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order to make clear how strange is this book, I must cite at considerable length from the Note which concludes it, but really serves as a Preface:—

"The history of this little volume may be told in a few words.

"It is written by a new method, partly explained in the title, Improvisations.

"Last autumn my attention was particularly directed to the phenomena of drawing, speaking, and writing by Impression; and I determined to make an experiment of the kind, in composition, myself. The following poems are the result. Let me now explain more precisely what is meant by Writing by Impression, so far as my own personal experience is concerned; for I cannot refer to any other.}}

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