THE HE Laurel and the Lyre, two small and unpretending volumes, were originally published many years since. Such collections of poetry were not so common, or so popular, then as now, yet notwithstanding, they rapidly went through several editions. Both volumes having been for some time out of print, the present publisher has been induced to reproduce about two-thirds of their contents in the present form. Care has been taken, in selecting the pieces for reproduction, to include as many poetical flowers from unknown sources as possible, this having been a special feature of the original volumes,-the result of which has been the preservation of many beautiful lyrics and short poems, gathered from magazines, newspapers, and other sources, which would otherwise have been long forgotten. Many of our modern poets, whose works are now little known to the majority of readers in a complete form, had been laid under contribution by the original compiler; and as the neglect which has overtaken many of these sons and daughters of Song has added to the value of their fugitive and more popular pieces, as many as possible of such have been retained in the present edition. A careful selection from the works of the less-known American poets has been made, and cannot fail to enhance the value of the collection in the eyes of the general reader. While advancing these special claims to notice, it will be found that the collection comprises many specimens from our best-known and most popular authors, without which no work of this nature can be deemed complete. |