LONDON, Printed by and for J. NICHOLS, and SON,

ON BRINGING

THE GOOD SHIP GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE SAFE INTO PORT, DECEMBER 31, 1805.

Though rough the tide and bleak the gale, go09017
Right onward speeds thy course.

V.

May Heaven direct and guard thy way;

While gentler currents round thee play,

And winds propitious court: .

May thy freight thrive from year to year;
And never may one cloud appear

To block thy fight of port!

WEEDEN BUTLER, JUN,

Cheyne Valk, Chelsea.

PREFACE TO VOLUME LXXV.

THE emotions with which we addrefs our Readers on the present occafion are of a very mixed kind indeed. When we contemplate the height of Glory to which this Nation has arrived by a series of Naval Victories to which the Hiftory of the World affords no parallel; when we confider the extent of our Commerce, the wonderful increase of our National Wealth; when we examine the progreffive improvement of Learning and the Arts among us; we feel the value and importance of the English Character; our hearts expand with confidence and hope, and we glance forward to fucceeding years of profperity and happiness. But, looking far beyond ourfelves to the Nations. around us, the fcene is very different, the afpect of the heavens gloomy and lowering. We are compelled to fee antient and hereditary Kingdoms tottering to their fall, Sovereigns degraded, the Nobles of the Earth fcattered before the defolation of War. We behold principles of the moft pernicious tendency and operation daily increafing in force and ftrength, and as it were a new Epoch commencing in the Hiftory of Mankind. From this reprefentation, and thefe appearances, what is the inference that every Briton fhould draw as a rule of conduct for himself and his Countrymen? The dying words of the departed and immortal NELSON here prefs upon our recollection; and we record them as an indelible maxim, which, to ourfelves at least, fhall be a path from which no chance or changes