If Poetry have of late sunk in its credit, that misfortune is owing to the degenerate and Mercenary Pens, of some who have set up for the great Masters of it.  No man I presume, is for exterminating that noble Art, no not even in the Dramatick part; provided it can be effectually reformed.  But if the Reformation of the Stage be no longer practicable, reason good that the incurable Evil should be cut off:  If it be practicable, let the Persons concerned give Evidence of it to the World, by tempering their Wit so, as to render it Serviceable to Virtuous purposes, without giving just offence to wise, and Good men.  For it is not the Pretence of a good Design which can free the Undertakers from Blame, unless the Goodness of the end and Intention be Seconded with a Prudent Management of the Means.  And if Matters once should come to that Extremity, better and much more becoming of the Two, no doubt it were, that our Maker’s Praises should be sunk into Prose (as this Ingenious Person phrases it) than that in the midst of a Christan City, that Maker should be six days in seven publickly insulted and blasphemed in poetry.

* * * * *

THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETY

Announces Its

Publications for the Third Year (1948-1949)

At least two items will be printed from each of the three following groups: 

[Transcriber’s Note:  Many of the listed titles are or will be available from Project Gutenberg.  Where possible, the e-text number is given in brackets.]

Series IV:  Men, Manners, and Critics

Sir John Falstaff (pseud.), The Theatre (1720). 
Aaron Hill, Preface to The Creation; and Thomas Brereton, Preface
  to Esther. [#15870]
Ned Ward, Selected Tracts.

Series V:  Drama

Edward Moore, The Gamester (1753). [#16267]
Nevil Payne, Fatal Jealousy (1673). 
Mrs. Centlivre, The Busie Body (1709). 
Charles Macklin, Man of the World (1781).

Series VI:  Poetry and Language

John Oldmixon, Reflections on Dr. Swifts Letter to Harley (1712);
  and Arthur Mainwaring, The British Academy (1712). 
Pierre Nicole, De Epigrammate. 
Andre Dacier, Essay on Lyric Poetry.

Issues will appear, as usual, in May, July, September, November, January, and March.  In spite of rising costs, membership fees will be kept at the present annual rate of $2.50 in the United States and Canada; $2.75 in Great Britain and the continent.  British and continental subscriptions should be sent to B.H.  Blackwell, Broad Street, Oxford, England.  American and Canadian subscriptions may be sent to any one of the General Editors.

NOTE:  All income received by the Society is devoted to defraying cost of printing and mailing.