Читать книгу The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 291 - Supplement to Vol 10 - Various - Страница 1

Each volume of a successful periodical miscellany resembles Seneca's "one good turn—a shoeing-horn to another;" and the Editor of THE MIRROR, in prefacing his tenth volume with this comparison, hopes that he does not over-rate what the present patronage of the public encourages him to expect. Indeed, he would fear the suspicion of ingratitude on his part, were he not thus to acknowledge the long-extended success which has attended his labours, from their commencement to the present moment. At the same time, lest vanity should be thought to have mastered his better judgment, he assures his patrons that he does not claim the undivided merit of his good fortune; since, beyond his own taste of adaptation and selection, he "misses nothing he can fairly lay his hands on;" so that, the multiplicity of his resources being considered, his success is, perhaps, more complimentary to the discernment of the public, than it is laudatory of his individual exertions.

As many readers would yawn over a long preface like so much Latin, the Editor will not, in the present instance, subject them to so extraordinary a stretch of ennui, by any lengthy comment on the character of his last volume. He hopes that its contents will be found equal to either of its predecessors; and, if any superiority be observed, he begs that it may be attributed to the "march of mind," in whose rank and file he may be allowed his proper order.

Like the well-graced actor, who, at the conclusion of a play, bows to the performers before he addresses the audience, the Editor first returns his acknowledgments to his several Correspondents, who have contributed to the public entertainment in his last volume: perhaps this class may be very small, although in the usual proportion of good and evil which is scattered up and down all paths of life. To the other and more numerous class, viz. those whose Communications (from various motives, generally explained) have not been inserted, the Editor is equally indebted,—for intention, if not accomplishment; and he hopes that the performance of his critical duty has been such as to conciliate their respect and good-will. As a pleasantry, he would remind a fair proportion of his readers, that,

for he would not affect the fickle guide on so extended a scale. For graver matters, or such as are beyond the surface of the heart, the Editor thanks his Correspondents on subjects of Art, in its antiquarian and modern departments, of whose researches he has frequently availed himself. With a view to keep pace with the Spirit of Philosophical Discovery which characterizes the present day, the Editor has been his own Prometheus in introducing his readers to the "Arcana of Science," the object of which has already been fully explained, and he hopes, to a certain extent, realized.

The Editor is not disposed to indulge too freely in anticipation, lest he should lose sight of his object: accordingly, he must be brief in his professions for the future. Improvement is contemplated in the general execution of the Embellishments, as far as the Proprietor and Editor have control; but, anon, they will be at the bar of public taste. To use a parliamentary phrase, other new "features" will be introduced from time to time, so as to continue to reflect in THE MIRROR the characteristics and curiosity of the present day, aided by some of the bright lights of past ages.

LONDON,

December 24, 1827.