New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-06

A NEW LIBRARY OF POETRY AMP SONG Edited 4ill by
& HurlbeTt.
In the preface to this new edition of the
"Ibrary OF Poetry and Song" written by Mr. Bryant
about two years before his DEATH he remarks that 81"
has been projected with view of making the collection
more perfect both in the choice Poems and the variety
Of sources from which they derived Within a very
fe years past several names OF emnence have been
added lists poets in our language, and every
would expect find samples of their verse in an
anthology like this, say nothing of the air Of fresh
ness which those would give" In referring to Mr.
W. EmeTsOn's Parnas3us," Mr.. Bryant shows his char
acterstc modesty interesting personal auson to
himself. 'When saw that Mr.. Emerson had omitted to
include any OF his own poems the collection called
'Parnassus' doubted, for WHILE whether ought not
10 have practsed the same reserve. Yet when con-
sidered the omission his part far detect
and that there not reader Of his volume who would
not have better pleased to possess several of his
poems along with the Others, became better satisfied
with what 1 had done, and allowed such Of
my poems as 1 had included TO remain In one
respect least, the present compilation Will have the
advantage Mr. EmersOn's Damey, that it contains
several OF the poems with which he has enriched our lit
erature" The original edition which has been before
the public for about eight years. has met with remark
able degree Of favor nearly eighty thousand copies hav
ing been sold In the present ISSUE the work has under
gone an entire reconstruction both in matter and FORM
About Onetb OF the material has been eliminated, and
twice much matter added, the text mas Decn
carefully revised with to making it standard for
reference as we'll give ample provision for general
or special reading at contains One-quarter mat
ter than any similar publication, presenting nearly two
thousand selections from than five hundred ou-
thOrs and may be claimed that OF the pOetcal writers
whose have caused their names TO be held in
eral esteem and affection, none are unrepresonted
while scores Of the productions Of unknown authors
verses OF merit though not OF fame, found in old
books caught out Of tho passing current Of literature
have here presented side by side with those
notable" Hence the higcst standard OF literary CI1
csm has mado the only test Of selection and
many poems have been included which though less per-
feet than others in form, have gained place in
the esteem OF the public In preparing the edition, Mr.
Bryant took active part thoroughly revising all the
material; suggesting the addition Of omitted poems
even copying with his own hand many pieces not
readily atainaDle except from his private library thus
giving the work not only the sanctOn Of his name, but
the influence OF his fine poetic sense, and his broad
and genuine scholarship. The work retains the pOr-
traits manuscript and autograph fac-simies and other
admirable illustrations which largely added TO atTac-
lions OF the former editions and is enriched with
original memoir OF Bryant, by James Grant Wilson, and
an excellent engraving Of Wards statue Of Shakes
peare In It's present form, the New Library" leaves
nothing important TO be desired by the lovers Of poetry
or the cultvatOrs OF literature 1t affords collection
OF the memorable productions in English for
the delight of the family the recreation OF the STUDENT
the refreshment of the weary and the soace and charm
Of all ages.