56 THE PERAMBULATOR, NO. I. 



On the contrary, we acknowledge, with pleasure, that 

 the reception of our first number has exceeded our ex- 

 pectations. But we have seen preceding publications, 

 of this kind, fall to the ground ; although conducted 

 with talent superior and zeal equal to our own ; and we 

 are anxious for judicious pilotage, to avoid the latitudes 

 in which they have been becalmed. 



We are well aware that in articles of national or 

 general interest, we cannot compete with the periodicals 

 of the Metropolis ; that in the events of the day, our 

 neighbours of the broad sheet are quite out of reach of 

 rivalry from us. Yet, we fancy there is an intermedi- 

 ate clear and broad ground for our Museum. 



Whatever is matter of record, appertaining to the 

 three towns and the Sonl/t of' Devon, topographical, 

 statistical, economic-ill, literarv, scientific, \ve claim a> 

 our own. Will not our neighbours of the Athenaeum 

 lend an occasional hand to young but earnest, fellow 

 labourers in the field of literature ( We ask more than 

 the permission to glean alter them, which is already 

 allowed to the Newspapers. Questions, correspond- 

 ence, or controversy, on such subjects, provided per- 

 sonal reflections or insinuation- are a\oi<led, will be 

 equally welcome to our paues. 



Whatever requires faithful illustration, and adinit> 

 of being represented in a \\ood rut, is also exclusively 

 ours. And by this part of our plan \ve hope to stock 

 our Museum with every object of interest which tlu 

 neighbourhood affords ; whether in natural history, 

 particular features of landscape or of architecture. And 

 to these objects will be devoted a greater or less portion 

 of each number under the present title " Perambulator.'* 



We shall commence with subjects that have passed 

 or are rapidly passing away, for which purpose we 

 have collected sketches of tbe ancient Guildhall; the 

 old Barbican house ; the old Friary ; the old Mitre ; the 

 old Mansion house; and we shall feel as a particular 

 favor the loan of authentic sketches of any of the re- 

 markable buildinos which have been taken down or 

 are much altered during the last 30 or 40 years. 



