TO OUR PATRONS.

IT is with feelings which we can but poorly express by language, that we tender our grateful acknowledgments to our numerous and respectable patrons. Among them, we recognize, with all the pleasure of delight, many names which are ranked with the distinguished luminaries of our country. We recognize among them, some who may with propriety be pronounced the veterans of literature--others who hold a distinguished rank amongst civilians-others who are augmenting the permanent interest of our country, by advancing the agricultural importance of it-others who have risked their capital, and bestowed their labour upon its manufactures, and many of the substantial yeomanry and mechanics who constitute the bone and sinew of our country.

While this very respectable patronage excites our pleasure, we readily acknowledge that it increases our solicitude. We feel solicitous to gratify their wishes, and are fully sensible of the difficulty of performing it. The plan of our Magazine, comprehending a diversity of subjects, very much increases the difficulty of the work. We have to furnish a repast for various palates, each of which it is difficult to satisfy ; but no exertions will be spared by us to render it acceptable

No publication, of the nature of the one we have commenced has ever been issued from a Connecticut press; but we hope its novelty will not, without a fair trial, condemn it. Notwithstanding we acknowledge the importance and utility of periodical religious publications, we have no pretentions to pronounce this a work exclusively of that character. Although in our miscellaneous department we hope to furnish the reader with essays, original and selected, which will subserve the great cause of christian morality, we are fully sensible that from the nature of our publication, it would be improper to admit essays upon the peculiar and controverted points of Christianity, or the productions of political partizans.

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In pursuance of our original plan, we have commenced, in our Historical Department a MINIATURE HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT," with a design to continue it for each month, in portions consistent with the arrangement of the work. We deem this a more useful manner of supplying this department, than by inserting disconnected sketches of history. A knowledge of the rise, progress, and present state of the land of our nativity, is amongst the most useful information we possess, and cannot be too often called to recollection. Even the savages of our country, are taught its ancient history by oral communications, and it is the delight of the Laplander to chant the acheivements of their ancestors.

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We have commenced our Biographical labours with the life of DAVID HUMPHREYS, a native of our own state. However different may be the opinions of our readers, concerning the political and religious sentiments of this distinguished man, all will agree that he held an elevated rank amongst the modern great men of Connecticut. It is our intention, if the liberality of the public will enable us to continue the publication of our Journal, to furnish, from time to time, Biographical sketches of the great and good men of Connecticut, from the earliest period of its history, to the present time. A more brilliant constellation of worthies, have not gilded the history of any state in the confederated sisters of the American Republic.

Our Agricultural Department we have commenced by a brief address, and the organization of Agricultural societies. However highly we appreciate the detached accounts, which from time to time, appear in our very useful weekly Journals, of agricultural improvements, we sincerely hope, by the assistance of our agricultural friends, to commence the publication of a SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURE, adapted to the climate and soil of Connecticut; being fully aware that each country requires a mode of cultivation adapted to its local situation.

Our DEPARTMENT OF MANUFACTURE we have commenced by inserting a short address, and a part of the justly celebrated report of a GREAT MAN, whose name is identified with the glory of our countryALEXANDER HAMILTON. We shall publish the whole of it, if practicable; and in presenting it to our readers, we presume we bestow upon them a favour. It is cur design to give an account of the commencement and progress of the large and increasing manufactories in Connecticut. Our manufacturers have had to struggle with difficulties; and while some have fallen under an accumulation of obstructions, others have gained strength by exertion, and have overcome what was deemcd insuperable obstacles. The sun of prosperity begins to shine upon their prospects, and the clouds of adversity are rapidly passing away.

We have began our Miscellaneous Department by a series of original papers, under the title of the "SOCIAL COMPANION." We are sensible it is difficult to support the spirit which gives interest to a scries of papers of this nature. The reader involuntarily compares them with the Spectator of Addison, the Rambler of Johnson, the Essays of Goldsmith, the Lounger of our own beloved Dennie, and the Brief Remarker of Sampson; and who can hope to stand before such geniuses? But we console ourselves with the reflection, that where but little is expected, there can be but little disappointment. We hope the selections we may blend with them, will atone for the deficiency of the originals.

We hope our Poetical Department will be furnished with the efforts of native genius, as well as the finished productions of the sons of the European Muse. But few can hope to be Cowpers or Byrons ;

but those whose modesty and timidity restrain them from attempting, are reminded, in the language of the Prince of the Drama,

"Our doubts are traitors that make us lose the good,

We oft might win, by fearing to attempt."

We are sensible that a summary of Monthly intelligence, foreign and domestic, will be gratifying to our readers, and have, with much labour, presented one for February 1819.

Without farther extending our address, which has much exceeded the length we intended, the Editor pledges himself to do the best he can to render the work acceptable as it regards the matter, and the Publishers, to make it handsome in point of Mechanical execution.

It will readily be perceived that the most of this Number is original; and that its contents are rather introductory to the various subjects intended to be pursued, than the subjects themselves. The Editor, alone and unassisted, has furnished the Number, which, it is hoped, will excuse its want of interest. By arrangements made, the subsequent numbers will be enriched, with valuable communications upon the various subjects embraced in the original plan of this publication.

We are our Patrons Obedt. Servt's.

S. PUTNAM WALDO, Editor.
J. &. W. RUSSELL, Publishers.

HARTFORD, February 1st, 1819.

that that portion of mankind, who | necticut would become an expandhave inhabited that part of the ed garden. globe, which is situated between

The Animal productions of the thirtieth and fiftieth degrees of Connecticut, it is confidently aslatitude, are more athletic in body serted, are not excelled by any -more energetic in mind, and country. The neat-cattle, the have achieved more brilliant ex-swine, the sheep, the horses, and ploits, than any other part of the indeed, animals of every kind, human race. Although Connecti- whether of a pure or mixed breed, cut does not produce spontane-will stand a comparison with those ously, all that is necessary for the of any part of the Republic; and subsistence of its inhabitants, as by proper exertions, may be vastis the case with some of the tropi-ly improved. The beef and pork, cal regions, yet by the industry and the butter and cheese of of man, its climate admits of eve-Connecticut, are sought after in ry animal and vegetable produc- the great markets in the adjointion, which conduces to his coming states. It also furnishes Poulfort and enjoyment. try of the finest quality, and in

The Soil of Connecticut has all great abundance. the varieties of countries situated The Vegetable productions of in its latitude. As a grazing coun- Connecticut, exclusive of grain, try, it is not surpassed by any are also of the finest quality. The state in the American Republic. potatoe, of itself, is a treasure. It From spring to autumn "cattle is a luxury to the rich-it is a upon a thousand hills" are sus-staple commodity with the midtained by the finest grass, and the ling and lower classes of citizens vallies furnish sufficient forage for-and it furnishes an immense their feed in the winter. As a amount of feed for fattening anigrain country, although it may mals. Onions, turnips, carrots, not equal some of the immensely beets, cabbages, pumpkins and fertile regions of the south and squashes, are produced, in differwest, in the quantity that is pro-ent degrees of perfection, in eveduced; the quality of the rye, ry "nook and corner" of the state. wheat, indian corn, barley and oats. A well cultivated garden, with e that are raised within its borders, very little animal food, affords is not any where excelled. The support for a family in the warstate now affords much more mer seasons, and very great comgrain than is necessary for the forts through the year. consumption of its inhabitants, The Waters of Connecticut, are and by the rapidly improving sys- unrivalled in" the watery world." tem of cultivation, the quantity The ocean that washes its extenmay be threbled. If the same la- sive sea-board from New-York to bour and toil were to be exercis- Rhode-Island, affords every varieed in Connecticut, for twenty ty of scale and shell-fish. While years to come, which those who those who are engaged in taking emigrate to the wilderness must them, can furnish the Farmer, the exercise for that period, Con- Manufacturer, the Merchant, the Vol. I.

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Professional Man, and the Me- Distinguished individuals, withchanic, with the wholesome and in the last twenty years, possessed delicious productions of the ocean, of science and wealth, have devothey, in exchange can furnish ted much attention to the great them, with the products of their and important subject of AGRICULindustry; and in this way sup- TURE. Amongst a long list that port three times the population, might be mentioned, we designow contained within the limits nate Chief Justice ELLSWORTH, of the state. The rivers and and General HUMPHREYS. The brooks of Connecticut afford abun- last years of these great and dance of excellent fish. good men, these benefactors to This address might be extend- their native state, were spent ed through numerous pages, each in practical husbandry, and comof which might be crowded with municating, through the weekly facts, showing the natural advan-papers, the result of their experitages possessed by the people of ments. The latter gentleman, Connecticut. They only need wishing to disseminate correct to improve them, to procure for knowledge amongst agriculturalthemselves all the wealth that is ists as extensively as possible, furnecessary for enjoyment-all the nished "The Farmer's Almanac" food and clothing that is necessa- with much useful matter. It was a ry for the support of life-and favourite object with him, for a enjoy as much happiness as a society to procure an extensive bounteous and merciful Provi- farm for agricultural experiments. dence sees fit to afford to man in It is hoped his death will not this world. Editor. prevent the accomplishment of this desirable object.

Recently, in every part of the state, gentlemen, constituting the AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. highly respectable yeomanry, are IT is the intention of the Edi- turning their attention to their tor, to incorporate into this pub-farms, and their wives and daughlication, an account of the organi- ters to their dairies. At the social zation of all the "Agricultural fire side, men, instead of descantSocieties" in Connecticut. Vol-ing upon the last change in poliuntary associations of this kind, tical parties, and the contents of have existed for a considerable the last newspaper, are discussing number of years in this state. An questions of agriculture. Ladies, attempt was some years since instead of settling the question, made, to establish "The Agricul- which is the best of the last flood tural Society of Connecticut ;" but of novels which is constantly by being, perhaps, too general in inundating our country—deciding its objects, and its members too the merits of the last actor or acremotely situated from each other tress they saw--and the beauties for practical purposes, and fre- of the latest importation of bonquent intercourse, butlittle bene-nets, are studying the best modes fit has resulted from it. of making butter and cheese, and