Sir, TO ALFRED ROOKER, Esq. VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE, PLYMOUTH. Your kind introduction of my name into your Lecture delivered in the Institute on the 26th February, 1845, has led (although quite fortuitously) to the publication of this volume; which, therefore, I respectfully beg leave to dedicate to you. As (according to Shakspeare) "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet;" so my poetic posy (if it really contain any rose, or other sweet-scented flower) would, doubtless, smell quite as fragrant by any other name, as by that which it now bears. It is true that a profusion of publications, with titles nearly similar to the one I have chosen, have lately made their appearance; yet, if the title be not, in other respects, inappropriate, this circumstance alone does not, in my opinion, constitute any valid ground of objection to it. "The People" is a term which, in its legitimate sense, is much more comprehensive than many are willing to admit. The circle it describes is so extensive, that it is impossible for any class of persons (whoever they may be) to place themselves beyond its circumference, and say to the immense majority remaining within it, "Ye are not our brethren!" In this extended sense it is, that I desire my title should be interpreted; and to high and low, rich and poor, 1 accordingly commend my work (such as it is) and from every class, alike, I shall be proud to receive the patronage that I seek. |