PREFACE. THE periodical, of which we have now the satisfaction of presenting 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. Even A retrospect of this kind is useful, as well as agreeable. 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 unreadable matter; there are many scraps of curious information, interesting traits of manners or character, valuable patches of history, which are unknown because they are concealed in books which, from their general character, are seldom looked into; there are, moreover, whole classes of literature, which, having long gone out of fashion, are entirely forgotten by the world in |