acterized by contemporaries, "the cheapest
publication of the day." Its other merits we are content to leave to
the discernment of each reader.

Our future volume will be conducted upon the plan of its predecessors,
with such improvements as time and occasion may suggest. To one point,
economy of space, we promise our best consideration; though we may
not succeed in rivalling Mr. Newberry, who, the good humoured Geoffrey
Crayon tells us, was the first that ever filled his mind with the idea
of a good and great man. He published all the picture books of his
day; and, out of his abundant love for children, he charged "nothing
for either paper or print, and only a half-penny for the binding."[1]
Rest unto his soul, say we.

This lengthened, but we hope not ill-timed reference to our whole
course of Twenty Volumes has left us but little occasion to speak of
the present portion, individually; although we trust this reference
would be somewhat supererogatory, from the unusual number of
Illustrations, and a copious Index to the main subjects, of the
volume.

To conclude. We thank all Correspondents for their contributions, and
invite their cordial co-operation with our ensuing efforts. So now
"_plaudite! valete!_"

_December 26, 1832._

[Footnote 1: Bracebridge Hall, vol. i.]

* * * * *

[Illustration]

* * * * *

NOTICES

OF

WASHINGTON IRVING, ESQ.

AND HIS WORKS.

* * * * *

Washington Irving was born, in the State of New York, in the year
1782, and is, consequently, in his fifty-first year. His early life
cannot better be told than in his own graceful language, prefixed
to the most celebrated of his writings as "the author's account of
himself."

"I was always fond of visiting new scenes, and observing strange
characters and manners. Even when a mere child I began my travels, and
made many tours of discovery into foreign parts and unknown regions of
my native city, to the frequent alarm of my parents, and the emolument
of the town-crier. As I grew into boyhood I extended the range of my
observations. My holiday afternoons were spent in rambles about the
surrounding country. I made myself familiar with all its places famous
in history or fable. I knew every spot where a murder or robbery had
been committed, or a ghost seen. I visited the neighbouring villages,
and added greatly to my stock of knowledge, by not