SOUTH DEVON LITERARY CHRONICLE: A Monthly Magazine OF LOCAL AND GENERAL LITERATURE. PLYMOUTH: LONDON: T. B. SHARPE, SKINNER STREET. 1847. ADVERTISEMENT. Ir was hoped by the Editor, and by the few friends aiding him in his enterprise, that the present volume would have been the first of a long series of a Periodical illustrating the history, capabilities, and beauties of the West of England. The support one had almost a right to expect in so extensive a neighbourhood as this is, has, however, been found wanting; so much so, indeed, that not even one-half the expenses has been covered by the sale. Consequently, in addition to the labour and anxiety always attendant on such undertakings, the promoters have had to bear a considerable pecuniary loss, amounting altogether, for the publications of 1846 and 1847, to more than £200, of which the present publication may claim nearly one-quarter. Now, this is the more discouraging, as a sale of 400 copies would have covered the expenses,-a number apparently not too great to be beyond reach. It is true, the Chronicle was never considered likely to prove profitable as a money-investment; but it was thought the expenses would be met without difficulty. As we have seen, however, this has not been the case, and the insuccess has so disheartened all concerned, that they feel it necessary to abandon the attempt as hopeless. This explanation, it is conceived, is due to those who have been pleased to patronize the Chronicle during the last six months of its existence, in order to show them that the Serial was not commenced without a firm determination to advance a certain amount of perseverance and cash, and also, that it has not been abandoned from the mere caprice of any party; but only after a mature consideration of its present and future prospects. Many of its readers will, no doubt, speculate on the |