take no praise for
anything. I should enjoy a larger share of my own respect, at the
present moment, if nothing had ever flowed from my pen, the production
of which could be traced to me. A variety of causes induces me to form
such a wish, but I am principally influenced by the consideration that
time can scarcely fail of enlarging and refining the powers of a man,
while the world is sure to judge of his capacities and principles at
fifty, from what he has written at fifteen.

"Meanwhile, I deem it reasonable to explain the motives of the present
publication, and must rely for credit on the good nature of my readers.
The project is not a mercenary one. Nobody relies for subsistence on its
success, nor does the editor put anything but his reputation at stake.
At the same time, he cannot but be desirous of an ample subscription,
not merely because pecuniary profit is acceptable, but because this is
the best proof which he can receive that his endeavours to amuse and
instruct have not been unsuccessful.

"Useful information and rational amusement being his objects, he will
not scruple to collect materials from all quarters. He will ransack the
newest foreign publications, and extract from them whatever can serve
his purpose. He will not forget that a work, which solicits the
attention of many readers, must build its claim on the variety as well
as copiousness of its contents.

"As to _domestic_ publications, besides extracting from them anything
serviceable to the public, he will give a critical account of them, and,
in this respect, make his work an American Review, in which the history
of our native literature shall be carefully detailed.

"He will pay particular attention to the history of passing events. He
will carefully compile the news, foreign and domestic, of the current
month, and give, in a precise and systematic order, that intelligence
which the common newspapers communicate in a vague and indiscriminate
way. His work shall likewise be a repository of all those signal
incidents in private life, which mark the character of the age, and
excite the liveliest curiosity.

"This is an imperfect sketch of his work, and to accomplish these ends,
he is secure of the liberal aid of many most respectable persons in this
city and New York. He regrets the necessity he is under of concealing
these names, since they would furnish the public with irresistible
inducements to read what, _when_ they had read, they would fi