806 Remarks on the receiit Mode of publishing 



able to any man professing to be actuated by honourable 

 principles, and influenced by a regard for his reputation. 

 This course has been, to publish the back portions of vols. iii. 

 which are due, to subscribers without farther charge, in con- 

 nection with the numbers of the fourth volumes, in direct 

 violation of the pledge above given. On the 3 1st of December 

 last. No. xxxix. was published ; but instead of containing, as 

 promised, the " full supply " of letterpress, and " the figures 

 required to complete the third volumes," it had no plate at 

 all, and only four sheets. A poor subterfuge for the omission 

 of plate 19. of six figures is made, arising from the colourer 

 having spoiled the entire impression ; but 



" It, with plate 32. of Haustellata, and the letterpress required to com- 

 plete the third volumes of the work, will be presented gratis to subscribers 

 when ready, which will be as speedily as possible, without interfering with 

 the regular publication of the work." 



Here we perceive at once on what a shallow foundation 

 the author builds his promises. In November, the whole 

 letterpress and plates in arrear are to be given in No. xxxix. ; 

 but on the 31st of December he finds it convenient to say, 

 " as speedily as possible ; " promises it gratis^ which, accord- 

 ing to all reasonable acceptation of the term, means, that it 

 can be obtained without proceeding with the next volumes : 

 in proof of which, he states it will not " interfere with the 

 regular publication." Let us see how these renewed engage- 

 ments are kept. On the 31st of January appeared part xl., 

 which, in utter defiance of all honour, contained one plate of 

 three figures, and a sheet of the fourth volume; and one 

 plate of six figures, with four and a half sheets of letterpress, 

 completing one only of the third volumes : for this part there 

 is the usual charge. The author has the unblushing con- 

 fidence to append a note to this effect: — " The conclusion 

 of the Haustellata will shmily appear^ Be it remembered, 

 a portion of the work promised on the 31st of December, 

 and due long before ! Thus the subscriber is compelled to 

 go on again, and buy as many numbers as it may please 

 Mr. Stephens, in his cupidity, to force upon him. That I do 

 not apply too strong terms is pretty evident from the next 

 number having been published on the 28th of February, and 

 containing all new matter, although still less than the stipu- 

 ted portion. The design of leading on the subscriber is 

 clearly shown in a note, which states that " the conclusion of 

 the third volume of Haustellata will, if possible, appear with 

 the next number;" but, to the shame of the author, No. xlii. 

 also appeared with matter entirely connected with the new 

 volumes: after promising in November to complete the "full 



