ADVERTISEMENT OF THE EDITOR. PN 57 SER 2 IN selecting the Spirit of the Public Journals, from an enormous mass of chaotick matter, the Editor has endeavoured to divest this Volume of any thing like a political tendency, or affection for any particular party. It was equally his wish and interest to gratify all sides, while, by so doing, he secured to his Readers the choicest Essays, without prejudice or partiality. If, on perusal, it should be admitted that he has displayed the industry so essential to such an undertaking, he will have obtained the highest reward he seeks. A great portion of the Jeux d'Esprit thus rescued from oblivion, are little, if at all inferior to the best papers of the English Essayists; and have been extracted from publications which are now scarce, considered valuable, on account of these whimsical productions. or Of the few Notes and Alterations introduced, he will only say, he thought the former necessary; and, in respect to the latter, he has been most desirous, in every instance, of preserving the spirit and wit of the originals; and where it was found essential to divest them of their locality, he has also been carefully attentive to the intentions of the writer. It is intended that this Work should be continued at the commencement of every succeeding year. As there will be more time for its production, the plan will receive every improvement of which it is susceptible; and the selections being made from day to day, will contribute greatly to their variety. THE EDITOR. NOTE.-It is more than probable, that, in quoting the various Journals from which the articles have been taken, several errors may have been made. It is hardly possible, particularly in the Sunday and Evening Papers, to distinguish borrowed articles from originals. |