PREFACE. THE peculiarity of a magazine preface is, that it rather surveys the past than foreshadows what is to come. The nine numbers of Every Month, which compose this first volume, are already familiar to all who read these lines, and it is not necessary to foretell the achievements which they contain, nor to anticipate that indulgence for their shortcomings which has already been. extended to them. Every Month was established because Liverpool, though full of readers, had no literary magazine. It will be continued because experience has proved that Liverpool readers value this addition to the already voluminous list of periodical publications. A great town, such as that in which we live, has many wants which even the fulness of the Metropolis cannot supply. As for arts, science, and religion there must be a local priesthood, whose ministrations from practice will best suit, and from familiarity most please, its residents; so, in literature, the town requires the services of men who, living in its midst, see things in general from a Liverpool point of view, while sufficiently cultured and liberal-minded to pour upon local events a light derived from general knowledge and experience. The conductors of Every Month perceive this more clearly now than when they commenced the magazine. For the difficulties of their enterprise have been much elucidated by success. Their "Monthly" has found a public -a public which, fully appreciating the daily and weekly commentators on events, can still enjoy a quiet and unhurried monthly selection of fiction, criticism, and speculation. The writers on Every Month are encouraged, therefore, to present to their readers, as in a crucible, the "month's mind," so far as Liverpool is concerned, with such additions from the outside world as may be interesting for special reasons to the community whom they address, or desirable from great intrinsic excellence. Help from London has been extended in the most generous manner, and in a spirit thoroughly congenial to that of the miscellany, by Messrs. T. Archer, F. C. Burnand, H. J. Byron, J. T. Foard, Thomas Hood, William Kidd, E. F. Roberts (since prematurely lost by death), T. W. Robertson, W. Rowsell, Clement W. Scott, and C. J. Stone, while Frances Freeling Broderip, the great |