INDEX TO THE EMBELLISHMENTS. THE COTTAGE OF DE WEIMAR.... (on Steel) MY COUSINS IN THE COUNTRY.... (on Copper) DRURY LANE THEATRE ... (on Copper). ESQUIMAUX IN THEIR CANOES.... (on Steel). PORTRAIT OF MISS J. PORTER (on Copper).. ... Numerous WOOD VIGNETTES are also interspersed through different THE LITERARY MAGNET. BY TOBIAS MERTON, GENT. Quid verum atque decens, curo et rogo, et omnis in hoc sum.-HOR. ORIGINAL PAPERS. THANKS to the enterprising spirit of the age, the first appearance of new publications has become a matter of such daily occurrence, that an editor has no longer any occasion to introduce himself with that parade of professions and formalities, which so much embarrassed the periodical authors of the last century. Yet methinks there was something respectful in the custom of stepping forward, as it were, with a bow, to bespeak the public favour, and announce the nature of that acquaintance which the writer was ambitious of forming with his readers. "So It is no trifling effort for a person of any diffidence to address, either by speech, or writing, so large and various a body as I would fain hope will honour me with their attention. Amidst the endless diversity of tastes, habits, tempers, and characters, which enter into the composition of a community like ours, to which class shall I first address myself? For the success of the present Number, I feel strongly disposed to rely upon the lovers of novelty. With a view to secure their immediate patronage, I enjoined the Printer, at his peril to omit, a conspicuous figure of 1. I need, therefore, only refer to the date, and assure them that this really is the genuine first Number of a work "just published." much the worse," will be the involuntary exclamation of the antiquary: but I must beg of him not to visit upon the subsequent Numbers the punishment of a fault which I faithfully promise shall never be repeated. And whether the MAGNET shall continue till the completion of a century, must partly depend upon the continuance of his subscription. He may rest satisfied that I will do my best to procure for it the merit and I think it no small one-of an honourable old age. The cheerful shall find me ready to contribute all the entertainment I am master of, besides inviting the greatest wits of my acquaintance to contribute every possible drollery" within the limit of becoming mirth." From this class of readers, however, I shall expect a proportionate return of good-humour and indulgence. Having taken the case of the grievous into serious conside-" ration, I am in treaty with a love-sick gentleman, who having been lately jilted, is in a most unhappy frame of mind for administering to their melancholy gratification: and should his effusions prove attractive, I may be induced to open a correspondence with some sentimental student at one of the German universities, for an occasional supply of the most sorrowful sorrows that can be reared, in that nursery of dolour and sentimentality. This promise is, however, merely contingent. It may, perhaps, be expedient, for the benefit of the dull, that I now and then appear a little heavy; but my readers in general, and the learned in particular, will please to understand, that this heaviness will be perfectly NO. I.-Fourth Edition. B I classical, and as much after the manner of Homer's as I can render it.* Thus, should the MAGNET fail to prove universally attractive, it will not be for want either of good-will, or of strenuous exertion, on my part. have only to entreat patience, and a perseverance in buying the Work, till the appearance of that Number which shall entirely coincide with the tastes and opinions of the respective purchasers; after which, it shall be my constant anxiety to confirm their favourable prepossession. Some, indeed, there are, whose favour I neither covet, nor shall endeavour to obtain. Those who can find pleasure in the detail of private scandal, in the defamation of public men, in looseness, vulgarity, and profaneness, must seek for gratification elsewhere. Yet, in serious truth, it would afford the highest satisfaction, could I persuade but one individual to forego such unworthy pursuits, for the higher, and more real enjoyments of innocence and rationality. I own there is something very like presumption in publishing a work which is partly to consist of Essays, whilst our literature is already enriched with so many invaluable writings of that denomination. The Essay appears to have been a species of composition peculiarly acceptable to the English, ever since they became capable of estimating the value of learning and refinement. Our rapid progress within the last two centuries, in every department of knowledge and civilization, can be attributed to nothing with so much propriety, as to the diffusion of useful and elegant instruction in the periodical labours of the British Essayists. It is they who have familiarized the principles of science to men of plain good sense, and have inspired individuals engaged in the ordinary occupations of life, with a taste for those polite and liberal arts which, exciting the best feelings of our nature, promote the comforts and elegancies of social life, while they contribute in no small degree, to the greatness and stability of empires. 66 Bacon may be considered the founder of English essays, as well as of that sublime philosophy which they were admirably calculated to render popular. His essays are the institutes of a science which all wish to learn; but how few, in comparison, are interested in the Novum Organum.' The first periodical essayist deserving of note, is Steele, the editor of the Tatler, a work designed, as he expresses it, 66 to expose the false arts of life, to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity, and ostentation; and to recommend a general simplicity in our dress, discourse, and behaviour." Although Steele was unquestionably a clever and successful writer, this production could never have come down to us with the great character which it possesses, had it not derived from its contributors, and especially from Addison, a lustre and importance, which will entitle it to celebrity so long as a taste for fine writing remains amongst us. The good-nature displayed by Sir Richard under these circumstances, which might have given rise to envy in a less ingenuous bosom, ought never to be passed over. Speaking of the assistance rendered him by Addison in this undertaking, he says, "This good office he performed with such force of genius, humour, wit, and learning, that I fared like a distressed prince, who calls in a powerful neighbour to his aid-I was undone by my auxiliary." In the Spectator, Addison appeared to still greater advantage: here, being released from the desultory arrangement of the Tatler, which must * Aliquando bonus dormitat Homerus.-Hon. have proved inconvenient to his genius, he produced a number of regular treatises in consecutive papers, and discoursed upon all kinds of subjects,— from the most sublime, to the most familiar,--in a style both of thought and diction, which, for ease, delicacy, simplicity, and aptitude, can never be excelled; and I much doubt whether any subsequent writer can justly be said to have equalled it. The Guardian was intended by Steele, the editor, for a continuation of the Spectator; but its plan has been considered too limited to accomplish the design. Professing to convey instruction and advice from a guardian to the wards intrusted to his care, it might consistently inculcate the duties and proprieties of life; but it was little adapted to embrace the subtleties of literary speculations. The three works already named, claim the first rank among our periodical writings, as well for their superior excellence, as for the priority of their date. They have been succeeded by many publications, popular in their day, and still worthy of a high reputation. The sonorous phraseology of Dr. Johnson's essays is the vehicle of much elegant conception, and of much sound advice; which latter might be followed with profit, by many who, in their blind censure of his language, are too apt to disregard the sentiments which it conveys. Then we also have the spirited Adventurer, the polite World, the humorous Connoisseur, and a host of others, all excellent in their way, and worthy to be honoured with the designation of British Classics. The essays of Goldsmith must not be forgotten; in which one is at a loss to know whether humour or pathos, composure or vivacity, contributes most to our delight. I shall name only one more, Vicesimus Knox, whose venerable person and amiable character are still fresh in our remembrance. His moral and literary essays will endear his memory to the virtuous and intelligent of every age. Had I pointed to these luminaries for the purpose of provoking a comparison, from which the best of living writers might shrink with apprehension; the reader would do well to reject my lucubrations with derision and contempt. But as every body that can wield a pen is writing in one periodical or another, and as the province of the essayist is unlimited, and his materials are inexhaustible, I may be allowed to enter the lists with my contemporaries. Those who have favoured me with a perusal thus far, must have experienced to their comfort, that the merit of this paper is not intended to consist in a small type, or closely-printed columns. I really have too much regard for them, to subject their eye-sight to so injurious a trial as the perusal of small print. Wishing to depend rather upon the quality, than the quantity of contents, it will be sought to infuse as much spirit as possible, and to exclude whatever is without end in either sense of the phrase. Herein consists the chief merit of our plan: having only a few moderate pages to fill weekly, there will be no necessity to fabricate tedious introductions, or to spin out our articles with a tenuous prolixity. To prove the sincerity of this last profession, I forthwith conclude my prefatory observations. |