Excerpt from Rue, Thyme, and Myrtle: A Collection of Poems and Songs

IN offering this small volume ofjuvenile productions to the public, the author would say that they were written without the least anticipation of ever having them published, merely for the pleasure which their composition afforded him; therefore, perhaps, they have served the only end that could be expected. But who has not at least a little vanity, especially among those who are given to the sin'of rhyming? If they have afforded him pleasure, why may they not afford others the same, though in a less degree? Besides, as Pope very justly tells us, the only way that a writer can decide whether he can write or not is by appealing to the judgment of others, which certainly is no offense in itself. It was mainly the latter reason that induced the author to trespass upon the public by offering these humble productions to the better judgment of others. And, as his hope is limited for the success of even the best of his poems (for indeed it would be absurd to suppose that he could please, to any great extent, the taste of maturer minds at the age at which he composed these pieces), he will willingly abide the decision of those more competent to decide than himself, and be not greatly disappointed if they be condemned.

These poems were written upon the impulse of the moment, without any reference to one another, and will, no doubt, be found incongruous as a whole. But may they not be likened, each with the impress of its peculiar passion or fancy, to the days in a week or month, some of which are bright and clear, others dark and cloudy, - and, after all, notwithstanding their inconsistence, be found to suit very well the times which produced them? They were all composed at the age of eighteen or younger; the first at fifteen, except one, which was written some little time before that age. But a poem, whether composed at fifteen or fifty, is worthy, according to the grade of its excellence, a certain amount of consideration from the reader; and it would, therefore, be ridiculous to offer excuses for the imperfection of these'trifles under the plea of age.

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