PREFACE.

THE present Volume of the "FRIENDSHIP'S OFFERING" is presented to the public, under circumstances which render a few observations necessary. It has, very recently, come into its present Editor's hands, with a view to an entire change in its character and plan; and, under the disadvantage of that fact, he has, of course, found it impossible to avail himself of all those sources which he has reason to believe are open to him, next year, for giving interest to its pages. The difficulties of his situation have, however, been greatly relieved, by the kind. ness and promptitude with which assistance has been given to him, in almost every quarter in which the limited time permitted an application :—and, whilst he has thus been enabled to present to the public, on the present occasion, a very splendid assemblage

of names and talent,—the promises which he has received of continued and additional assistance, next year, afford reason to hope that it will have still increased claims to popularity.

The readers of the "FRIENDSHIP'S OFFERING" will perceive that the alterations in its plan consist in the removal of all those features which marked it as more peculiarly adapted for one season of the year than another; and in the dismissal of its more toy-like attributes, for the purpose of combining, with the increased beauty of its embellishments, a high literary character.

Whilst acknowledging his obligations to the many friends who have given him the use of their names and talents, the Editor may escape the imputation of personal vanity, in expressing his confidence that the Work has attained the character at which it aimed; because little merit can be due to him, for the moral or literary excellence of a miscellany, which has been fortunate enough to obtain such contributions as those which fill the pages of this Volume.

The Editor must not omit a more particular expression of his obligations to one or two individuals,

to whom he is indebted for peculiar exertions of kindness, in the compilation of the work.

TO MISS EDGEWORTH, (although circumstances have, for the present year, deprived him of the aid of her high talents,) for the sketch from the pen of her late Father; and for her steady and persevering kindness, in promoting the interests of the Publication.

To Mr. WASHINGTON IRVING, for the Stanzas at page 102, from the pen of the late LORD BYRON, extracted by that gentleman from the Album of CAPTAIN MEDWIN; and, with the omission of a single stanza, inserted here, (though evidently a very hasty production of their Author,)--because the spirit which breathes through them cannot, now, give pain to any one to whom they may be supposed to allude,— and because the high value which death has stamped upon every unpublished line from his Lordship's pen, leaves its possessor scarcely at liberty to withhold it from the eye of the public. There are some other Poems, from the pen of his Lordship, bearing the same date with these Stanzas; which are, of course, familiar to our readers.

TO LADY CAROLINE LAMB, for the verses at page

230; taken from the note-book of her Ladyship, and addressed to her, by Lord Byron, sixteen years ago. They form a singular contrast to the memorable and bitter lines preserved by Captain Medwin, in his recent publication. To LADY CAROLINE LAMB the Editor is, also, indebted for a beautiful miniature drawing of his Lordship, taken by herself, about the same time; which has been engraved in Mezzotint, by Turner, and will be published, in a few days, by the publisher of this work.

The very splendid and characteristic Ode, on the death of Lord Byron, from the pen of the Rev. C. C. COLTON, has been lately printed, and privately circulated by the author, in Paris; and may, therefore, have been seen by some of our readers. It is translated into these pages, from one of the printed copies, received from Mr. COLTON himself. The following stanza has, since, been added by Mr. COLTON, for insertion betwixt the ninth and tenth

verses.

What was thy talent? not the beam
That gilds and glads the sky;
But the dim curtain's fiery gleam,

When storms and wrecks are nigh,

Shrouded in darkness,-like the red right arm
That cleaves the vault of Heaven,

Engendered but to dazzle and alarm,

Brief, brilliant torch for bright destruction given,
But not to guide to good, or refuge point from harm!

It is right to add that the Fragment, at page 138, from the pen of BARRY CORNWALL, was not furnished to this Work by its author, but transferred from the Album of a friend.

The Editor is in possession of some other lines, by the late Mr. MATURIN, derived from the same source as those printed at page 148; which will, in all probability, form part of the next year's volume.

The four original Poems by THOMSON, the author of "The Seasons," have been long in the possession of the Earl of Buchan; from whose custody they passed into the hands of the gentleman who has communicated them to this Work. They are in the hand writing of the Poet,-the productions of his very early years,—and are printed here, in strict adherence to the MSS. They are inserted, for their curiosity.

The Editor has only to add, that there are a few individuals who have afforded him the use of their