ent as those erected on a knowledge of these principles: it would be desirable that human belief might be gradually and cautiously freed from its improper materials, and that the weak parts of its base might be strengthened; but this, if we may judge from the history of mankind, can hardly be expected : and the friend of mankind and humanity will do well to dwell as lightly and shortly as possible on the violent and destructive process of the change, and to fix his attention, interest, and hopes, on the alteration, after it has actually been accomplished.

We of this country, however, have been greatly and peculiarly favoured: prior to the French Revolution, our state, physical, intellectual, moral, political, and religious, was far superior to that of any other nation: it required less change, and it admitted of that change being brought about by less violent measures, by the application of less evil and misery: accordingly, while all the other countries that lay within the influence of the French Revolution-the influence either of its power or of its principles-were torn by most dreadful evils, this country suffered comparatively little: the obliquity of intellect, the pollution of moral and religious principle, the mass and extent of physical misery, were very trifling compared with the state of the Continent. And from the evils that were actually brought upon this country she emerged much sooner, and derived greater benefit, than the other nations. One of the indirect evils to which sudden and violent changes exposes a nation, is that of re-action; this also was in this country less powerful, injurious, and lasting, than it has been on the Continent. For some time, indeed, we were so haunted by the dread of change, that we seemed to hug our most barefaced errors, rather than acknowledge and remove them : this reaction, however, is fast passing away; and convinced as we now are, that truth and error ought not to rest on the same basis-that the former, in such a case, must be weakened, and that, by using great care and caution, truth may be fixed on its own peculiar foundation, by which operation error must fall to the ground, no longer deriving support from being as it were dovetailed with truth-with this conviction we may congratulate our selves, that, having required less vioVOL. XVI.

lent and lasting correctives, such have been applied to us, and that they, acting on a healthy and vigorous constitution, have benefited us far more than the nations of the Continent have been benefited by passing through the fiery ordeal of the French Revolution.

But, to press more closely and directly on our immediate subject.-The stirring up of the mind which took place during the French Revolution, which went deeper, and acted in a more thorough and forcible manner, than perhaps any preceding event in the history of the human race-gave rise to the demand for more numerous and various publications, as well as for a superior quality in their character and contents. Common-place subjects, treated in a common-place manner, would no longer satisfy the appetite, or afford sufficient nourishment for the rapid growth, of the public mind. Many more thought and read than formerly; and their thoughts were of a more original cast and bearing.

Confining ourselves to periodical works; perhaps the first indication of this elevation and expansion of mind being so urgent, regular, and general, as to demand a corresponding improvement in the character of these publications, may be observed in the Monthly Magazine. Contrast this with the other Magazines, and we shall be immediately and fully sensible that an age which could understand and relish their contents, must previously have advanced considerably in knowledge, power of intellect, and taste. The effects were of various kinds, all tending, however, to the same end,— the cultivation of the mind. Magazinereaders embraced a higher class than formerly, who thus were enabled to fill up their leisure moments in a manner to which they were previously strangers. And those who had always been Magazine-readers, though perhaps at first they did not understand and relish the contents of the new one, gradually entered into its spirit: their attention was excited; their minds were set a-working; and attentive and active minds must rise and expand.

The Monthly Magazine, during the vigour of its youthful existence, was well fitted to aid the mental improvement of Magazine-readers: it did not contain much profound and original matter, drawn from the depths of intense thought; it did not lay base, and 3 X

expose to view, the most delicate workings of the human heart: it laid no claims to that real and rare eloquence, which, generated and nurtured at once and equally by a luxuriant imagination, intense feelings, and the ability to direct and control that imagination, and to depict those feelings in all their vitality and ardour-is the highest attribute of man, considered solely as a being of imagination and feeling. But its pages contained many papers, in which were condensed and exhibited in a perspicuous and popular manner, thoughts, opinions, and reasonings, on those topics which were well calculated to strengthen and expand the intellect, and refine the taste of its readers.

A subordinate point in the character and contents of this Magazine ought to be noticed it gave admission to, and courted, short papers, containing queries and answers to queries on various topics of popular and practical science, literature, domestic economy, &c., which were not of magnitude and importance enough to form the substance of direct and elaborate essays. Thus, much useful and interesting information was communicated to its readers, and many, who were attracted to its perusal by those short papers on subjects interesting, familiar, and adapted to their minds, or useful to them, in a more practical sense, were naturally and insensibly led to peruse its more literary contents. It was, indeed, during the first stage of its existence, literally and strictly speaking, a Magazine, a repository and storehouse for papers on all subjects that could interest and instruct all classes of men, in nearly every respect except as regarded their peculiar or professional studies and pursuits. And, even on many of these topics,-not, indeed, in their more recondite and technical departments, information was frequently communicated.

As, however, readers of periodical works multiplied, a division of labour became indispensably necessary: many classes and descriptions of men, who previously were not sufficiently wellinformed and eager after information to require a periodical publication adapted to their peculiar pursuits, now rose into intellectual importance and influence. And those who might more strictly be called literary men,-men who cultivated their judgment and taste with no ulterior object in view

but the high gratification which they thus secured to themselves, also became more numerous, and required that their Magazine should no longer admit papers, useful and instructive indeed, but devoted to subjects below the level of their intellectual habits and pursuits. Hence the contents of the Magazines became divided; and instead of a Magazine being the repository of papers on a great variety of topics, literary, technical, domestic, &c., it was found that almost every one department was sufficient to support and fill its own peculiar Magazine. Thus, we now see such a variety of these periodical publications : the mechanic, the chemist, the man who dabbles in physic, &c. &c. has his own Magazine, while the weekly pages of the Mirror, and a number besides, which it is needless, and would almost be endless, to enumerate, by the extent of their sale, sufficiently prove the extent of dominion which intellect of some kind and degree at present possesses in this country. It has insinuated itself into every nook and corner; and as, like caloric, it expands whatever it enters into, it must enlarge the capacity of the human mind, create new intellectual desires and wants, and the means of satisfying them.

We have already said, that the literary class of readers were no longer content to possess Magazines only partly devoted to them. The Monthly Magazine had drawn into the class of Magazine readers and writers men of higher talent and attainments than had generally and usually so devoted their leisure before its existence. Such men gradually became more numerous, as well as of higher ambition and aim they could not long remain content with a Magazine only partly devoted to them, nor would they be satisfied with a Magazine, exclusively set apart for them, unless it also rose to a higher elevation of talent. Hence, Magazines necessarily assumed a much more respectable rank in the literature of the country, and numbered among their writers and readers, men who, at a previous period, would have thought themselves degraded by contributing to such works, or who would have anticipated disappointment if they had taken up such works with the expectation of finding in them anything original, or indicating superior talents. This Magazine for which we are

now writing, must, by all, be allowed the merit of having first raised the literary character of these periodical works: however men may differ respecting the political principles it has defended, and the manner in which it has attacked its political opponents, none can fairly deny it this merit, and it is merit of no common and trifling kind. When we consider the influence of a Magazine of extensive circulation, it surely must be of great consequence that its pages should tend to elevate the intellect of its readers; that they should rise from its perusal, not merely delighted and gratified by a display of fine or eloquent writing, but having their taste purified, their comprehension enlarged, their judgment rendered stronger, and their ha. bits of observation and reflection quickened and confirmed.

If it be observed that papers of a light cast form a large proportion, it should be recollected that the mind as well as the body of man must have its intervals of relaxation and amusement; that papers, even on light topics, if written with talent, wit, or humour, cannot be perused, even as sources of amusement, without setting the mind of the reader to work, or purifying it from some elements of bad taste, prejudice, or error,-and that many, who are entirely attracted to the perusal of a Magazine by such papers, are after wards insensibly led to the perusal of more substantial papers, and thus gradually obtain a higher order of literary habits. We have hitherto confined our remarks to the advantages readers derive from this improvement in Magazines: but writers also are benefited by it: Many before, who were conscious that they possessed talents and information to interest and instruct, had no means or opportunity of bringing them into exercise; their diffidence, or their occupations, did not permit them to go forth to the world in separate publications:-perhaps what they could communicate, though original and valuable, was not of sufficient magnitude. Previously to the improvement in Magazines, there was no fitting place for their lucubrations; even if they could have condescended to transmit them to the old Magazines, to be there degraded and defiled by papers on an obscure tombstone, ou a polish for furniture, or blacking for shoes, they would have been deterred by the reflection, that there they would

be overlooked and undervalued, and never reach the perusal of those who alone were able to understand their purport and appreciate their value.

The example set by this Magazine of ours has been followed by other Magazines; but they have followed us-is it vanity and prejudice, or mere justice and respect for ourselves, which prompts us to say, hand passibus æquis? Still, as fellow-workers in the same field with ourselves a field which affords ample, unoccupied, and unlaboured ground for all-we must regard them as contributing in their degree to raise the intellect of the country, to increase the number of sound thinkers, and to spread over a wider surface the influence of a correct taste. We speak generally, for we are aware that there are many things very objectionable in them; but we adhere to our creed, that the ultimate and permanent results of the excitement and workings of the mind must be advantageous, and that it is better that men should be led to exercise their mental faculties in a wrong direction and on an erroneous object, than that they should lie dormant and unused. Evil may and will result to the individuals themselves; but even though with them it should never work its own destruction, it must do so, before long, as respects the intellectual and moral habits of the community. Truth requires only light, room, and fair play, to gain the mastery over error.

The change in the character and object of the Reviews was another consequence and proof of an advancement in the intellectual state of the country; and this change reciprocally has tended still farther to improve that state. Till the establishment of the Edinburgh Review, the Reviews were deficient in two grand and essential points. They gave a very loose, imperfect, and careless account of books generally. Some instances there were, indeed, in which the criticism introduced the reader to a clear, full, impartial, and satisfactory knowledge of the contents of the book, and to the manner in which it was executed in respect to talent, information, taste, and style. But these cases were rare. The other desideratum was of a higher class, and not so easily filled up. In our opinion, a Review, to answer the complete purpose of such a publication, ought to contain, not only an accurate and impartial account of the contents

of a book, and of the fitness and adequacy of the author, but also a condensed summary of the information or views of the reviewer himself on the subject of the work. In many cases, a rapid glance at the information already in existence, might precede the account of the addition the author had made to it, with a glance equally rapid at the points still untouched, and the views still untaken.

The Edinburgh Review confined itself to an attempt to supply the latter desideratum. The readers of it are put in full possession of what the Reviewer knows or thinks on any particular subject; but they are left generally in utter ignorance of what the author of the work, the title of which is prefixed to the Reviewer's dissertation, has performed, and the manner in which he has executed his task. On the ability, opinions, and information of the Reviewer, the readers may safely and easily pronounce a judgment; but of the work, except its bare title, they, not unfrequently, are unable to gain the least knowledge.

The other Quarterly Reviews have followed nearly the same plan and object; so that, as far as they are concerned, and have acted upon the critical literature of the age, this is essentially changed in its character and results. That the proprietors of these Reviews-we allude to the Edinburgh, Quarterly, and Westminster chiefly have acted wisely and beneficially for themselves, the very great sale of these publications proves beyond a doubt: that the effect has been equally beneficial to the critical literature of the country, we are by no means disposed to admit. In some respects, it has certainly been of disservice: by driving out of existence, or very greatly limiting the circulation, influence, and authority, of the old Reviews, it has, in a great measure, dried up the source -often polluted, indeed-from which the public drew their acquaintance with the literature of the day. And in many of those cases, in which the Quarterly Reviewers give an opinion on the merits of a work-this opinion, though neither illustrated nor supported by extracts, acquires more than its fair and just weight with the public, by the very circumstance which has rendered these Quarterly Reviews popular-the talent in essay-writing which ey display, and the severity in which indulge.

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We do not enter at all into the litical purposes for which the three Quarterly Reviews to which we allude were established; the doctrines they support on political questions; nor the talents or consistency with which they support them: still less do we endeavour to dive into the motives by which the writers are actuated, or the objects which they have in view. These things we leave to others and others have been, and will be, found extremely well disposed, and not less able, to do these things. Our business with these Reviews is of a different nature: we regard them solely as respects their action on the intellect and literature of the country. Their influence on the critical literature, we have endeavoured to shew, has been, on the whole, prejudicial. Of the two grand objects which, as we stated above, a Reviewer ought to have in view, they have exalted one considerably, but they have, at the same time, proportionally depressed the other. We are made acquainted with the talents and acquirements of the Reviewer, but those of the author are not exhibited.

As a collection of essays, therefore, they ought to be regarded and judged, both as relates to their respective merits individually, and as they bear on the intellect and literature of the country. The influence they possess on political topics is undoubtedly that by which they are most distinguished: and perhaps from this feature in them being so very prominent and attractive, their influence and effect in other respects have not been so much attended to, and so carefully watched and examined, as they ought to have been.

The soundness of their opinions, the conclusiveness of their reasoning, or the correctness of their tastes, as they are exhibited in those articles which really enter on the merits of a work, it is not our intention to examine, except in those instances where they go into a formal dissertation : where erroneous opinions, weak and inconclusive reasoning, and bad taste, are more the grounds of censure of any particular work-we shall leave that work to be defended by the author, who, in his defence, must necessarily expose the weakness of the foundation on which the censures of his work are built.

What then, it may be asked, is our object in the series of papers to which this is an introduction? We avoid the

political articles of the Reviews-we leave authors to defend themselves there are even other things which we are resolved not to do:-we shall shun all articles on political economy, all the geographical articles, and all learned articles. But it will be shorter and more satisfactory to declare at once what we intend to do.

Throughout this paper we have dwelt strongly, almost exclusively, on the connexion between periodical literature and the intellect of the country; the latter cannot advance in strength and influence over the condition and the happiness of the community; it cannot be raised to that standard to which it is capable of reaching, while the reasoning powers are weak, and the taste is bad. Principles founded on a clear and comprehensive view of the nature of man, and of the circumstances by which he is surrounded and acted upon-deductions from these principles, such as they will support against all attacks-these are the grand elements of an exalted and improved intellect: but in connexion with these, man must be regarded and studied as a creature of feeling, sentiment, and passion; as possessed of a heart as well as a head. Formerly, in the philosophy of man, the head alone was studied: he was regarded as made up entirely of intellect; lately, the other extreme seems to have been the almost exclusive point in which he is viewed and studied. Till man, however, in both these characters, is the object and study of those who wish to guide him to his real good, little progress can be made in his improvement: ignorance of, or inattention to the workings of his heart, will render the most perfect knowledge of his head of little avail; and he who endeavours to guide him to his good solely by acting on his heart, will also be disappointed in the result.

As the progress of mankind, however, naturally depresses the power and influence of his feelings, and by the same process, and at the same time, exalts and strengthens him as a reflective and reasoning being, it is of more consequence to attend to him in this latter character, than in the former. If he is put in possession of sound principles of reasoning, and taught to use them properly, his progress in knowledge and happiness will be more steady and regular, and retarded by fewer obstacles and difficulties, than

if it were attempted to lead him forward principally by his feelings.

The same may be observed, with regard to the acquisition of a correct and pure taste. It may, indeed, be produced and nourished simply by the perusal of works of a high standard; but, if so produced and nourished, it is apt to partake too much of mere feeling, to be too much under the authority of example, and it can scarcely escape being contaminated by some elements of weess and error. Whereas, if the mind is prepared for the perusal of such works by an insight into the principles of taste, the progress will be more steady and regular, and the object in view will be obtained in its highest purity, and placed on its firmest and securest basis.

In the selection, therefore, of articles from the three principal Quarterly Reviews, for examination, we shall be guided by two rules: In the first place, we shall select those which, undertaking to form the opinions or the taste of the public, admit of and require an examination into the principles on which these ought to be founded. The more elementary and general the principles of our opinions and our reasoning, the more comprehensive they must be in their application and utility; the less likely are our opinions, when traced to such principles, to be inconsistent with each other, or to contain within them any weakness; and the more will our intellect be sharpened and strengthened in our inquiries after truth. Few are aware of the strange mixture of truth and error in their opinions, and of the inconsistencies they support or admit, till they have traced them to their first principles, and tried by this test all that education, habit, authority, and circumstances, have led them to believe. Such articles, therefore, as admit of this mode of investigaton, will possess one source of claim to our attention and notice.

Such as also bear on some practical point will have even a stronger claim to preference; for practical truths, as they are of most utility in life, so they also will be found most conducive to the sharpening and strengthening of intellect. Acting on a principle has a wonderful effect in detecting its weak parts, in rendering it more simple and general, as well as in invigorating the mind.

Our object, in short, is to guard the