Our friend Mr.Gifford, whose writings show him to be both a man of learning and wit, has lived too little in the world lately to have obtained that delicacy and tact whereby he can feel at one instant, and habitually, whatever may gratify public desire and excite public attention and curiosity.

But this you know to be a leading feature in the talents of Mr.Jeffrey and his friends; and that, without the most happy choice of subjects, as well as the ability to treat them well--catching the "manners living as they rise"-- the _Edinburgh Review_ could not have attained the success it has done; and no other Review, however preponderating in solid merit, will obtain sufficient attention without them.

Entering the field too, as we shall do, against an army commanded by the most skilful generals, it will not do for us to leave any of our best officers behind as a reserve, for they would be of no use if we were defeated at first.

We must enter with our most able commanders at once, and we shall then acquire confidence, if not reputation, and increase in numbers as we proceed.
Our first number must contain the most valuable and striking information in politics, and the most interesting articles of general literature and science, written by our most able friends.

If our plan appears to be so advantageous to the ministers whose measures, to a certain extent, we intend to justify, to support, to recommend and assist, that they have promised their support; when might that support be so advantageously given, either for their own interests or ours, as at the commencement, when we are most weak, and have the most arduous onset to make, and when we do and must stand most in need of help?
If our first number be not written with the greatest ability, upon the most interesting topics, it will not excite public attention.