THE 5 2225 26 PROLOGUE. BOLD as we are, we dare not push into the world a work like this without one word of preface or introduction ;—and yet, what is there we can say? That this Magazine is conducted by the Students of KING'S COLLEGE; that they have obtained, on the threshold of their task, the entire concurrence of that Principal, whose constant readiness to assist and improve them has gained for him so deserved a share of their affectionate esteem; that the respected Professors of the College, with uniform kindness, have lent consenting voices to the scheme;—all this is either expressed or implied on the cover of our Magazine. 66** But this is not all that men expect of a new publication;there is a certain cant phrase,-an indispensable one,-that usually forms the pith and marrow of prefaces, and runs, in an apologetic strain, something thus :-"****" (the commencement is generally indistinct or unintelligible) it was in order to supply this very obvious deficiency that the present work was undertaken," &c. &c.-the rest being filled up with promises, the mere conception of which,— leaving execution out of the question,―requires an imagination of the most powerful class. The value, however, of these promises is too well proved to remain any longer an "unknown quantity." Well! and where, then, is our apology?—where are our promises? In good sooth, we shall make none! Openly, with brazen front, we declare, that we came into the world to supply no deficiency; that the world might even, by some remote possibility, have contrived to drag on its existence, supposing we had never appeared. We write, good world, because it pleases us; and, as lovers of fair play, there is nothing we desire better than that you should read-because it pleases you. We make no pro mises, except to eschew all controversy, be it theological, political, or scandalous: for the rest, we will laugh when we please; we will sing when we please; we will be prosy when we can find no better mood; and, in the last case, hope we shall be patiently endured until the fit have passed away, promising, we forget ourselves,-believing, at least, that such fits, if ever they do occur, will be neither frequent nor of long duration. We invite all men, We invite all men, that are willing, to write in our Magazine, and measure their wits with ours;to all contributors within the College, to all who join us without its walls, we cry, with the shipmaster in the Tempest, "Fall ta't yarely, or we run ourselves aground. Bestir! bestir!" Echo, for once sticking to her cue, repeats the word-" Bestir!" Thus much in general of our Magazine. Of the present number in particular,-of the new-born babe,-if it do not promise much, let us remind the observer that, as yet, it has had the benefit of no nursing; let him only take it in, cherish it, and give it kind encouragement; this done, it cannot but grow to lusty manhood, for its vital parts are healthy and sound, there is nothing sickly in its composition. To be candid, however, and to speak in plain sober terms, some apology is due for the credit of the writers in this month's portion. So quickly was the design of publishing conceived and acted upon, that four days only were allowed for preparing all that could appear;-old papers, written without a dream of publication, were given in; others hastily concocted; the chief demand on contributors was, that their subject should be devised and written upon, with or without digestion, certainly with-speed. A certain degree of crudity will, therefore, readily be pardoned. Thus, shortly, let us dismiss a temporary apology, and advance proudly onward on our course: "Fond we survey Hope's mild maternal face, Our bashful eyes still kindling as we view; Our wingy nerves to climb." THE KING'S COLLEGE MAGAZINE. JULY, 1841. ELLERTON CASTLE; A Romance. BY "FITZROY PIKE." CHAPTER THE FIRST. VILLAGE REVELS-A HERO AND A TREASURE-HUNTER-WITH A DECLARATION OF LOVE ON IMPROVED PRINCIPLES. MAN is, incontestibly, a holiday-loving animal; and, let but custom have sanctioned a periodical abstinence from labour on any particular occasion, so far from being slow to adopt the convenient "mos pro lege," he will resolutely oppose any encroachment upon the time-hallowed privilege. It was on this principle that the inhabitants of Ellerton village celebrated the eighth of August as a period of festivity; why or wherefore, none knew, none cared; such it had been from time immemorial, and such all were extremely willing that it should remain. Accordingly, on this anniversary of an unknown occurrence, and in the year of grace one thousand four hundred and fifteen, Ellerton green was, as usual on such occasions, crowded with happy holiday faces, with some of which it is our purpose soon to cultivate an acquaintance. Pause we here, however, for perspicuity's sake, to remind the historical reader of what he may already have perceived from the date assigned, that the period in which our narrative commences was about a year after the accession of Henry V. to the British throne, and but a short time previous to his invasion of that land of dull, dusty roads called, |