PREFACE. THE close of another year, and that on many accounts an unquestionable annus mirabilis, calls upon us again to express our gratitude to the public for much kind.support, and our thanks to our contributors for the zeal and ability with which they have enabled us to carry on our Historical Magazine. As the busy course of life flows onwards it is ours to instruct and animate the men of the present day by holding up that guiding light which may be derived from the traditions of the past. It is ours also to keep in store for the use of our successors those contemporary memorials and records without a knowledge of which History is a mere romance. Such a publication as our present Magazine is rendered necessary by a craving and desire which are inherent in our natures. The time present is far too narrow for men's thoughts. It is our privilege and prerogative to "look before and after." History alone enables us to penetrate the shadows which hang upon the past; History alone teaches us with the certainty of experience what may be anticipated in the future. It is upon the sure foundation of this natural and universal want that we build our Magazine; and we appeal for support to all persons who acknowledge within themselves the promptings of the feeling which we have described. Entertaining these notions of our position and objects, we shall constantly persevere in our endeavour to do what is consistent with them. Writing with no party purpose, we shall strive that our Magazine may be distinguished by its calm and truthful sobriety, by its careful dealing with facts, by its fearless assertion of whatever is true, and its support of whatever is wise and good among all classes and parties of mankind. Acting upon these principles, we will not allow ourselves to doubt that public favour will still continue to be shewn to our efforts, and that to return his semestral thanks for long-continued favour will yet for years to come be the pleasing duty of the Father of this division of our literature. GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE MINOR CORRESPONDENCE.-Portrait of Oliver Cromwell-The translation of Müller's History of Grecian Literature-Holyday Yard-Patrick Ruthven-Cardinals' Hats, THE PRESENT STATE OF ENGLISH HISTORICAL LITERATURE: 1. Accessibility of our Historical Materials; 2. The Record Offices. Costs of the Pedestal of King Charles's Statue at Charing Cross The Infinity of Geometric Design (with Engravings) CHRISTIAN ICONOGRAPHY AND LEGENDARY ART: by J. G. Waller.-The Heavenly Host, Third Order- Principalities, Archangels, Angels (with THE STORY OF NELL GWYN, related by Peter Cunningham, Chapter VII. (with SUSSEX ARCHEOLOGY-Discoveries in the Collegiate Chapel at Arundel- Correspondence of Horace Walpole and the Rev. William Mason The Saxon Chieftain: written on opening a Saxon Grave NOTES OF THE MONTH.-The Great Exhibition-Conversazione at the Mansion House-Lord Rosse's Soirées-Admission given to Northumberland House and to the Earl of Ellesmere's-Exhibition of Pictures by Amateurs-St. Peter's Chair; the Cufic Inscription conjectured to have been a hoax of the Baron Denon-Recent MISCELLANEOUS REVIEWS.-Conversations of Goethe with Eckermann and Soret, 58; The Architectural Quarterly Review, No. I. 61; Shaw's Decorative Arts of the Middle Ages, 62; The Chronicle of Battel Abbey, 62; Wilton and its Associations, 63; Bowring's Translation of Schiller's Poems, 64; The Talbot Case, by the Rev. Hobart Seymour, 64; Illustrated Ditties of the Olden Time HISTORICAL CHRONICLE. Proceedings in Parliament, 72; Foreign News, 74; Promotions and Preferments, 77; Births, 78; Marriages |