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��INTR ODUC TION

��novelty of combination, and his direct grasp and earnest expression of those sentiments and principles which purify, invigorate and elevate life."

Mr. Joseph Hale Abbot, formerly professor of English and mathematics in Phillips Exeter Academy and after- wards for a quarter of a century principal of a private school for young ladies in Boston, a member and for two years the recording secretary of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, contributed to the " Boston Daily Ad- vertiser" (then edited by his kinsman, the late Hon. Nathan Hale) the following notice of his friend's poems : —

" Mr. Hale : Will you allow me a small space in your columns to call attention to a little book which has recently been published by John P. Jewett & Co. t It is entitled 'Consolations of Solitude.' Amid the crowd of new books which usher in the year, this little visitant has stolen in so quietly that it is in danger of being overlooked, because very few persons know even of its existence. None of the common means of forestalling opinion and creating a mar- ket have been employed. A very small edition only has been published, and this was heralded by no advertise- ments, while it has been followed by scarcely more. Its unobtrusive name, blank title-page, and simple binding are little suited to attract any but seekers for hidden merit. And, lastly, of this small edition, none, as far as we can find, have been sent to Mr. Jewett' s associated firms or to the other booksellers in this city. These circumstances are trifles, except so far as they indicate the character of the book and the author. We have dwelt upon them be- cause we have been given to understand that it was the

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