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LONDON:

FREDERICK PITMAN, PRINTER,

PATERNOSTER ROW.

PREFACE.

IN issuing this Second Volume of the "WILD GARLAND," the compiler begs to state that it was commenced some time before the publication of Mr. Booth's " Epigrams, Ancient and Modern," from which work it differs widely both in matter and style. The popular arrangement and low price of the work here presented will, it is confidently anticipated, ensure for it a hearty reception at the hands of all admirers of the curiosities of English Literature.

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Epigrams.

"Out of herbs and plants the best things are to be extracted; so the best sayings are to be gathered out of Authors."

"What is an Epigram? a dwarfish whole;
Its body brevity, and wit its soul."

AN Epigram properly signifies an inscription; and, as such, was
originally used by the Greeks in their entablatures upon tombs,
statues, temples, and trophies. Brevity and simplicity were essen-
tial, for two reasons,-their public situation, and the hardness of
the material (such as brass or marble) on which they were engraven.
The simplicity of these ancient writers, in such compositions has
to some extent been departed from, in the first instance by the
Romans, who added a concentrated satire; still the definition of a
true Epigram remains, and will always be the same,-—that is, "A short
poem-a single view of any subject expressed concisely, and con-
cluded in a forcible manner," or, as Thomas Clio Rickman said, “A
few lines on a given subject, either humorous or grave, having an
unexpected and happy turn to work up its climax."
The merit of brevity is felt in the following couplet:

"The best of epigrams should be restrained:-
As to be read in running, and retained."

Whilst this next one also insists upon its compactness:
"An epigram should, like a pin, conjoint

In its small compass, show both head and point."

A modern epigrammatic rhymester says:

"The Epigram should be, if right,

Short, simple, pointed, keen and bright,—
A lively little thing!

Like wasp, with taper body bound

By lines-not many-neat and round,

All ending in a sting."

This is a good description of, or epigram upon, a Satirical Epigram—the sting being necessary for this species of epigram only ; and not always necessary for this, as it may be more truly said of

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