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ments which we might have added, such as partial portraits of particular existing personages, and façades of railways; but while we contemplate such a permanent record of the great and good, as well as distinguished, females of all ages and countries, we have thought right to begin at the beginning, to produce a regular historical series down to the present, and we would hope to be carried on to future, time; and as to mechanical improvements which are rife in our days, without any disparagement of the intelligence of ladies, we do think it better to refer such of them as may be interested to the Mechanics' Magazine.

II. LITERATURE.-Of the historical characters forming our first head, on the series of ancient pictures from the olden time downward, we can vouch the fidelity and some claim of style. Of other prose writing, we desire to offer none but such as shall illustrate historical facts or domestic life, and furnish pleasing and instructive narratives justly fitted for the rational amusement of ladies in a vacant hour, with something now and then that may suit the lounge of male relatives of all the liberal professions. In that of war of "either arm," of course, the minor and most affecting interests are chiefly desirablemore particularly such as affect the domestic character.

Of Poetry in a Magazine, the estimation, we know, has, till within a very few years, been very low; and from the time when Cave commenced the "Gentleman's," and that when Robinson commenced the present (both bibliopoles of worthy memory), the selection of poetical communications has been matter of great difficulty-no wellconstructed mind being inclined to repress the efforts of genius in its opening bud, nor always prepared to apply the severe critical shears to those of maturer fancy. To act justly between our subscribers and correspondents, we trust ours will not be deemed a very hard rule :we know we have some classical correspondents to whom, on whatever subject (always provided that the ancients have not stolen their best thoughts!) admission must be ever ready, because such efforts tend to correct taste, not only in ladies but gentlemen, so far as included within our views, before stated. For all the rest, we require that there shall be both rhyme and reason-no "pastorals within the sound of Bow," nothing that cannot illustrate some sentiment or awaken some dormant feeling, and conned and scanned over and over again. There is another acceptable species, which the French call Vers de Societéthose short, smart epigrammatic pieces that, like the Improvisation of the Italians, excite pleasure by their origin, and are very agreeable, not only to the social circle, but every where.

Under this head must come that (we know not why) generally fearful topic-a review of the passing literature of the time. All that we can say of it is, that we shall (whether favoured collectively by the usual compliment of booksellers or not) endeavour to acquaint our readers with whatever can be useful or pleasing to them; and where

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we cannot praise we will not blame, unless it should be prominently necessary, as to check vice or immorality. Occasion may serve when we can add information to a review, so as to form an agreeable essay on the subject. According to our present course, we shall have little to do uncomfortably; but we feel that, instead of alluding to all these austerities, we ought rather to be en chevalier, endeavouring to please.

III. SCIENCE, ART, MUSIC, the DRAMA, &c.-For the reason just mentioned, we profess not to teach science in its common acceptation to ladies. We have already furnished one reference, and we can furnish more where they may be delighted by details; but it must be allowed to us, with our adoration of all the PERFECTIONS, as well as the excellent SENSE of woman, to desire to lead rather than enforce attention-to beguile rather than impel to what we think is for the advantage of the sex.

As to Art, where shall we find a just criterion? We look with great fondness to Sir M. A. Shee, from early recollections of his proficiency in every art but, suppose we had the power to ask him, what could the poet of modest, though justly indignant, " Rhymes on Art," say even now, beyond the caprice of the moment? For details, therefore, we must refer our leading notices to the taste and judgment of the ladies alone; to whom we look with fondness in many quarters for the best possible aid.

So, as regards Music. Here, indeed, we are often inclined to say to our fair friends, O, cruel, that ye do not enable us to be just, and lead the whole world into the very harmony of the spheres! As an instance of the necessity of their aid, we must put every piece of music to the all-detecting power of the violin; in many instances, it must be evident that very pretty music will not bear this: in some cases a string may be broken in vexation, and then-we say nothing!

As relates to the Drama, we well know what it ought to be; we are well acquainted with its origin and history, but are not so wedded to antiquity, or the schools, as to expect wonders in modern times; and really, in all questions regarding it, we can never lose sight of that memorable antithetic verse of Johnson, written for his friend Garrick— "The Drama's laws the Drama's patrons give,

For we who live to please must please to live."

What, therefore, we have endeavoured, and will endeavour to do, is to mark talent, and the will to exert it, wherever we can find a trace-to laud any encouragement offered to it by managers-record the judgment of any who shall produce and advance it in a manner useful to the public. We shall go on, in noticing any trait of genius, taste, even just industry in authors and actors, though always requiring something of moral utility from both one and the other, to our unqualified praise.

IV. MISCELLANEOUS OCCURRENCES.-Under this head we are desirous of furnishing, at the end of every month, such facts as arise from passing events, in a form agreeable to ladies; and not only that, but as no unpleasing offering to the male friends, who, in all the social arrangements of life, must be found of their pleasing domestic party at one time or other. We think this often-considered, insignificant head capable of being improved infinitely beyond any thing that we have been enabled to show, and we think also that we can here independently fulfil our wishes. Why should there not be a useful and moral application of many of the passing facts of domestic history, as well as that of human nature, that are communicated daily by the journals? Even in the ordinary notices of "Births, Marriages, and Deaths," those very interesting circumstances of human life, too little considered, we have endeavoured towards improvement, and shall endeavour more. Why should they not be made, in some degree, a record at once religious, moral, statistical? For ourselves, our kind subscribers will always find us ready to sustain any feeling on the subject. While we furnish, undeniably, the best efforts of fleeting fashion, we have feelings consonant to their own in all that concerns domestic affairs, whether of happiness or misery.

Upon the whole, we know not that we can do better than quote the words of a Sexagenarian friend and correspondent of the olden period— "I wish," said he, lately, "you could do this and that; and but, in truth, now that I have looked at all your cotemporaries, I think you quite as good in your literature, often better, and am constrained to express my surprise at what you have done."

It is now high time to resume our chivalric figure, and with all necessary appanage and "appliance to boot," saluting our fair readers on our own ground, in all due prostrations, of course, hope they will allow us to say, to this season of hope and promise, that we,

"In weeds of peace high triumphs hold;
With store of ladies, whose bright eyes
Rain influence, and JUDGE THE PRIZE!"

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