ADDRESS. 



It has been intimated to the Editor, by those in whose opinions he is accus- 

 tomed to confide, that upon the appearance of a work altogether of so new a 

 character as the present, some preliminary Address is expected. Such an 

 Address, if it states any thing-, ought, it appears to him, to confine itself prin- 

 cipally to three points — The causes which gave rise to the establishment of a 

 Journal — The objects which, when established, it is intended to accomplish — 

 And the manner in which its plan is to be carried into execution. These three 

 points, then, he shall now attempt to develop more clearly and more at length, 

 than the brevity and conciseness necessary to a Prospectus has hitherto permitted 

 him to do : and in whatever is stated upon any of these points, or throughout 

 the Address generally, the Editor wishes it distinctly to be understood, that he 

 speaks not his own sentiments alone, but those collectively of the body of which 

 he is the organ, and by whom the Journal has been placed under his immediate 

 and unfettered superintendauce. 



Those who are conversant with the city of Bristol and its suburbs, are aware, 

 that during the last few years the tastes and pursuits of a large section of the 

 inhabitants have been undergoing a gradual but important change. Science 

 and Literature have become more popular, tlie tone of general conversation has 

 improved, and the demand for instructive and profitable books has proportion- 

 ably increased. 



The first indications of this change are to be sought for in the City Library, 

 an ancient and respectable establishment, but which has undergone during the 

 last few years a very marked improvement, both in the sum and the cliaracter 

 of the volumes added to its stores. The number of its supporters has increased, 

 the books are more generally read than they used to be, and their style is cer- 

 tainly higher. This collection, now containing many tiiousand volumes, is 

 superior as a Library of reference to any similar provincial establishment in the 



No. 1.— Vol. I. A 



