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 for Young England, a History of St. Giles and St. James, the. (By the Editor) . 79, 357, 452, 543 1, 93, 189, 285, 381, 477 Paul Bell in Account Current with William Wordsworth, Esq., Laureate . Poet before and after Death, the Proposal for a National System of Scientific Duelling, a 268 437 Reviews of New Books :- Angels' Visits 187 Chimes, the; a Goblin Story of some Bells that Rang an Old Year out Imagination and Fancy; or, Selections from the English Poets 90 Narratives of the Merovingian Era; or, Scenes of the Sixth Century, &c. (By Thiery). 270 |