TO THE READER.
That the author may not be charged with having
failed in what he did not attempt, it may be as well,
perhaps, to state the extent of the design of the following
poem. His object was to indicate to the youthful writers
of his native country, the rich poetic resources with which
it abounds, as well as to call their attention home, for the
means of attaining to novelty of subject, if not to originality
in style or sentiment. The story was merely assumed
as affording an easy and natural way of introducing a
greater variety of scenery, as well as more diversity of
character; and whether the writer shall ever attempt to
complete his original intention in the construction of a
regular plan, will principally depend on the reception
given to this experiment. Some reasons of no consequence
to the public, induce him to state that the present work
was begun more than five years ago, so far as the intention,
and the preparation of some scanty materials, may
be said to constitute a beginning. In three or four instances,
some descriptions of natural scenery have been
borrowed from former publications of the author, as being
more properly adapted to a work of this nature.
Washington, July, 1818.
