"Prefatory Apology" by John Stagg
This brief preface is part of the front matter in the 1816 edition of Stagg's The Minstrel of the North; or Cumbrian Legends. Being a Poetical Miscellany of Legendary, Gothic, and Romantic Tales. This work was first published in 1810, and I do not know if it also contained the "Prefatory Apology"; the 1816 edition used here was published in Manchester.
"Prefatory Apology"
As the privation of sight has naturally precluded me from attending, with any degree of accuracy, either to the composition, correction, or revision, of this work, I doubt not, nay, I am certain, that a number of errors must have inevitably escaped my observation, as well in the transcription as in the typography; but when the candid and benevolent public come to reflect on the numberless difficulties with which I have had to combat, I hope they will not long hesitate to pardon and overlook the many imperfections they will necessarily meet with.
If this volume were destined to fall into the hands of the critics alone, I should have but very little hopes of mercy; as I am sensible that the Judges in Literature, like those in the Law, are bound, by the duties of their profession, to give judgment impartially, though lenity is much more becoming in both than severity. But it is not to these literary arbitrators I refer myself. The public are my judges; and to that tribunal alone I shall make any appeal. If, from the numerous and respectable persons who have honoured me with their attention and patronage, I may be allowed to form any presage, I would venture to predict, that the reception of my book would not be the most unfavourable. How far the general tenor of these pieces may be approved, I shall not presume to say; but the present perversion of taste, and the romance mania so prevalent now-a-days, almost demonstrate to me, that Essays of a more serious and regular nature would not be universally received with such a degree of encouragement. The avidity with which the work of Lewis, Wadsworth, Southey, and Scott, are at present perused, determined me to attempt this species of composition; and as there are a great many historical and romantic legends existing in Cumberland; with a number of other Gothic stories prevalent in the North, the scenes and subjects of which are unfixed and unconnected with any particular spot, I felt myself convinced, that a versification of these stories, which in some manner were topographical, and to localize others, would not prove ungratifying to a great number of readers, especially the admirers of Gothic and romantic literature. How far I have been successful, the world will soon inform me; and on its candour and clemency are founded all my expectations.
I know there is a great disparity in the pieces, and that some are very inferior to others in point of poetical merit; but the flattering assurances I had from many of my friends, previous to my ever thinking of publishing them, together with the encomiums and encouragement given me by several members of the University of Oxford, during my stay in that city, made me resolve to venture myself and my work on the candour and benevolence of the public. I have a number of pieces yet untranscribed, and several others in a half digested state. I purpose speedily to publish them in a second volume, or else to republish the whole in two volumes, with appropriate annotations, corrections, and emendations.
To the numerous and respectable list of Gentlemen, who have honoured me with their subscriptions, I shall ever confess the highest obligation, and am, with the profoundest respect,
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Their most obliged, |
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And very humble servant, |
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J. Stagg |