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"The News Magazine!" Well! and why not "The News Magazine ?" We had thought of calling it the "Original Magazine”—but sincerely believing there had been Magazines published before July, 1864, we could hardly summon courage to adopt that as the title of our production; so we named our New Magazine-"The News Magazine"-and we most respectfully ask you to recognize it by that appellation.

It will, nevertheless, contain some things very original, such as have never before been heard of by the "oldest inhabitant," nor read of in our mundane annals.

We shall give, some months hence (if our Magazine should not prematurely explode), an account of events which have not yet happened, and we shall hope to do so in a satisfactory manner.

We shall try to please all; juvenescent, adolescent, and senescent.

We claim no indulgence, beyond asking you to give us a fair trial-that our acquaintance with you may not be evanescent.

We tell you plainly, and honestly, that we have made up our mind to either succeed in obtaining popularity, or to fail in the attempt—unless, however, we are greatly deceiving ourselves, we shall be able to procure for our Periodical such a circulation, as shall amply compensate us for our undertaking.

We bear in mind, that it is not in the power of any person-whether he comes out boldly with the egotistic, "I," or, shelters himself under the umbrageous "We"-to command success; yet, one thing is certain, in our case, the "We" will strive to DESERVE it.

We purpose, then, with your assistance, to appear monthly, and to give you the benefit of the observations which we have seen fit to make upon things in general, and which, as far as we have been able to ascertain, have been made upon us in particular.

We shall use our best endeavours to conduct you along the safest paths of morality, which paths you will be able to descry by carefully observing the bent of our "Tales." Conductors, and those desirous of being properly conducted, shall continually hail, with pleasure, the rewards achieved by good conduct.

In order, also, to add a stimulus to the performance of praiseworthy actions amongst all classes-we shall give a Biography of some important personage, as well as some special notice of all important marriages, and other matters of domestic interest, which shall take place in this district.

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We shall, from time to time, give translations of our own, from the Greek and Latin Classics.

We shall propose questions in Algebra and Arithmetic, and we shall be glad to insert the names of those who oblige us with the correct answers. We shall introduce Riddles, both of home and foreign manufacture, to sift the intellect of our juvenile friends.

As we are blessed with a poetical turn of mind, we shall turn this lucky circumstance to the advantage of our Readers. A chronological chapter of accidents and events will be found in each number—and, if we receive the encouragement we anticipate-we shall make it our sole aim to deserve such patronage, and to become a medium for spreading useful and amusing information-Horace says, "Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci," and we too, shall try to gain "every point," by mingling the "useful with the agreeable."

We are in a position to state (and we frankly admit that we feel not a little elevated by our discovery), that, having taken soundings along the Nene, each way, from the Bridge at Peterborough for some distance; and having made ourselves acquainted with the ethological character of the inhabitants living contiguous to that River, as well as of those dwelling in the Fens-and moreover, having studied the geographical position of the said Fens-we have arrived at the conclusion, that "The News Magazine will be found (especially in the hibernal months) a welcome companion in the homes of many who are well known to us.

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We have been asked what our politics will be-but, as we thought that somewhat of an irrelevant, and inquisitive question-we replied, we should wish to keep in repute about the "Middle Level"-and, now, having thought over this matter a little more carefully, we beg to tell you, in confidence, that we shall avoid extremes in everything. We shall not wish to tear away like a Roebuck-nor allow our course to appear as if we were guided by any Star-however bright. We would rather emulate the Sun, and keep within due bounds from year to year.

We desire to be friendly with all, and to offend no one.

It remains now to be stated, we shall be happy to receive literary contributions, and suggestions from any one, on any topic whatever, of public interest. We hope our pages will soon shine with the native talent of the Midland Counties, and that many will avail themselves of our vehicle to ride with us (we trust), to favour and to fame.

We shall only require to know the exact whereabouts of our contributors, in case we should feel disposed, on seeing the balance at our Bankers very large, to send them a cheque to check it.

We fear, however, this forward view is like Neptune's prospect in Virgil's Eneid, when he looked ahead-a long way to sea (or see if you like it better), and we only hope, if we should find ourselves in a like dilemma, we be able to exhibit the same "placid countenance" that he did, when his Banks were overflowing.

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We have expressed the hope recorded above-because we have heard it said, that, "Prosperity is often more difficult to bear than adversity," and many believe this to be invariably the case. It may be because the former is finer, and more attractive-and hence, fraught with some danger in the gross, to the subjects if its influence; whilst the latter may be termed a re-finer and, more subtractive; which words imply that the NETT weight borne

by those without such influence is, in a mercantile point of view, not so ponderous. Be this as it may-it is an idea which struck us (a minute ago), and which may afford some explanation of the sentence which we have placed within inverted commas.

We must now rein in our Leader; we assure you, gentle Readers, we have formed a very high opinion of your power to appreciate what is intended to be worthy of your approbation, and it shall go hard with us if we do not prove ourselves equal to your expectations.

Until the 1st of August next, FAREWELL!

Peterborough, June 30th, 1864.

PIROUROU.

Written by Himself.

My history is composed of the most singular circumstances; condemned by my birth to vegetate among beings of the most abject class, my elevation was the work of human malice, that vice of society, which ruins so many fortunes, laid the solid foundation of mine. I am now married, rich, and happy, from having been the docile and tractable instrument, of an extraordinary act of mischievousness and spite. I was born in one of those sequestcred little hamlets, situated in the neighbourhood of Montelimart. My father had made many a fruitless effort to raise himself above indigence. His last resource in his old age, arose from the exercise of a talent, which he had acquired in his youth, that of a bellows-mender. This, although not a very brilliant occupation, was the profession to which I was destined at that time of life, when I was considered capable of earning my own livelihood. Satisfied at first in following my business under the inspection of my father, my desires were few, and my range for thought somewhat limited. Nature, however, had happily endowed me with a disposition for industry, and after a time, I flattered myself that I not only equalled, but even excelled my master in proficiency. Ambition led me to imagine that my talents were fitted for a wider sphere, and some of my distant excursions, succeeded beyond my most sanguine expectations. After furnishing all I could spare for the support of my aged parent, I found means to accumulate a small sum of money, which enabled me to take a journey to Lyons. I made my debut in that great city, amply provided with such articles as belonged to my trade, and the public places and most crowded streets soon resounded with my cries. I was young, dexterous, and well shaped; I sold my wares rapidly, and became a general favourite with the chamber-maids and housemaids, which was the utmost aim of my ambition.

Returning home late one evening to my little garret, which served me for a warehouse, as well as a lodging, I was accosted by four well-dressed young men, who seemed to be taking an evening walk. We were in one of the most solitary streets of the quarter of St. Clair. They threw out a few pleasantries on the lateness of the evening, accompanied with sarcasms on my profession of bellows-mender, which, I, nothing loath, responded to in a style of raillery, for which they were not prepared, and at which they evinced considerable surprise. I saw them look at cach other significantly, and

immediately after, heard one of them say, "This will be our man." I own that these words made me start, finding myself alone in the dark without any means of resistance, and at the mercy of four stout young fellows. What would become of me was the reflection which occupied my mind, when one of them, who seemed to give a shrewd guess at the cause of my terror, soon dispelled it by addressing me in a tone of affability. "Perourou," (the name which the people of Lyons give their bellows-menders), "Perourou," said he "you probably have not yet supped, neither have we. Our supper is ready; will you go with us? Our intention is to do you more good than you have any idea of. Come and sup with us, without any further ceremony now, and we will talk with you afterwards. Do not be afraid; we are gentlemen. you will not enter into our schemes we shall only require your promise of secrecy, which you will run no risk in keeping."

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There was something in the voice of the person who spoke to me, as well as in the proposition itself, so seducing, that I accepted the offer without hesitation. My new acquaintances, after having made me cross several streets, brought me into an apartment elegantly furnished, where we found six other young men, who seemed to have been waiting for them impatiently. A short explanation took place concerning me, and we sat gaily down to supper. I had the honour of making the company laugh by some of my original observations. I had enjoyed my supper vastly, and inasmuch as I had drawn largely upon their liberality on my own account, I endeavoured to draw on my wit, for their pleasure, and to confirm them in the good opinion, which it appeared absolutely necessary, they should entertain of me, before they would come to a further explanation. When the servants had placed a dessert upon the table they withdrew, and during about five minutes, a profound silence prevailed amid the assembly, which, till then had been sufficiently noisy.

At length he who presided at the repast, addressed me in the following words "The ten persons with whom you have supped, are all citizens of Lyons. We are engravers: our joint profits with what we obtain from our families, afford us an easy independence, and we also acquire by our talents a considerable share of reputation. The happiness we enjoyed has been lately disturbed, by love on the one side, and pride on the other. In the street of St. Dominic, lives a picture dealer, who is himself an ordinary personage enough-but who has a daughter most exquisitely beautiful. The city of Lyons, large as it is, does not contain another master-piece, worthy of being compared with this charming creature. Possessed of every accomplishment, and endowed with every grace, all her amiable qualities are shaded by one single defect, and that defect is, intolerable pride. Vain of being the object of general admiration, she fondly imagines, that none ought to aspire to her hand, under the rank of a prince or a nobleman. Her father, who is a very good connoisseur in painting, but who has a limited understanding with respect to every thing else, has entirely spoiled her by adulation, amounting almost to idolatry. Novels, her looking glass, and habitual flattery from all around her, as it were incense offered at her shrine, have raised her natural self-love into vanity, and vanity into arrogance, and the most lofty disdain towards all who are not decorated with the marks of opulence, or the distinctions of rank. I had the honour (for why speak in the third person, when it is my own history which I am relating), I had the honour of engaging her notice from my connections in business with her father. Sometimes she accorded me the

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