PREFACE TO THE TENTH VOLUME. NEVER did the Proprietors of this Publication feel more grateful satisfaction in paying their accustomed tribute for the support which they have received than in closing the Tenth Volume. At the commencement of the undertaking they were stimulated by the persuasion that public support would not be wanting in aid of a Miscellany formed on loyal principles, and conducted with impartiality: but they were aware at the same time of considerable difficulties to be surmounted and active enemies to be defeated, ere the work which they had projected could secure patronage and defy rivalship. The very great increase of subscribers and contributors has abundantly justified the confidence of success which gave birth to the original design, and the Conductors in their endeavours to render the Magazine still more deserving of favour, have neither been sparing in pains. nor expense for the supply of literary entertainment and external embellishment. These efforts to please have in consequence been amply compensated, as well by the spontaneous approbation of enlightened judges as by a call for new impressions of several numbers. Such is the proud triumph with which perseverance in a laudable course has been crowned, and such is the powerful inducement to farther exertions on the part of the Proprietors, in order that the ground which their work has already gained in the general opinion may not be lost for the want of due vigilance. Experience ha already taught them, that in the discharge of an importan. duty, labor ipse voluptas, and this encouragement cheers them in their endeavours to rise yet higher in the public favour, by seeking on every hand, and totally unmindful of any sacrifice, new sources of literary entertainment, and subjects of graphic illustration. Incessantly as the press brings forth fresh supplies for the gratification of that insatiable thirst for information which distinguishes this age, beyond all precedent, it is no easy task to keep an equal pace with public curiosity; and it is still less so to select from the multifarious topics which possess claims to particular discussion, articles of extraordinary interest, without excluding others that have also paramount pretensions. Hence it unavoidably happens, that though these monthly vehicles of literature have been enlarged from time to time, according to the increasing spirit of enquiry, they are even now confined within an area too limited to allow room for all the communications of merit that press for admittance. This the Proprietors and Conductors have thought it necessary to observe, as an apology to their numerous friends for the omssion of many articles of correspondence, which are now lying under consideration, or have been kept back to make way for matters of a momentary nature. Unpleasant as it is to be in arrears, it is an inconvenience that cannot be remedied under the contracted circumstances within which the Original Department of a Magazine is necessarily bounded. London, January 1, 1819. |