THE STUDENT; AND YOUNG MEN'S MAGAZINE. A SEPARATION, BUT NO FEUD. "THE STUDENT" was originally published as the organ of studious young men,-as the exponent of feelings, which, if not shared by many, were at least deep-rooted and fervent, wherever they were entertained. We endeavoured to afford some small portion of instruction to those who were content to drink out of small pitchers filled at the well of knowledge, because more irksome, and, perhaps, more necessary employments hindered them from going in person to the fountain-head. And we wished to prepare a small literary arena for those, who, having devoted their leisure hours to the exercise of their minds, wished either to enter the lists with competitors of a similar character, or to display for the admiration of others, the mental agility which it had been their study to acquire. By a stedfast pursuit of these objects for some months, we gained the support of a body, which, though more remarkable for its kindness of disposition towards us, than for the numerical strength necessary to the execution of our purpose, did yet encourage us by its favour to persevere in a course which was as congenial to us, as we had reason to believe it was acceptable to it. But as the expenses of the magazine were not covered by its sale, we were induced to enter into a connexion with the Drapers' Association,-an offer to that effect having been made to us by that body towards the close of the year 1844. Our objects were, indeed, strongly akin to the intentions of that body. Its members sought to procure, for the assistants in the various trades of the kingdom, permission to employ on their own behalf, some portion of the time, whose greater part was spent in unremitting exertions for the service of others. And we, whilst we agreed with them in thinking that the avocations of trade should not occupy the whole of man's brief B existence on earth, were desirous of inducing him to spend his hours of relaxation in intellectual pursuits, so that he might become at once an advocate and an example of that good cause from which he himself had derived such transcendent benefits. A contract was accordingly made between the association and ourselves, in which each party pledged itself to support the other to the fullest extent of its ability. The conditions of this contract were always scrupulously observed by both parties, but, the gradually increasing power of the Association, and the alteration of our own views, which embraced a wider extent, as the circulation of the "Student" increased, combined to render that union irksome to both parties in as great a degree as it had once been agreeable. At times, it was our opinion that the long reports of the Association occupied too large a space in our pages, and defeated the purpose for which the "Student" was originally intended; and occasionally, the members of the Association would object to articles on which we set great value, and would prohibit the discussion of topics which were both interesting and important in our eyes, because they feared to offend, by some unfortunate statement, any one or more of their numerous and variously prejudiced supporters. The connexion between us has, therefore, been dissolved by mutual consent. We part in good-will; they go to establish a journal for the exclusive furtherance of their views; we return to the pursuit of our original object, and, let us hope, to the favour of those amongst our original friends, who at one time discontinued their support because they deemed that we had deviated from the plan which we first laid down. We do not deny that we have derived great benefit, in some respects, from connexion with the Association; we trust that they have had no reason to be dissatisfied with our exertions on their behalf; and we can assure them, though our paths will henceforth be separated, we shall continue to have in view that goal which has hitherto been the object of our mutual desires. Let us now say a few words with respect to the future conduct of the "Student." The literary and scientific portion must speak for themselves, for with regard to them we shall not deviate from the course which we have hitherto adopted. But we shall occasionally insert such disquisitions upon the course of mercantile events and the various branches of trade, as shall seem to us best calculated to entertain and instruct our readers. We shall, moreover, take an early opportunity of laying before our readers some observations upon the comparative merits of insurance companies, and benefit, or building societies; and we shall endeavour to impress upon young men the propriety of making a pecuniary provision for the support, as well |