In a Postscript to our Sixth Number, for September, we addressed a few words to the Ministry, intended as a friendly warning of the consequence to themselves and the country, of their continuing to walk in the way of their Tory predecessors. That there are excel- lent men among them, we know. But we also know that there are enemies of the peo- ple in their ranks,-Tories in reality, whatever they may call themselves; whose influence has, in some instances, neutralized, in others overpowered, the good intentions of their liberal compeers. Looking at the manifestations of the general Ministerial will, we are almost ready to suppose that Ministers have, as a body, interpreted the universal cry for "the Bill, the whole Bill, and nothing but the Bill," too literally; and that having given us the Bill,-the whole Bill,-they intend to give us nothing but the Bill. We assure them, that if they have so understood the popular cry, they have made an unlucky mistake. However, if they will take the serious additional warning we give them in our leading article, this month, all will yet be well; and they may rely upon the support of nearly the whole nation against their inveterate enemies, the Tories and the Court."
In our Article, last month, on "Cheap Periodicals," we mentioned that "The School- master" had been so short a time "abroad," that it was impossible to predict what its success would be. We have now great pleasure in being able to add that this cheap weekly periodical has proved worthy of the high character we gave its conductor; and that the merits of the work have been already recognized by the public over all Scotland. There is no ordinary talent employed in the composition and selection of "the Schoolmaster." And the intention of the work, (instruction of the kind most wanted by the people, as well as amusement,) is worthy of the talent. We anticipate much good to the working people, from the circulation of this new periodical among them.
An address, signed by the Lord Provost, in the name of the inhabitants of Edinburgh, has been presented to the Ex-King of France, on his departure from this city. In this address we assure our readers in distant parts, the inhabitants, generally, did not concur. Indeed, few of them knew anything of such an address until the Edinburgh Newspapers told them that it had been presented. Its being signed by our Chief Magistrate, goes for nothing. That functionary was not elected by his fellow citizens; but is the head of a close Cor- poration, which has long ridden the city of Edinburgh, but which will speedily be thrown off, and with as much satisfaction as ever oppressed animal dropt its heavy load of rubbish.
We look, with great interest, on the canvassing that is now going on over the whole country for seats, in the New Parliament. In our succeeding Numbers we mean to indulge in a little speculation as to what sort of Parliament is promised by the character of the can- didates in the field, and their reception by the Electors. In the success of the candidates, of liberal principles, especially those who seek the good of the country, independently of party, we take a lively interest, and shall be glad to say all the good we know of any of them. At present we shall only notice one candidate,-a man according to our own heart, Mr. John Arthur Roebuck, one of the candidates for Bath. We know him well; and can assure the people of Bath that they will have just cause to be proud of their representative. There will be few members in the House more distinguished either for natural abilities, profound knowledge, as a lawyer and politician, steadfast principles, or earnest devotion to the public cause.
A very full Index to our first volume shall be given with No VIII.
Several papers which were meant for insertion in this number have been postponed for want of room. The Contributions sent us are so numerous, that we can insert only a small proportion of them. We entreat our Correspondents to excuse our not doing what is impossible, inserting the materials of several Numbers in one. Several articles by our most esteemed regular contributors are among those postponed.
WILLIAM TAIT, EDINBURGH;
SIMPKIN & MARSHALL LONDON; AND JOHN CUMMING, DUBLIN.
OWING to the discontinuance of some of the Steam-packets, and the consequent early period of the month at which it was supposed necessary that this number should go to press, several Articles, by our most valued distant Contributors, reached us too late; particularly "Financial Reform," "The Tendency of Sir Walter Scott's Writ- ings," and "The Reformer;" and, in consequence of a press of Articles that could not stand over till next month, our Articles on Tithe Fallacies, Austin's Lectures on Jurisprudence, and some others not of merely temporary interest, have been reserved for our December Number. For several excellent Tales we have not yet found it possible to make room; more than one Tale being inadmissible in the same Number. To the Authors of "Paddy Foorhane's Fricassee," "The Ventilators," "The Priest's Horse," and "A Tale of Sheffield," we are under particular obliga- tions. Their esteemed contributions shall appear with all possible dispatch. Poems by the Authors of "Night-burial at Sea," "Eikon Basilike," "The Spring Day," Captain Calder Campbell, and several other Contributors, shall speedily appear.
To all of our Correspondents we return our sincere thanks for their readiness to contribute to this Magazine. It is peculiarly gratifying to us, to think that not a few of the most distinguished writers of the day have given this Periodical the honour and advantage of their steady support in preference to other Monthly Periodicals; a pre- ference which has been solely owing to a community of principles, and to our known earnestness in the cause of the people; and to no pecuniary advantages held out to these writers by this vehicle for their thoughts, more than they would have readily found elsewhere. So abundant have we found talent on the liberal side of politics, that, for several months, we have not been able to use a fourth part of the able poli- tical articles voluntarily sent us.
All prose articles which do not suit us, we return as early as we can; but the poe- tical contributions sent us are so numerous that we can neither engage to return those which do not suit, nor to intimate their unsuitableness in any way save by not inserting them within three or four numbers after their receipt. It will readily be un- derstood, from what we have said as to the number of good articles sent us, that we have to return many for no reason derogatory to their merit, but simply for want of room. Our reluctance to return to the authors, contributions with which we are greatly pleased, often induces us to retain articles for months, in the hope of finding Space for them.
WILLIAM TAIT, EDINBURGH;
SIMPKIN & MARSHALL, LONDON; AND JOHN CUMMING, DUBLIN.
MIDDLESEX ELECTION.-The eyes of Scotland are fixed upon the approaching contest in Middlesex, with some anxiety, and not without a growing feeling of mis- On the long services of Mr. Hume to the People, whose battle he has fought, for many years, almost single-handed, and on his capacity of serving them with aug- mented energy, by the new power he has largely assisted in obtaining, it is idle to expatiate. His services cannot be forgotten; nor can his capacities of business and sterling spirit be overlooked. However strange appearances seem to us at a dis- tance, we will never believe that the reformers of Middlesex will so far stultify themselves as to reject their present member, because he returns to them with so many new and strong claims on their admiration and suffrages. Middlesex is but one county, nor should we much regret Mr. Hume losing it, while, both in England and Scotland, so many large constituencies would be proud to be represented by him; but we cannot help looking upon Middlesex and Yorkshire as the battle-ground on which the antagonist principles of Toryism and Liberality first fairly tried their strength in the present contest. When Hume and Brougham were elected in 1830, we exulted in the battle of the people being half gained. That advantage has been ably followed up, and are we now to see the cause retrograding even in one corner, and a specious Tory Lord, and a hollow Whig, brought in for Middlesex, while Mr. Hume is thrown out? He may be sent to Parliament in triumph from fifty places, but what shall atone for the blow aimed at the cause of Reform through his sides? We are glad to see the Times winding round; this is of better augury.
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