LIST OF EMBELLISHMENTS TO THE VOLUME. Those marked * are Vignettes. Roman Hypocaust and Pavement, found at Cirencester Tessellated Pavement found at Cirencester (folding plate) *Carving of the Arms of the Carpenters' Company *Cups and Garlands of the Master and Wardens of the Carpenters' Company Windsor Castle in the reign of Queen Elizabeth *Stone Hatchet found in Denmark *Stone Axes and earthen Vessels *Long Cromlech and Ship Barrow *Bronze Swords, Spear-head, and Shield 34 137 162 163 164 165 165 166 167 168 278 *Floriated Nimbus in the Lady Chapel, Winchester Monuments of King William Rufus at at Llanrwst; and of a Lady at Howell, co. Lincoln Coffin-lid of Joanna Princess of Wales Northampton; Northumberland *Grave-stones at Brougham, Westmerland, and Newton Rigney, Cumberland 288 Incised Slabs at St. Peter's, Jersey, and Papplewick, Notts 500 500 500 Monument to Lady Albert Conyngham at Mickleham, Surrey 510 574 577 *The Holy Trinity, from a brass at Childrey in Berkshire Masquers sketched by Inigo Jones Bind 9 Jals PREFACE. THE close of the first volume since the adoption of our recent changes enables us to appeal to our readers as to the result upon the character of our Magazine. We do so with confidence. What we promised has been performed to the very letter, and we have reason to believe has given universal satisfaction. It is allowed, on all hands, that as in old times so now again the Gentleman's Magazine stands alone as a miscellany of sound and valuable literature. We leave to others the contentions of party politics and the pleasant fields of romantic fiction; it is ours to present a clear and faithful reflection of the current literature of our own time, and to wander into the regions of the past and bring to light their hidden treasures. In dealing with the former, we investigate the claims of the authors of the present day with freedom and fairness ; we diligently set before our readers true reports of whatever is interesting or instructive; we joyfully encourage—and that with no faint or feeble praise-whatever is kind and generous, whatever is fairly meant and diligently pursued; but we never scruple to bring the lofty arrogance of mere pretenders to the test of a just and manly criticism. Our investigations into the past are conducted in a like unshrinking and honest spirit. The present volume, we may confidently assert, contains many original articles of very high historical value; many documents newly brought to light which are of the most important character; much valuable historical criticism; many contributions of the highest interest in biography and literary history; and essays on matters which affect the progress of historical and archæological science, and the welfare and prospects of literature, which are acknowledged by common consent to deserve the deepest consideration and regard. We have taken our stand amongst Magazines of the highest character, and appeal to all who value sound literature to support us in maintaining it. Greater rapidity of publication may present temptations, both to readers and contributors, which we cannot offer; but, on the other hand, we respectfully claim for our papers deeper consideration and greater accuracy. From month to month we present to our readers a miscellany of interesting attractive matter, which may fairly challenge comparison, in point of usefulness and literary merit, with any periodical of the day. And whatever we publish is animated by the spirit of affection for things true and honest and benevolent, which has ever distinguished the lucubrations of SYLVANUS URBAN. In the course of a long and honourable career, he may have changed, from time to time, his outward look, his garb and vesture: such things wear out and die. But death has no power over that noble spirit which first animated his course, and, with the blessing of Providence, shall continue to do so until time shall be no longer. 25, Parliament Street, Westminster, 24th June, 1850. E PLURIBUS UNUM. |