noble actions of antiquity have come down to us; the language
of the _calam_ has perpetuated remarkable deeds. What would
have become of the names of Rustam, Cyrus, and Afraciab, if
eloquence had not preserved their memory like the recital of a
remote dream? It is by the pearls of elocution that the sweet
relations between distant friends are preserved. The study of
this sublime art is like a market always filled with buyers.
It will remain in the world as long as the ear shall be
sensible to harmony, or the heart to persuasion."

This is followed by a sort of prospectus, elegantly written, of course
with the oriental ornaments of alliteration and antithesis, in which the
editors proclaim the usefulness of instruction to the cause of religion
and morality. These are the ends they have in view in the publication of
the new journal, and they appeal to those who approve of their purposes
to encourage rather than criticise their efforts. To prove how much
easier it is to criticise than to do well the thing criticised, they
cite the well known fable of the miller, his son, and the ass. In
publishing a new periodical, they consider that they are merely
supplying a want of the public, which desires to be informed as to
passing events, new discoveries in science, the proceedings in lawsuits,
&c. This journal will interest all classes of readers, not only people
in easy circumstances who live on their income, but merchants and
mechanics, who will find in it intelligence of which they stand in need.
Those who find in it articles not in their line, are advised not to be
vexed thereat, but to reflect that they may be agreeable and useful to
others, and that a journal ought to contain the greatest possible
variety. For the rest, the editors will thankfully receive such
information and suggestions as their friends may choose to give them.
Their prospectus concludes with a panegyric on the English government,
for favoring education among the natives, saying that not only
speculative, but practical knowledge is necessary, as says the
poet-philosopher Saadi: "Though thou hast knowledge, if thou dost not
apply the same, thou art of no more value than the ignorant; thou art
like an ass laden with books."

Next they give a table of _the chain_ of human knowledge, by way of
programme of the subjects which will be likely to be discussed in the
journal. This is followed by political and miscella