COMPRISING REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS; BIOGRAPHY; ESSAYS ON LITERATURE; THE ARTS AND SCIENCES; ANECDOTES; TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTIONS; SKETCHES OF SOCIETY; HISTORICAL NARRATIVES; PREFACE. "Facile quod volumus."-What we will, is easy-so says the proverb: but, notwithstanding, we are willing to believe we have not been unprofitable labourers in the vineyard, it is not easy for us to conceit ourselves, though we should be proud to be so accounted, sine maculâ, without spot or blemish. We must, therefore, be consoled with the declaration of Pope "Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, "Think's what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er will be," trusting, that when compared with our fellows, we shall not be found last or least. We have endeavoured to place before our readers the feast intellectual, suited to men of every taste" tot homines tot mentes"-reason for the philosophic mind, imagination for those who are striving to reach the summit of Parnassus, and wit to stimulate the brain pregnant with conceits: in fine, we have been anxious to make our SATURDAY NIGHT, not only a companion for those moments when we are enjoying "The feast of reason and the flow of soul," but a source for generating that happy temperament of mind designated-" gaieté de cœur,"-and a cure for that mad companion, "ennui." With a hope that we have not failed in our Jendeavours, we take leave of the numerous patrons at this, the end of our second volume, with a lively gratitude for their liberal support, and thanks for their numerous contributions: meaning hereafter to again submit our labours to the Public under another shape. "We ought not, like the spider, to spin a flimsy web wholly from our own magazine; but, like the bee, visit every store, and call the most useful and the best."-GREGORY. THE IDLE AND INDUSTRIOUS APPRENTICES. Did he not lean upon the bar, he would Leviticus, chap. xix. verse 15. "Thou shall do no unrighteousness in judg ment." Psalm xix. verse 16. "The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands." He who was an industrious apprentice is now an alderman and a magistrate; his depraved and atrocious contrast, who was once his fellow 'prentice, and the last plate exhibited in a night cellar, is now brought handcuffed before him, and accused of robbery, aggravated by murder. Shocked at seeing the companion of his youth in so degrading a situation, he instinctively covers his eyes. Agitated, trembling, terrified, self-convicted, and torn by remorse, the wretched culprit is unable to support his tottering frame. VOL. II. His distressed and broken-hearted mother intercedes with the swollen and important constable to use his interest for her unhappy son. This application the mighty magistrate of the night answers, by "We that are in power must do justice!" A number of watchmen attend the examination, and one of them holds up the sword and pistols which were found on the prisoner. A young woman bribes the swearing clerk to befriend the one-eyed wretch who has turned evidence against his accomplice, by suffering him to take the usual oath with his left hand laid upon the book instead of the right.t the same prostitute whom we have before seen This has been supposed to be intended for exhibited in a garret and a night cellar. + It is said that the dealers in perjury at consider this little circumstance as a complete Westminster Hall, as well as the Old Bailey, salvo for falss swearing. A |