have (except in the case of the poems which occur in the letters) been brought, as far as possible, into conformity with the modern practice, as it was felt that any attempt (even if it had been possible to make it throughout) to reproduce the originals in these respects would only be a source of irritation and confusion to the majority of readers.
A certain number of letters from Blake's friends and acquaintances have been added to the collection, wherever they have seemed to give it greater coherence, or to shed new light upon his life and character; and for this purpose extracts have often been sufficient.
The notes are intended partly to clear up any allusions to events or persons which might present difficulties to the reader, and partly to connect the letters with Blake's other writings, and to explain the ideas which they embody in reference to the whole of his work. They have been made as brief and serviceable as possible.
The illustrations have been carefully chosen in regard to the text.
The editor wishes to express his most grateful thanks to the owner of the Life, and all owners of unpublished letters, for courteously placing them at his disposal; and to Messrs. Macmillan & Co. for their very kind permission (given through his friend Mr. George A. Macmillan) to print the letters to
