Penny Dreadfuls, 1812 · page 15 of 258
Psyche, and other poems — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This is a preface page from a reprinted edition of a work titled *Psyche*, originally printed in 1805. The author addresses readers with self-deprecating modesty, acknowledging that while professional authors must accept indifferent public reception, those writing for friends' appreciation naturally hope for favorable judgment. The author requests forgiveness for recommending their own tale enthusiastically, while excusing various literary shortcomings—except, they ruefully note, the one deficiency they cannot excuse: insufficient genius. The tone is genteel and reflective rather than sensational, though the document's appearance and OCR source suggest it may be part of a later penny dreadful reprint or related popular edition.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
PREFACE TO THE COPIES OF PSYCHE, PRINTED IN 1805. THE author, who dismisses to the public the darling object of his solitary cares, must be prepared to eonszder, with some degree of indifference, the various reception it may then,meet. But from those who write only for the more interested eye of friendship, no such indifference can be expected. I may therefore be forgiven the egotism which mdkes me anxious to recommend to my readers the tale with which I present them, while I ‘endeavour to excuse in ié all other defects but that, which I fear cannot be excu- _ sed—the deficiency of genius. ”“ \ comlichooks.conm