LONDON:

PRINTED FOR H. D. SYMONDS, NO. 20, PATER-

NOSTER ROW.

1797.

DONATED B BRTHS

WERCANTILE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

PREFACE.

As

S in the introduction of a Friend, to one with whom we had long been in habits of intimacy, it would be highly improper, after having ushered him into the room, to leave him without further affistance or apology, so it would be equally contrary to the just ceremonials of fociety, did we now present ourselves before the Public unaccompanied with a falutary respect.

A LITERARY MAGAZINE, conducted on liberal principles, and calculated for general amufement, has, it is believed, long been defired by a numerous and respectable class of Readers.-This defideratum we have endeavoured to supply. No perfonal animofity fhall distort our Biographical, -no party prejudice, nor vicious infinuation, fhall stain our Miscellaneous pages. In our DRAMATIC REVIEW, we will judge the Actor more than the man-in our LITERARY, the book-not its Author; keeping, in every exertion, that true medium which justice and generofity shall dictate.

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Our

Our Plan, gentle Reader, and the execution of that Plan, are now before thee: it would be ufelefs to deprecate thy wrath, shouldst thou find that we have not performed our promises; yet, remember, that we may improve in thy good graces, while given to hope, that the MONTHLY VISITOR will be encouraged to repeat his vifits.

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