304? Reinarlcs 07i the recent Mode of publishing 



ment, then, binds him to furnish annually six plates of six 

 figures each, with twelve sheets of letterpress ; and six plates 

 of three figures each, with twenty-four sheets of letterpress. 



Irregularity and apology, and irregularity without apology, 

 have been the order of the day ever since this number ; until 

 the confusion arising from it seems as inextricable as any man 

 wishing to puzzle his subscribers could possibly desire. I 

 have taken no small pains to go through the whole series of 

 promises, pledges, alterations, explanations, evasions, and 

 attempts, rather too undisguised, to persuade his supporters 

 that the author has exceeded his engagements. I wish to deal 

 only with facts, and I believe the result of my labours to be 

 correct. As I conceive an exposure of the system which has 

 been pursued would be of real advantage to science, you will 

 excuse my going a little into detail. 



On No. XXX., which was published 30th September, 1829, 



is this address : — 



" Uncontrollable circumstances having unexpectedly occurred to prevent 

 the author from devoting his attention to his MSS. during the past two 

 months, he has been compelled to publish the present number without its 

 due allowance of letterpress : in order, however, not to disappoint his sub- 

 scribers by any further delay, it has been thought advisable to bring out the 

 sheet of descriptions required to complete No. xxviii., and with it two 

 plates containing nine figures (the latter being equivalent to an ordinary 

 number). But as this plan rather interferes with the usual arrangement. 

 No. xxxi. will contain six sheets of letterpress, without any plate ; and will 

 be published on the 30th of November, and the succeeding numbers on the 

 last day of the ensuing months respectively, until the author is enabled to 

 regain the lost month, which he hopes to accomplish before the conclusion 

 of the present volume." 



Let us see how these pledges are redeemed. No. xxxi. 

 does not come out till the 31st of January, four months being 

 lost; and instead of containing six sheets, the author, with 

 singular modesty, puts forth one plate of three figures, and a 

 single sheet of paper, with the usual moderate charge of 5s, 

 No apology is offered for the disappointment of his sub- 

 scribers, but a tirade about " uncontrollable circumstances," 

 and so on, with a promise to make good his deficiencies in 

 No.xxxii., which was to appear on the 31st of March {losing 

 another month!); and that No. xxxiii. would appear on the 

 1st of May, and the succeeding numbers regularly. 



Did No.xxxii. appear on the 31st of March? Oh no! it bears 

 date the 1st of May ; and contained no plate, and only two sheets 

 of letterpress, again charged 5s. \JvDe shillings for two sheets of 

 printed paper, value, on a liberar scale, even of allowance for 

 the author's labours, not exceeding 1 5. 6d. ! An address states 

 the usual story of " uncontrollable causes ; " which, he assures 

 us, are of " no immediate interest to his subscribers." The 



