The Standard Library Edition of Mr. Whittier's writings comprises his poeticaland prose works as re-arranged and thoroughly revised by himself or with hiscooperation. Mr. Whittier has supplied such additional information regardingthe subject and occasion of certain poems as may be stated in brief head-notes,and this edition has been much enriched by the poet's personal comment. So faras practicable the dates of publication of the various articles have beengiven, and since these were originally published soon after composition, thedates of their first appearance have been taken as determining the time atwhich they were written. At the request of the Publishers, Mr. Whittier hasallowed his early poems, discarded from previous collections, to be placed, inthe general order of their appearance, in an appendix to the final volume ofpoems. By this means the present edition is made so complete and retrospectivethat students of the poet's career will always find the most abundant materialfor their purpose. The Publishers congratulate themselves and the public thatthe careful attention which Mr. Whittier has been able to give to this revisionof his works has resulted in so comprehensive and well-adjusted a collection.