It is customary for the proprietor when starting a newspaper or periodicalto issue a notice to the public explaining—or purporting to explain—theraison d’être of the new venture, which notices, with very triflingexceptions, are to the effect that the projected journal “will supply awant long felt.”

I might, in sending forth the following pages, state something similarwith perfect truth, since if the little work be as successful as (I say itwith all modesty) it ought to be, it will unquestionably supply a wantlong felt—by the author.

It is frequently averred nowadays that much that is written bears evidenceof being of a non-practical character, and under these circumstances, Ifelt I should take a pardonable pride in being able to point to one volumein the English language to which this stigma could not be applied; for Iflatter myself the subject of Impecuniosity is one with which I havelong—too long—been practically familiar.

H. G. Somerville.