PROTESTANT ASCENDANCY. 



TO THE PUBLIC. 



In the hands of the present Proprietors, the Monthly Magazine has always been devoted 

 to the Constitution. But with the rise of stronger public gmergencies, more direct exer- 

 tions are called for ; if great political haz^rt^s are threatened, they are to be repelled only 

 by increased public vigilance; if the old barriers of the State are shaken by open violence, 

 or treacherous friendship, the most secure and legitimate defence is in a Press guided by 

 Constitutional knowledge, by zeal for the country, and by that British pride of principle 

 which scorns alike the frowns and the influence of corrupt authority. 



Those declarations have been often made before ; but the time compels a stern sincerity. 

 Our Principles are British, in the strongest sense of the word. We have not adopted them 

 for fee or reward; nor will we abandon them for fee or reward. The country, at this hour, 

 is in imminent danger. A convulsion, that may crush its whole system, is threatened. A 

 new element of discord is about to be introduced into our Constitution ; and every 

 means — from the basest corruption of the base, to the most insolent intimidation of the 

 high — is at work. Events are ripening with a tremendous rapidity, that nothing can 

 counteract but the boldest resolution, the most extended fellow-feeling, and the most 

 vigorous, straightforward, and faithful fidelity to the Constitution. 



Let what will come, we shall do our duty as men, while we have the power of speaking 

 to our fellow-subjects. Chains may be forging for us; we may be tortured and persecuted 

 by triumphant Popery — but we shall still put our trust in the righteous cause, and still feel 

 that the life of man cannot be more nobly expended than in the service of freedom. 



The folloiving are a few of the Notices that have aj^peared in the Newspapers : — 



It is seldom that we have occasion to observe such an astonishing transformation as has lately taken 

 place in the Monthly Magazine. From being one of the silliest — which it certainly was when it first 

 came under our critical notice — it has made a sudden start, and reached tbe very foremost rank. 

 Indeed, with the exception of " Blackwood,'' we know of none to be compared with it. The present 

 Dumber goes on to improve ; and we think it but fair to the Editor and Proprietors to assist in circu- 

 lating the following address. [The same as the above.] We shall only add that the leading article 

 on " The Dangers of England and Ireland" — excellent in spirit, and ably executed, is deserving 

 of the most serious attention — that the critique on the " Memoirs of John Shipp" is lively and 

 entertaining — that " Affairs in General" contain some good hits on a variety of subjects — and that, 

 considered as a whole — including all the usual varieties of intelligence, we can safely recommend 

 the present number to the good graces of our readers. — Edinburgh Evening Post, March 21. 



TheMonthlv Magazine. — " We have already recommended this excellent periodical to the notice 

 of our readers, as possessing strong claims upon public patronage, both on account of its sound 

 political principles, and the variety and interest of the purely literary matter it contains. The number 

 for the present month is equal to any of its predecessors, and among various articles of great merit 

 on different subjects, contains some valuable strictures on the present state of public affairs. The 

 leading article gives a brief summary of the principles of the Church of Rome, and of the numerous 

 statutes passed since the Reformation to protect the country from their influence. There are two 

 or three original tales of great merit, and an interesting account of a recent journey in South 1 

 America. Some highly entertaining extracts are also given from the singularly romantic memoirs of 

 Lieutenant Shipp. The notes of the month possess much spirit and truth, and form one of the most 

 interesting portions of the work. Upon the whole, the present number fully confirms the favourable 

 opinion which we have expressed of the former ones, and we hope the work is destined, ere long, to 

 occupy that station in tbe public esteem to which it appears to us to be eminently entitled. We are 

 sorry a pressure of other matter prevents our giving extracts from its pages in our present number." 



Manchester Courant, March 7. 



The January Number of the new series of the Monthly Magazine abounds with entertaining and 

 interesting matter. Its leading article contains a defence of the Brunswick Clubs, which so effec- 

 tually refutes all the objections which have been urged against them, that we cjinnot too strongly 

 recommend it to the notice of our readers. There is some excellent light reading in this Number, 

 and the remarks on passing events are written with a freedom and spirit which we like very much. 

 Our readers are probably aware that this Magazine, which was formerly the receptacle of every 

 species of infidel and revolutionary projects, some time ago changed hands. With its former pro- 

 prietor it has shaken off its evil communications, and is now one of the best conducted, and one of the 

 most loyal and constitutional periodicals which the press of the present day can boast. 



Manchester Courier, January 21. 



