iv It will be our chief object to make every essay-however brief, and however light and familiar its treatment-breathe WITH A PURPOSE. Experience assures us that, especially at the present day, it is by a defined purpose alone, whether significant in twenty pages or in twenty lines, that the sympathies of the world are to be engaged, and its support ensured. Whilst dealing with the highest social claims of our countrymen, we shall not exclude from our pages either Sketch of Character-TaleHistory- or Romance. Far otherwise. It will be our earnest desire to avail ourselves of all and every variety of literature, if illustrating and working out some wholesome principle. Mere stories, made like Twelfth-night heroes, of mere sugar, we shall certainly eschew. Neither would we have the "light-reader” take alarm at our graver subjects. They, too, it is hoped, may be discussed with no very violent call upon his wakefulness. It is not necessary that such themes-like bullets-should be cast in lead to do the surest service. Such was the pith of the prospectus that six months ago-announced the publication of the present work. We then spoke, certainly, in the fulness of hope. We have now to acknowledge the success that has firmly established the "SHILLING MAGAZINE" as a public organ. It has made a sphere for itself. We nevertheless hope, with each succeeding volume to develope more strength, more various powers; so that the book may be rendered more worthy of the sympathy and encouragement that, from the first Number, so cordially welcomed it. June, 1845. Genii of Steam, the, and the Great Britain Steam-ship 243 History of St. Giles and St. James, the. (By the Editor) . Poet before and after Death, the 268 Proposal for a National System of Scientific Duelling, a 437 Reviews of New Books :- Angels' Visits 187 Chimes, the; a Goblin Story of some Bells that Rang an Old Year out 87 Maxims and Opinions of the Duke of Wellington 380 Memoirs of the Reign of King George the Third Reviews of New Books (continued) :— Narrative of the United States' Exploring Expedition during the years 1838-1842. (By Charles Wilkes) 274 Sybil; or, the Two Nations. (By B. D'Israeli) 557 Travels in Sweden: Sketches of a Journey to the North 476 Violina. (By Frederick, Baron de la Motte Fouque) 572 |