The Poems here offered to the Public were chiefly written during the
interval between the concluding and the publishing of THE FARMER'S BOY, an
interval of nearly two years. The pieces of a later date are, _the Widow
to her Hour-Glass, the Fakenham Ghost, Walter and Jane_, &c. At the tune
of publishing the Farmer's Boy, circumstances occurred which rendered it
necessary to submit these Poems to the perusal of my Friends: under whose
approbation I now give them, with some confidence as to their moral merit,
to the judgment of the Public. And as they treat of village manners, and
rural scenes, it appears to me not ill-tim'd to avow, that I have hopes of
meeting in some degree the approbation of my Country. I was not prepar'd
for the decided, and I may surely say extraordinary attention which the
Public has shewn towards the Farmer's Boy: the consequence has been such
as my true friends will rejoice to hear; it has produc'd me many essential
blessings. And I feel peculiarly gratified in finding that a poor man in
England may assert the dignity of Virtue, and speak of the imperishable
beauties of Nature, and be heard, and heard, perhaps, with greater
attention for his being poor.
Whoever thinks of me or my concerns, must necessarily indulge the pleasing
idea of gratitude, and join a thought of my first great friend Mr. LOFFT.
And on this head, I believe every reader, who has himself any feeling,
will judge rightly of mine: if otherwise, I would much rather he would lay
down this volume, and grasp hold of such fleeting pleasures as the world's
business may afford him. I speak not of that gentleman as a public
character, or as a scholar. Of the former I know but little, and of the
latter nothing. But I know from experience, and I glory in this fair
opportunity of saying it, that his private life is a lesson of morality;
his manners gentle, his heart sincere: and I regard it as one of the most
fortunate circumstances of my life, that my introduction to public notice
fell to so zealous and unwearied a friend.[Footnote: I dare not take to
myself a praise like this; and yet I was, perhaps, hardly at liberty to
disclaim what should be mine and the endeavour of every one to deserve.
This I can say, that I have reason to rejoice that Mr. _George Bloomfield_
introduced the Farmer's Boy to me. C. L.]
I have received many honourable testimonies of esteem from strangers;
letters without a name, but fill'd with the most cordial advice, and
almost a parental anxiety, for my safety under so great a share of public
applause. I beg to refer such friends to the great teacher Time: and hope
that he will hereafter give me my deserts, and no more.
One piece in this collection will inform the reader of my most pleasing
visit to _Wakefield Lodge_: books, solitude, and objects entirely new,
brought pleasures which memory will always cherish. That noble and worthy
Family, and all my immediate and unknown Friends, will, I hope, believe
the sincerity of my thanks for all their numerous favours, and candidly
judge the Poems before them.
R. BLOOMFIELD.
Sept. 29, 1801.
P.S. Since affixing the above date, an event of much greater importance
than any to which I have been witness, has taken place, to the universal
joy (it is to be hoped) of every inhabitant of Europe. My portion of joy
shall be expressed while it is warm: and the reader will do sufficient
justice, if he only believes it to be sincere.
October 10.