_A few words of advice, extracted from a London magazine._
I am a sort of literary _Lounger_, though no _Connoisseur_, yet an _Idler_, like myself, will always assume a right to turn _Observer_ upon every _Adventurer_; and, whether you may subscribe to my opinions or not, yet, as I mean to subscribe to your work, I shall offer them very freely.
Too many publications promise much at their outset, and perform little in the sequel; great expectations will be formed of what may be produced by the members of a British _Cabinet_; and in case of failure every _Guardian_ of his own rights will become a _Tatler_; you will be accused as a _Rambler_ from your engagements, and, at your downfal, the _World_ will be an unconcerned _Spectator_; while, on the contrary, by proper polish and reflection, you may be styled the _Mirror_ of all _Monthly Magazines_ in the metropolis. So much for your title, I shall next make some remarks as to the general conduct of the work itself.
With regard to the engraved heads prefixed to each number, and called portraits, I would certainly advise that they should bear _some_ resemblance to the originals; this, notwithstanding it may be but a trifling recommendation to some readers, will often prove an advantage; for, however singular it may appear, I have frequently purchased a picture myself, for no reason than that it put me in mind of the person it professed to represent.
I am conscious, however, that there may be exceptions to this general rule; indeed I know a very worthy vender of prints, who keeps in his cellar some hundreds of admirals and generals, ready engraved, and by cutting off the arm of one, or clapping a convenient patch on the eye of another, he is always ready before any of his competitors to present the town with striking likenesses of any or all of those persons who so frequently claim our attention and gratitude. However, as there is no subject on which people are apt to disagree so pointedly as on the precision or dissimilarity of a copy from nature, you may safely steer clear of all criticism, and perhaps please all parties by embellishing your incipient number with a face combining Cooke's nose, Kemble's chin, and Munden's mouth, with the arched eye of Lewis, and writing under it