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ADVERTISEMENT.

THE Bookfellers having determined to

publish a Body of English Poetry, I was perfuaded to promise them a Preface to the Works of each Author; an undertaking, as it was then presented to my mind, not very tedious or difficult.

My purpose was only to have allotted to every Poet an Advertisement, like thofe which we find in the French Mifcellanies, containing a few dates and a general character; but I have been led beyond my intention, I hope, by the honest desire of giving useful pleasure.

In this minute kind of History, the fucceffion of facts is not easily discovered; and I am not without fufpicion that I have placed fome of Dryden's works in wrong years. I have followed Langbaine, as the best authority for his plays; and if I fhall hereafter obtain a more correct chronology, will publifh it; but I do not yet know that my account is erroneous.

I had been told, that in the College of Phyficians there is fome memorial of Dryden's funeral, but my intelligence was not true; the story therefore wants the credit which fuch a testimony would have given it. There is in Farquhar's Letters an indistinct mention of

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it, as irregular and disorderly, and of the oration which was then spoken. More than this I have not difcovered.

I have been told that Dryden's Remarks on Rymer have been printed before. The former edition I have not feen. This was tranfcribed for the prefs from his own manufcript.

March 15, 1779.

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