PREFACE

M

AGAZINES, if well conducted, will always prove barometers of the times, and fhew bow the spirit of politicks, of religion, of gallantry, and of other purfuits, rifes or finks. The proprietors, meaning to play a winning game, will naturally confult the publick tafte; and never making or neglecting t but to their own lofs, will thro' neceffity foon return into the popular vortex. For want of a due attention to this circumftance, how many rivals has the London Magazine feen perish around it! They have frequently sprung up like an ignis fatuus, blazed for a fhort time, and funk at once into the gulpb of oblivion. Had not our mifcellany been judiciously managed, it could not have preferved its reputation for fuch a series of years. We cannot pay fo bad a compliment to the understanding of the nation as to fuppofe it capable of an abfurd partiality, or of being influenced by any confideration but that of merit. As it is our intereft, fo it shall be our care, to deferve the continuation of publick favour. Neither industry nor expence shall be Spared to render the London Magazine the completeft repofitory of the learning and genius of the age. That we may be able to vouch the truth of the facts recorded in our biftory of gallantry, we shall not always make a point of having an article of that nature in every number. Hence we shall avoid the errours of precipitation, and the neceffity of fiction; two faults with which fome of our competitors are univerSally and jufly reproached. We promise, however, that a Memoir of Gallantry fall be but rarely wanting. In our parliamentary Debates we shall adopt a new plan, which will at once fecure the graces of novelty, and the charms of perfpicuity. A fimultaneous view of every question agitated in the fenate fhail be given by a methodical and biftorical arrangement of the arguments there advanced on each fide. At proper intervals of time the hiftorical facts relative to other countries, which lie fcattered and detached in various publications, shall be collefed, digefted and given in the form of a regular hiftory. Of our miscellaneous articles we need fay nothing but that, as ufual, we shall felect the most inftructive and entertaining, that our correspondence and new books afford. The topicks of general converfation and political difcuffion during the month fpeak for themjelves, and need no other recommendation. Without them no Magazine can be complete. The fame cbfervation is applicable to our Review of Books, and to the Reviews contrafted. The want of them would leave our account of literature and literary transactions very imperfect. Some will perhaps blame us here for deviating in fome meafure from the original plan of this work, and not strictly keeping our word with the publick. But let them not be too hafty in condemning. It is not we but the pub lick that have made the alterations in the London Magazine. We are in a great measure passive, and act as inftruments in the bands of the nation. If it calls for divinity, we give divinity; if it requires politicks, we publish politicks. If love-flories be the mode, we become hiftorians of gallantry; and if antiquities be the fashion, we commence antiquarians. In short, as far as virtue and decorum will permit, we are whatever our readers please. Keeping a publick store-house we muji fill it with commodities, for which there is a demand.

EXPLANATION of the FRONTISPIECE.

HE Temple of CONCORD, the Genius of HARMONY--(defcribed by the

-(defcribed by the Serpents of FURY on its head, the dagger and torch falling out of its hands as if difabled.). In the distance, the Sun difpelling the dark clouds, and the brilliancy of its rays ftriking upon the Capital of GREAT BRITAIN,

DIETET

GEORGE R.

WHEREAS Our trufty and well-beloved Richard Baldwin, of Paterhumbly reprefented unto Us, that he is the Proprietor of a Work that is published monthly, entitled,

The LONDON MAGAZINE.

In which is contained many original Pieces, that were never before printed ; and
that he is at a great expence in paying Authors for their Labours in writing and
compiling the faid Work, which has been published once a Month for near
Thirty Years paft, and hath met with great approbation from the Publick.
That he is now publishing therein

An Impartial and Succinct HISTORY of the Origin and
Progrefs of the PRESENT WAR,

To be illuftrated with many Maps and Charts, which hath already been fo well received, as to induce feveral Perfons to reprint it in other periodical Publications; and being defirous of reaping the Fruits of his very great Expence and Labour, in the Profecution of this Work, and enjoying the full Profit and Benefit that may arise from printing and vending the fame, without any other Perfon interfering in his juft Property, he most humbly prays Us, to grant him Our Royal Licence and Protection, for the fole printing, publishing, and vending the faid Work. And We do, therefore, by thefe Prefents, fo far as may be agreeable to the Statute in that cafe made and provided, grant unto him, the faid Richard Baldwin, his Executors, Adminiftrators, and Affigns, our Licence. for the fole printing, publishing, and vending the faid Work, for the Term of Fourteen Years, ftrictly forbidding all Our Subjects, within Our Kingdoms and Dominions, to reprint, abridge, or, publish the fame, either in the like or any other Volume, or Volumes whatfoever, or to import, buy, vend, utter, or diftribute, any Copies thereof, reprinted beyond the Seas, during the aforefaid Term of Fourteen Years, without the Confent and Approbation of the faid Richard Baldwin, his Heirs, Executors, or Affigns, under their Hands and Seals first had and obtained, as they will answer the contrary at their Perils. Whereof, the Commifoners, and other Officers of Our Cuftoms, the Mafter, Wardens, and Company of Stationers, are to take Notice, That due Obedience may be rendered to Our Will and Pleasure herein declared. Given at Our Court at Kensington, the 23d Day of October, 1759, in the Thirty-Third Year of Our Reign.

J

By His MAJESTY's Command.

W. PITT.