of poems, partly old and partly new, had been for some time in preparation, and in September 1807, it appeared from the publishing house of John Hatchard in Piccadilly.  In it were included The Library, The Newspaper, and The Village.  The principal new poem was The Parish Register, to which were added Sir Eustace Grey and The Hall of Justice.  The volume was prefaced by a Dedication to Henry Richard Fox, third Lord Holland, nephew and sometime ward of Charles James Fox, and the reason for such dedication is told at greater length in the long autobiographical introduction that follows.

Twenty-two years had elapsed since Crabbe’s last appearance as an author, and he seems to have thought it due to his readers to give some reason for his long abstention from the poet’s ‘idle trade.’  He pleads a higher ‘calling,’ that of his professional duties, as sufficient excuse.  Moreover, he offers the same excuse for his ’progress in the art of versification’ being less marked than his readers might otherwise expect.  He then proceeds to tell the story of the kindness he had received from Burke (who had died in 1797); the introduction by him to Sir Joshua Reynolds, and through him again to Samuel Johnson.  He gives in full Johnson’s note approving The Village, and after a further laborious apology for the shortcomings of his present literary venture, goes on to tell the one really relevant incident of its appearance.  Crabbe had determined, he says, now that his old valued advisers had passed away, not to publish anything more—­

“unless I could first obtain the sanction of such an opinion as I might with some confidence rely upon.  I looked for a friend who, having the discerning taste of Mr. Burke and the critical sagacity of Doctor Johnson, would bestow upon my MS. the attention requisite to form his opinion, and would then favour me with the result of his observations; and it was my singular good fortune to obtain such assistance—­the opinion of a critic so qualified, and a friend so disposed to favour me.  I had been honoured by an introduction to the Right Hon. Charles James Fox, some years before, at the seat of Mr. Burke; and being again with him, I received a promise that he would peruse any work I might send to him previous to its publication, and would give me his opinion.  At that time I did not think myself sufficiently prepared; and when afterwards I had collected some poems for his inspection, I found my right honourable friend engaged by the affairs of a great empire, and struggling with the inveteracy of a fatal disease.  At such time, upon such mind, ever disposed to oblige as that mind was, I could not obtrude the petty business of criticising verses; but he remembered the promise he had kindly given, and repeated an offer which though I had not presumed to expect, I was happy to receive.  A copy of the poems, now first published, was sent to him, and (as I have