conte 3-31-30 ADVERTISEMENT. WE are happy to have it in our power at the clofe of the year 1779, to congratulate our readers on a more promifing aspect of publick affairs, than that which prefented itself to the nation in the courfe of the fummer. The Genius of Britain, under the foftering hand of Providence, has again raised her drooping bead, and with re-animated vigour is preparing to retort on her foes, the terror and dismay that like a contagion spread along our coafts, and extended its alarming Symptoms even to the internal parts of the kingdom. The moft pleafing hopes fucceed to dreadful apprehenfions; this renowned island, no longer trembling for her own fafety, and confined to act merely on the defenfive, now begins to be fenfible of fuperior ftrength, and of refources fufficient to enable her to chaftife her treacherous neighbours, and to compel them once more to fue for an bonourable peace. The revolution of another year, reflete as the course of it must be with important events, will, in all probability enable us to entwine the laurel, the olive, and the bay, in a chaplet to adorn the brow of our gracious fovereign. Victory alone can infure folid peace, and it will be the poet's best theme to celebrate the renown of the one, and the blessings of the other. In the mean time, it must afford great fatisfaction to the friends of literature and of the arts which embellifb jociety to know, that hitherto, the progress of war, has not impeded their fuccefs. From experience we mention, and from gratitude we are induced to commemorate in our frontispiece, this agreeable circumftance" Arts and Sciences have continued in a flourishing fiate, amidst the univerfal gloom that threw a damp over the pleasures, and curbed the paffions of fenfuality. The liberal protectors of the London Magazine have honoured it with their ufual Support; it is a branch of mental luxury, a rational indulgence, which the most rigid economy may allow, even in times, which call upon the moft generous to retrench fome of their expences. After the profeffions we have made in the dedication of this volume to our auguft prince, it would be fuperfluous to add any repetition of our intentions to perfevere Headily in that plan, which has obtained the support and approbation of the Publick, near half a century. But we must not omit our due thanks, for the contributions of the learned, the ingenious, and the witty, whofe united affiftance have given ftrength and beauty to our compofite edifice. Their future aid is respectfully fol licited; their compliance will be efteemed and honoured. See the Frontispiece. LOND. MAG. App. 1779< 4 E GEORGE |