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Sketch," have been introduced, chiefly for the fuller illustration of the literature of the south and west -a point to which much attention has been given. In this particular, Coggeshall's "Poets and Poetry of the West" has afforded great assistance. Among the more recent aids of the same kind, I must also mention Davidson's "Living Writers of the South," and Raymond's "Southland Writers." Especial acknowledgment is due to the "Cyclopædia" of the Messrs. Duyckinck; Appleton's "Annual Cyclopædia" has furnished many important dates; and I have occasionally been indebted to the works of Allibone, Cheever, Griswold, Cleveland, and Hart. Not only the local literature however, but the several professions, and the great religious denominations, are also represented by prominent writers.

It seemed unnecessary to treat the female writers as a distinct class; they are, therefore, arranged under the departments to which they respectively belong, as Essayists, Novelists, Poets, &c.

A few writers afford examples in both prose and poetry; and hence several specimens of poetry appear in the second chapter, separate from the body of the poetical writers in Chapter III.

I should be claiming a merit which does not belong to me, should I fail to say, that, for much of the labor which this little treatise has involved, I am indebted to the co-operation of my brother, William T. Martin, Esq., a gentleman whose acquaintance with our literature has not often been surpassed, and whose valuable counsel and aid have been very freely afforded me.

UNIVERSITY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK,

April 20, 1871.

YORK,

BENJAMIN N. MARTIN.

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