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"We never indulged the hope that a publication of this character would meet with a very large circle of readers, for scientific journals, even in England, have but a limited circulation; but we confess that we did expect that the members of the two Societies whose papers we have printed, would desire to possess the records of those bodies with which they had associated themselves. But the constant attention to business, which is characteristic of colonial life, appears very unfriendly to the development of a taste for science, literature, and art. We make no complaint concerning our want of success—perchance the encouragement that has been afforded us may be deemed by some as beyond our deserts—but we do greatly regret to see such institutions as the Agricultural and Horticultural Society, and the Philosophical Society, languishing for want of support. It is rather a reproach, too, that a wealthy community like this cannot hold out any hope of support to even one painter, poet, sculptor, or professional literary man, apart from scholastic or journalistic pursuits, and that no monthly periodical has ever yet maintained a lengthened existence in this Colony."
The magazine is excellently printed, and in every respect was well worthy of the encouragement it looked for.
1857.—The Month.
No. 1, July.56 pages.8vo.Price, 1s.
The contents of the first number are—(1) An Essay on "Art Education in Australia"; (2) A descriptive sketch, "My Ferry Boat"; (3) "The World of Books," containing notices of recent publications in England, France, and Germany, compiled from the Reviews, &c.; (4) Review of Mr. Norton's Australian Essays, and other colonial publications; (5) "Life Leaves"—"The Artist at Home"; (6) Verse: "Eden Land," an unpublished ballad by the late A. J. Evelyn. [Mr. Evelyn was a man of letters, who died some few years ago in Sydney. A high opinion was formed of him by his friends, but he has left nothing in a collected shape]. "Our Australian Land"—"The Seasons, an Allegory"; (7) "On the Habits of the Water-mole," by George Bennett, Esq., a well-known Naturalist; (8) "Mr. Frank Fowler's Lecture on Coleridge"—a report; (9) "The Institutes' Chronicle"—intelli-
