Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 edition. Excerpt: ... believe that any individual in Christendom ever did or could look half as saucy, or as greasy, as does " Monsieur Mirabeau-mouche" in that picture. Writings Of Charles Sprague. Now First ColLected. Charles S. Francis, New York. [Text: Graham's Magazine, May, 1841.] In the "publisher's preface" to this volume (which is a handsome octavo) we are told that it has been printed partly with a view of anticipating a similar design from another quarter, -- " one which was not likely to be accomplished in a manner satisfactory to the friends of the author, " --and also that Mr. S. has done "nothing to promote" the present publication, which he has " only not forbidden." About the whole of this prolegomena there is much of unnecessary rigmarole, not to say of superfluous humbug. If the facts are as stated, and Mr. Francis has really made himself so busy as to force the gentleman into press, will I nill I, we can only say that he has been guilty of a singular piece of impertinence. But if Mr. Sprague, on the other hand, was privy and a party to the issuing of the book (as we believe he was, and as the preface intimates he was not), it may then be remarked that since the poet of the "Shakespeare Ode" is not ashamed of his efforts, and has no reason to be ashamed of them, it is but a weak affectation to counterfeit a modesty which he does not feel, and to sneak forth into the light of the public eye, wrapped up in that flimsiest of all veils, the veil of a "publisher's preface." The volume embraces, we believe, all the best compositions of Mr. Sprague -- certainly all the best of his poems. These latter have had a wide circulation, and are well known. Some of the pieces have attained a reputation, -- in some measure deserved, -- for example, "The...