PREFACE. Such THE purport and nature of a Magazine is not unaptly explained by the name which it bears; for it is intended as a repository of various information, which may afford from time to time materials for different branches of knowledge, and preserve such notices not elsewhere to be found, as may either supply deficiencies in former works, or make useful additions to those which are to come. works, under various titles, and with some trifling difference of structure, have been popular in every language in which literature has made any advancement. They existed among the ancients, though only fragments of them have been preserved to us; and France and Germany, the most enlightened countries of the present day, abound with them equally with ourselves. Our own Magazine has ever been conspicuous for answering with singular fidelity to the name of the class to which it belongs. So long established and so extensively circulated, it has pursued the even tenor of its way, guiding and influencing public taste and feeling, accumulating and dispensing an unusual variety of curious intelligence, communicating information to the present generation, and storing it up for use in time to come. During the past half-year we have adhered faithfully to our accustomed course. The result is before our readers, and we doubt not will be judged by them with their general kindness. To the future we look forward hopefully. Whatever aims at a continuous existence must study the lessons which Time is for ever teaching. The Magazine has long been a student in Time's school, and nothing has more effectually conduced to its ever-continuing uselness than the aptness with which it has learned Time's lessons, and the facility with which it has been able to adapt itself to all improveDuring the next half-year we intend to make some altera Xents. 229973 tions which we believe will be extremely acceptable to our readers and to the general Public. They are prompted by observation of the changes which are taking place around us, and the wants of the present time. They will be carried out under the guidance of Experience, and will be based upon that which has ever been our solid foundation, the principle of deriving instruction from the knowledge and study of the past. The closer we keep to this principle the more confidently shall we rely upon the approbation of our readers and the continued support of our kind and zealous correspondents. 31st December, 1849. S. URBAN. E PLURIMUS UNUM. |