the intellect of Bristol more warmly to such subjects, we do not doubt that the 

 city where, in his early life, Davy started as the assistant of Beddoes, will again 

 yield an efficient supply of labourers in the advancement of science. 



Every other branch of science will meet with due regard ; but we have more 

 particularly specified those only to which peculiar local advantages at present 

 more especially direct om- attention. 



With regard to Literature, it will be rather our endeavour to seek for critical 

 illustrations of classical Poetry, Philosophy, and History, than to ovenvhelm our 

 readers with what are called " Original Essays ;" well aware that in such com- 

 positions mediocrity is intolerable, and that it is very rarely permitted to the 

 small literature of the provinces to attain that elevation which " Gods, men, and 

 the columns," alone sanction as allowable. It will be by no means our ambition 

 to open a foundling hospital for weak and unprovided offspring of this descrip- 

 tion. In scientific communications, provided the facts be important and accu- 

 rately stated, the literary composition is comparatively of little consequence ; 

 but in essays of pure literature, indifference in this respect must be insufferable. 



Our pages will ever be open to the interesting subject of Archaeology ; and we 

 shall ever regard this subject in its mdest extent, as including Ethnography, or 

 the general history and antiquities of nations, their ancient mythological systems, 

 and the like ; topics obviously requiring a very different spirit of philosophical 

 research from that which would restrict the pursuit to a mere " chronicle of old 

 vessels or brass farthings." Actual Statistics, no less than Antiquarian researches, 

 will demand our notice. 



From this positive enumeration of the subjects we contemplate, it will be 

 negatively evident that we do not propose at all to enter upon any ground, which 

 can possibly introduce controversial subjects, whether of Politics or Theology. 

 But in thus disclaiming controversial Theology, we shall ever be anxious that 

 every line we pen may be found throughout marked by a general Christian spirit 

 and Christian tendency. 



It is not at all the intention of the promoters of this Journal to exercise any 

 assumption, nor in any way to set themselves up in judgment over their fellow- 

 citizens ; they desire to promote the public welfare by the furtherance of those 

 tastes and pursuits from which they have themselves reaped many advantages ; 

 and they have only joined together to do that more effectually which it is the 

 duty of every man as a private individual to attempt. 



