PREFACE. AT the commencement of the present volume of this work, our readers were informed that a NEW SERIES was begun. The reason for this plan, as far as it regarded expence, was considered a just one; and we are persuaded it has not been viewed on any other account as improper. The alteration, it was presumed, would have removed some of those obstructions which opposed the sources of encouragement, and would have secured it a considerable number of additional readers. The design, however, has not as yet been so happily answered as was expected: and we cannot, on this occasion, but regret that want of success which, in a great measure, evidently frustrates those endeavors which have been so long and so faithfully employed in the service of the public. Encouragement to a work of this kind is not alone an object of pecuniary consideration. Inducements of a different nature present themselves to the minds of those who have a due sense of the importance of a well-conducted Magazine. A work, compiled in haste, and executed without taste or judgment, serves rather to repress, than to extend the interests of science: it yields no lustre to its supportersis of very little credit to its birth-place; and commonly finds its doom among those which have risen but for a moment to sink into forgetfulness. To secure, then, to a periodical work, celebrity and permanence, it must possess no small degree of merit; and to render it intrinsically meritorious, adequate abilities must be applied. It is true, that, in some communities, such publications owe much of their excellence to known and anonymous correspondents; and hence less labor falls upon those who stand responsible. In the present state of this Western World, however, voluntary contributions are not to be depended upon as means of securing to a Magazine that merit which is requisite to perpetuate its existence:-Not that an American community is less enlightened than any other; but, not possessing those advantages which characterise the Old World in this particular, our pursuits are directed to other objects. We, however, have found some valuable friends, in the departments of both Fancy and Utility: to them we would, in this place, offer that lively expression of gratitude which ever accompanies a sense of important favors conferred. Since, then, little dependence can be placed on original literary aid, the labor of the Editors must be bestowed in selection. Hitherto no inducement has offered to exercise this labor beyond a certain degree: and it would not, perhaps, be derogating from truth to say, that the profits of the NEW-YORK MAGAZINE have not heretofore afforded a reasonable compensation for the trouble and expence of printing, exclusive of the labor of editing. Notwithstanding this discouraging appearance, every attention has been paid to the work which other and more profitable (necessary) avocations would admit. The idea of rendering it a source of emolument has long ceased to act as a primary motive: the only encouragement encouragement for perseverance is a desire that our endeavors should be added to those of the few who feel interested in the literary reputation of their country-connected with a wish to withhold the work itself from passing into oblivion. We are not desirous of appreciating the merits of the NEW-YORK MAGAZINE: but though willing that it should stand on its own ground, we are aware that it is open to improvement, Yet, under circumstances like those which have been detailed, we think ourselves justifiable in again endeavoring to interest the public attention. Without a due share of this, it is impossible to improve: and let it be remembered, that the greater the encouragement, the better and more ornamentally will the work be executed.-Foreigners view works of this nature as evidences of the literary character of the particular city or country where they are published:-Shall we not, then, exert ourselves to appear as respectable abroad as we really are at home? The want of originality has been much complained of. Though it is not an absolute requisite in the composition of a good Magazine, yet it is one criterion to which strangers generally refer their decisions on the state of learning and general science in any country: this is a consideration too weighty not to influence the minds of all who are apprised of it. We would, therefore, awaken the attention of our countrymen to this matter: they will not-they cannot withhold their aid when convinced of the importance of the object to which their endeavors may tend. Numbers of the Sons and Daughters of COLUMBIA are well qualified to shine in the walks of Literature: let each, then, lend a helping hand, and we soon shall find, that "Science, o'er our native land, "With godlike Wisdom, will her wings expand." Farther arguments, we trust, are unnecessary to secure to us both the pecuniary and literary aid of those whose ideas correspond with our own. The FIRST-FRUITS of GENIUS will be carefully fostered; and, while we endeavor to rear the fair plant, it is hoped the WREATH of many an ADEPT will decorate our page. The superior stile in which the engravings in European Magazines are executed, is, probably, the only thing which gives them a preference to those of this country. From their price, and the number of their readers, means are furnished of employing the best artists.-In this department of the NEW-YORK MAGAZINE, the expence has already exceeded the bounds to which, perhaps, it ought to be limited. Desirous, however, of rendering it more worthy public acceptance, by presenting as many original designs as possible, and with a view to induce those who have it in their power to furnish them, we propose premiums for designs and descriptions of this class: the premiums to consist of books, and to vary in value according to the importance or merit of the design; of which we reserve to ourselves the right of judging. This intimation, we hope, will speedily render recourse to selection unnecessary. December 31, 1796. THE EDITORS. |