PREFACE. THE year on which we have entered will, we think, notwithstanding the eventful years already passed, prove of the most interesting importance to mankind. At such an epoch, perhaps the Readers of the UNIVERSAL MAGAZINE may enquire, What is to be expected, in return for the patronage with which this LITERARY MISCELLANY has been hitherto favoured? Comprehensive as its title, it is the wish of the Proprietors, that the UNIVERSAL MAGAZINE, amidst all the fluctuations of opinion and party, should open to the Public an inexhaustible source of amusement and information. Enough is always done, to irritate turbulence, flatter presumption, and gratify malevolence. It is to happier and nobler feelings that the appeal remains to be made. With instruction to mingle delight; to invigorate honourable patriotism; to elicit and encourage diffident merit; to promote and extend the exertions of genius and science; to cherish and confirm the moral relations of life; these are the ends which, in the progress of their undertaking, the Proprietors of this Work are anxious to see accomplished. To effect these objects, estimable in themselves, and beneficial in their operation, no reasonable expence will be spared, no exertion omitted. More cannot be promised; though we trust that our promises will not be discredited by our performances. |