The illustrative portion, also, contains many striking novelties, which,
as identified with contemporary curiosity, or as performances of art,
will, we are persuaded, be duly appreciated.

We abstain from further enumeration of the contents or of their
respective claims to the reader's notice. In every Number it has been our
endeavour to cater for his "amusement and instruction," so as to combine
interest and novelty--or, in a homely phrase, to make each sheet like
"_the punch of conversation_." Thus, we have spirit, volatile and fiery in
our leading articles; lemon in our pungent Notes; sugar in our
"Gatherer;" and water _quant. suff._--mixed in a form, which, like old
bowls or drinking-glasses, is variegated with figures and scenes of the
current fashion--as in our Engravings.

But we are getting too figurative, and our Christmas fare, unlike
ourselves, is growing cold. So, indulgent reader, we promise to drink
your health and return thanks for the same in your absence; though we had
rather you were present to witness and share our exceeding great joy; and
then to commence our Thirteenth Volume. Pardon this exuberance of the
season: we reason with Falstaff:--"If then the tree may be known by the
fruit, as the fruit by the tree, then, peremptorily I speak it, there is
virtue in that Falstaff: him keep with; the rest banish."

_Christmas Day_, 1828.

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