The GENIUS of the LONDON MAGAZINE Blest Genius still be thine the arduous task; cont. 3-31-30 21324 PREFAC E. T HE PUBLIC and the LONDON MAGAZINE have been fo long and fo intimately acquainted, that much is not now neceffary to be faid. The latter has always pleased, and the for mer always approved. It is not our business to copy the example of other folks, by commencing the Heralds of our own Atchievements, and deafening the world with our own Praifes. If we merit these Praises, our merits will speak for us: if they do not belong to us, to tell lyes about it is but a paltry business at beft; the Public will not believe us. Yet we will not neglect to obferve to our readers, how candidly we have carried ourselves in these flippery times. A fpirit is gone forth into the world which teems with evil affections. Its deftructive influence is every where Spread, and every where received. When we look around us, we feem to fee only a fcene of univerfal debauch. The doors of Profligacy are unhinged, and Morality feems overwhelmed in its own ruins. In this almost univerfal Bankruptcy of good morals and good manners, we felicitate ourselves (as many of our Correfpondents have done before us) on having continually flemmed the torrent of Iniquity. We have oppofed it with every means which true Sincerity could urge, or the Circle of the Sciences could invent.~ This Conduct we would most willingly recommend to certain of our Cotemporaries, whofe Publications we hold in deteftation, not that they are our foes, but because they are the foes of mankind. And yet we have painted the Times, and shall continue to paint them, with a warm pencil. In our political department, as usual, we shall take very extenfive Views, and comprehend not only our domeftic Politics, but follow the great Chain which links together all the Interefts of Europe. In our defcription of the foibles of Life, particularly thofe of the paffions, we shall not fuffer any thing to escape us: if we attack offenders too closely, let them blame themselves and mend their manners. We wound only to cure. The torch of unlawful Love, which now burns fa fiercely, burns moftly in fecret, and in darkness: It will be our business to fnatch it forth into day light, where it will expire of itself. With refpect to our miscellaneous articles, we shall continue the ufual Plan, extracting, like the Bee, its honey from every literary flower. Actuated by thefe ideas, we are not doubtful of fuccefs, because we shall endeavour to deferve it; and it is an obvious profpect, that as the LONDON MAGAZINE increases in years, it will increafe, in reputation alfo. |