THE Slonthly_lifcellany; GENTLEMAN and LADY'S OR COMPLETE VOL.II. 1774. SJUNCTI. LABORE SJ MUSARUM, *I, Jaylor sculp L O N D ON: Printed for R.SNAGG,N.29,Pater-Nofter Row, R.CRUTTWELL, in Bath, & HODS ON & JOHNSON, in Salisbury. **Was sitting in my elbow chair this afternoon, reflecting with some anxiety upon the consequences of the late decision I ng against Literary Property, when Mr. PEARL, the Printer Se of my Miscellany, came in, and asked me whether I had got my Preface ready.--I must own I was astonished at his question, for I could not imagine that a Preface was any way necessary for a Magazine ; I replied, therefore, (with looks that testified any surprize) that there was no occasion for it;--Mr. PEARL was of a contrary opinion; and seldom chusing to advance what he has not some argument to defend, a Dialogue like the following passed between us. PEARL. PUBLISHER. PE A RL, PUBLISHER. PEARL. By no means useless, Sit. ----The world will think but very poorly of any Editor who has nothing to say for himself--and in this case it is particularly necessary; 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, should certainly take up the pen fometimes, that the world may know he can write, as well as read. А PUB PUBLISHE R. Indeed, that plea may have weight with some kind of people ; but I have no ambition, Mr. Pearl. PE A RL, 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 say you found the benefit of those Addresses. To them you owe, in great measure, the approbation of those improvements which they pointed out in the Magazine. But I am afraid success has made you rather indolent-for having established your Miscellany in a more extensive sale 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. PUBLISH E R. Or rather my contempt, Mr. PEARL. I did, as you say, present my 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 deserve it. Have I been indolent since then ?-Pray tell me where? Has not each number increased in point of goodness, as well as in its sale ?--Have I not engaged Mr. Light at an high price for the Designs, in preference to Mr. Shade, because 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. Cafon, a proof of my . attention to the improvement of the work?-to say nothing of my Silver Medals, or my successful applications to gentlemen who shall be nameless, for their assistance. 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. Besides, what now remains to write a Preface on? PE A RL. Oh!--Plenty, Sir, plenty.-Why the very articles that you have just been mentioning, are matter sufficient for five or fix pages.-And you might with great propriety give a Dedication also. Suppose, for instance, you were to adopt this, which I just wrought off before I came from home ;-there, Sir, you see ʼtis very neatly done. ΤΟ |