―iii―

PREFACE.

THE Monthly Magazine, and American Re-
view, was undertaken with a foresight of the many diffi-
culties which might embarrass and impede its progress for
a time; but, feeling some confidence in the general excel-
lence of their plan, and relying on the aid of friends, and
others well disposed to promote the literature of their
country, the Editors were not intimidated by the gloomy
prospect of the disastrous wreck of former adventurers, or
discouraged by the predictions of a similar fate, from re-
newing the experiment, and again trying the strength and
durableness of public favour and patronage towards literary
projects. Its appearance, too, at a time when no similar
publication was known to exist in the United States, was
justly deemed a circumstance peculiarly favourable to success.

With no very high expectations, and with no extraordinary
efforts to obtain patronage, which has been chiefly volun-
tary and unsolicited, it cannot be supposed that any dis-
appointment should be felt, if the success of the under-
taking has not been hitherto equal to their wishes.—The
Editors have, indeed, experienced the most flattering spe-
cies of encouragement, in the approbation bestowed by
those whose judgment is a sufficient sanction in favour of
any production relative to literature or science. Gratified
in being instrumental in the establishment of a work, which,
from the nature and value of its materials, and the respect-
ability of the contributors, might add something to the
literary reputation of their country, and tend, in some
degree, to refute the censures of foreigners, on the apathy
and disregard apparently shown by Americans to literature
and science; they indulged little expectation of any remu-
neration for their labours, but as a remote and dubious con-
sequence of the prosperity of the enterprise.

In a scheme, experimental and tentative, depending on
the precarious aid of casual auxiliaries, as well as the more
certain support of associates and allies, and liable to the
fluctuations of circumstance and opinion, it was allowable,
on principles of prudence and justice, in any stage of its
progress, however disagreeable to them, to relinquish the

―iv―

undertaking wholly; or to make such alterations as might,
in the opinion of others, and from their own observation,
be more conducive to its ultimate success, and to the ad-
vantage of the public.

The thin population of the United States renders it im-
possible to procure sufficient support from any one city;
and the dispersed situation of readers, the embarrassments
attending the diffusion of copies over a wide extent of coun-
try, and the obstacles to a prompt collection of the small
sums which so cheap a publication demanded, are, it is
presumed, satisfactory reasons for altering and contracting
the publication, so as to diminish, if not wholly avoid,
those inconveniences.—Their own experience, as well as
the observation of respectable friends, has led to a belief,
that a work, chiefly, or wholly, devoted to literature and
science, would, in the present condition of the United
States, appear more advantageously at less frequent inter-
vals; and that, either as it may regard the Editors, or the
Public, a quarter-yearly publication is preferable to one
appearing at shorter periods.—The completion of the third
volume of the present work, and the commencement of
another year, and a new century, render this a fit time for
introducing such a change.

Had obstacles occurred formidable enough to have pro-
duced a total dereliction of the scheme, little consolation
could be derived from imputing the failure of success, nor
would such an imputation be just, to the ignorance and
cupidity of the people. Americans, in this respect, are
no way different from the people of other countries, but
are influenced by similar motives; and, swayed by the
force of circumstances, are more concerned about what
relates to their immediate interests or wants, than in ex-
amining or estimating the value of the productions of ge-
nius, taste, and learning.

Though some temporary inconvenience may probably be
felt by the Editors, from the change of their plan, they
cannot but flatter themselves that its necessity and propriety
will be apparent to those who have subscribed to the work;
and that their patronage and aid will be extended to “The
American Review and Literary Journal,” a view of which
is annexed to the present number.