PRINTED FOR C. BATHURST, J. BUCKLAND, W. STRAHAN, J. RIVING
TON AND SONS, T. DAVIES, T. PAYNE, L. DAVIS, W. OWEN, B. WHITE,
S. CROWDER,
T. CASLON, T. LONGMAN, B. LAW, C. DILLY,
J. DODSLEY, J. WILKIE, J. ROBSON, J. JOHNSON, T. LOWNDES,
G. ROBINSON, T. CADELL, J. NICHOLS, E. NEW BERY,
T. EVANS, P. ELMSLY, J. RIDLEY, R. BALDWIN, G. NICOL,
LEIGH AND SOTHEBY, J. BEW, N. CONANT, W. NICOLL,

J. MURKAY, S. HAYES, W. FOX, AND J. BOWEN.

M DCC LXXXI.

BIBLIOTHE

ADVERTISEMENT.

T

HE Booksellers 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 prefented to my mind, not very extenfive or difficult.

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

In this minute kind of Hiftory, the fucceffion of facts is not eafily difcovered; and I am not without fufpicion that fome of Dryden's works are placed