OUR AMBITION IS TO RAISE THE FEMALE MIND OF ENGLAND TO ITS TRUE LEVEL. S. ROBINSON, CHAPTER-HOUSE PASSAGE, ST. PAUL'S. ADDRESS ON THE COMPLETION OF THE THIRD VOLUME. EIGHTEEN months ago we took the field (and we took it ALONE) as champions in a cause which we have fought well and nobly. That cause was, the minds and morals of English women. Before the appearance of the ROYAL LADY'S MAGAZINE, there did not exist, in the whole periodical literature of the country, a single publication, professedly designed for females, which was not synonymous with imbecility. We say this sorrowfully, not arrogantly; for the despicable trash scribbled every month in works it would be invidious to name, gave us most melancholy notions of the intellect of those by whom they were read, if read they were, which may be doubted, because they were not bought. It was the declared object of the ROYAL LADY'S MAGAZINE to rescue our periodical literature from this reproach. We leave it to those who have watched our course, to say, whether we have accomplished our object; while they, who may have had no opportunity of observing us, are referred to the three volumes of the work now completed. For ourselves, we are satisfied with another description of evidence-the progressive and still increasing extent of our circulation. We know right well, that no work can attain and keep the actual position of the ROYAL LADY'S MAGAZINE by any other means than that of deserving to do so. We know, moreover, that if our example had not been FELT-if we had not rendered it hopeless for any publication, however humble in character, to find a market for such wares as heretofore were brought into it-we should not see the dwarfs that now amble behind us, straining their sorry pads to keep up with our thorough-bred palfrey. True, they are at an immeasurable distance; but until we started off at the top of our speed, they never thought of moving at all. Now, however, with much flogging and spurring, by dint of wondrous puffing and blowing, they always manage to turn the corner as soon as we are out of sight. They can do no more. We took the lead, kept it, and mean to keep it. The public, meanwhile, is benefited, as it ever is, by competition; and WE are delighted to see the improvement we have forced upon our followers. As long as there are gradations of mind, gradations of intellectual food will be required. It would be as absurd to suppose that the writing in the ROYAL LADY'S MAGAZINE could please the readers of inferior publications of the same class, as that their writing should please our readers; at the same time, it is well that simultaneous efforts should be made to improve the condition of all readers. Hence we are warm admirers of the Penny Magazine, because it adapts useful knowledge to the pockets and heads of the poor and ignorant. Yet, we are sadly afraid it must injure, if it do not speedily kill, a certain hobbling old lady of our acquaintance who has long gone upon crutches, and for the last year and a half has hardly been able to go at all. We shall be sincerely sorry, nevertheless, to hear of her meeting with any violent death, because the poor old creature is so very near a natural one. We pride ourselves not a little upon having brought the Honourable Mrs. Norton into the field; a rival, and the only one, whose gauntlet we will stoop to pick up. Let her tread in our steps; and though we do not intend she shall walk by our side, still less get before us, we will willingly hail her as an ally, in conjunction with whom much good service may be done. Before, however, we admit her to this high honour, we must see what she is able to do; what force she can bring into the field, how far she is qualified to command. She must expect, therefore, to be narrowly watched; to have her troops rigidly inspected; and according as she and they bear the scrutiny, will be our decision whether to allow of their taking up a position in our rear, or to treat them as enemies, fighting under false colours. One word in conclusion. It is obvious we can have nothing to promise, except what is implied in the very nature of our undertaking and may be inferred from the manner we have hitherto conducted it; viz., the promise of not relaxing in our efforts. Eighteen months ago we had a character to acquire; now, we have simply to maintain the character we have acquired; with such additions as a great general or statesman makes to his renown, who goes on multiplying honours till the hand of time arrests his progress. It is just possible there may be some who will deny the fitness of this comparison, and we cannot help it if they do; but we trust no one will question its practical application, by doubting our determination to twine fresh laurels round our own brows as long as we can find a place upon which to stick but a single leaf. THE ROYAL LADY'S MAGAZINE, AND Archives of the Court of St. James's. JANUARY, 1832. Embellishments. PORTRAIT OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE GEORGE OF CUMBERLAND. EN GRAVED BY Wagstaff, from A MINIATURE BY MISS FANNY CORBAUX. SPECIMEN OF THE CAMELLIA JAPONICA EXIMIA. Finely Coloured from a Drawing by Chandler. Contenis. THE FORSAKEN OF GOD. By the Author of "The Five Nights of St. Albans." The Moral HISTORY OF WOMAN. With a particular reference to the Female Character in England. By Miss Jane Porter, Author of "Thaddeus of War Saw" THE PRAYER. A Fragment. By A. B. C. In the Manner of L. E. L. Page 1 |