ADDRESS ΤΟ THE READERS OF THE LADY'S MAGAZINE AND MUSEUM, ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF ANOTHER YEAR SINCE ITS IMPROVEMENT. 1835. WE, last year, felt it necessary to enter at considerable length upon the details of what had been done towards improving this variouslyadjunct publication, both at home and abroad, which happily are no longer requisite. That what was then promised has been fulfilled, we look not to dull retrospect to tell; "where bright eyes so abound," and ladies' love hath so far condescended in throwing the scarf of their protection over us, as to inspire little less than the confidence of the "preux chevalier”-sans peurs et sans reproche. We, therefore, honourably and conscientiously proceed to commence a New Year without fear of any "Knight or Baron bold" that can enter the lists with us. We have taken the stand of the old 1756, but we have also marched with the march of the age; we have fairly confronted our opponents, and, what is more, we have pulled up their visors, and found the visage, as well as the form, less robust than our own-the colour evanescent, the eschutcheon sans pretence! How, then, can we fear? But, having thus boldly entered the lists of 1834, it is still necessary to guard against "reproche:" we, therefore, deliver a scroll of our own pretensions; and here we must, for the present, take leave of figure, and proceed to fact. I. EMBELLISHMENTS.-The Historical Pictures, from old masters, illuminated by colouring and gilding, besides being unique in such a work, are perhaps the nearest approach that has been attempted towards the admirable efforts in "effigies" that formed the labour and closed the life of the immortal Charles Stothard. We desire to approach further, and we confide in future accuracy of drawing, engraving, and ornament in all embellishments. While those that relate to the fashion of female costume, we can safely aver, are the very freshest that can be obtained from the centre of fashion for Europe, it may be now said all the world, we are happy to cultivate native talent, and promulge it to the utmost of our power. There are, indeed, ephemeral embellish |