The Writer of this Preface doubts whether he has been successful in adding the last Stanza to this beautiful and simply expressive song. But he imagin'd that some thought of this kind was in the mind of the Author: and he was willing to endeavour to express it. The Breast which has felt Love, justly shrinks from the idea of its total extinction, as from annihilation itself. And there is even an high social and moral use in that order of Providence which exalts Sensations into tender and benign Passions; those Passions into habitual Affections yet more tender; and raises from those Affections _Virtues_ the most permanent, the most necessary and beneficent, and the most endearing: thus expanding the sentiment into all the Charities of domestic and social Life. "I remember," says Mr. G. BLOOMFIELD, continuing his Narrative, "a little piece which he called the Sailor's Return: [Footnote: It is much to be wished that this may be discovered. L.] in which he tried to describe the feelings of an honest _Tar_, who, after a long absence, saw his dear native Village first rising into view. This too obtain'd a place in the Poet's Corner." "And as he was so young," his brother proceeds, "it shews some Genius in him, and some Industry, to have acquir'd so much knowledge of the use of words in so little time. Indeed at this time myself and my fellow workmen in the Garret began to get instructions from him, though not more than sixteen years old." [Footnote: What simple magnanimity and benevolence in this Remark. L.] "About this time there came a Man to lodge at our Lodgings that was troubled with fits. ROBERT was so much hurt to see this poor creature drawn into such frightful forms, and to hear his horrid screams, that I was forced to leave the Lodging. We went to _Blue Hart-court, Bell-alley_. In our new Garret we found a singular character, _James Kay_, a native of _Dundee_. He was a middle-aged man, of a good understanding, and yet a furious _Calvinist_. He had many Books, ... and some which he did not value: such as the SEASONS, PARADISE LOST, and some _Novels_. These Books he lent to ROBERT; who spent all his leisure hours in reading the _Seasons_, which he was now capable of reading. I never heard him give so much praise to any Book as to that." "I think it was in the year 1784 that the Question came to be decided between the _journeymen Shoemakers_; whether those who had learn'd without serving an _Apprenticeship_ could follow the Trade."