PREFACE.

WHEN COWPER, during six years, wrote some lines, which were subjoined to the yearly Bills of Mortality of the parish of All-Saints, Northampton, he found it somewhat difficult to avoid sameness, and introduce variety. The writer of this article, less gifted than the Bard, has now to produce his tenth Preface to a work, which, in principle and character, has undergone no variation; and he shall think himself fortunate, if, by avoiding repetition, he can escape censure, without laying any claim to praise.

The Tenth Volume of the IMPERIAL MAGAZINE, now brought to a close, the Editor flatters himself, will not be found inferior in any respect to the most exalted of its predecessors. Of these volumes the leading principles are precisely the same, the articles varying only in modes and topics of discussion; but always keeping in view the great doctrines of Christianity, without deviating from the permanent dictates of moral and philosophical truth.

It is well known, that in the Christian system, there are many truths which soar far beyond the dominion of reason, and the empire of philosophical research; but in no case can their decisions be subversive of each other. In several of our papers we have aimed to trace the analogy, and in doing this, the operations of secondary causes have occasionally become the subjects of investigation. To this department all our scientific inquiries, and many of our controversial subjects, may be referred; and, in proportion as success has crowned our efforts, the empire of knowledge has been enlarged.

In the mean while, we have found it necessary, for the sake of variety, and the accommodation of many readers, to whom any thing like severe analysis is an uninviting subject, to introduce narratives, incidents, and historical sketches, which at once enliven with the

PREFACE.

charms of novelty, and illustrate many striking peculiarities in the human character. In the midst, however, of this diversity of matter and mode, we have invariably aimed at stability of purpose, and unity of design, and we flatter ourselves, that an examination of what is now before the public, will prove that our attempts have not been altogether unsuccessful.

Of its original independence, the IMPERIAL MAGAZINE has never lost sight; and those only, we presume, will charge it with partiality, who are unacquainted with its general contents. Its adherence indeed to these noble principles, has subjected its conductors to a few impotent snarls; but all attempts to retard its circulation, have caused hostility to be defeated by its own weapons, and enabled it to triumph in the increased patronage of an enlightened and liberal public...

The sources whence our Portraits, and the Biographical Sketches which accompany them, have been derived, will furnish decisive proof that local barriers have neither interdicted nor accelerated our selection. These Portraits have been engraven by artists of established celebrity, and an inspection of their highly finished state, sufficiently demonstrates that no expense has been spared, to secure their uniform and decided superiority.

To their numerous and highly respectable correspondents, the Proprietors and Editor of the IMPERIAL MAGAZINE beg to acknowledge themselves under peculiar obligations, for their valuable communications; and to all their subscribers, both old and new, they beg also to express their unfeigned gratitude. But above all, they wish to express a still more reverential ascription of praise to GOD, through whose power and goodness they are enabled to acknowledge all their other obligations.

Autograph of Frederick the Great,..... 676 Elliptical motions of the planets,..912, 1006

676 Gypsies, the, a fragment,

529 Highland army in Manchester in 1745, 736
Holland, hints for a tour through,.