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No. I. Price 2s. 6d. of

TAIT'S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.

It has long been matter, both of surprise and regret, that, in Scotland, where the universal diffusion of education affords such facilities for the development of literary talent, and where the genius of the people naturally inclines them to inquiry and investigation, there should be no periodical organ, of liberal principles, appearing at intervals which admit of more matured discussion of public affairs than can be expected in the daily and weekly journals, and better adapted to take up questions of immediate urgency than the Quarterly Reviews. This desideratum is about to be supplied.

We do not offer to the public a Journal fashioned after the manner of those with which it is at present familiar. The ground upon which we propose taking our stand remains still unoccupied. The interests which we intend to advocate, and the objects to the accomplishment of which all our exertions shall be devoted, are of a kind which Magazine writers have hitherto, for the most part, neglected or shunned; some from caprice, others from incapacity, and more from a conceit that nothing would find favour with the readers of such periodicals except what had been distilled through the alembic of fancy, or etherialized by some process of the imagination. We, however, have come to a different conclusion, and have dared to think that truth is, after all, preferable to fiction; that the useful is not necessarily at variance with the agreeable; and that, after being long tantalized with airy nothings, and all manner of fantastical extravagancies, vagaries, and exaggerations, the public would receive with pleasure, and support liberally, a Journal conducted with a stern, unbending regard to utility alone, and devoted to the advocacy of whatever appears calculated to extend the liberties, to advance the interests, or to improve the condition of mankind. Drawing-room and holiday literature is well enough in its own place, and we are by no means disposed to quarrel with it. But a change has come over the spirit of the time; mighty questions have been stirred; deep interests have been created; vast masses of men, formerly inert and passive, have suddenly begun to heave to and fro with the force of a newly inspired animation; old things are passing away;-and while probably on the eve of great events, it has appeared to us not only desirable but necessary, to provide an organ or vehicle through which the voice of a renovated people may be heard.

On these principles, and with these views, TAIT'S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE is offered to the public. In its scope it will embrace Politics, Literature, Science, Economics, Legislation, and Jurisprudence; in short, every thing connected with, or calculated to advance, the improvement of Society. Of Reform it will be the fearless and uncompromising advocate,-of abuse, wherever it may lurk, or to whomsoever it may be profitable, the constant and merciless enemy. Some- —we ought rather to say much-of the best intellect and learning of the country has been secured for its service; and in the list

of its contributors will be found names of the highest distinction in letters. We have sought for talent wherever it was to be found; in the search we have been successful beyond our most sanguine anticipations; and the Public may be assured, that all the resources and means which have been provided will be directed to the attainment of one grand object-namely, the good of THE PEOPLE. We are of no party but that of the country,-of no sect but that of truth,-under no influence except that of our unalterable principles, and swayed by no prejudice calculated to interfere with the honest discharge of our duty. Measures, not men, are what we shall either defend or condemn. Private character we shall ever account sacred. Public acts and public conduct are, of course, common property, and, as such, will be freely discussed and judged by us. With regard to the present Ministry, they shall have our support as long as they remain faithful to the reiterated pledges they have given to the country; pledges which have identified them with the best hopes, and the most precious interests of this great nation, and which they are bound, by every consideration of honour, of policy, and even of safety, to redeem.

In the treatment of the various other branches of science and general knowledge, TAIT'S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE will observe a similar course, and be conducted on principles as nearly as possible analogous to those which have just been described in reference to political discussion. Utility will ever be its first and greatest object,strict impartiality its invariable characteristic, active and searching industry the constant duty of all connected with its management. It will combine original composition on subjects of immediate or permanent interest, with critical disquisitions on languages, literature, science, and the arts, foreign as well as domestic. It will thus unite the properties of a Review with those of a Magazine, or Repository of useful information and independent discussion; and it will also form a faithful record of the progress of the human mind in all those departments where the intellect and the enterprise of mankind seek to extend our knowledge or increase our power. But although we have resolved, if possible, to be useful, we have, at the same time, vowed not to be dull. We seek, above all things, to be instructive; but we flatter ourselves we can also impart to our labours a degree of interest sufficient to conciliate even those who read only that they may be amused. There are no weeping philosophers in our corps. Democritus himself might have joined us, without compromising his character at Abdera. In the light of England's dawning liberty, and invigorated by the sunny spirit which it has already diffused, we approach our task, blithe, frolicsome, and good-humoured; pleased with the happy prospects which have at length been opened up to the country, and prepared to defend, with joyous fearlessness, those principles which we have professed, and on the full recognition of which. we devoutly believe that the best interests of our species depend.

Printed for WILLIAM TAIT, 78, Prince's Street, Edinburgh. Orders received by ATKINSON and Co. Glasgow, and all Booksellers throughout the Kingdom.

i

BURGH MAGAZINE, is regularly issued, The EDINBURGH WEEKLY CHRONICLE; A NEWSPAPER OF THE MOST LIBERAL PRINCIPLES, PUBLISHED ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON,

AND FORWARDED TO ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY BY THE EVENING MAILS.

THE EDINBURGH CHRONICLE embodies, in a condensed form, the whole News of the week; including the latest London News of importance, extracted from the London Papers, which arrive on Saturday afternoon. From its large size, and the quantity of small type used, the CHRONICLE Contains more News and Original Articles than a single Number of any other Edinburgh Newspaper.

Besides a compendious Register of passing events, a full summary of the latest and most accurate Intelligence, and the Agricultural and Commercial Lists, which the EDINBURGH CHRONICLE has long exhibited, it now embraces a wider range of Literary and Political disquisition, and devotes considerable attention to the lively and piquant gossip of the day, to criticisms on Painting, Music, and the Drama.

The principles advocated in the CHRONICLE are, in the most emphatic sense of the word, independent. The Proprietors and Conductors of the Paper have no connection with any set of men, no dependence upon either the Whig or Tory party. Their party is that of the public.

The circulation of the EDINBURGH WEEKLY CHRONICLE is already one of the largest in Scotland. It now exceeds 1600 copies, being an increase of above 500 copies in eight months

WILLIAM TAIT is Agent, for Scotland, for THE WESTMINSTER REVIEW, that able and uncompromising Champion of the People's Rights; published with unfailing punctuality on the first days of January, April, July, and October; price 6s. each Number. Orders from all parts of Scotland supplied directly by Mr TAIT, or through the Country Booksellers.

ALSO, FOR

THE SPECTATOR, London Weekly Newspaper, published in London on Sunday Morning, and received in Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland, on Monday Afternoon.

The liberal principles of the SPECTATOR, the extent and variety of its news, the admirable ability displayed in its original articles on politics, literature, and the fine arts, the fearlessness and independence with which it supports, on all occasions, the cause of truth and justice, and the uncommon tact and excellent management of its conductor, are well known, and have rendered the SPECTATOR in Scotland, as well as in England, the most popular of all the London Weekly newspapers, and equally acceptable in the highest and the more humble circles.

Lately Published,

BY WILLIAM TAIT, EDINBURGH; and LONGMAN & Co. LONDON;

The PRINCIPLES of POLITICAL ECONOMY; with a Sketch of the Rise and Progress of the Science. By J. R. M'CULLOCH, Esq. Professor of Political Economy in the University of London. A new edition, corrected and very greatly enlarged, in one large vol. 8vo, 16s.

"By much the best Manual of Political Economy that has yet been presented to the world, either in our own or any other language."-Edinburgh Review, for January, 1831.

SMITH'S WEALTH OF NATIONS; with large Additions, by Professor M'CULLOCH. In 4 large and beautifully printed vols. 8vo, £2, 12s. 6d.

"A good edition of the Wealth of Nations was much wanted. Mr M'Culloch has supplied this want. This is the best edition of one of the best works in the English language." "It is an edition worthy of the author and of the subject."—New Monthly Magazine.

LECTURES on the PHILOSOPHY of the HUMAN MIND. By the late THOMAS BROWN, M. D. Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh. Second Edition, corrected. In 4 vols. 8vo. L. 2, 12s. 6d.

An inestimable book."-Dr PARR.

BROWN'S PHILOSOPHY of the MIND; with the addition of a Portrait, a Biographical Memoir by Dr WELSH, and an Index. In one large vol. 8vo. beautifully printed, sixth edition, . L. 1, 1s. in cloth boards.

HISTORY of SCOTLAND. By P. F. TYTLER, Esq. F.R.S.E., F.S.A., and Honorary Associate of the Royal Society of Literature, London. Vol. I, II. III. & IV.; including the period from the commencement of the reign of Alexander III. to the middle of the reign of James IV. In 8vo. Price of each volume 12s.

This work "reflects the highest honour on Mr Tytler's talents and industry.”—Sir Walter Scott. "The most brilliant age of Scotland is fortunate in having found a historian whose sound judgment is accompanied by a graceful liveliness of imagination."— Quarterly Review, No. LXXXII, Nov. 1829. "The events are themselves of the most romantic kind, and are detailed in a very picturesque aud forcible style "--Times. "Its tone is unprejudiced, manly, and impartial. Such a History of Scotland was much wanted."--New Monthly Magazine.

SCOTTISH JESTS and ANECDOTES; collected by ROBERT CHAMBERS; with a selection of choice English and Irish Jests. In one thick volume, royal 18mo. 6s. 6d.

THE PICTURE of SCOTLAND. By ROBERT CHAMBERS. New Edition, in two large vols. post 8vo. with eight fine plates, L. 1, 1s.; or 2 vol. 12mo. 16s.

"The task Mr Chambers undertook is one for which he is admirably qualified.”—Scotsman, "Not only the most amusing, but the most useful companion for the northern tourist.”New Monthly Magazine.

TRADITIONS of EDINBURGH.

CHAMBERS. In 2 vol. foolscap, 9s.

BY ROBERT

"A most amusing book, full of the best kind of Antiquarianism. It has had a great sale, and it well deserves it. Sir Walter Scott and Charles Sharpe have both communicated anecdotes of the olden time.”—Blackwood's Magazine,

THE SCOTTISH SONGS; collected and illustrated by ROBERT CHAMBERS. In 2 vol. of 400 pages each, royal 18mo. 12s. Copies have also been printed in 2 vol. post 8vo. to range with similar works, price 18s.

"A most admirable collection, in a cheap and convenient form, interspersed with amusing notes and anecdotes.-Bell's Life in London. "Exactly what was wanted. By far the most complete collection of Scottish Songs existing."-Edinburgh Weekly Journal.

THE SCOTTISH BALLADS; collected and illustrated by ROHERT CHAMBERS. In one vol. royal 18mo, of above 400 pages, uniform with the Scottish Songs, 6s.

Copies have also been printed in post 8vo, price 9s.

"An admirably selected volume."-Times. "Carefully and judiciously edited. A real banquet to the lovers of national poetry." "-Atlas.

CHEAP GAELIC DICTIONARY.

The excel

lent Gaelic and English, and English and Gaelic Dictionary, by R. ARMSTRONG, A. M. in one large volume, 4to. published a few years ago, may now be had of W. TAIT, and all Booksellers, at L. 1, 5s. instead of L.3, 13s. 6d. the original price.

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