ΤΟ ΤΗΕ READ E R. A T the fetting out of thefe periodical works, as large promifes are generally made, and equal performances expected, the reader is often cajoled into a tranfitory approbation by the richness of the first number, which keeps pace with the editor's propofals, while our good opinions too frequently ficken, and grow fainter and fainter with each fucceffive publication. In their preliminary addreffes, indeed, writers are particularly ceremonious, and endeavour to footh the critic into good humour, by the kind appellations of gentle, courteous, candid, and judicious, though they are well affured in their hearts, and know by woeful experience, tnat fuch titles belong as feldom to the reader, as the author. Yet it must be owned, that however ill we may behave when we are feated, we take wonderful care never to come into the room without a bow, and are the civileft perfons in the world, whilft we are foliciting your vote and interest, however careless and ungrateful we appear afterwards. For For my own part, if an author is humble enough to come forth, like his brother BAYES, with an executioner behind him, and beg if they don't like his work, they will order his head to be chopped off, I can't fee why the courteous, gentle, candid and judicious public fhould not take him at his word for their own fakes, and bid the executioner do his office accordingly. For the writer who ventures abroad into the world, as he puts himself upon his country, neither can, nor ought to expect any thing more, than a patient hearing, and a fair trial. Certain it is the word MAGAZINE carries with it rather an unfavourable omen, and the editor has, it must be confefs'd, at times apprehended that name might have as bad an influence upon his publication, as Shandy thought the name of Triftram had upon his fon. For in the present age, when booksellers have erected themselves into proper and fufficient judges of all literary merit (which indeed, if we confider their prodigious literary property, they have some right to lay claim to) an author, who writes so apparently under their colours, as the unfortunate word MAGAZINE feems to intimate, cannot hope to be confidered in any other light than as their journeyman bookmaker, |