Demerary.
_Poems in the Spectator_ (Vol. v., p. 439.).--The three poems mentioned are
unquestionably by Addison. Captain Thompson, in the Preface to his edition
of Andrew Marvell's works in three vols. 4to., 1766, states that he found
them in a manuscript collection of Marvell's poems; but the fact no doubt
was, that the manuscript he refers to was a miscellaneous collection by
different writers, and not by Marvell exclusively (see Preface, p. xiv.)
Thus, "William and Margaret," Mallet's ballad, was found in the same
manuscript, and is likewise ascribed by Capt. Thompson to Marvell, and with
as little reason. Hartley Coleridge observes (_Biog. Borealis_, p. 64.)
with respect to the three poems alluded to:
"As to their being Marvell's, it is just as probable that they are
Chaucer's. They present neither his language, his versification, nor
his cast of thought."
While on the subject of Marvell, let me express a hope that we may soon
have a new and better edition of his works than the cumbrous but incorrect
and incomplete edition published by Thompson. His admirable prose works
deserve editing with care, and amongst them should be included the tract
omitted in his works, but worthy of him in every respect, _Remarks upon a
late Disingenuous Discourse writ by one T. D. under the Pretence De Causa
Dei_, 1678, 8vo.; and which has now become exceedingly rare.