Alice Meynell was an English poet, writer, editor, critic, and suffragist. Preludes (1875) was her first poetry collection. Meynell was a regular contributor to English magazines and newspapers. The essays in this collection include Ceres" runaway -- Vanquished man -- Northern fancy -- Laughter -- Harlequin Mercutio -- Little language -- Anima Pellegrina! -- Sea wall -- Daffodil -- Addresses -- Audience -- Tithonus -- Tow path -- Tethered constellations -- Popular burlesque -- Dry autumn -- Plaid -- Two burdens -- Unready -- Child of tumult - and Child of subsiding tumult