FROM DRY-DEN BEAUCLERC, (LATE EDITOR OF THE CAVE) VOL. I. то THE READERS OF THAT OLD-ESTABLISHED PERIODICAL, AND INTRODUCTORY TO The Public in General. VERY DEAR AND CONSTANT READERS, THE rapidly increasing demand for that popular Periodical*, which I had, of late, the honor of conducting, unavoidably compels me to resign the task of any longer superintending its publication. It is impossible for my manuscript exertions to do justice to the increasing flow of contribution. I find it impracticable any further to fulfil the wishes of the proprietors, contributors, or subscribers, and into the hands of the former of these parties I beg leave to resign the amusing, but laborious office to which they so kindly preferred me. It is customary with official characters, whether in a civil or military line, to tender something of an Epilogue upon the resignation of their appointments; and there can, I imagine, be no impropriety in a Literary Official's attempting to make as elegant a bow-to take as affectionate a leave. It is, moreover, usual, on such occasions, for the before-mentioned characters, to take a slight or general review, of the career of glory, dignity, or utility they may respectively have run; to resign themselves gracefully to the future, with a sidelong compliment to the past. An opportunity is thus afforded to the Retiree, and his admiring friends, of blending a little of THE CAVE. Pencil, Pendragon and Co., Saunton. |