P R E F A C E.
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HE following POEMS were written originally for the Amusement of theAuthor, as they were the Products of her leisure Moments. She had noIntention ever to have published them; nor would they now have madetheir Appearance, but at the Importunity of many of her best, and mostgenerous Friends; to whom she considers herself, as under the greatestObligations. As her Attempts in Poetry are now sent into the World, it is hoped theCritic will not severely censure their Defects; and we presume theyhave too much Merit to be cast aside with Contempt, as worthless andtrifling Effusions. As to the Disadvantages she has laboured under, with Regard to Learning,nothing needs to be offered, as her Master's Letter in the followingPage will sufficiently show the Difficulties in this Respect she had toencounter. With all their Imperfections, the Poems are now humbly submitted to thePerusal of the Public. The following is a Copy of a LETTER sent by the Author's Master to thePublisher. PHILLIS was brought from Africa to America, in the Year 1761, betweenseven and eight Years of Age. Without any Assistance from SchoolEducation, and by only what she was taught in the Family, she, insixteen Months Time from her Arrival, attained the English language,to which she was an utter Stranger before, to such a degree, as toread any, the most difficult Parts of the Sacred Writings, to thegreat Astonishment of all who heard her. As to her WRITING, her own Curiosity led her to it; and this she learntin so short a Time, that in the Year 1765, she wrote a Letter to theRev. Mr. OCCOM, the Indian Minister, while in England. She has a great Inclination to learn the Latin Tongue, and has made someProgress in it. This Relation is given by her Master who bought her,and with whom she now lives.
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