2 INTRODUCTION. 



But sucli periodicals did exist — that several literary experiments were 

 made ; and, whatever their imperfections, they developed some ability, 

 and they only required the aid of public patronage to stimulate and 

 mature what latent they exhibited. But this was withheld — they 

 failed, to the disappointment of their projectors, and the regret of their 

 contributors. With these inauspicious reminiscences to revert to, the 

 projector of the present Miscellany has made another effort to furnish 

 a medium for the literary talents of his townsmen. And did he limit 

 his undertaking to this object, he might be reasonably diffident of 

 success ; but when he announces that it is his intention to introduce 

 into its pages reports of the lectures and addresses delivered at the 

 Literary and Philosophical Society and the Mechanics* Institute — the 

 importance and popularity of which is conclusively attested by the 

 numbers who always listen to them with attention and delight — he 

 hopes to receive the patronage of the public. 



The more detailed enumeration of the objects and design of the 

 periodical belongs to the prospectus; and how the design and objects 

 there stated will have been accomplished is to be ascertained from the 

 periodical itself. Further premise, therefore, would houseless; and 

 the proprietor commits his publication to the public j udgment, neither 

 anticipating nor desiring any further favour than a fair appreciation of 

 its merits, and a just construction of its imperfections. 



