ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC,

BY THE EDITOR.

As continued favours demand repeated acknowledgements, we hope our gratitude will not be thought ostentatious or troublesome, if, at the commencement of this ninth volume of "THE ANALYST" we we express our deep sense of the favourable reception which our Journal has hitherto experienced. In availing ourselves, however, of this prescriptive privilege, it is not our intention to blazon its merits, indulge in empty boasts, or hold out promises of unattainable excellence; we wish to speak explicitly and to the point.

The nature and plan of our Periodical has been already unfolded and explained in our general prospectus. For the benefit, however, of those who may not have seen our advertisement, and who may wish to embrace the opportunity afforded by the commencement of a new volume for beginning their subscriptions, we will, in this place, briefly recapitulate them. The grand, the leading principle on which this Publication is conducted is, impartiality, which term, however, we wish to be understood merely in its literary and scientific sense, as all political feeling, with its inevitable results, bitter prejudices and factious hostilities, is carefully excluded. In "THE ANALYST," however, will be found Original and Analytical Articles, tending to illustrate the various branches of Natural Science, Historical Literature, Mental Philosophy, Natural History, Music, and the Fine Arts; with departments for Biblical Criticism, Outlines of Periodical Literature, reports of Metropolitan and Provincial Institutions, Miscellaneous Communications, Correspondence, and Meteorological Observations.

Acting upon these general principles, we shall endeavour to infuse into our pages a reasonable admixture of the useful and entertaining; of sound and solid information, and of that lighter and more flowing

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literature which has, for the readers of periodical works, acquired such fascinating charms. Arrangements have been made for ensuring contributions from several well-known scientific and literary gentlemen, whose extensive acquirements, joined to their great experience, render them fully conversant with the objects to which this Journal is devoted; and we trust that, from our numerous resources, our future numbers will be rendered generally interesting and universally useful.

We take this opportunity of returning our best thanks to those kind friends who have enriched our pages with their contributions, and request a continuation of their favours.

Our means, not merely of sustaining, but also of greatly improving, the general character of our Publication, are copious and available. The talent embarked in our service is now far greater than our most sanguine expectations could have led us to anticipate; and we have not the slightest hesitation in saying that we never commenced a volume under such favourable auspices. Encouraged by the public approbation, we are determined to pursue our plan with redoubled vigour, assured that talent, industry, perseverance, and enterprize, will ever be suitably rewarded; that the old motto, "Palmam qui meruit ferat," will ever be sustained; and that the indispensable preliminary to ultimate success is-to deserve it.

BARLOW, PRINTER, BENNETT'S HILL, BIRMINGHAM.