political opinion and discussion, perhaps of political prejudice and party. That such may be consulted with benefit, and perused with satisfaction, we by no means pretend to deny; nay further, we are prepared to pay them the willing tribute of praise, for much acute remark and learned disquisition. Our pretensions are of a different, and, let it be permitted us to add, of a more permanent nature: Their usefulness is more local and temporary; their materials for amusement, and information too, are necessarily more limited. Our Volumes exhibit, and will continue to exhibit, a regu larly connected series of information on the Literature of our Country, its Politicks, Domestic History, Antiquities, Biography, and Poetry; a faithful and regular detail also of the Occurrences in Foreign Parts; and every other subject which can tend to make a miscellaneous Periodical Work productive of immediate gratification, or proper hereafter to be consulted as a faithful and authentic record. Having said thus much, and we trust without offence, it is not possible to conclude without reverting, as we always do, to the condition of our beloved Country. Would that it were permitted us to congratulate our Fellow-Citizens on the early prospect of again cultivating without molestation the Peaceful Olive! But the thirst for blood, which has so long tormented the infuriated Tyrant of the Continent, is not even yet satiated. But surely a brighter dawn may be discerned in the Political Hemisphere; it may be contemplated in the Laurel Wreaths which our gallant Countrymen have so gloriously won at Busaco, Albuera, and on the Plains of Portugal: it may be hailed in the moral operation_progressively taking its effect in the patriotic bosoms of our oppressed and persecuted Allies. May our hopes be prophetic! and when we shall next again bring ourselves before our Readers, may we have the delightful occasion presented to us, of cheering the return of Liberty to the ravaged and insulted Nations of Europe; and the sweet and grateful task of welcoming the wished-for return of British Heroes from fields of glory to mansions of tranquillity and peace, no more to be disturbed by the ruthless spirit of War and lawless Ambition! Gentleman's Magazine: AND Historical Chronicle. From JANUARY to JUNE, 1811. VOLUME LXXXI. (BEING THE FOURTH OF A NEW SERIES.) PART THE FIRST. PRODESSE ET DELECTARE. E PLURIBUS UNUM. By SYLVANUS URBAN, Gent. LONDON: Printed by JOHN NICHOLS and SON, where LETTERS are particularly requested to be sent, POST-PAID. ON COMPLETING THE FIRST PART OF VOL. LXXXI. URBAN, six months again thy toils complete, S. C. |