PREFACE. THIS Collection of Mr. Hood's serious Poems is made in fulfilment of his own desire. It was among his last instructions to those who were dearest to him. If its reception should justify the earnest hope which the writer had allowed himself to entertain, it will be followed by a volume composed of the more thoughtful pieces in his Poems of wit and humor. It is believed that the most sacred duty which his friends owed to his memory will thus have been discharged; and that in any future recital of the names of writers who have contributed to the stock of genuine English poetry, Thomas Hood will find honorable mention. Some minor pieces printed for the first time are placed at the commencement of the Volume. LONDON, December, 1845. To these few and touching words of the London Preface, the American publishers have only to add that the sacredness of Hood's dying request has been religiously observed in the reprint-not a line of the Poems having been omitted. All will be found either in the present volume or in the recently published "Prose and Verse" in the Library. In the latter collection are included that wonderful composition the Legend of Miss Killmansegg, the Elm Tree, the Dream of Eugene Aram, various Odes and Bal |