lyrics amid trials and privations, without neglecting one social duty, has, it is respectfully suggested, some claim on public approbation, and will, it is hoped, secure sufficient notice to prevent the latter part of his life from bringing anything less pleasing than competence and ease. W. F. ROCK. P.S.—I have the pleasure to announce that the first edition, of one thousand copies, was sold within three months of publication, and is expected to leave a profit to Mr. Capern of £150, which he has consented shall be applied to the purchase of an Annuity on the joint lives of himself and Mrs. Capern. In addition to this success, the Post Office authorities have increased his salary to thirteen shillings per week, and (what is even more appreciated by Mr. Capern) relieved him from his Sunday duties. PREFACE TO THE SECOND AND THIRD EDITIONS. IN bringing out another Edition of this book, I beg to thank the public most sincerely for the kind encouragement which they have given me. It does not become me to speak of my own merits; my poems, such as they are, speak for themselves; and of the value of them, others can judge better than the Author. I have only to say, that I have found more favour than I anticipated. EDWARD CAPERN. Just Published,* price 5s. BALLADS AND AND SONGS. BY EDWARD CAPERN, Rural Postman of Bideford, Debon. THE above forms a Companion Volume to the present Work, and is an endeavour to illustrate that singing element which still lingers in the northern district of the poet's native county. Mr. Capern says, "Written generally to simple melodies of his own, the Author has had the delight of hearing his ballads sung, in many a cottage, by some of those village maidens whose charms he has endeavoured to celebrate. A Devonshire man, and proud of his birth in that beautiful county, he has found most of his subjects in the district where he resides. He has stood by the stone near which tradition states that Hubba fell; he has seen the window from which 'Kitty Lile of Clovelly' held out her signal; he has talked to the old Stone-breaker' at his work; but whether his poems deal with sorrow or joy, they have ever been written under the influence of sincere emotion." * W. KENT & Co. (late D. BOGUE), 86, Fleet Street. |