Restituta; Or, Titles, Extracts, and Characters of Old Books in English Literature, Revived

bert, Lord Westmo eland, R. Chamberlayne, H. Crompton, John Hall, Tho. Philipot, Jasper Maine, Payne Fisher, E. Benlowes, R. Wild, Tho. Jordan, and Sir W. Killigrew. Of these forty-four authors, the extracts are all drawn from very rare tracts.

If it be required that the Editor should enter into nice disquisitions on the merits and character of each of these authors, a task will have been imposed on him, which requires more leisure, and probably more talents, than he possesses. Among the names just enumerated, perhaps not above seven deserve the praise of true poetical genius: these are Dunbar, Marlow, Chapman, Daniell, Breton, Bishop Hall, and Wither.

In an age of greater refinement, in a later period of literature, when the art of composition is better understood, it is more easy for an author, who aspires to the fame of a poet, to catch something of that selection of circumstances, and animation of manner, which, when they are exhibited in genuine force, bespeak the real favourite of the Muse. But when most of these writers exercised the pen, it was far otherwise: they had not learned the essential difference in the character of poetry and prose: they supposed it to consist rather in the form than in the substance; in the rhythm than in the matter. They are therefore too generally flat, dull, and tedious: but they are often profuse in thought

and language; their remarks are often just, and full of instruction; and their learning is multifarious, though somewhat pedantic.

With these faults, they yet abound in matter which is interesting to the inquirer into ancient manners; to him, who loves to revive the notice of forgotten names; to the searcher into traits of the character of those whom the grave has long covered with oblivion. So strong is the vivifying power of poetry, that even its least inspired professors reflect to us clearer pictures of the manners of past ages, than the most able authors in other departments.

But such is the brilliance of primary genius, that even the darkest ages will not repress the appearances of its true character. What vivid pictures does Chaucer give us! What a selection of circumstances! What animation of manner, and language! How does he bring out the prominent traits in the characters which he so happily draws in his Canterbury Tales; while we see the whole merry group on their journey, as if we were accompanying them along the Kentish road!

Then turn to Sackville, after the lapse of two centuries, and see with what a master's hand he dashes out the striking allegorical figures, which his sublime fancy dictates, in forms of astonishing brilliance and vigour ! Of many of these images, the force of the conception,

and the energetic power of the language, remain to this day utterly unequalled! I speak of the celebrated Induction to the Legend of Henry Duke of Buckingham.

1929

Here the fire of Genius taught what toiling Art could yet never attempt. It lifted itself at once above flat narrative and creeping details, Led on by the splendor and rapidity of its own light, it seized only leading circumstances, and left its followers to puzzle themselves and their hearers with long and intricate descriptions, and prolix stories of uninteresting minutiæ, in which every successive touch of the pen served only to render the picture more dim and faint!

Yet who will call upon the Editor to confine himself, in such a work as this, to the notice of authors of pure and unqualified genius? The list, so limited, would be very brief; and perhaps the names entitled to admission would not exceed forty.

But want of time gives warning to close this preface.

Tuesday evening, March 28, 1815.