A contributor, with cocked hat in one hand
and a copy of verses in the other, is endeavouring
to attract his glances—apparently in vain.
Globes, sextants, quadrants, planes, and
compasses, strew the floor at his feet; a flight
of steps leads from the library—which seems
all window—to some unknown sea; on which
floats a whole navy of singularly shaped
vessels in full sail close to the shore of a very
crowded city. Two lines at the top and two
at the bottom of this picture, in very irregular
text hand, denote the intention of the
representation, thus:—

"From Art and Science true Contentment springs,
Science points out the Cause, Art the Use of things."

"Merit should be for ever placed
ln Knowledge, Judgment, Wit, and Taste."

The reader's mind being thus prepared, he
may safely open the book and look for
knowledge and pleasure. The publisher first
addresses the subscribers, and assures them that
his gratitude is "extream" for their support.
"Without," he nobly and impressively writes,
"incurring the odious Character of vilifying
and exclaiming against Other Monthly
Publications, I can safely declare that I am the
First that ever sold three sheets of letter-
press, three copper-plates, and other Decorations
at the same price! It must be allowed
to be attended with much Labor and a
surprising Expense!" This "surprising" work,
he goes on to say, in defiance of grammar, is
"divided between the Curious and the
Industrious; and, what is more praise-worthy,
Candour and Impartiality appears in every
Part thereof." The publisher, warming with
his subject, and with affection towards his
authors, assures the reader that, "if anything
has slipped by the Channel of an extensive
and pressing Correspondence that can give
Offence to any Public or Private person, they
now beg their pardon. "What could be said
more to the purpose?

"Who with repentance is not satisfied,
Is not of Heaven nor Earth."

The publisher having concluded, let the
authors speak. They, perhaps, will be a
little less humble—a little more sarcastic—
but let it pass. "As the Proprietor is neither
afraid nor ashamed," say they, "to publish
this Magazine in his own Name; neither shall
we attempt to gain any reputation to this
work by indecent language, and scandalously
reflecting on those that have gone before us
in the like method of Monthly Publications.
The Fate of those that once flourished and are
now forgotten, should convince others that
pretend to monopolise wit and learning, and
to set bounds to other people's knowledge
and industry, that we have as much right to
oblige and to entertain the publick as any
other."

After this stinging reproof, assisted by
italics and capital—severely felt no doubt by
the culprits at whom it was levelled—a
promise is held out that, "the adventurous
merchant, the industrious tradesman, the
skilful mechanic, the toilsome farmer, and
the careful housewife, shall never want some
helps in their respective stations. . . .
The reader may expect a whole body of
Arts and Sciences, tales, fables, and (powerful
climax!) even riddles."

No bounds being put to expectation, our
ancestors must therefore naturally have
encouraged themselves to undertake the
perusal of a work destined, almost, to o'er-
inform their tenement of clay. It is more than
probable that they were not disappointed;
although we, in these days of progress, cannot
keep ourselves from impertinently smiling at
the simplicity of our respectable progenitors,
who devoured such passages as we hit upon
in turning over the leaves of their favourite
magazine, and who were quite ravished with
the novelties contained therein.

Would it not be worth the while of our
modern editors to consider the propriety of
introducing, at the present crisis, such a paper
as the following to help the consciences of
electors:

"HEADS OF SELF-EXAMINATION, PROPER TO BE USED
BY EVERY ELECTOR IN GREAT BRITAIN BEFORE
HE EITHER GIVES OR PROMISES HIS VOTE.

"1. Have I thoroughly considered the privileges
which, as a Briton, I have a right to enjoy?

"2. Have I reflected that when I chuse a man to
represent me I convey to him, for the time, all my
share of the legislative power?

"3. If he has before had in seat in Parliament, how
did he then behave? Was his steadfastness from a
virtuous principle, or because ths Minister did not
bid up to his price? Did he listen at all to
propositions of making easy, and did he bargain and
higgle in a manner to create suspicion? Does he
want to buy my suffrage or biass me by some favour
or gratuity to give it in defiance of laws that make
both him and me guilty in such a compact?"

After this we have a little history; and
then our geography is helped by a very
original map, adorned with a beautiful device
of a tombstone and cornucopia. Science is
illustrated by a page full of "Figs,"
singularly useful, and very marvellous. Law
follows, with an "Opinion of the Attorney
and Solicitor-General relative to Windows."
Philosophy brings Earthquakes in his hand,
with such an exordium as this: "I do not
doubt but there is a supreme Being who
moderates and guides the blind impetus
and force of such raging and voracious
motions."

Agriculture recommends the farmer in
June "if his land be wet and spewy to sow
cole or rape seed," and to mind his manure;
nevertheless, deferring any directions about
it "till another opportunity: "an arrangement
somewhat inconvenient to the farmer
about to commence operating forthwith.
Those who require to be positively assured