Under the crown

It is with no affected hesitation that we launch this little enterprise upon the great sea of Periodical Literature. Our bark is surrounded by numerous craft, of every description, from the antique and stately three-decker to the racing canoe; and yet, though the sea upon which we find ourselves is crowded with many a sail, we have resolved not to allow that hesitation which so naturally arises in thoughtful minds to prevent our carrying out our resolution; and so by this, our first number, we now put our own good ship to sea, and solicit a share of the public favour. Whether or not the vessel is well found-whether her crew are true representatives of the old hearts of oak-whether our ocean and channel charts are sufficient and accurate-and whether or not the pilot on board is the right man in the right place-will be for the Public to decide. We may say, though not by way of anticipating their judgment, that we think we have well looked to all these matters, from the keel to the masthead; and all we now desire are those favouring breezes of popular support which, if we cannot "command," we will at least do our very utmost to "deserve."

Our great source of internal strength is our good cause: whatever may be the criticisms which may be passed upon the rake of our masts, the cut of our jib, or the run of our counter, there is one thing about us which we think we may say defies criticism, and that is the motive of our enterprise. We are not mere merchantmen; we claim rather to be actuated by the spirit which filled the breasts of the gallant Elizabethan commanders: we seek to extend the foundations, if not of the Crown itself, yet of that Service whose duties are performed

VOL. I.-NO. 1.

under it. We seek to originate a fund (for no such fund at present exists) from which necessitous families of deceased civil servants may obtain, under a strictly impartial supervision, that relief which often when given quickly is of double value. Some very sad little tales -as sad perhaps as any which will ever be found in our pages—might, if this were the time and place, be told in illustration of our meaning. Another object which we propose to ourselves is to let our good friend and paymaster, the Public, see that even the leisure of the Civil Service is not always unemployed. We would, then, minister to the literary tastes of the Public as we do to the requirements of State affairs during our working hours; and we say, "Help us by your patronage in our "hearty endeavour to provide for any of our deserving members upon "whom misfortune may have laid her icy hand, and we will show you "in return, what many of you already know, that your servants are "men of whom you may be proud, when the Civil Staff of any other "State is put into comparison with the Civil Service of England.”

To our colleagues under the Crown, we would add a few words. That they fully sympathize with the object of our undertaking is evident from the response which our prospectus has drawn forth. But there is still room it is one object of our ambition to have every branch of the Service adequately represented upon the list of our supporters. We desire not only contributions from those Civil Servants who already take foremost places in the ranks of literature, but we would elicit the best men from amongst a host who are only waiting the opportunity to win their spurs, too, in the great battle. All their essays, literary or artistic, to win that public favour which alone can be our motive power shall be fairly and thoroughly considered, and liberally rewarded. Should they, at first, not seem quite worthy of a place in our pages, we shall not fail to indicate, in such cases as it may seem desirable, the causes of failure; and in these instances we shall look forward to the possible success of a future attempt. Moreover we do undertake to return all rejected communications.

And now we trust, good Public, and worthy Colleagues, we have said enough to induce you, not only to join in our January cruise, but to make us hope that, when we leave port for our second voyage, we shall have you again on board, bringing all your friends with you; and that we shall have many a pleasant voyage together during this year of grace 1869, and for many a long year to come.

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