Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

LONDON:

PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES,

Northumberland-court,

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE Publisher of the Quarterly Magazine has most sincerely to express his regret, that the appearance of the present Number should have been twice delayed beyond the period of its announcement. As far as this delay has been occasioned by the lingering anxiety of a severe domestic calamity, he is sure to receive the indulgence of his supporters; but, as it may be justly charged upon him that every contingency should be provided for in the conduct of a periodical work, he owes it to himself and to the public, to offer a few words of explanation.

The Quarterly Magazine was established at the earnest solicitation of some young men of great talents and acquirements, who had distinguished themselves in a local miscellany of no ordinary character. Their promises of support were cordial and enthusiastic,-their ability to realize those promises was unquestionable. The public favour was largely bestowed upon the undertaking; and the work, as it proceeded, acquired a considerable distinction amongst the discerning and the intelligent. For this patronage the Publisher is most grateful. There were many things, however, connected with its management, which gave the publisher pain. He had to contend, in one or two instances, with unsettled opinions, with captious objections, but above all, with something like a heartless indifference to the consequences of wanton neglect. It is too often the condition of genius that it fancies itself absolved from the ordinary laws of human action; and substitutes irregular excitements for settled principles. Whether or not

to this cause is to be attributed the want of completion of two long poems in this work, the publisher will not presume to decide.

The evils which are thus alluded to have reached their crisis. The publisher has lately had to choose between surrendering that responsibility which his duties to society have compelled him to retain, and which has in many cases prevented this work offending those whose esteem is most to be desired, or losing much of the assistance which has given to the Quarterly Magazine a peculiar and original character. He could not hesitate in his choice. He would not commit his own opinions to an inexperienced and incautious dictation; and he prefers the discontinuance of the work to conducting it with diminished talent. He has therefore to announce that the present Number of the Quarterly Magazine will be the last.

1

To those individuals, as distinguished for their consistency, and kindness as for their ability, who would have continued their exertions to this Miscellany, the Publisher has to return his most grateful thanks. It will ever be a satisfaction to him that of some of these, the first public services to the cause of Literature have been made in his humble field; and of others that they have brought to him the full vigour of those talents which had previously received the most conclusive encourage

ment.

The Quarterly Magazine will be bound in three volumes, price 36s.

[blocks in formation]
« AnteriorContinuar »