[ xii ] 



placed in a light foniewhat new; r.nci which, from the manner of 

 treating it, it the execution be ioleral)lc, fhould l)e more clear and 

 fatisfattory than the ordinary accounts of parliamentary proceedings. 

 How far he fhall fucceed in this department, the public will decide : 

 but it is extremely obvious, that few things are lb much wanted in 

 this country, as a moiegoneial publication than at prcfent takes place 

 of the laws that aiit:<5l individuals; and he hopes that this attempt, in 

 a work fo much within th; reach of all ranks of people, will be re- 

 ceived with indulgent candji:r. 



The uncommon lownefs of price at which thi; work is offered to 

 the public, has been adopted, that its circrdation might be the more exten- 

 five,with a view to render this, and (jthtr articles of ufcful information, 

 acceffible to the great body of the people : and the editor warmly begs 

 leave to folicit thf attention and patronage of the public at large in this 

 attempt ; for it is by an exteniive circulation alone, that the general 

 attention can be fo much engaged, as to efTeft all the purpofcs this pub- 

 lication is naturally fitted ti> acconiplilh. His utnioil. zeal, however, 

 can prompt him to go no farther, than to be anxious that thofe who 

 vvifh well to the undertaking may have an opportunity of once fee- 

 ing the work, and of judging for thenifelves of its merit ; and if upon 

 trial they flrall find it unwotthy nf their patronage, it is but juii and 

 proper they fhould then give it up. Had private emolument been the 

 chief objecl with, the editor, he is well aware that he would have better 

 fucceeded by allixing a muchhigherprice to it. The more general exten- 

 sion of knowledge, however, is certainly a much greater objeel to aim at. 



Still farther to flimulate the atteniioii of the public, and to call furth 

 the latent fparks of genius that may lie hid from public view ; it 

 is the wifli of the editor to give a fel of premiums, annually, rather 

 honorary than lucrative, fur the bjft diiTeitaiions on hterary fubjeoJs. 

 The extent of thefe premiums, and the variety offubjefls ftleded 

 for them, nnifl ultimately depend upon the encouragement the public 

 iliall give to this undertaking. As a beginning however, the fol- 

 lowing incitements aie humbly offered to iiich ingenious youths as are 

 willing to engage in the honoi;tabIe contifl: fot literary glory. It is 

 uetdlefs to add, that it is the honour of the victory, rather than the 

 value of the premium, tliat nnul: conftirute tiie principal reward. 



To conclude, the editor will thankfuiiy avail himfelf of every hint, 

 tending t>> render his vt-ork more peifciil in any re/pei5l ; nor does he 

 <i>.fpair of being able to furnilh a mifceliany, that iHHlI be entitled oc 

 }'o;i'.e flure oi the public attcncion. 



