THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN MAGAZINE. VOLUME VIII. E EDINBURGH: WILLIAM OLIPHANT AND SONS. LONDON: HOULSTON AND STONEMAN. GLASGOW: DAVID ROBERTSON. MDCCCLIV. PREFACE. OUR Preface this year need not occupy large bounds. It is not required, in bringing our eighth volume to a close, that we explain the intentions and aims of the United Presbyterian Magazine; while, as to how far we have succeeded in carrying these into execution, our readers, it is probable, will not reckon us the most competent judges. Being thus restrained from expatiating either on our purposes or on their performance, there is little left for us to say in the form of preparatory remark. One thing, however, demands notice in even the briefest reflection upon the year's labours. It would be ungrateful in us not to refer to the ample and seasonable support which the Magazine has received from its numerous and able contributors. The days have been when, in our annual addresses, we could not refrain from a little editorial grumbling on this head; but," Tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in illis"—the times are mending with us, and as is most meet, we change our tune, and record the improvement with lively thanks. While continuing to enjoy the countenance and aid of long-tried friends, whose ripe experience in inditing matter for a religious miscellany renders their communications peculiarly welcome, we are receiving, from time to time, accessions of young and spirited writers to whom, we doubt not, the Magazine will prove, as it has done before in not a few instances, the stepping-stone to a wider and higher career in literature. We are always glad to hear from fresh contributors, and, as far as possible, we endeavour to make room for their articles; but it sometimes happens that the wealth which makes wit waver, and the desire to gratify different classes of readers by studying variety in the contents of each monthly issue, lead us to postpone longer than we could wish,—perhaps even to set aside altogether,papers in many respects worthy of insertion. We entreat of friends, who are annoyed by the "hope deferred," that they will consider the difficulties of our position, and put upon our conduct as favourable a construction as possible. |