cause the death of many enemies, who escape our own sword. no such While conscious, all along, that there were some whom we must offend, we also find that we have given displeasure to others, towards whom we entertained purpose. The causes, it appears, are chiefly three; faction, levity, and vulgar harshness. With regard to the first, recent events have unquestionably made a change in our feelings, as to certain persons whom we regard as public criminals; and who, by their public acts, have put the nation in an attitude of transgression against God, from which it is impossible for individuals to withdraw, except by openly renouncing and condemning their evil deeds. But these events have made NO CHANGE WHATEVER in our principles, which are those of loyalty and subordination.-With regard to the two remaining charges, of levity, and harshness, the present and coming sufferings of our dear native land have certainly more disposed us of late to seriousness and to compassion. To the taste of the present age, though we have no wish to conceal our real opinion of it, we are willing to make some sacrifice and as to harshness, if we have sometimes inflicted a grating wound, we ought of course to apologize for negligence in sharpening our weapon. But we do beg our readers to pause before they wholly condemn us. They very well know that plain speaking is now much wanted, and that they themselves confess the want. They know equally well, that few can be found who are willing to speak plainly. When therefore any at length appear, who do so speak, they should not be too hastily condemned. A state of things is possible, in which people may be fully sensible that great plainness is wanted, and yet be so unaccustomed to it, that when they have it they shall be rather offended than pleased: and this is our state at the present time. When at the point of death, men speak the truth who never spoke truth before. Now such, in respect to the editorial function, is our condition. We have our end continually before our eyes. We go on from Number to Number, constantly sensible that each may be our last. We wish to speak therefore, if not as dying men, at any rate as dying editors. Is our extinction to be immediate? Then-let our last words be truth. We place upon the cover our usual notice of the next Number: intending, by the very form of that notice, a public, but we hope not presumptuous, declaration and avouchment, that we humbly refer it to a higher and better decision than our own, whether we are to proceed or pause. If the Lord will, our work goes on. If it be his pleasure that we should desist, still let his enemies and ours, against whom we have drawn the sword, know this, that we hold it still and let our friends also be assured, that we are still the adversaries of the uncircumcised in purpose of heart; and that though there may be a suspension of hostilities, there is NO PEACE. London, October 1, 1829. |