PREFACE TO THE GIANTS' CAUSEWAY. THE Giant's Causeway is so sublime, so interesting an object of contemplation to an inquisitive mind, that even Fancy is bewildered in the investigation of its origin and rational properties. Whether we view it as an operation of Nature, a work of Art, or one of those stupendous productions effected by Chance in a convulsion of the Elements, is, at best, but matter of mere speculation, and consequently baffles every effort of research or enquiry on any rational ground. The scene, however, is so perfectly magnificent, so much above the rank of ordinary comprehension, that Industry and Ingenuity united, are visibly inadequate to its illustration in full display; or conveying a just idea of its wonderful and unaccountable properties to an ordinary enquirer. Yet that scene, so pregnant with wonder, so fascinating to a curious beholder, so perfectly conformable to the most elevated sentiments of sublimity and beauty, affords so little of that diversity, that perceptible variety, so necessary to enliven descriptive poetry, that Genius is cramped, and Fancy so shackled, that the finitude of the parts in their different relations to the whole, bewilder the imagination in a maze of doubt and perplexity, and consequently involves the Fancy within narrower bounds than the collective magnitude of the object naturally inspires. I was not aware of these complicated impediments until I had gotten beyond my reach, when perseverance, was unavoidable and industry was the sole alternative I had to resort to, so as to avoid sinking as well in my own estimation as that of the public. I can claim no merit from the undertaking but that of avoiding prolixity, and pointing out a subject well worthy the notice and atten G tion of those, who, by a diligent exertion of brighter talents, would render it well worthy of generous notice, and consequent admiration. The work being necessarily to avoid the poetical odium of "tiring out patience, or misleading sense,” as much as possible,-I was advised by my learned friends, to lop off the excrescences of Killarney, and republish it, in its present form, so as in some measure to aim at furnishing a more ample fund for the entertainment of a numerous and respectable number of Subscribers and Friends. The elegies and other pieces subjoined, being generally written extempore, can only claim the merit of good intention. The Itinerary to Killarney, being republished with an addition acquired by later pursuits since its first publication, in order to render that species of information more entertaining, will I trust, make such an intrusion on the reader's patience, (a venial trespass,) as consequently will not render the cognizance of that accusing spirit which too frequently usurps a precedence in the CHANCERY of Common reason and common justice on critical decisions. "Nor suffers Horace more in wrong translations, To palliate the errors and inconsistencies, I have unavoidably, (sometimes imperceptibly) fallen into, would appear fulsome, particularly to those whose judgment stands firm on the basis of rectitude, and consequently wish to be pleased on moderate terms, rather than undertake the drudgery of a cynical cavil, which all the chaff of Baccalini would scarcely compensate.—I have written, because leisure and inclination induced me to do so; I have persevered partly from the same motives, and more particularly from the flattering estimate formed on what I have written, by such friends as taste and judgment have long pronounced competent judges of literary merit. But, I am still aware, through partiality inseparable from friendship, many persons might place my errors in such a point of view, as to bias an opinion otherwise approaching to infallibility. That I have generally written in a hurry, is certainly true; but I will not, cannot, make the bare apology of not having leisure or inclination to correct or improve my writings, for the greater part at least: nor do I neglect those necessary aids, which reason points out to aspiring genius. Yet, I am perfectly convinced that with all the industry I did, or could exert on the occasion, there is still an ample field for malice and ill nature to play in.-That I must submit to a fate frequently and wofully experienced by my betters; and is most true, must either fall by the shafts of Severity, or rise on the wings of Indulgence. That all my unlettered Readers are, or will soon become, not only critically (but hypercritically) knowing, I do not chuse to deny from a love of care, and a wish of being read: but whether such Critics in the aggregate are indebted to vanity or merit for prudence is reserved to those who act without consideration, and speak without thinking. There are some, indeed, not a few of such Critics, or rather Vaticides, whose censures would be equally grateful to my feelings, as the plaudits of worth and discernment; for though "All human race would fain be wits, "And millions miss for one that hits." These motly millions make as horrid a buzz about living. Authors as a swarm of Summer flies about a dead carrion. However, I possess, and shall always enjoy the comfort of intending well; and if such intention be not productive of the effects it was honestly meant to produce, I have only to regret the want of those powers which constitute the art of pleasing; and hope, that if neglected or forgotten, censure will be drowned in oblivion. DESCRIPTION OF THE GIANTS' CAUSEWAY. HAIL! Architect divine! who giv'st mine eye Tho' the admir'd Colossus lives to fame, What height! what gloom! what magnitude! what form! In whose projection sportive Nature prides. Its awful heights above th' Atlantic rise, To intersperse th' unequal shades between. In regular confusion, all appear ! ! To contemplate the whole, so wild, so vast; The more we contemplate, the more admire; Reason's bewilder'd, when this work we view, Behold yon Mole! projecting o'er the deep; To prove the work of more than mortal hand; |