Opening of the book
Works from Which Notes to This Edition
Have Been Selected
The following are the principal works from which the Notes to this edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress have been selected: —
1. The Pilgrim’s Progress, Part the First. 12mo, 1776. The preface states, that “an edition, containing some brief notes to illustrate the more difficult passages, has been long desired. An attempt of this kind is now submitted to the public.” This appears to be the first edition with notes. There is no indication of who the notes are by; but there can be little doubt but that they are from the pen of the Rev. J. Newton, the friend of
Cowper. The Editor has four editions of this interesting volume —1776, 1782, 1789, and 1797.
2. The Pilgrim’s Progress; both Parts, with Notes. By W. Mason.
8vo, 1778. In the preface, Mr. Mason says, “I have often wished to see some explanatory notes upon certain passages in it. Having been solicited to undertake this, at a time when no one had attempted it, I have endeavoured, according to the ability which God has given me, to execute it.” This book was published in numbers, and the notes proved very acceptable. The subscribers requested that more frequent and longer notes should be given. Mr. Mason promises to comply with this request. The advertisement is dated “Rotherhithe, March
8, 1776.”
3. The Pilgrim’s Progress, with Notes. By A Bachelor of Arts of Oxford —J. B. 8vo. 1792.
4. The Pilgrim’s Progress in blank verse. By J. S. Dodd, M.D.
Dublin, 1793.
5. The Pilgrim’s Progress, with a Key to the Allegory. Published by Heptinstall, 1796.
6. The Pilgrim’s Progress, divided into Chapters. By the Rev. G.
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