THE periodical, of which we have now the satisfaction of pre-
senting the first volume to the public, was commenced in the
belief, justified by the many inquiries made on the subject, that
there was not only room for, but that there was really want of
a publication of this kind. Surely with so many reviews of the
literature of the present day, that vastly more extensive field of
the past might furnish abundant materials for one which should
not be inferior in interest to any of its contemporaries.
A retrospect of this kind is useful, as well as agreeable. Even
while in the contemplation and enjoyment of modern improvements,
we can learn something by comparing them with what was defective
years ago, and by contemplating their past progress which may
encourage us to look forward to new advances in the future. The
number of books written in past ages which are still commonly read
is very small indeed compared with those which are only to be met
with on the shelves of large libraries seldom seen, or which are only
seen at all at rare intervals. There are many beautiful passages
of old writers which are buried in masses of what is now unread-
matter; there are many scraps of curious information,
able
interesting traits of manners or character, valuable patches of
history, which are unknown because they are concealed in books
from their general character, are seldom looked into;
which,
are, moreover, whole classes of literature, which, having
there
long gone out of fashion, are entirely forgotten by the world in