CONTENTS. An Essay on the Plan and Character of Thomson's Seasons, A Comparison between Thomson and Cowper as Descriptive Poets, Page. (A.) Descriptions of Vegetables from the Roman Poets, (B.) Biographical Account of the Rev. Dr. Enfield, (C.) Description of the Country about Dorking, PREFACE. A FEW words will suffice to explain to the reader the object of the present publication, and the plan on which it has been conducted. To make known to the world as a man one with whom it had so long been acquainted as an author, appeared to the editor both a due tribute to the talents and virtues of her father, and a proper indulgence of a species of curiosity not less reasonable than it is natural. The generally even tenor of Dr. Aikin's life, and the retirement from active pursuits in which the latter years of it were passed, seemed to her no sufficient objections to making it the theme of a detailed narration ;-for, besides that a man of merit, in any class, and under any circumstances, may be accounted a worthy object of contemplation to his fellow men,-it is well known that some of the most instructive and acceptable pieces of biography have been such as derived their interest from the unfoldings of character and sentiment, rather than the bustle of incident, or the splendour of description. Nothing, however, could be further from her design than to intrude upon the attention of the public by the introduction of anecdotes or observations not strictly con nected with the subject of the memoir, and by which its effect as a moral portraiture would be rather weakened than enforced; on this account, only such extracts from Dr. Aikin's correspondence have been admitted, as appeared essential to the history of his life, or the exhibition of his opinions and feelings on important topics; and in the composition of the memoir itself, a similar forbearance has been exercised. But the judgments passed by a man upon the moral and intellectual qualities of those with whom he lived or acted, form a very important feature in his own character; and several such judgments of Dr. Aikin's have here been recorded, by appending to his own memoir those biographical accounts of several of the most distinguished of his literary friends which it fell to his lot to compose. From these, a competent idea may be formed of his mode of estimating various kinds of merit and excellence; and it is hoped that the suppression of such proofs of his just appreciation of living worth, as his private letters and the recollection of his conversation would readily have supplied to the editor, will be ascribed to none but its true motives-delicacy towards individuals, and respect for the implied confidences of family intercourse. The remaining contents of this volume, consisting of critical essays on several of the English poets, and of a selection of miscellaneous papers, have already appeared before the public;-the essays, except that on Gondibert, in the shape of prefaces to editions of the respective poets, the miscellaneous papers, as contributions to different periodical works. But it was believed that it would prove agreeable to many readers to find that which was dispersed, collected, and that which was anonymous, avowed; and the editor was solicitous that the knowledge of what appeared to her some of the choicest pro ducts of her father's pen, should thus be revived and extended. The subjoined list of Dr. Aikin's principal works is appended as a kind of summary of his efforts in the cause of useful knowledge and elegant literature. Observations on the external Use of Preparations of Lead, with some general Remarks on Topical Medicines. Thoughts on Hospitals. Essays on Song-writing, with a Collection of such English Songs as are most eminent for poetical merit. Miscellaneous Pieces in prose, (written in conjunction with Mrs. Barbauld.) An Essay on the Application of Natural History to Poetry. The Manners of the Germans, and the Life of Agricola, translated from Tacitus, with copious Notes. Translation of Baumé's Manuel de Chymie. Biographical Memoirs of Medicine in Great Britain to the time of Harvey. Lewis's Materia Medica, re-edited with large additions. England Delineated. Poems. A View of the Character and public services of J. Howard, Esq. Evenings at Home, (written in conjunction with Mrs. Barbauld.) Letters from a Father to his Son on various topics relative to Literature and the Conduct of Life. A Description of the Country from thirty to forty miles round Manchester. General Biography, in 10 vols. 4to. (The articles marked A. amounting to nearly half the work) Select Eulogies of the Members of the French Academy, by D'Alembert, translated; with a Preface and Notes. The Arts of Life. The Woodland Companion, or an Account of British Forest Trees. Translation of Zschokke's Account of the Destruction of the Democratical Cantons of Switzerland; with a Preface and Supplement. Letters to a Young Lady on a course of English Poetry. |