In an age like the present of literature and of taste, in which the arts, fostered by the general patronage, have attained to growth beyond the experience of former times, no apology can be necessary for offering to the publick an embellished edition of an english classick; or for giving to the great work of Young some of those advantages of dress which have lately distinguished the immortal production of Shakespeare and of Milton.

... when he [the editor, Richard Edwards] selected the NIGHT THOUGHTS for the subject of his projected decoration, he wished to make the arts, in their most honourable agency, subservient to the purposes of religion; any by their allurements to solicit the attention of the great for an enforcement of religious and moral truth...

... in the work before us, the great poet of christianity offers no flattery to the passions; and, conscious of the demands and dignity of his subject, is less careful to please than to improve; to conciliate than to impress and awe.

Of the merit of Mr. Blake in those designs which form not only the ornament of the page, but, in many instances, the illustration of the poem, the editor conceives it to be unnecessary to speak. To the eyes of the discerning it need not be pointed out; and while a taste for the arts of design shall continue to exists, the original conception, and the bold and masterly execution of this artist cannot be unnotices or unadmired.

Dec. 22d. 1796