we shall not ask in vain, we shall be cheered in our laborious undertaking; for every accession of approval on the part of the public will be met by fresh exertion on the part of their old and faithful servant, PREFACE. IN concluding and presenting to the Public our Volume for 1852, we have to perform the time-honoured duty of offering them the expression of our grateful thanks for past favours, and of soliciting their liberal encouragement for the future. ་ The Volume now added to our long series will not be found, we confidently trust, to be unworthy of its position. That which is to follow shall not lack improvement, if that can be effected by zeal and good-will. It is a good quality that which describes a man's winter as "frosty but kindly." WE, for our parts, albeit nearly a century and a quarter old, are as yet unconscious of any winter of the mind or body. An eternal spring seems to be our possession, and, with the aid of our Friends, and the help of our Subscribers, we hope to devote it, for centuries to come, to the amusement and instruction of mankind. It is among the maxims of Publius Syrus that Fortune stultifies whom she too highly favours,-" Fortuna nimium quem fovet stultum facit." This will not be found applicable to our case. We have, indeed, enjoyed an exceeding, yet not an excessive, fortuneone exceeding that achieved by any other periodical, yet not excessive, we hope, as regards our merits. On this latter ground we find our warrant for soliciting the continued patronage of old friends, and the added favour of new. With this support, for which we know LEFACE the Public our Volume for 1862, onoured iuty of offering them the anks for past favours, and of soliciting *r the future. 2ur ong series will not be found, we worthy of its position. That which is to imvement, if that can be effected by scal Duality that which describes a man's WE, for our parts, albeit nearly a Are as yet unconscious of any winter of ernal spring seems to be our possession, Trends, and the help of our Subscribers, enturies to come, to the amusement and We st Publius Syrus that Fortune stultifies avours. Fortuna nimium quem fovet stulfound applicable to our case. yet not an excessive, fortuneother periodical, yet not excesOn this latter ground we find tinued patronage of old friends, and this support, for which we knew |