Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. AS to the text, I have followed the autograph wherever it was possible, and in other cases the manuscript or printed version which I judged nearest the autograph with this exception, that I have not thought it worth while to preserve mere slips of the pen or tricks of Spelling. The curious in such matters will find them religiously repro duced by Mr. Buxton Forman wherever he has had the Opportunity. The poet's punctuation, on the other hand, and his use Of capitals, which is odd and full Of character, I have preserved. As is well known, his handwriting is as a rule clear and beautiful, quite free from unsteadiness or Sign of fatigue; and as mere specimens for the col lector, few autographs can compare with these close} written quarto (or sometimes extra folio) sheets, in which the young poet has poured out to those he loved his Whole self indiscriminately, generosity and fretfulness, ardour and despondency, boyish petulance side by side with manful good sense, the tattle of suburban parlours with the speculations of a Spirit unsurpassed for native poetic gift and insight.
