard. The Critics. Spleen. The true Critic. Reflections on possible improve- ment-progression a law of nature. The contracted thought the Muses and Alexander contrasted. BOOK II. Pleasure in curiosity-the subject resumed. Au Author's mental history proposed. His schooldays-his teens-an incident. A history-grows inquisitive-resolves to write a book-attemptsdisappointment-Hope reinspires-resolves again to become an Author. His plans-the time of inspiration becomes a Poet. The remonstrance. Enthusiasm-his toils and doubts. Inspiration ebbs and flows. The difficulty. Over sanguine pretensions checked. Cross contingencies. Pollok. The hero of the quill. A well written book. The grandeur of the enterprise. The writer's soliloquy. Page 35-56. ORDER OF CONTENTS. V. BOOK III. Self Admonition-the subject resumed with the writer's apology. A written thought. A retrospection on books already written. The pen's movements. The literary felon. Commiseration of venal writers. The shelter of the pen. The sway of Authors. Episode on genius. Byron. BooksEngland apostrophised. The bookish solitaire. Enlarged views-the Author's mission. Further enlargement on the Author's vocation. The pen a sacred thing. Great epochs. The consanguinity of human thoughts-Nature apostrophised as the life and suggestion of indestructible ideas. The age of affectation. The mausoleum or library unread. A requiem for unsuccessful Authors. The happy contrast... Page 59-81. |