2 APPENDIX. 



vorable animadversion. I must naturally expect that in 

 some quarters no exertion will be spared to affix a false 

 construction upon the motives which have prompted my 

 adoption of the present measure. The only contingency 

 however, of this kind, about which I feel the slightest ap- 

 prehension, is the chance of its being thought that I have 

 come forward with the present history, under a vain con- 

 ceit that details relating to the character of an Editor, in 

 his capacity of a private individual, must necessarily be 

 interesting from the vast importance attached to such a 

 personage. Now, whilst I am far from affecting indif- 

 ference to the possible tone of general rumour, I yet feel 

 that the necessity for carrying out the course which I have 

 determined on, does not originate in the relation in which 

 I am placed to the scientific public at large, but in the 

 relation existing between myself and that fraction only of 

 the scientific public to which the journal under my con- 

 troul owes its existence — the subscribers and contributors 

 to the Magazine. I plead guilty to the possession of so 

 much vanity as confidently to hope that their interest in 

 the reputation of the individual whom they have entrusted 

 with the editorship of the periodical in question, is such as 

 will not allow them to rest satisfied, without a critical exa- 

 mination of the real circumstances which have given rise to 

 this proceeding, at least in so far as those circumstances can 

 be judged of from the evidence which will be placed before 

 them : and, in committing this statement into their hands, 

 and in some measure investing them with the separate 

 functions of judge and jury, I do so, under the full con- 

 sciousness that if the nature of their verdict be not in my 

 favour, it is sure to be conveyed to me through a chan- 

 nel which is open to no possibility of misapprehension. 



The major part of those whom I am addressing, may 

 possibly have had their attention arrested by a notice on 

 the wrapper of the December Magazine, (No. 36), and in 

 that case, they will perhaps have already anticipated that 

 the coiTespondence there announced for publication, is to form 

 the chief topic of discussion throughout the present enquiry. 

 In giving that intimation of the course which seemed to me 

 under the circumstances the only consistent, and the most 

 direct one to pursue, I was guided by two considerations. — 

 First, the making known to such as might by ex-parte ru- 

 mours hear of the matter, that publicity would be given to 

 its details ; — and, secondly, that of affording the interested 

 parties on the other side, full notice of my determination, 

 and an opportunity of suggesting some arrangement, should 



