“. . . . . The preliminary account is nearly finished, I have inserted in it such poems as seem best suited to that place, because they refer to Henry’s then state of mind, and thus derive an interest from the narrative, and in their turn give it also. After the introduction I purpose to insert a selection of his letters, or rather of extracts from them, in chronological order. Upon mature consideration, and upon trial as well, I believe this to be better than inserting them in the account of his life. If the reader feel for Henry that love and admiration which I have endeavoured to make him feel, he will be prepared to receive these epistolary fragments as the most authentic and most valuable species of biography; and if he does not feel that love, it is no matter how he receives them, for his heart will be in fault, and his understanding necessarily darkened.
“I have, to the best of my judgment, omitted every
thing of which the publication could occasion even the slightest unpleasant
feeling to any person whatever; and if any thing of this kind has escaped me,
you will, of course, consider your own opinion as decisive, and omit it
accordingly, without any regard to mine. Assuredly we will not offend the
feelings of any one; but there are many passages which, though they can give no
pain to an individual, you
| Ætat. 33. | OF ROBERT SOUTHEY. | 79 |
“My heart has often ached during this employment.
