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WHEN a sixth edition of these little Poems was lately called for, it was proposed to me, to add such sonnets or other pieces, as I might have written since the publication of the fifth Of these, however, I had only a few; and on shewing them to a friend whose judgement I had an high opinion; he remarked, that some of them, particularly x liked by the Public "Toujours perdrix," said my friend "Toujours perdrix," you know, "ne vaut rien." I am far from supposing that your compositions can be neglected or disapproved on whatever subject: but perhaps "toujours Rossignols, toujour des chanson triste," may not be so well received as if you attempted, what you would certainly execute as successfully, a more cheerful style of composition. "Alas!" replied I, "Are grapes gather'd from thorns, or figs from thistles?" Or can the effect cease, while the cause remains? You know that when in the Beech Woods of Hampshire, I first struck the chords of the melancholy lyre, its notes were never intended for the public ear! It was unaffected sorrows drew them forth: I wrote mournfully because I was unhappy And I have unfortunately no reason yet, though nine years have since elapsed, to change my tone. Thexi time is indeed arrived, when I have been promised by "the Honourable Man" who nine years ago, undertook to see that my family obtained the provision their grandfather designed for them, that all should be well, all should be settled. But still I am condemned to feel the "hope delayed that maketh the heart sick." Still to receive not a repetition of promises indeed but of scorn and insult, when I apply to those gentlemen, who, though they acknowledge that all impediments to a division of the estate they have undertaken to manage, are done away will neither tell me when they will proceed to divide it; or, whether they will ever do so at all. You know the circumstances under which I have now so long been labouring; and you have done me the honor to say, that few women could so long have contended with them. With these, however, as they are some of them of axii domestic and painful nature, I will not trouble the Public now; but while they exist in all their force, that indulgent Public must accept all I am able to atchieve "Toujours des Chansons tristes!" Thus ended the short dialogue between my friend and me, and I repeat it as an apology for that apparent despondence, which when it is observed for a long series of years, may look like affectation. I shall be sorry, if on some future occasion, I should feel myself compelled to detail its causes more at length; for notwithstanding I am thus frequently appearing as an Authoress, and have derived from thence many of the greatest advantages of my life, (since it has procured me friends whose attachment is most invaluable,) I am well aware that for a woman "The Post of Honor is a Private Station." |
