PREFACE.

THE present age is no less remarkable for its wonderful improvements in the Arts and Sciences, than for the general diffusion of knowledge amongst all classes of the community. No institutions have contributed more to the production of this heart-cheering spectacle than those which have been raised solely for the instruction of working Mechanics. Glasgow, "the second city of the Empire in wealth and population," had the honour of giving birth to the first institution of this nature. Nearly twenty years elapsed ere her example was imitated; but at length the City of Edinburgh founded her School of Arts. The rise of a second Institution, during the course of last year, amongst the operatives of this city, gave a spring to the march of improvement, which was sure to be attended with the most beneficial results to society. Mechanics, indeed, were every where roused from their dream of indolence by such a brilliant example of the thirst for knowledge; and institutions on the same liberal plan were founded not only in London, but in every town of note in the kingdom. The obvious effects of all this, must be the present amelioration of a valuable portion of the race, and the ultimate improvement of our Arts and Manufactures; effects more important and more worthy of the speculations of the philosopher, the description of the poet, or the contemplation of the philanthropist, as well as the attention of the public, than the muscles of an insect, the progress of a libertine, or the parallelograms of a visionary.

A powerful aid to these efforts on behalf of the Mechanics was to be expected from an engine which was felt to be powerful at the Revival of Literature-we mean the Press. The commencement of a Magazine solely intended for the use of a class of the community which had hitherto been too much neglected, was a novel and striking expedient, but one which, from its obvious tendency, was calculated to crown with success the scheme for their improvement, so well begun in the foundation of Institutions. The success of the plan has Of this success

even been greater than could have been anticipated. we arrogate none to ourselves; it has been the consequence of the powerful stimulus given to philosophical and mechanical researches among the class for whom this work was designed. On reviewing our past labours, indeed, at the close of our First Volume, we feel how much we are indebted to the laudable and successful efforts of the Mechanics themselves to promote the object of their own Magazine, not only by the free communication of many of their own inventions, but by that continued support and encouragement which we have uniformly experienced. Occasionally, perhaps, we may have given a place to a communication of no great importance in itself; but, when it is considered that this encouraged not only its author, but abler individuals to come forward with other communications more ingenious and useful, the utility even of such a procedure must be obvious.

We return our sincere thanks to our Contributors in general, and to those especially, whose names appear in the work. Many valuable communications have been received from individuals, whose names we are not at liberty to mention, but to whom our thanks are no less sincerely given. We trust that they will continue to assist us in the future progress of our work, and that many new contributors, incited by their example, will join them in their laudable exertions for the advancement of useful knowledge. That many important inventions in this city and neighbourhood, have yet to be brought to light, is well known; and we hope that mechanics and others who are acquainted with them, will take a pleasure in communicating them to us for the embellishment of the Second Volume of their own Magazine. Every exertion will be made on our own part, to render it more interesting than the preceding; and we are happy to state, that from the able articles already promised in our last Number, and others which are in