pounded of the two versions. In the present edition the text of Dodsley in these instances has been adopted the several passages as they stood in the first edition being given in the margin. The propriety of Collins's alterations must be obvious to all readers of good taste. In so exquisite a miniature as the "Ode to Evening," every tint and touch which the hand of the artist has bestowed upon it is precious, and will be carefully preserved by an editor who has a feeling of his calling." 66 All the remaining Odes in the edition of 1746, (dated 1747,) are printed from that volume; and these and all the other poems (with one exception) have been carefully collated with the original authorities. The exception referred to is the "Epistle to Sir Thomas Hanmer," of which the editor has not been so fortunate as to find a copy of the author's edition, and has, therefore, trusted to the version in the careful and beautiful edition of Collins published by Mr. Dyce. The editor desires to express here his acknowledgment of the kind assistance which he has received, in collecting materials for his short Memoir, from the Provost of Queen's College, Oxford, from Dr. Bloxam of Magdalen College, from the Warden of Winchester College, and from the Head Master of the Prebendal School in Chichester: also to record his obligation to Mr. Charles Crocker of Chichester for the trouble which he was good enough to take in searching the Parochial Registers, and the records in the Registry of Wills in that city, for notices of the poet or his family. W. MOY THOMAS. 71 Dirge in Cymbeline, sung by Guiderus and Arvira- gus over Fidele, supposed to be dead Verses written on a Paper which contained a MEMOIR OF COLLINS. BY WILLIAM MOY THOMAS. W ILLIAM Collins was born in the city of Chichester, on Christmasday, 1721. The date of his baptism in the Register of the parish of St. Peter-the-Great, alias subdeanery, is 1721, 1 Jan; but it is evident, on examination of the book, that the entry was made according to the ecclesiastical year, ending on the 24th of March. He was the son of William Collins, a hatter in Chichester, who was at that time Mayor of the city, an office he had filled twice before. The poet's father married, in 1703, Elizabeth the daughter of Edmund and Magdalen Martyn, of Southcott, near West Wittering, a village in the neighbourhood." Two daughters were the fruit of this marriage; Elizabeth, born in 1704, and * "1703, Feb. 13, Mr. William Collins of Chichester, hatter, and Elizabeth Martin of West Wettring."-Register of Ernley. b Anne born in the following year. They do not appear to have had any other child until the birth of William Collins in 1721; his mother being then about forty years of age. There appears to be little doubt that Collins was sent, when very young, to the Prebendal school-an 1-an ancient institution in Chichester founded by Edward Storey, afterwards Bishop of that city, in the reign of Edward the Fourth. No record of names was kept at that time: but tradition in the school has long claimed Collins for one of its scholars; an evidence which has at least been thought sufficient in the cases of Selden, Bishop Juxon, and Hurdis, who are stated to have been educated here. Collins was early designed by his parents for the Church; the poet's mother having connections among the clergy, from whom some advancement was no doubt expected. Young Collins was removed from Chichester and admitted a scholar on the foundation of Winchester College, on the 19th of January, 1733.* The scholars are formally elected; but the choice falls only upon such as have influence with the nominees, who are mostly clergymen. In this venerable institution, where the scholars on the foundation wear the dress *Gulielms Collins de Chichester, Com. Sussex, Adm. 19 Jan., 1733."-Coll. Register. |