been rather from ignorance or inadvertence than from any conscious partialities.
It has been our aim to give specimens of the writings only of natives of the State. In a very few cases we have departed from this rule in regard to individuals, who have lived so long among us, as to have become identified with the State.
It will be observed, that a considerable proportion of the authors in our collection have not spent their lives in the State, but have sought their fortunes in other regions. But their writings may be considered as none the less native and characteristic; for it is the land of one's birth and early breeding, that forms the character and developes the powers. A sufficient reason for the departure of so many citizens from our State, may be found in the want of those large cities, which alone are able to reward brilliant talents.
This collection is by no means meagre in poetry. We are able to give a satisfactory answer to the query of a writer in the North American Review some ten years ago, who marvelled that a State, so rich in beautiful and sublime scenery as our own, had given no considerable indication of poetic talent. We refer to our pages for satisfactory proof, that the Muses have dwelt among our mountains, lakes and rivers, and that not only in sturdy enterprise, but in other respects, New Hampshire is not unworthy of her name, -the Scotland of America.
With these few suggestions, we present our work to the reader, asking for ourselves but the humble credit of compilation, and of course with no claim to the reputation of authorship.
Nashua, Dec. 11, 1841.