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J. B. NICHOLS AND SON, 25, PARLIAMENT-STREET. PRE FACE.

“THERE is, perhaps, (says Dr. Johnson,) no nation in w is so necessary as in our own to assemble from time to tin small tracts, and fugitive pieces, which are occasionally publi for, besides the general subjects of inquiry which are cultivat us in common with every learned nation, our constitutio Church and State naturally gives birth to a multitude of formances, which would either not have been written, or not have been made public, in any other place.” This remai Dr. Johnson not only holds good when applied to pamphlets other small tracts separately published, but may justly be tended to all works where the communication of opinions statements is concisely given, or where it does not necessa involve the publication of the author's name; where sentime may be delivered, and questions argued, without any fear of re tation being hazarded, and where, perhaps, the first spark of tr may be elicited, the full importance of which cannot be accurat ascertained, nor the extent of the future development, perha suspected. How many essays and controversies on subjects Art and Literature have appeared for the first time in the pag of the Gentleman's Magazine, which, afterwards, having been gested into order, and expanded into a full exhibition of the arg ment, have formed volumes of standard reference necessary to t inquiries of the Scholar and Antiquary. Thus one advantag which a Magazine like ours possesses, is, in many cases, to exhib the rise and progress of opinions, to be the means by whic prejudice may be dissolved, error disentangled, and truth re covered.

For enabling us to gratify the curiosity of the public in tha portion of our Magazine which is set apart for the reception o original communications, we have to thank many intelligent and friendly correspondents; while we, as Editors of the work, are answerable to the public for all diligence and inquiry, and carefulness of selection,

As concerns another branch of our work, some one has classed “the Reviewers of books among the disturbers of human quiet ;"

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UND SON, 25, PARLIAMENT-STREET.