The INTRODUCTION.
In the Parish of Greenfield, in the Town of Fairfield,
in Connecticut, there is a pleasant and beautiful
eminence, called Greenfield Hill; at the distance of
three miles from Long-Island Sound. On this eminence,
there is a small but handsome Village, a Church,
Academy, &c. all of them alluded to in the following
Poem. From the highest part of the eminence, the
eye is presented with an extensive and delightful
prospect of the surrounding Country, and of the
Sound. On this height, the Writer is supposed to
stand. The First object, there offering itself to his
view, is the Landscape; which is accordingly made
the governing subject of the First Part of the Poem.
The flourishing and happy condition of the Inhabitants
very naturally suggested itself next; and became
of course, the subject of the Second Part. The
Town of Fairfield, lying in full view, and, not long
before the Poem was begun, and in a great measure
written out, burnt by a party of British Troops,
under the command of Governor Tryon, furnished
the theme of the Third Part. A Field, called the
Pequod Swamp, in which, most of the warriors of
that nation, who survived the invasion of their
country by Capt. Mason, were destroyed, lying
about three miles from the eminence abovementioned,
and on the margin of the Sound, suggested
not unnaturally, the subject of the Fourth Part.
As the writer is the Minister of Greenfield, he
cannot be supposed to be uninterested in the welfare
of his Parishioners. To excite their attention to
the truths and duties of Religion (an object in such
a situation, instinctively rising to his view,) is the
design of the Fifth Part; And to promote in them
just sentiments and useful conduct, for the present
life, (an object closely connected with the preceding
one) of the Sixth.
Many of the subjects, mentioned in the Poem,
and suggested by the general state of this Country,
easily led a contemplative mind to look forward, and
call up to view its probable situation at a distant
approaching period. The solid foundations, which
appear to be laid for the future greatness and prosperity
of the American Republic, offered very pleasing
views of this subject to a Poet; and of these the
writer has, in the Seventh Part of the Work, endeavoured
to avail himself.
To contribute to the innocent amusement of his
countrymen, and to their improvement in manners,
and in œconomical, political, and moral sentiments, is
the object which the writer wishes to accomplish. As he
is firmly persuaded, that his countrymen are furnished
by Providence with as extensive and advantageous
means of prosperity, as the world has hitherto seen,
so he thinks it the duty and the interest of every
citizen, to promote it, by all the means in his power.
Poetry appears to him to be one, among the probable
means of advancing this purpose. “Allow me to
make the Songs of a nation,” said a wise man,
“and who will may make their Laws.” Poetry may
not, perhaps, produce greater effects in promoting
the prosperity of mankind, than philosophy;
but
the effects which it produces, are far from being
small. Where truth requires little illustration, and
only needs to be set in a strong and affecting light,
Poetry appears to be as advantageous an instrument
of making useful impressions, as can be easily conceived.
It will be read by many persons, who
would scarcely look at a logical discussion; by
most readers it will be more deeply felt, and more
lastingly remembered; and, to say the least, it will, in
the present case, be an unusual, and for that reason
may be a forcible method of treating several subjects,
handled in this Poem.
When the writer began the work, he had no design
of publishing it; aiming merely to amuse his own
mind, and to gain a temporary relief from the
pressure of melancholy. Hence it was dropped, at
an early period; when other avocations, or amusements
presented themselves. The greater part of it
was written seven years ago. Additions have been
made to it, at different periods, from that time
to the present—This will account for the dates of
several things mentioned in it, which would otherwise
seem to be improperly connected.
Originally the writer designed to imitate, in the
several parts, the manner of as many British Poets;
but finding himself too much occupied, when he
projected the publication, to pursue that design, he
relinquished it. The little appearance of such a
design, still remaining, was the result of distant and
general recollection. Much, of that nature, he has
rejected, and all he would have rejected, had not
even that rejection demanded more time than he
could afford for such a purpose. These facts will,
he hopes, apologize to the reader, for the mixed
manner which he may, at times, observe in the
performance.
Greenfield, June 13th, 1794.
