Preface to the Ninth Volume. 



Until that time come, we shall be found at our post, determined on 

 doing a duty, than which none higher is reserved for the imperfect powers of 

 man the great and sacred duty of struggling for the truth ; of giving a free 

 course to the aspirations and opinions of those men of ability, virtue, and 

 honour, who still love their country ; and of resisting to the death the designs 

 of every enemy to the hereditary rights and hallowed belief of the English 

 Nation. 



In the more general features of the work, we have attended to the varied 

 tastes of our readers. London society is in a state of perpetual excitement 

 London literature in a state of perpetual change. Singularities of character, 

 eccentricities of manner, displays of mental power, pleasantry, fantasy, and 

 folly, are hourly revolving before the eye, in this boundless metropolis, with 

 the vividness and interest of a living panorama. Of all those, we have the 

 adequate command. To seize and embody those phantoms in every shape of 

 Narrative Papers on the leading Questions of Public Life Tales of Man- 

 ners Individual Traits Opinions on Books Local Descriptions, &c. are 

 within the means only of a publication like ours. We have already largely 

 availed ourselves of our direct opportunities, and propose to extend this 

 department. 



The topics of the day have been remarked on with an exactness which 

 might make our Journal, to future days, among the most accurate memorials 

 of the habits, the topics, and the pleasantries of English life. Our " Notes 

 of the Month" will continue to form a permanent characteristic of the Maga- 

 zine. Our Theatrical intelligence has been derived from the best sources, and 

 we have made arrangements for giving new interest to a subject which natu- 

 rally excites and gratifies so large a portion of the public: the sudden revival 

 of the winter theatres will give us increased opportunities on this head. 



A multitude of striking Tales, of foreign and domestic manners and adven- 

 ture, are now awaiting our publication. Poems, on subjects grave and gay ; 

 Anecdotes of public men and peculiar circles ; brief Biographies of cele- 

 brated persons ; Letters from intelligent travellers ; details of the Fine Arts, 

 &c. are already on our table. Reviews of all books that in any degree deserve 

 .public attention, shall be given immediately on their appearance ; news of 

 forthcoming Literature will be regularly inserted ; the usual lists and state- 

 ments of the Agricultural, Commercial, and Financial Affairs of the empire 

 will be suitably attended to ; and thus a performance offered to the Public, 

 which, for completeness, accuracy, and earliness of general information 

 for, we shall hope, easy and various amusement and for (we will pledge 

 ourselves) uncorrupt and incorruptible public principle will have a right 

 to stand, at least side by side, with any publication of its kind in the annals 

 of national literature. 



