ADVERTISEMENT. UNDER the influence of a distressing state of health, which had continued, unabated, for six years, the following poem was composed, in the island of Jamaica, whither the author went with a view of trying the effects of a tropical climate. If it possesses no other merit, it may at least lay claim to simplicity of sentiment and diction, and to a faithful representation of events during a life of vicissitude, of which the present piece may be considered as a poetical epitome. These, it is true, furnish little to excite astonishment, or rouse imagination; and, consequently, perhaps, little to procure public approbation. They may, however, tend to illustrate an important truth to the afflicted, namely, that in the human mind there are resources which, if called into action, can amuse and solace in the hour of adversity, when all the allurements of pleasure, and all the luxuries of wealth, will fail; for often Ingenium res adversæ nudare solent celere secundæ. |