Tappan Brest, Ass 4-5-1932 ADVERTISEMENT. ON presenting to the Publick the sixth number of this work, which completes the first volume, the Editors cannot refrain from the expression of their thanks for the patronage which they have received. Although they have never doubted that the compilation, which they projected, would be successful, they were yet not sufficiently sanguine to anticipate, in the infancy of their establishment, the acquisition of so many names as appear upon their subscription list. It is, however, at once an incentive to future exertion, and a pledge of future success, which they are too prudent, as well as too grateful, to disregard. It is the object of the Editors to consult the taste of every reader to as great an extent as the limits of their journal will allow; and they persuade themselves, that, when the volume shall have been perused, every one will find, in addition to matter which is generally interesting, an essay or a review more particularly adapted to his own prevailing opinions and taste. Should this be the case, their chief object will have been attained, and their stipulations with the publick fulfilled. In the present political situation of the European world, it is not easy to obtain the journals of the Continent, and little more of them is known than can be gleaned from British publications, or furnished by individuals among ourselves. The editors have availed themselves of this latter resource, and the sixth number of the journal commences with an interesting article, written for them by an intelligent foreigner, whose means of obtaining information are ample, and whose intimacy with the literature and literary characters of Germany and France, renders him a useful assistant. The Editors have been anxious to listen to publick opinion on the plan and execution of their journal, because they were desirous of conforming to the publick wish. They have no reason to make any alterations, except in the typographical department, in which some trivial changes will, for the purpose of rendering the pages more easily legible, be hereafter found, and which, without dissatisfying any, will, it is hoped, gratify some of their readers. The Editors have adopted measures to obtain the British journals sooner than they usually reach the United States. The sixth number is enriched with some articles, which, it is believed, are not yet in the possession of others in our country, and although the newest literary intelligence is not always the best entitled to selection, yet, when it has merit, it should be given promptly to publick curiosity. It is impracticable to answer every sanguine calculation, or to gratify every extravagant desire. Some readers will find the journal too light, and others, too dull; one will read to moralize; and the only object of another will be, to while away a heavy hour. Some will demand more science, and others, more merriment. The journal will be abandoned by some; and new subscribers will be attracted to its pages; but it is confidently believed, that time will prove the expectations of the Editors to have been sufficiently moderate. PHILADELPHIA, JUNE 1, 1809. THE Editors avail themselves of this opportunity to remove an erroneous impression which has been made by the circumstance of their having employed Messrs. Hopkins and Earle, as booksellers, to manage the sales of the work. The property of the establishment is still exclusively in the original proprietors, by whom, solely, the work is conducted. This explanation, it is hoped, will be satisfactory to those who have thought unfavourably of the editors, in consequence of a supposed transfer of the establishment, so soon after having solicited publick patronage upon their individual responsibility. |
