That it is of American origin, there is no reason to doubt. And that the Translator was fully adequate to the composition of the original, is evident, from the multifarious productions of his pen; if not from the few specimens which this little volume furnishes. The Poem has been submitted to the examination of many literary gentlemen, some of whom were educated in Europe, who unitedly declare that they never saw or heard of the work before. That our author did not possess himself of the poem in his foreign travels, is evident from the fact, that the translation was made shortly after he graduated, which was before he had attained the twentieth year of his age, and several years before he sailed for Europe. That it possesses great merit as a Latin Poem, no person thoroughly acquainted with that language will venture to dispute. With the bare exception of a few modern names unknown to the ancients, the Latin is that of the Augustan age. And in regard to the versification, the whole poem has been repeatedly scanned, with entire satisfaction, by classes of advanced scholars, under one of the most accurate teachers, that the University of Edinburgh ever furnished to this country. And it has been said by one well qualified to judge, that "it is written with the greatest accuracy; and demonstrates the author to have attained a thorough acquaintance with the Roman language.— The numbers are so exact, the language so elegant and pure, the style so well adapted to the subject, in every part, and the descriptions so lively, that it had not been unworthy of a Roman born." Of the merits of the Translation, as such, the learned reader alone is a competent judge. That it should be fully equal to the original is not to be expected, when we consider the superior strength and copiousness of the Latin tongue, and the peculiar fitness of its rules of versification, especially in heroick measure, to diversified description. There is, however, an aptness and liveliness in this respect, that will not be overlooked by the scholar, and which cannot fail to interest the mere English reader. Though the translation is not literal, and in some respects, may be denominated 'free,' yet the true sense of the original is singularly maintained. This last remark applies to the other translations in the volume. To afford the reader an opportunity of readily making a comparison, the two Odes of Dr. Watts, the one in Latin and the other in English, and an Ode of Horace, are printed side by side, with their respective versions. In regard to the English Poems, the mere English reader will be able to form his own opinion. To say they are superior to much that passes for poetry, in the present day, would be saying very little in their favour. And it will be no disparagement of their merits, in the view of patriotick Americans, that they were written by a native citizen, almost a century ago, who, by his pen, if not by his sword, bore an active part, in the struggle of his country for freedom, and in the defence of her institutions after she had achieved her independence. It is proper to inform the reader, that the Notes have been recently compiled, to illustrate the historical and other allusions in the text, and to give additional interest to the Poems. They have been extended beyond what is necessary for the Classical scholar, for the benefit of less informed readers. No apology is deemed necessary for the heterogeneous matter and arrangement of the present volume, as the design of the publication is merely to present a specimen of the Author's writings. It has often been said, to the reproach of our country, t it has produced few distinguished scholars, in any department of literature or science. This reflection, in some respects, merited, instead of exciting our youth to wipe off the foul aspersion, appears to have operated as a discouragement to those exertions, which their talents and increased advantages, would otherwise warrant. If the present publication should add any thing, however little, to the stock of American literature, and encourage and excite the rising generation to cultivate the study of languages and the fine arts, the Proprietor will have the satisfaction of having conferred a benefit on his country, while paying a just tribute of respect to the memory of a revered ancestor. New-York, August 5th, 1840. POSTSCRIPT. THE PRESBYTERIAN, of January 20th, 1844, contains an article, headed "SUUM CUIQUE," from which the following extract is made: "The 'Muscipula' may be found in a collection of Latin Poems published in London, entitled 'Musæ Anglicanæ,' vol. ii. page 106, where it is attributed to E. Holdsworth, of Magdalen College, Oxford. The imprimatur of this work is dated 1691; the edition before me, which belongs to the Philadelphia Library, was printed 1761." The writer adds, "I have not the most remote idea of attributing to the reputed author or his editor, any intention of claiming an undue credit; but the interests of literature and of truth seemed to require this correction." As the above extract appears decisive of a fact that was previously involved in doubt, this postscript is added to the remainder of the edition. January 25th, 1844. PROGRAMME. 'The CAMBROMYOMACHIA, as to its chief design, is a Satire on the Welsh nation. It will be found, however, to have the air of an Epick Poem: and, refore, although satire and epick poetry, according to the opinion of criticas, are incompatible, yet I will venture to style it, a SATIRICO-EPICK POEM, whose hero is no less a personage than ST. DAVID, Archbishop of St. David's. However satirical the production, and ludicrous the subject, the great moral of the story is this: that, ART AND STRATAGEM CAN PERFORM WITH EASE, THAT WHICH FORCE, IN ALL ITS FORMS, ATTEMPTS IN VAIN.' And when we consider, how often those small, and, in themselves, trifling incidents, which are generally regarded as the result of accident, have led the way to many interesting discoveries, that have contributed greatly to the advancement of science, and suggested important inventions and improvements in the mechanick arts; the ludicrous occurrence, which happened to our he ro, while reposing on his bed, will not be regarded as destitute of the importance attached to it, in the following production. The Notes, to which reference is made, will be found in the Appendix MUSCIPULA SIVE CAMBROMYOMACHIA.* LIBER I. Monticolam Britonem, qui primus vincula muri Finxit, et ingenioso occlusit carcere furem, Lethalesque dolos, et inextricabile fatum, Musa refer! Tu Phoebe potens, (nam te quoque quondam O faveas; et tot Chambrorum è montibus, unum Mus, inimicum animal, predari et vivere rapto Jusserat, erravit, sceleratam exercuit artem *See note A. †B. C. 5 10 The British Mountaineer of wond'rous mind, Sing, laughing Muse, and how a mouse he caught. 5 And hopeless lost in labyrinths of wo. 10 Long did the MOUSE, a noxious animal, rove Safely where'er rapacious nature drove; Greedy of spoil, nor of revenge afraid, 15 On ev'ry side, he drove his cursed trade : |