iii 



PREFACE. 



As the first volume of the " Museum " is now com- 

 pleted, we feel ourselves called upon by the general 

 custom on such occasions to say a few words by way 

 of Preface. 



We are confident that our readers will agree with us 

 in the opinion that each successive number has been an 

 improvement upon the former one, not only in literary 

 merit, but also in the number and quality of the engra- 

 vings. 



To the numerous correspondents who have favoured 

 us with valuable communications, we beg to offer our 

 warmest acknowledgments, and we have no doubt but 

 that their aid will be steadily continued, if we may judge 

 from the number of papers that have been transmitted 

 to us every month, and the promises of future aid, which 

 have been given us by various literary gentlemen. 



To our Subscribers also our sincere thanks are due, 

 for the kind and unflinching manner in which they have 

 continued their support. 



We cannot help expressing our hope that each suc- 

 cessive volume of the Museum will be found to be in- 

 creasingly acceptable and useful ; and that by being 

 made locally interesting it will present to our readers 



