PREFACE. WE are not aware, since we last addressed our readers, that any event of such literary importance has taken place, or any work in art of such peculiar merit has been published, as to demand from us a separate consideration. The stream of knowledge keeps flowing on, and the very silence and steadiness of its course, shews its freedom from impediments. This is the situation in which we may expect to find literature after it has been long established in a country, and has been freed alike from the trammels of power and the fatal influence of superstition and bigotry. Great works first appear-the produce of original and powerful minds-containing bold and rapid outlines of the various provinces of knowledge: the ingenuity of later times is employed in filling up the original sketches, completing the vigorous but rude designs, and correcting and supplying the omissions and imperfections, from later sources of information. This we take to be the present state of our literary progress; and the establishment of our numerous societies, each appropriated to some particular line of inquiry, shows the presumed advantage to be drawn from their formation; while the success which has attended them, is fully evinced in the rapid progress they have made, and the numerous rivals they have called forth. This proves that, though the first achievements in science and art are made by one mind, the completion must be owing to the combination of many. But to be effective, it is necessary that exertion should be duly regulated and confined within due limits. He who attempts too much, will probably fail in all. We therefore have considered it wise, to adhere, as much as possible, to our original plan; or if we have deviated from it, it is rather in the line of contraction than of expansion: for when our Magazine was first founded, many institutions of science and societies of art and literature were in their infancy, and possessed no peculiar and appropriate channels of public communication. So that much in formation passed through our pages, which is now conveyed in its own more direct and exclusive line. Nor is this a point to be viewed, without feelings of satisfaction: as all useful learning, like a well-constituted state, will flourish most amidst the prosperity of all around it. We have an ample supply of direct information in our own pages; and, like our rivals, we profit indirectly from the general progress of knowledge; nor do we fear lest the sources of our investigations should fail, while we possess the zealous cooperation of our present contributors, and the patronage of many new and enlightened correspondents and friends. E PLURIBUS UNUM. GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE. ...... 3 17 19 24 MINOR CORRESPONDENCE.-Portrait of Chaucer-Genealogical Inquiries- .... - Original Letter of the notorious Thomas Paine...... History of the Vulgate of Pope Sixtus V. The Distinct Signification of Ara and Altare.. Antient and Remarkable Signs in Norwich and its vicinity Vindication of the Literary Character of Bishop Hurd RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW.-Dolarny's Primerose, 1606... Manners and Household Expenses of England in the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Centuries, 51; Gliddon's Appeal on the Monuments of Egypt, 53; The Liber Landavensis, 55; Lewis's Illustrations of Kilpeck Church, 57; Pu- gin's Principles of Christian Architecture, 59; Richardson's Literary Leaves, 62; Worrell's Edwy, an historical Poem, 64; Sankey's Sermons, ib.; Walker's Pathology, 65; Remarks on Fotheringay Church, 66; Views and Details of Stanton Harcourt Church, 67; Examples of Encaustic Tiles, 68; Warwick's House of Commons, 69; Hewitt's Tower Armories LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. - New Publications, University Intelligence, Royal and Botanical Societies, &c. ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES.-Society of Antiquaries, Numismatic So- ciety, Ancient Artillery, &c. at the Tower.... HISTORICAL CHRONICLE.-Foreign News, 85.-Domestic Occurrences. Promotions and Preferments, 88.-Births, 89.-Marriages.... OBITUARY; with Memoirs of the Prince of Monaco; Marquess of Lothian ; Earl of Home; Earl of Elgin and Kincardine; Earl of Harewood; Rev. Sir J. G. Thomas, Bart.; Lieut.-Gen. Sir Joseph Fuller; General Whar- ton; Capt. T. Garth, R.N.; John Dalton, Esq.; Sir Francis Chantrey; Rev. G. F. Nott, D.D.; G. F. Beltz, Esq.; Francis Bauer, Esq.; Rosa- 112 |