IN commencing our work, dedicated as it is to the world of rank and fashion, we might well be considered unpardonably deficient in taste, judgment, and propriety, did we not devote some part of our columns to the illustrious Monarch, from whose example and patronage that world derives its spirit, elegance, and splendour; not that our feeble voice is needed, to celebrate the many excellencies of his mind and heart, but we wish to show in this, the beginning of our task, how much we honour and esteem them, and are eager that all who favour us with their countenance should know how decidedly and entirely our sentiments are opposed to those of certain persons belonging to the press, who delight daily to pour out their grovelling abuse in the face of Majesty, and endeavour, by their miserable and false invectives, to sully that glory which shines so proudly and so highly above them, and which their mean souls will only allow them to envy whilst they cannot approach. Among the first of these are the sapient writers in the Times newspaper, who absolutely, debarred as they must be, by the mediocrity of their stations in life-from any communication with royalty and fashion-have the egregious folly to pretend an acquaintance with the movements, sentiments, and circumstances, of their betters, instead of wisely keeping to the dull prosing affairs of the commercial world, in which alone they can wrangle and debate without exposing themselves to merited ridicule. In its despicable and feeble sneers at all that is great and illustrious, the Times is imitated by several daily and weekly papers of inferior note, which take their cue from their master, and follow in the petty road of vulgar malice. As a thousand curs yell together at the moor, so do those obscure scribblers unite in inveighing against that rank and excellence, whose lustre too evidently displays their comparative meanness and insignificance. We will not stay to give them a more particular notice, (almost beneath that we have already bestowed,) merely assuring them that, by their absurd and disgusting attacks upon the sacred person of their monarch, they can only render themselves contemptible in the eyes of every loyal and honourable man.

The generous character and charitable deeds of His Royal Highness the Duke of York would alone render the stings of his frivolous enemies entirely pointless; but he has also the gratification of knowing that the same

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hack-writers who ridiculously endeavour to detract from his good fame, are the identical low-minded fellows that strive in paltry fashion to dishonour their King. But the opinion of mankind gives the lie to their assertions; and the many munificent acts which His Majesty is continually performing towards the public, sufficiently prove how impossible it is for his subjects to render too large a homage to his greatness-or too great a degree of admiration to his generosity. His noble gift of the royal library; his intention of relinquishing the rich collection of pictures that adorn his palace; the establishment of the royal society of literature, and not only these, but ten thousand other encouragements bestowed on the arts and sciences, amply prove how liberal is His Majesty's public spirit, and how great his anxiety to patronise and benefit whatever may conduce to the happiness, improvement, and gratification, of his people.

But, above all, let His Majesty be honoured for the marked favour he displays towards the native talent of the country. Many of the leading members of our first circles, we are sorry to say, are much too prone to yield the preference to Foreign rather than English art, and in doing so are guilty of manifest injustice, as it is the imperative duty of all who hold the power of advancing genius in its toiling march after fame, to employ that power in favour of their own industrious and highly-endowed countrymen, and thus the more effectually benefit the realm at large. Such is the practice of England's King--the poet confesses his liberality; the painter loves to celebrate his kindness and encouraging attention; the skilful combiner of harmonious sounds is proud of paying due deference to his admirable taste, at the same time that he gratefully acknowledges his boundless generosity; and all men of learning and science experience his patronage and favour. Let the servants and admirers o His Majesty follow this excellent example of their Mo narch, and the arts and genius of Britain will then flourish with redoubled vigour.

In closing the willing tribute which we thus cheerfully and proudly pay to our King, let us confess that, however great and powerful may be the country and people over which he presides, there is nothing they have more to boast of deservedly than the illustrious and gifted Monarch by whom they are governed.