1 Rolitions on Rtrical Vinportance is. Extract of a Letter to a Member of Parlia Country Common-Sense; Kentish Spectator, Dipping, the antient and true Baptifm Gothic Infeription on an old Font in Cumber- Definition and Modes of Motion Complaint of Prudentia Motherly Obfervations on Lapland concluded Beautiful and furprizing Meteors Original Defign of the Test Act The Act itfelf a good and effectual one the best Security against Popery ib. On the Nuptials of the Prince and Princess of Wales, by J. Spence, Profeffor of Poe- try, and Fellow of the new College Oxon. -Ode on Mira's Birth-Day, by H. M. 39 Left in Dr Shaw's Tranflation of Lord 20, 21 Of an Anachronism in the first Book of State of Georgia from 2 Original Letters 22 Wakes 2.3 of Tuscany Narrative of the Death of the Fr. N-t Paraphrafe on Pfalm LXXIII, 25, by Phi- Addrefs to Sleep, by Nic. Rowle, Efq; fet Lift of Births, Marriages, Deaths, &c. Of an odd Humour in People of Fafhion to Sampfen Mainmast to Common Senfe ib. Gazetteer to the Gentlemen at Salters Hall 30 THE Gentleman's Magazine. JANUARY, 1739. Note, The MAP of the Crimea intended for the Supplement goes with this Mag. Mr URBAN, N the Perufal of your monthly Collections, I obferve that the A Extracts from the weekly Journalists, which made fo large a Part in your firft Pamphlets, have, by a gradual Dimi. nution, fhrunk at length into a very B few Columns, and made way for original Letters and Differtations. This Variation of your Conduct naturally leads your Readers to confider the prefent State of our periodical Writings, and the Circumftance of thofe Profeffors who retail their Po-C liticks in weekly Lectures. The Character of an Author muft be allowed to imply in itself fomething amiable and great; it conveys at once the Idea of Ability and Goodnature, of Knowledge, and a Difpofition to communicate it. To inftruct Ignorance, reclaim Error, and reform Vice, are Defigns highly worthy of Applaufe and Imitation. When Pythagoras was asked How a Mortal might arrive at nearest Refemblance to the celeftial Beings, he anfwer'd, By' Beneficence and Truth; and furely no Man has a jufter Title to these fublime Qualities than a great Genius, exhaufting his Time and Health for the Service of the Publick, in difcovering Truth, and recommending it, by the Ornaments of Eloquence, to the Favour of Mankind. D E But in the fame Proportion as Writers of this exalted Clafs deferve our Veneration and Gratitude, thofe who prefume to thrust into the World Pieces drawn up with, either an entireNeglect of Truth, or an Indifference for it, ought to raise a general Deteftation and Abhorrence. A Hero that employs his Sword indifferently, in juft Wars, or hired Affaffinations; a Phyfician that prefcribes Remedies or Poifons, without regard to any thing but his Fee; are but Emblems of the abandon'd Proftitutes of the Pen, who poyfon the Principles of Nations, and publish Falfehood and Truth with equal Af furance. Political Truth is undoubtedly of very great Importance, and they who honeftly endeavour after it, are doubtlefs engaged in a laudable Purfuit, Nor do the Writers on this Subject ever more deferve the Thanks of their Country, than when they enter upon Examinations of the Conduct of their Governors, whether Kings, Senates or Minifters; when they impartially confider the Tendency of their Meafures, and juftify them in oppofition to popular Calumnies, or cenfure them in defiance of the Frowns of Greatnefs, or the Perfecutions of Power. To clear the Character of a good King from the Afperfions of Faction, or Mifreprefentations of Jealoufy, is the Duty of every Man who has an Oppor tunity of unde eiving the Deluded; but ic To SYLVANUS URBAN, On his VOLUME for 1739. HO' hard the Talk, each different Tafte to please, And charm alike the Serious and the Gay. May here the wily Statesman's Mazes wind, And in their Contefts view the British State. Lend to Hiftoric Page their friendly Aid. To footh our Paffions with her pow'rful Airs, Thefe, URBAN, thy enamel'd Garden fhow, He: |