THE advancement of Literature has at all times been the prominent object of regard with those who have conducted the publication, or promoted the interests, of the present Work; sometimes by curious investigations into the merits of others, and sometimes by original opinions and judgments of their own. In the former case they trust that no disgraceful prejudices have arisen to injure the impartiality of their decisions; and in the latter that no becoming labour has been spared, which could tend to elucidate what was difficult, to remove what was objectionable, or to recommend what was valuable and attractive. In some of the finer speculations of thought, or in the abstruse and remoter branches of knowledge, it may have happened that their opinions or inquiries have not been equally interesting to all; and they are not unwilling to own, that they have occasionally penetrated into the deeper recesses of antiquity, where the general reader was unwilling to follow; that the obscure legend, and mutilated inscription, have been the objects of their regard; that they have cleared the moss from many a forgotten marble, and rescued from oblivion many an obliterated name. But it must be recollected, that the very basis upon which their Magazine has so long and so firmly stood, has been that of solid and substantial information; and he who is desirous of obtaining knowledge which will be permanently useful, must be content to follow, even when the first impulse of inquiry begins to languish, and curiosity has lost the keenness of its original impressions. Truth, it must be remembered, is sometimes slowly and sometimes unexpectedly brought to light. A casual hint, or fortuitous conjecture, has been successful, when the most laborious investigations have failed; and an oblique light, accidentally thrown, has not seldom reflected the concealed image of pursuit. It must also not be forgotten that the true measure of the value of discoveries lies often far beyond their insulated importance; a single line recovered, or a single letter restored, may dissipate at once the darkness that has enveloped the genealogy of an individual, the period of an event, or the history of a people; and the largest and brightest masses of erudition have been formed of particulars, which, separately observed, would appear dull, minute, and unimportant. In the Miscellaneous Collections which fill the pages of the Magazine, much diversity of design, as well as variety of matter, may be observed. In some cases the communications may be considered as finished and complete in their outline; in others they are intended only to form the rude material which is to be worked up by the industry of future inquirers, or to be enriched by the addition of new discoveries. The pages allotted to the Review of New Publications, will not allow the same latitude for discursive reasoning, or original conjecture, which may be found in those works that are confined to that one department of criticism; but it will be the duty of the Reviewer to make his decisions the result of careful observation, and to convey by his selections a judicious estimate of the Work. Those authors, whose volumes are too brief or unimportant to engage the immediate notice of the professed critic, or to attract the general approbation of the public, may be assured that the attention bestowed on them, though it may be concisely expressed, will not the less be candidly and seriously formed. The Original Communications will discuss such subjects as rely on their intrinsic and permanent value, or which are recommended by those accidental circumstances, that invest objects of inferior value with occasional importance in the feelings of their contemporaries. To secure ample materials for the Biography of persons ennobled by their advancement in learning, or eminent in public life, so that the portrait of the individual may present its distinguishing features and its lineaments of correct resemblance, the contributions of those persons acquainted with the character, or interested in the fortunes or reputation of the deceased, are earnestly requested; and the Publishers trust, that with such assistance their Obituary will continue to merit the favour of the public, by the accuracy of its outline and the fullness of its details, by the fidelity of its statements and the impartiality of its decisions. It is hardly necessary for us to assure our readers that our principles and opinions on subjects connected with Religion and Government, are the same which we always professed; and that in all that tends to support the necessary Supremacy of Law, and the stability of our Constitution; in all that regards the preservation of order and peace, and the maintenance of our venerable and Apostolic Church, they are unchanged, and and we believe we may add unchangeable. |
