The Literary Magazine, and American Register

It is usual for one who presents dual splendor, will be made up by the public with a periodical work the union of all their beams into one. like the present, to introduce him. My province shall be to hold the self to the notice of his readers by mirror up so as to assemble all their some sort of preface or address. Í influence within its verge, and retake up the pen in conformity to this flect them on the public in such custom, but am quite at a loss for manner as to warm and enlighten. topics suitable to so interesting an

As I possess nothing but zeal, I occasion. I cannot expatiate on the can promise to exert nothing else; variety of my knowledge, the bril- but my consolation is, that, aided liancy of my wit

, the versatility of by that powerful spirit, many have my talents. To none of these do I accomplished things much more arlay any claim, and though this va

duous than that which I propose to riety, brilliancy of solidity, are ne- myself. cessary ingredients in a work of this Many are the works of this kind kind, I trust merely to the zeal and which have risen and fallen in Ameliberality of my friends to supply me rica, and many of them have enwith them. I have them not my- joyed but a brief existence. This self, but doubt not of the good of- circumstance has always at first fices of those who possess them, and sight, given me some uneasiness; shall think myself entitled to no

but when I come more soberly to small praise, if I am able to collect meditate upon it, my courage reinto one focal spot the rays of a great vives, and I discover no reason for number of luminaries. They also my doubts. Many works have acmay be very unequal to each other tually been reared and sustained by in lustre, and some of them may be the curiosity and favour of the publittle better than twinkling and fee- lic. They have ultimately declined ble stars, of the hundredth magni- or fallen, it is true; but why? From tude; but what is wanting in indivi no abatement of the public curiosity,

but from causes which publishers or have copied at one time, a Parisian; editors only are accountable. Those at another, a London fashion: and who managed the publication, have have truckled to the humours, now commonly either changed theirprin- of a precise enthusiast, and now of ciples, remitted their zeal, or vo a smart freethinker. luntarily relinquished their trade, 66 'Tis of no manner of importance or, last of all, and like other men. what creed you may publicly profess have died. Such works have flou- on this occasion, or on what side, rished for a time, and they ceased religious or political, you may deto flourish, by the fault or misfor. clare yourself enlisted. To judge tune of the proprietors. The puba of the value or sincerity of these lic is always eager to encourage one professions: to form some notion who devotes himself to their rational how far you will faithfully or skilamusement, and when he ceases to fully perform your part, I must demand or to deserve their favour, know your character. By that knowthey feel more regret than anger in ledge, I shall regulate myself with withdrawing it.

more certainty than by any anonyThe world, by which I mean the mous declaration you may think profew hundred persons, who concern per to make.” themselves about this work, will na I bow to the reasonableness of turally inquire who it is who thus these observations, and shall thereaddresses them. “ This is some- fore take no pains to conceal my what more than a point of idle cu name. Any body may know it who riosity,” my reader will say, “ for, chuses to ask me or my publisher. from my knowledge ofthe man must I shall not, however, put it at the I infer how far he will be able or bottom of this address. My diffiwilling to fulfl his promises. Be- dence, as my friends would call it; sides, it is great importance to and my discretion, as my enemies, know, whether his sentiments on if I have any, would term it, hincertain sucjects, be agreeable or not ders me from calling out my name to my own. In politics, for example, in a crowd. It has heretofore hinhe may be a maie-content: in reli- dered me from making my appeargion an heretic. He may be an ar- ance there, when impelled by the dent advocate for all that I abhor, strongest of human considerations, or he may be a celebrated champion and produces, at this time, an insuof my favourite opinions. It is evi- perable aversion to naming myself dent that these particulars must dic- to my readers. The mere act of tate the treatnient you receive from calling out my own name, on this me, and make me either your friend occasion, is of no moment, since an or enemy: your patron or your per- author or editor who takes no pains secutor. Besides, I am anxious for to conceal himself, cannot fail of besome personal knowledge of you, ing known to as many as desire to that I may judge of your literary know him. And whether my notomerits. You may, possibly, be one riety make for me or against me, I of these, who came hither from the shall use no means to prevent it. old world to seek your fortune; who I am far from wishing, however, have handled the pen as others han- that my readers should judge of my dle the awl or the needle: that is, exertions by my former ones. I for the sake of a livelihood: and have written much, but take much who, therefore, are willing to work blame to myself for something which on any kind of cloth or leather, and I have written, and take no praise to any model that may be in demand. for any thing. I should enjoy a larYou may, in the course of your trade, ger share of my own respect, at the have accommodated yourself to present moment, if nothing had ever twenty different fashions, and have flowed from my pen, the producserved twenty classes of customers; tion of which could be traced to me.

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The Literary Magazine, and American Register, Том 1