THE FOLLOWING PAPERS ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN THE HULL ADVERTISER, IN THE EARLY PART OF THE PRESENT CENTURY: Nos. 10 and 15; the letters of DAVID DULBARD, in No. 4; of P. W.i No. 18; of TOFTY CLAPPY, in No. 20; and of TIMOTHY PLAIN, in No. 31, were the productions of the late GEORGE GALE, Esq. Nos. 8, 13, and 17, were the contributions of Mr. J. CROSSE. The letters of AMICUS and S. in No. 12, are believed to have been by the late Mr. R. GARLAND. Those of SOPHIA, in No. 21; LYDIA THOUGHTLESS, in No. 23; and No. 25, were by unknown Correspondents. For the remainder of these papers, the responsibility rests on I. W. THE INSPECTOR. NUMBER 1. Or the various species of writing that have been employed, during the last century, as vehicles for amusement and instruction, none has been more popular than that of periodical essays: and perhaps to no other are we so much indebted for the general diffusion of knowledge, and that melioration which the state of society has undergone. In the writings of Addison and his coadjutors, a variety of information on subjects that came home to the business and bosom of every man, was clothed in beautiful and expressive language, and rendered accessible to all classes of readers; and although many of the topics so ably handled in the SPECTATOR and GUARDIAN, are now become obsolete, in consequence of fluctuations in manners and fashions, yet these works still hold the highest rank among the standard productions of English A literature. Subsequent writers pursued the track thus happily pointed out, and have furnished us with a succession of essays on a similar plan, various in their degrees of merit, from the RAMBLER of Dr. Johnson, down to the PIC NIC of recent memory. When we consider the multiplicity of subjects which have been discussed, either directly or incidentally, by the host of periodical writers, it would appear no easy task for the utmost ingenuity to discover a topic that had not already been exhausted. Human nature, it may be alleged, is still the same. The principles of action among mankind have often been investigated; and the workings of the heart, under all the modifications resulting from constitution, education, or external circumstances, laid open to our view. In the science of morals, no new lights have latterly been discovered, from which our duties can be more accurately deduced, or enforced with greater effect. No combination of words is yet known by which truth may be conveyed with irresistible force to the hearts of those who are prepossessed against it, either from inclination or habit; nor can the passions yet be taught to move uniformly at the command of reason. But though the periodical essayist of the present day must, consequently, labour under many disadvantages, in common with his predecessors, in addition to others from which they were exempt, there seems no reason why he should be denied the use of that mode of conveying his sentiments, by which they have deservedly obtained the approbation of their countrymen. If he has no recent discoveries in morals to announce, he may still be usefully employed in disseminating old principles, in enforcing them by fresh examples, and applying them to the existing state of society. The useful lesson which has repeatedly been heard with neglect, may obtain attention when delivered in another form, as the appetite of the epicure is stimulated anew to action, by the application of a different seasoning. Manners and fashions are perpetually changing, and afford a constant theme for observation and remark. The passions and affections of the human heart are subject to such an infinite variety of combinations, that some gleanings may yet be found to reward the diligent Inspector. Many doubtful points in different branches of literature remain unsolved; and numerous beauties have never been pointed out in the writings of our eminent authors, or otherwise have been forgotten, which, if pressed upon the attention of youth, might influence them to pursue the paths of virtue with redoubled energy. To these we may add, that |