THE MONTHLY ANTHOLOGY FOR JANUARY, 1807. ADDRESS OF THE EDITORS. On the commencement of a new volume of the Anthology, it becomes a suitable expression of our regard for its interests for us to pay our compliments to its patrons, and invite the attention of others to its claims. At this stage of the publication, it is unnecessary to be particular in pointing out the objects of the work, or explaining the principles on which it is conducted. On these subjects the volumes, already issued, will afford better evidence for making a decision, than our declarations. They will show how far we have accomplished our design of promoting use ful knowledge and harmless amusement....sound principles....good morals....and correct taste. In our selections, essays, and reviews, we have wished to aid the cause of classical learning, so extravagantly decried and presumptuously neglected in this age of innovators and sciolists. We have aimed to withstand corruptions in literature; and to establish the authority of those laws of composition, which are founded in nature, in reason, and in experience. In proposing our judgment of authors, we have frequently discussed as well doctrines and opinions, as method and style; and in this discussion we trust we have appeared, what we profess to be, in politicks neither worshippers nor contemners of the people...and in religion at once serious in belief and catholick in spirit. We have conducted the Review under the conviction, that publick criticism, upon writers for the publick, does not in itself imply either injustice or malevolence. At the same time we have sought to keep in mind those considerations, which should guide and restrain the exercise of the right of literary censure....to make adequate allowance for the general and incurable diversity of taste, and for our own fallibility....and to espouse, with all becoming humanity, the feelings of the candidates for publick approbation. We would be the ministers of that criticism, which has been described, attending the Muses as an allegorical personage, to whom Justice gives a sceptre, and Labour and Truth a torch. To whatever errours or infirmities we may be liable in the execution of the delicate and responsible office of Reviewers, we disdain the imputation of aiming to gratify personal or party animosity under the specious form of a judgment upon a book. If any of our readers wish to know, on what grounds we vindicate the liberties taken with some works in the department of our Review, let them peruse again the Remarker, number five, on this subject; and they will probably admit the justness of our general rules, though they may differ from us in their particular application. It should be a consolation to writers, disposed to complain of our severity, that we cannot obstruct, if we can retard their entrance into the temple of fame; because time will do that justice to their merits, which we may refuse. They should also recollect, that the majority are of their party....and that they have a refuge from our supposed persecution in the prepossessions of the many. Those worthy people, who think offences against the laws of good writing venial, at least where the principles of religion and virtue are not involved; those who praise almost every thing, from an affectation of candour and a desire to be praised in return; together with the half-learned, the ignorant, the weak, and the interested, take their side with the author against the critick. These persons will commend where they please, without asking our permission; and will regard our office as a usurpation upon their prerogative of judging and feeling for themselves. We are sensible how much the value of the Monthly Anthology might be enhanced, not only by the more industrious and vigilant exercise of the talents, hitherto employed in supplying its pages; but also by the contributions of some, who have seldom or never appeared in its columns. We know a few, who have wit and sentiment and information, which would augment our stock of entertainment. We likewise know a few, possessing intimate views of important subjects, with skill to display them to the |
