SOMETHING from the PUBlisher, BY WAY OF PREFACE. Was fitting in my elbow chair this afternoon, reflecting with some anxiety upon the consequences of the late decifion against Literary Property, when Mr. PEARL, the Printer of my Mifcellany, came in, and asked me whether I had got my Preface ready.-I must own I was aftonished at his queftion, for I could not imagine that a Preface was any way necessary for a Magazine; I replied, therefore, (with looks that teftified my surprize) that there was no occafion for it;-Mr. PEARL was of a contrary opinion; and seldom chufing to advance what he has not fome argument to defend, a Dialogue like the following paffed between us. PEARL. Not give a Preface, Sir? Upon my word I think you're wrong, Why fo, Mr. PEARL? PUBLISHER. PEARL. Because no publication of consequence appears without one. PUBLISHER. But why need we follow an useless precedent ? PEARL. By no means useless, Sir.The world will think but very poorly of any Editor who has nothing to say for himself-and in this case it is particularly neceffary; for as the writings of other men compose your whole Miscellany, the readers of it have not the least opportunity of knowing yox.-A Publisher, I think, fhould certainly take up the pen fometimes, that the world may know he can write, as well as read. PUBLISHER. Indeed, that plea may have weight with some kind of people; but Į have no ambition, Mr. PEARL. PEARL. That want of ambition, Sir, is now the greatest crime.When you first began the Miscellany, scarce a number appeared, without an Address to the Public. They were of the Preface kind; and I dare fay you found the benefit of thofe Addreffes. To them you owe, in great measure, the approbation of those improvements which they pointed out in the Magazine. But I am afraid fuccefs has made you rather indolent-for having established your Mifcellany in a more extenfive fale than any other periodical publication, you are afraid of setting pen to paper and leave the work to shift for itself-while your Competitors are ransacking their brains for new ideas, and dealing out their own praise in strains that should excite your emulation. my PUBLISHER. Or rather my contempt, Mr. PEARL. I did, as you fay, prefent readers with a fresh Address in every Number. I thanked them for their kind encouragement, and told them I would spend my life in endeavouring to deferve it. Have I been indolent fince then ?-Pray tell me where? Has not each number increased in point of goodness, as well as in its fale ?-Have I not engaged Mr. Light at an high price for the Defigns, in preference to Mr. Shade, becaufe he was the better Artist? Has not Mr. Scratch also a very great price for his Engravings?—and is not my defiring you to get a new Type from Mr. Caflon, a proof of my attention to the improvement of the work?-to fay nothing of my Silver Medals, or my fuccessful applications to gentlemen who fhall be nameless, for their affiftance. This is the proper ambition of a Publisher ;-this, Sir, and not writing. My first Addresses were merely Advertisements, to request the favours of the public; and now my gratitude should be evinced to them—not by words--but by my industry, for their amusement and information. Befides, what now remains to write a Preface on? PEARL. Oh! Plenty, Sir, plenty.-Why the very articles that you have just been mentioning, are matter fufficient for five or fix pages.-And you might with great propriety give a Dedication alfo. Suppose, for inftance, you were to adopt this, which I juft wrought off before I came from home;-there, Sir, you fee 'tis very neatly done. ΤΟ |