THE

ILLUMINATED MAGAZINE.

EDITED BY DOUGLAS JERROLD.

VOL. I.

MAY TO OCTOBER.

LONDON:

PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETORS,

2, CRANE COURT, FLEET STREET.

MDCCCXLIII.

1343

JOREFACE

It has been said, that he who is simple enough to hope to please all the world, deserves for that simplicity to please no one; and yet the Proprietors of the ILLUMINATED MAGazine have in some measure risked such unprofitable consequence, albeit they have happily avoided the threatened dilemma. The present position enjoyed by this publication triumphantly vindicates the opinion of its Projectors, that there were thousands of readers yet unsupplied with a periodical in which our social abuses and social follies might be commented on with boldness, if supported by sincerity of heart, and by an earnest desire for their speedy, yet withal, their most charitable amendment. It has been the wish of the Proprietors of this work, to speak to the MASSES of the people; and whilst sympathizing with their deeper and sterner wants, to offer to them those graces of art and literature which have too long been held the exclusive right of those of happier fortunes. The Proprietors feel more than encouraged by the past; they have an assurance that the ILLUMINATED MAGAZINE will become ministrant of literary enjoyment to thousands; and in no way interfering with the many periodicals already established, will make a wide and increasing circle for itself.

The Projectors of the work fearlessly recall the protestations contained in their Prospectus:-"Figures and objects of every kind there will be, illustrative of the text, in its every variety of essay-narrative-history-of social right and wrong—of the tragedy of real life, as of its folly, its whim, its mere burlesque. Our prime object will be variety of matter; so that the readers of the ILLUMINATED MAGAZINE, like the lovers of pine-apples, may choose some for one flavour, some for another, and some, and we trust the greater number-for all."

To the pages of the present volume the Proprietors refer with pride for the realization of their promises.