plural for the singular termination of verbs, so as to exclude the _s_.
But not a line is added or substantially alter'd through the whole poem. I
have requested the MS. to be preserv'd for the satisfaction of those who
may wish to be satisfied on this head.

The _Proofs_ have gone through my hands. It has been printed slowly:
because most carefully: as it deserv'd to be printed.

I have no doubt of its Reception with the Public: I have none of its going
down to Posterity with honor; which is not always the Fate of productions
which are popular in their day.

Thus much I know:... that the Author, with a spirit amiable at all times,
and which would have been rever'd by Antiquity, seems far less interested
concerning any Fame or Advantage he may derive from it to himself, than in
the pleasure of giving a printed Copy of it, as a tribute of duty and
affection, to his MOTHER; in whose pleasure, if it succeeds, his filial
heart places the gratification of which it is most desirous. It is much to
be a POET, such as he will be found:... it is more to be such a MAN.

CAPEL LOFFT.

TROSTON, n. BURY, SUFFOLK.

12 Dec. 1799.


ELIZABETH MANBY, the Mother of the Author of this POEM, was sister to
the wife of Mr. WILLIAM AUSTIN. I had written to Mr. GEORGE BLOOMFIELD to
request the name, before Marriage, of his Mother. This gain'd me an