IMPERIAL MAGAZINE; AND, MONTHLY RECORD OF RELIGIOUS, PHILOSOPHICAL, HISTORICAL, BIOGRAPHICAL, EMBRACING Literature, Science, & Art. EDITED BY SAMUEL DREW, M.A. :: VOL. I. SECOND SERIES. 1831. "It generally happens, at our first entrance into the world, that, by the natural attraction of simili- LONDON: FISHER, SON, & JACKSON, 38, NEWGATE STREET. : New York State Library PREFACE. IN thus writing a Preface to each Volume of the IMPERIAL MAGAZINE, the Editor rather complies with the dictates of custom, than follows the impulses of necessity. An undeviating adherence to permanent principle places this periodical beyond the influence of fluctuating opinion; and therefore leaves little to elucidate, little for which to offer any apology, and nothing to awaken emotions of conscientious remorse. Essentially a moral, religious, and ethical publication, without espousing the dogmas of any party, or being amenable to any sectarian tribunal, the IMPERIAL MAGAZINE, during the thirteen years of its existence, has never suffered its pages to be encumbered with the ample but ephemeral harvests, which may be constantly reaped in the great fields of politics, and the transient occurrences of the day. With an eye, indeed, to the moral and religious issues involved in the commotions which agitate the world, a quarterly notice has been taken of European phenomena. It is to these points that our retrospect has been exclusively directed, and it is only in this light that the views of the writer can be justly appreciated. Indeed, so dark, so luminous, and so tumultuous have been the clouds recently hovering round our political horizon, that they seem to resemble the surges which alternately frown, and smile, and burst upon our shores. These, for a season, have engrossed no small share of public attention; but an overruling providence has thus far averted the evils which we dread, and encouraged us, with strong indications of success, to pursue and cherish the great objects of our solicitude and hope. But while the agitations of politics, and the menaces of a pestilential disease, have so very generally pervaded the public mind, they have not been permitted to extinguish, in the virtuous and thoughtful part of our vast population, their strong attachment to religion, morals, and useful knowledge. Of these, the numbers not only remain undiminished, but an appeal to the following fact assures us that they are considerably increased. At the commencement of the present year, a New Series of the IMPERIAL MAGAZINE was announced. This, however, did not imply any change either in its principles or its character. The plan was adopted because many of the earlier numbers were out of print; and also to furnish new subscribers with an opportunity of falling in with what might be termed 26x384 |