2. On the Diffusion of Knowledge amongst the People.

3. To a Water Drop.

4. Autobiography of Pel. Verjuice, Chap. VII.

5. The True Diamond

Songs of the Seasons, No. 1. January. A Chime for the New

Year

6.

7.

Coriolanus no Aristocrat

10. The Story without an End.

11. Variorum Notes on the Newspapers-

Macready's Coriolanus-Hissing an Atheist-Rustic Simplicity—

Universal Education-Lady Hewley's Trust

12. New Publications

1

41

hither, come, all and bring,come, all,& bring To the year's first

MONTHLY REPOSITORY,

NEW SERIES, No. LXXXV.

JANUARY 1834.

FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS?

WHEN We look at the history of the world, it seems impossible to avoid the inference, that progression is the law of humanity. Taking the most civilized communities of different ages as the standard, on the same principle that we select the most perfect specimens of plants or animals to determine the qualities of the species to which they belong, a series of periods may be indicated, stretching back from the present time to the undefined boundaries of authentic and fabulous history; at each of which the condition of mankind, as existing in those communities, was better than it had ever been before. Hence our faith, that it will be better thence again, and better still.' But if we look more closely at this progress it will become obvious that the advance has not been in an unbroken line. After it has continued for awhile, there has been an interruption, a retrograde movement, throwing man back, until out of the very elements of corruption sprung up new principles of improvement, and his natural career recommenced to proceed with more vigour and to a greater extent than ever. Since the invention of printing, these alternations have been less marked than heretofore, and there is reason to hope for an approximation towards an unbroken continuity of improvement. This approximation must be greatly aided by increased facilities of intercourse between different countries and different portions of the same country. Still the causes of fluctuation are, and must be, so numerous, until mankind are much more, and more generally, enlightened than at present, that even in these times of reformation' it would not be wise to dismiss the fear of a revulsion which may overcloud our prospects. The commencement of another year is an appropriate season for looking about us, and marking the signs of the times. Foresight of danger may lead to its avoidance; and the path of improvement will be trodden all the more firmly for a previous survey of its direction.

No. 85.

B