TO THE READER.
This collection, although embracing specimens
from the writings of a very great number of
American poets, may not yet contain the names
of all who deserve admission. Of some authors,
however, the best things, in a literary point of
view, are of a nature which did not fall within the
plan of the compiler. Amatory poems and drinking
songs, notwithstanding the skill or the spirit
with which they might be written, have been invariably
excluded, as not proper for a book designed
to be placed in a school or family library, and, therefore,
to be read by very young persons. If it had
been the sole object of the compiler to present
samples of the poetical literature of his country,
he would have adopted a less rigid rule in this respect.
There are also scattered in our magazines
and other periodicals many poems of much merit,
some accompanied by the names of their authors,
and others, the authorship of which might with
due pains be ascertained, which would add to the
value and interest of a compilation like this. The
necessity of preparing the work for the press within
a stipulated time has, however, prevented the compiler
from making the necessary researches for
the purpose, except in a few instances; and, even if
the time had been sufficient, the size of the volume
would not have permitted a much more various
selection than has been made. If this volume
should meet with a favourable reception from
the public, another may be prepared from the materials
yet untouched.
New-York, October, 1840.
