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PREFACE to the 1831
edition
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
a second beginning of the Work. In its exterior, this new series is
distinguished by a more modern appearance; and in its interior, by a new
arrangement of its biographical sketches, and of such other articles as
have an immediate reference to the Engravings, and also in the
enumeration of pages instead of columns.
Nor were the calculations made, in the above respects, founded on
erroneous conjecture. Several hundreds of new subscribers rallied round
the standard of its independence, and sanctioned its principles with
this most unequivocal testimony of approbation. It is by such noble,
enlightened, and disinterested spirits, that this Magazine has been
hitherto sustained ; it is to such as these that it looks for future
support; and from such as these that it derives a considerable portion
of the articles which both enliven and enrich its pages.
The same spirit still prevails among the sober and enlightened portion
of the community; and if the increase of subscribers during the year
1831 may be assumed as a fair criterion for analogical calculation, an
additional augmentation may be reasonably expected to distinguish the
year 1832.
To evince, by an unremitting attention to the duties of his office,
gratitude for this proof of public confidence, will be the constant aim
of the Editor; and he has the assurance of the Proprietors, that no
expense shall be spared in any department, to render the future Numbers
of the Imperial Magazine in some degree deserving of that extended
patronage which it has the honour to enjoy, to solicit, and to
anticipate.
On the Engravings which embellish the Imperial Magazine, it will be
needless to make any observations. Thirteen years have exposed them to
public inspection, and on all occasions they are ready to speak for
themselves. We are happy to learn, that, during recent years, by not
confining ourselves exclusively to portraits, most of our subscribers
have been highly gratified. We beg to assure them, that in fixture we
shall be careful to give variety in our graphic decorations.
To our kind and intelligent correspondents we once more return our
sincerest thanks, for their valuable communications. Our highly
respectable and numerous subscribers, have also an imperious claim on
our gratitude, which we thus publicly solicit them to accept. The
Proprietors and Editor finally conclude, by assuring all, that no
exertions on their parts shall be wanting, to meet the wishes of those
to whom they are laid under such lasting obligations.
Download the 1831 edition here
in pdf format
Download
the 1830 edition here in pdf format
Download the 1829 edition here in
pdf format |
