The Critical Review: Or, Annals of Literature

LONDON,

Printed for A. HAMILTON, in Falcon-Court, Fleet-freet.

MDCCLXXXIX.

ADVERTISEMENT.

IN the Advertisement to our LXVth Volume we explained the fources of our difficulties, and the attempts by which we purposed to remove them. They have undoubtedly fucceeded in fome degree; but the deficiency was fo great, that a flight affiftance could procure but an inadequate alleviation. Our chief confolation has, however, been, that the confidence of the Public in our judgment has not leffened; that we have experienced every mark of candour and refpect from authors whofe opinions have not coincided with our own; that our plan and our conduct have generally met with approbation, both on the continent and at home. Thefe confiderations must neceffarily excite all our zeal, and awaken all our attention they will forcibly imprefs on our minds the rule so often recommended to historians, Ne quid falfi dicere audeant, ne quid veri non audeant? But it is now neceffary to be more particular.

The addition of an Appendix, we hoped, would have fupplied all our demands, and given us that scope which was wanting to render our Journal a faithful picture of the literature of fucceeding periods. We had room indeed to make fome additions, which were indifpenfible; to extend our accounts of publications, either little known or not fully understood, and to infert occafionally fome information respecting the more important works on the continent. But we foon anticipated the limits which the public had indulged us with; and our only apology must be, that we anticipated it not by frivolous contests, or interefted explanations. We confidered every line as devoted to the purposes either of utility or entertainment; as defigned to inform our readers what had been done, how far the new discoveries were connected with former attempts, and often what remained to be performed. Science is, however, inexhauftible; the tafte for literary information of every kind is not eafily fatiated; and we had often much to fay, when our limits forbad us to enlarge. For proofs of the difficulties which we continue to feel, it is only neceffary to refer our readers to many articles, which have been difcontinued, and which we have not been able to refume, at a period of the year when new publications abound; and when, from thefe alone, our labours had been ufually urgent and unremitted. We muft, therefore, have continued to difappoint our readers, or extend the bulk of our Numbers, in the manner we have A 2

propofed.

propofed. When the alternative was confidered, little hesitation was neceffary; and we trust the Public will be too candid and generous to disapprove of the attempt, when they reflect, that notwithstanding the numerous additional impediments in the way of publications, the advancement of literature and science has been chiefly attended to in our present arrangement. It should not be confidered as again intruding on their indulgence; for we trust, that, except in peculiar emergencies, where the subjects will be a fufficient apology, the additional fheets will fuperfede the neceffity of an Appendix.

Our extended limits will alfo permit the trial of an improvement, which we have long meditated, and which will, we think, render our Journal more complete.-In the Foreign Intelligence for December last, we explained the difficulties occafioned by having no English work, in which authors could give a short and early account of their attempts, either to gratify the curiofity of others, or afcertain their own titles to what they may have difcovered. We offered a part of our Journal for that purpose; and it is now neceffary to explain the manner in which this new attempt will be conducted. We find that authors will not be fatisfied with having their accounts inferted in the Sketch of Foreign Literature; withing, perhaps, to have a better claim to the public attention by a feparate department. If therefore our propofal meets with their approbation and support, we shall occafionally give a concise Article of Domeftic Intelligence.' Though our accounts must be fhort, we wish to receive the plans or the experiments at length: we will abridge them with care; mark on the copy the time of receiving, and return it, if required, to the author. By this plan, every advantage which can accrue to him, or the public, will be obtained; and every injury to his fame or to his emoluments avoided. Whether this propofal be ever practifed, or practifed with effect, must depend on their opinion of it, and the encouragement they may think it merits.

We must not conclude without expreffing our thanks for the attention and indulgence we have received, and our confidence in the patronage of the public, while we continue to deferve it.

Boeken