tant
pursuits.

"For most of the pieces therefore, which shall appear in the proposed
collection, the editor may plead the sanction of their author: and, in
the choice of others, he will not neglect the duty that is due to the
fame of his deceased friend.

"It is the intention of the Editor to prefix some account of the life of
Mr. Shaw. From his letters and memoranda written during his residence on
the coast of Barbary, his probationary studies at Edinburgh, and his
wanderings with Lord Selkirk in Upper Canada, it is probable that
something may be gleaned to interest a reader. It is proper, however,
not to excite any extravagant expectations, as the Editor may not be
successful in the collection of sufficient materials for the execution
of so pleasing a duty.

"It is deemed not improper to intimate, that this publication is
undertaken as well to preserve the memory of the deceased, as to promote
the comfort of his "living remains." Thus, while an opportunity is
offered for the gratification of the taste of some, the virtue of all
may be rewarded by those sensations which arise from the performance of
a benevolent action."

From every circumstance that now appears, we augur the success of the
work, and a brimming subscription for it. The promised sketch of Dr.
Shaw's life ought of itself to ensure the publisher abundant support. Of
the execution of that part it may be sufficient to state that it comes
from the author of "The Life of Anacreon," and other compositions which
have enriched the pages of the Port Folio: and who is he so dull, for
whom biography has not charms?--On this last topic we beg leave to
borrow, for this once, the expressions of a writer, whose delicacy we
should offend, by speaking of him as we think, and to whom the taste and
literature of this country are more indebted than any but the wise and
learned are competent to understand, or any but the honest and generous
are willing to confess.

"In the harmonious family of literature," says Dennie, "History and
Biography are sisters. They are twins: and both are beautiful. The port
of the one is stately and martial, but the air of the other, if less
dignified, is more alluring. One generally _commands_ us to repair to
the cabinet or the camp, while the other _beckons_ us to the bower.
History has respectful and stanch friends, but Biography has passionate
lovers. There are some who are indifferent to the charms of the first,
but there are none wh