27 28 Notices of New Works:-Campbell's History of Virginia-Gene- Various Intelligence :-Richmond-Washington, &c. Literary Intelligence :-Proceedings of the Virginia Historical So- Scientific Intelligence:-Astronomy-The Comet. Miscellany:-Thoughts-Reflection on a Reflection-Virginia's Jew- Various Intelligence:- Richmond-The Richmond Medical Col- The French Revolution. A Narrative of the Attack on Craney Island. A Hymn for the Anniversary of American Independence. Various Intelligence.-Washington-Celebration of Laying the Cor- ner Stone of the Washington National Monument-Eu- rope and America-The Chartist Demonstration-France- Various Intelligence.-Liberia--Theory of Vision-A New Litera- Miscellany.-Self-Culture-Mr. Wirt's Impromptu-The Wealth of INTRODUCTION. We have undertaken to publish this little Quarterly Jourual in order to furnish the Virginia Historical Society, established in our city, with a convenient organ of communication with its members and the public; and, at the same time, to co-operate with it in the prosecution of its important and interesting object, by diffusing useful and entertaining information relating to the history of our State. In pursuing this design, after publishing the Proceedings of the Society at its annual meetings, and at other times, as far as may be proper, we shall pay our first respects, as in duty bound, to the venerable Past. And here, we shall submit all such Memorials, or partial accounts of any events, or transactions, relating to the early history of our State, which are still extant in print or manuscript; and which ought to be better known. Where they are long, however, we shall satisfy ourselves with such notices of them as may be more convenient for general reading, while we shall reserve the articles themselves for future publication in the Society's annual volumes. With these, we shall give what are properly called Antiquities, such as extracts from Records, Journals, Diaries, Letters, Inscriptions, and other relics of the "olden time." It is true, our own private taste for such things is by no means extravagant. We are not antiquaries, but only lovers of history. We have, however, a reasonable fancy for these small matters, and are disposed to regard them with some degree of favor for their own sakes, as well as for the light which they often reflect upon more important things. We are pleased, therefore, to know that we have a few friends more zealous and erudite in these minutia "aid and com curiose, than we pretend to be, who will give us fort" in this department of our work. an Old Mortality in We have a veritable , and half a dozen Monkbarns in Dryasdusts in other places. So we may hope there will be no lack of this amusing lore. Besides these memorials and antiquities which properly belong to the history of our State, we shall also endeavor to collect and diffuse those which relate more immediately to the local histories of our several towns and counties, but which may yet be made of some interest to all our readers. Our aim in this part of our work, will be to bring our fellow citizens in all parts of our State to be better acquainted with each other; and we cannot doubt that they will readily appreciate the service we shall render them in this way. We will only further add on this point, that while our work will be chiefly a repository of facts, and narratives of events, the mere materials of history; we shall always be happy to publish such disquisitions and essays as may serve to imbue it with that spirit of philosophy which ought to pervade and animate its pages. But while we shall thus show all due honor to the Past, we shall by no means neglect to pay a proper attention to the Present. The stream of history, we know, has not flowed out, but |