We have again been called upon to reprint our first Four Numbers; that
is to say, to print a _Third Edition_ of them. No stronger evidence
could be afforded that our endeavour to do good service to the cause of
sound learning, by affording to Men of Letters a medium of
intercommunication, has met with the sympathy and encouragement of those
for whose sake we made the trial. We thank them heartily for their
generous support, and trust we shall not be disappointed in our hope and
expectation that they will find their reward in the growing utility of
"NOTES AND QUERIES," which, thanks to the readiness with which able
correspondents pour out their stores of learning, may be said to place
the judicious inquirer in the condition of Posthumus, and
"Puts to him all the learnings that _this_ time
Could make him the receiver of."
And here we may be permitted to avail ourselves of this opportunity, as,
indeed, we feel compelled to do, to impress upon our correspondents
generally, the necessity of confining their communications within the
narrowest possible limits consistent with a satisfactory explanation of
the immediate objects of them. "He that questioneth much," says Bacon,
"shall learn much, and content much; but especially if he apply his
Questions to the skill of the Persons whom he asketh. For he shall give
them occasion to please themselves in speaking, and himself shall
continually gather knowledge. But let his Questions not be troublesome,
for that is fit for a Poser; and let him be sure _to leave other Men
their turn to speak_." What Bacon has said so wisely and so well, "OF
DISCOURSE," we would apply to our little Journal; and beg our kind
friends to remember, that our space is necessarily limited, and that,
therefore, in our eyes, Brevity will be as much the Soul of a
communication as it is said to be that of Wit.
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