iv PREFACE. 
With refpect to the Hiftory of Literature, foreign and domeftic, their own 
ideas have, in fome meafure, flu€tuated; but the plan they have finally 
adopted of HALF-YEARLY RETRosPECTS on this fubject, will, they imagine, 
give general fatisfaction. They believe they may take fome credit for the 
Monthly Notices of Works in hand, at home and abroad, which the com- 
munications of learned friends have enabled them to gives 
The term Magazing-poetry, has ufually been confidered as- fynonymous 
with the moft trivial and pee attempts at writing verfe. It has been 
their earneft with, to eflablihh a very different character of the pages devoted 
to this pleafing objedt in the Monthly Magazine, and if they can lay any 
claim to judgment in poetical merit, ie may venture to refer to many of 
their correfpondents’ favours as proofs, t that true genius and correct tafte 
have not difdained to prefent their produ¢tions to the public Se the 
medium of a periodical ease 
Tt has been very much their defire, in point of Domeftic Intelligence of 
every kind, to diftinguifh themfelves above their competitors; and “they are 
_happy to find, that the plan, adopted for the arrangement of this article, has. 
met with general approbation. They lament the inaccuracies into which 
they have occafionally.been led by too implicit a reliance on the public 
prints of the country and metropolis ; ; but, they believe, the conneétions 
they have eftablithed will hereafter fecure fem from fimilar errors, and, at 
the fame time, render their information more complete. hey fhall always 
annex much value to that fpecies of temporary biography, w hich accompa- 
nies the notification of the deaths of individuals in a “Monthly Obituary; and 
they beg leave to refer to fome very interefting articles.of this kind, with 
which they have been favoured, as models for fuch future communications as 
their friends may pleafe — oblige them with. 
They think it unneceffary to particularize thofe inferior departments of 
their Mifcellany, in whi ch they have attempted to open new fources of en- 
tertainment and inftruction for their readers; fince a flight infpe€tion will 
readily point them out: but they beg leave to hint at the value of one of 
thefe—the Monthly State of Difeases in London—fince they are certain, from 
the accuracy and judgment with which it is drawn up, that it muft be thought 
‘peculiarly worthy of notice by their medical friends. 
With refpecé to copper-plates, as the Conductors made no {pecific promife _ 
to the public, no explanation can be requifite as to per formance. Yet they 
will take this occafion to fay, that it is net from penurioufnefs that the latter 
= umbers are unfurnifhed with fuch additions, but becaufe no fubject offered 
; that kind, which alone appeared fuitable to the purpoies of their Mifcel- 
tant - When fuch fhail-again occur, their exertions to add to the gratifica- 
tion of their friends in this ‘point, will not be wanting. 
To conclude: ns public encouragement which they have fo liberally 
received, to a degree, indeed, forpalfing their moft fanguine expeétations, 
cannot but animate them to ann ble all their efforts ; and‘ while, to the bene- 
fit of experience, they fhall go on ange very advaniee arifing from efta- 
blifhed character and increafing conneétions, they may “Tafely pledge them- 
felve- to continue to deferve that preferen fea which comparative merit alone 
can render permanent. 
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