PREFACE. THE Editor of the volume now offered to the public has found his task one of some delicacy and difficulty. In selecting from among the recent poets of Great Britain two, whose works had not been hitherto presented collectively to the American reader, to be published with a new edition of Keats, it was, of course, his object to give the preference to those which would be most acceptable to the public-most popular. He chose Mary Howitt and Henry Hart Milman; and in doing so, obeyed the dictates of his own judgment as to their merits, compared with those of their contemporaries; and he believes that, considered with reference to richness of imagination, fertility of invention, grace and elegance of diction, and the interesting character of the subjects which they have chosen for their various poetical works, they will bear comparison with any of the living British poets. Milman is in the classical style. His chaste and beautiful compositions remind one of a Grecian temple, towering towards Heaven in the severe majesty of its just proportions; while those of Mrs. Howitt, redolent of middle age lore, and rich in catholic associations, have rather the semblance of some venerable Gothic cathedral, "With storied windows richly dight, upon the kneeling devotees below. Each has a peculiar beauty, such as may render them counterparts to each other, and not inappropriately, it is believed, are they grouped opposite to each other in this volume. The many editions already published of Keats's works have sufficiently attested his popularity. His reputation has been continually advancing since the period of his lamented death. No pains have been spared to render the respective collections embraced in this volume complete and accurate; and it is hoped they may prove acceptable to the public. (3) |