Of his later and far maturer poems, when he had ceased to polish, it is too true that the thoughts are often better than their treatment.

His latest publisher, John Murray, used to say that in conversation Crabbe often "said uncommon things in so common a way" that they passed unnoticed.
The remark applies equally to much of Crabbe's poetry.

But at least, if this incongruity is to exist, it is on the more hopeful side.

The characteristic of so much poetry of our own day is that the manner is uncommon, and the commonness resides in the matter.
When Crabbe had completed his revisions to his own satisfaction and his adviser's, Burke suggested the publication of _The Library_ and _The Village_, and the former poem was laid before Mr.Dodsley, who only a few months before had refused a poem from the same hand.

But circumstances were now changed, and Burke's recommendation and support were all-sufficient.