The Calcutta Review/Series 1/Volume 1
THE
MAY—AUGUST, 1844.
“No man, who hath tasted learning, but will confess the many ways of profiting by those, who not contented with stale receipts, are able to manage and set forth new positions to the world: and were they but as the dust and cinders of our feet, so long, as in that notion, they may yet serve to polish and brighten the armoury of truth: even for that respect they were not utterly to be cast away.”—Milton.
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1844.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T.
“No man, who hath tasted learning, but will confess the many ways of profiting by those, who not contented with stale receipts, are able to manage and set forth new positions to the world: and were they but as the dust and cinders of our feet, so long, as in that notion, they may yet serve to polish and brighten the armoury of truth; even for that respect they were not utterly to be cast away.”—Milton.
When this work was projected, at the suggestion of an earnest and able friend, who had been deploring the want of some such vehicle for the publication of papers, of a more lengthy and elaborate character than is adapted to the columns of a daily or weekly newspaper, the Editor anticipated no amount of success; but was willing, even at some sacrifice of time and money, to undertake the experiment—sustained, as he was, by the belief, that the publication of even a few numbers, containing truthful expositions of some of the principal questions affecting the interests of the people of British India, would not be utterly thrown away. Under this impression, the work was commenced; but having communicated the design to a few able and experienced writers—men, the mention of whose names, were it permitted, would, he is sure, be regarded as the best possible advertisement to his work—he received such cheerful and kindly promises of assistance, and such assurances of the ultimate success of the undertaking, that under the impulse of this new encouragement he has proceeded in a hopeful spirit to the completion of the present number, which, he trusts, will be the first of a long line, distinguished each by higher merit than its predecessor,———
But, assuming the Editorial We, and not purposing to write an elaborate Prospectus, let us briefly state, that the object of this work is simply to bring together such useful information, and propagate such sound opinions, relating to Indian affairs, as will, it is hoped, conduce, in some small measure, directly or indirectly, to the amelioration of the condition of the people. Our first desire is, to awaken interest; to induce a thirst after information; then to supply that information; and finally to teach the application of it to its most beneficial uses. The bane of this country is ignorance: Ignorance, not in the dark recesses of native life—there it is comparatively harmless; but in high places,—among the ruling body—among the men to whom inscrutable Providence has submitted the destinies of India. We call upon all men to declare what they know. We desire to apply this work to the purposes of a vast Commission, in the records of which will be found a greater mass of information—of information, which, at such an epoch as this, it is desirable above all things to disseminate widely among Englishmen—than in any single work extant.
Of the general principles, on which our Review will be conducted, little need be said in this place, as in the following pages they are sufficiently apparent; but there is one point, in connexion with this matter, on which we consider it of so much importance to be clearly understood, that we must here devote a few words to an intelligible exposition of it. In the successive numbers of this Review, there is little doubt, that the quick-witted reader will detect many slight discrepancies of opinion. As the Review is the organ of no party; and the Editor perhaps the last of the many writers, meeting together in its catholic pages, whose own views are worthy to be converted into a Procrustes-bed, for the mutilation of other men’s expositions, complete harmony of opinion, on lesser points of faith, is clearly not to be expected. In full reliance upon the character of our associates; the soundness of their principles; the purity of their intentions; their earnest aspirations after the good of their fellows; the general agreement of their opinions with our own; we are anxious, that each should express himself without restraint, especially upon such questions, as necessarily involve the putting forth of novel suggestions for the reform of existing evils. It is possible, that different writers may work, by different roads, towards the same goal; and that different schemes for the removal. of existing abuses may be propounded in these pages, by different apostles of the same Reformation. We believe, that this, so far from impairing the value of our work, will greatly extend the sphere of its utility. We are confident of preserving a general harmony of opinion; and we are desirous of preserving nothing more.
May, 1844.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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