reviews and to add materially to their circulation.

When the first volume of the _Critical Review_ was complete, the
"Society of Gentlemen" enriched it with an ornate, self-congratulatory
Preface in which they said of themselves:

"However they may have erred in judgment, they have declared their
thoughts without prejudice, fear, or affectation; and strove to
forget the author's person, while his works fell under their
consideration. They have treated simple dulness as the object of
mirth or compassion, according to the nature of its appearance.
Petulance and self-conceit they have corrected with more severe
strictures; and though they have given no quarter to insolence,
scurrility and sedition, they will venture to affirm, that no
production of merit has been defrauded of its due share of
applause. On the contrary, they have cherished with commendation,
the very faintest bloom of genius, even when vapid and unformed, in
hopes of its being warmed into flavour, and afterwards producing
agreeable fruit by dint of proper care and culture; and never,
without reluctance disapproved, even of a bad writer, who had the
least title to indulgence. The judicious reader will perceive that
their aim has been to exhibit a succinct plan of every performance;
to point out the most striking beauties and glaring defects; to
illustrate their remarks with proper quotations; and to convey
these remarks in such a manner, as might best conduce to the
entertainment of the public."

Moreover, these high ideals were entertained under the most unfavorable
circumstances. By the time the second volume was complete, the editors
took pleasure in announcing that in spite of "open assault and private