The principal new poem was _The Parish Register_, to which were added _Sir Eustace Grey_ and _The Hall of Justice_.

The volume was prefaced by a Dedication to Henry Richard Fox, third Lord Holland, nephew and sometime ward of Charles James Fox, and the reason for such dedication is told at greater length in the long autobiographical introduction that follows.
Twenty-two years had elapsed since Crabbe's last appearance as an author, and he seems to have thought it due to his readers to give some reason for his long abstention from the poet's 'idle trade.' He pleads a higher 'calling,' that of his professional duties, as sufficient excuse.

Moreover, he offers the same excuse for his 'progress in the art of versification' being less marked than his readers might otherwise expect.

He then proceeds to tell the story of the kindness he had received from Burke (who had died in 1797); the introduction by him to Sir Joshua Reynolds, and through him again to Samuel Johnson.

He gives in full Johnson's note approving _The Village_, and after a further laborious apology for the shortcomings of his present literary venture, goes on to tell the one really relevant incident of its appearance.
Crabbe had determined, he says, now that his old valued advisers had passed away, not to publish anything more-- "unless I could first obtain the sanction of such an opinion as I might with some confidence rely upon.