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THE TASK.

ADVERTISEMENT.

HE hiftory of the following production is briefly this: A lady, fond of blank verse, demanded a poem of that kind from the Author, and gave him the Sofa for a fubject. He obeyed; and having much leifure, connected another subject with it; and, pursuing the train of thought to which his fituation and turn of mind led him, brought forth at length, instead of the trifle which he at first intended, a ferious affair-a Volume.

In the Poem on the subject of Education he would be very forry to ftand fufpected of having aimed his cenfure at any particular school. His objections are fuch as naturally apply themselves to schools in general. If there were not, as for the most part there is, wilful neglect in those who manage them, and an omiffion even of fuch difcipline as they are susceptible of, the objects are yet too numerous for minute attention; and the aching hearts of ten thousand parents, mourning under the bitterest of all disappointments, attest the truth of the allegation. His quarrel therefore is with the mischief at large, and not with any particular inftance of it.

THE TASK.

BOOK I. THE SOFA.

VOL. II.

B

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