TO THE PUBLIC
The suspension of our "Gas Work," and the consequent demise of Cockspur and Co., have cast a gloom over our little "literary horizon," which a "discerning Public" will doubtless feel very depressing. That the dire effects resulting from the departure of such brilliant luminaries may in some measure be mitigated, we have resolved to draw upon, and reflect some of those Southern lights, which are so extensively diffusing their corruscations under our Northern sky: and it will be our endeavour to present—not only to our own town and neighbourhood but to places far distant from us—such Extracts, and occasionally Original Articles, as we trust will not fail to excite, in the rising generation especially, a relish for elegant and useful reading, calculated to improve the mind and humanise the affections; and thus the "Monthly Scrap Book" may, at the year’s end, form a volume worth referring to, as a source of amusement for an idle hour.
But it may be necessary to explain to those who are far from the place of our operations, to whom "these presents may come"—and who may find our figurative language obscure as the "unknown tongues"—that when we say "our Gas Work," we mean to indicate—"The Gasometer, or, Dunfermline Literary Magazine, for 1831:" to which Messrs Cockspur, Batwing, Argand, and Jet, were contributors. We would further intimate to such as may wish to possess themselves of the Work, that a few copies still remain on hand, price Five Shillings in cloth, which may be had of Mr A Macredie, Bookseller, St. David’s Street, Edinburgh; or of the Publisher, Bridge Street, Dunfermline.
