3 / I X / ; / I/ / I HTTC OM 



TO OUR READERS. 



toV 



FROM the political excitement of the times, and the important and accumu- 

 lating subjects that have every month grown out of it, we find ourselves 

 unable, at the conclusion of the present volume, to do justice to the claims 

 of art and of literature, so amply as we had anticipated. We are compelled to 

 pass over the fine collection of Old Masters at Exeter Hall, the Enamel Paint- 

 ings on Glass, nay, the Exhibition itself. On the other hand, we have been 

 obliged to omit various Reviews of interest, and among them an analysis of 

 Mrs. Trollope's Absurdities on America. 



In spite of these defects, we trust the readers will not think that we have 

 wholly failed in the promise we made him in January. The past has had 

 many disadvantages to struggle with, but we have a right to look with hope, or 

 rather with confidence, to the future. The next volume shall stand in much 

 less need of apology than this ; and so we look eagerly forward for a pleasure 

 that shall grow out of the reader's. 



" To-morrow to fresh fields and pastures new." 



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*** The Title-page and Index to the present Volume will appear in the 

 ensuing Number. 





