As the idea gradually gained ground that it would be necessary that the public, or a considerable number of writers, should take part in the literary work of a periodical, we now find a more important and promising publication called a magazine, and having the grand title of "The Wonderful Magazine!" It went through three monthly numbers in 1764. Even this was not intended to be exclusively humorous, but was to contain light stories as well as paradoxes and inquiries; the editor observing in the introduction that "a tailor's pattern-book must consist of various colours and various cloths; and what one thinks fashionable, another deems ridiculous." To help the new enterprise, an incentive to emulation was proposed by the offer of two silver medals, one for the most humorous tale, and the other for the best answer to a prize enigma. The Magazine contained a long story of enchantments, a dramatic scene full of conflicts and violence, some old _bons mots_, and pieces of indifferent poetry. The editor had evidently no good source to draw from, and the best pieces in the work are the following:-- "Belinda has such wondrous charms, 'Tis heaven to be within her arms; And she's so charitably given, She wishes all mankind in heaven." and _A copy of Verses on Mr. Day, Who from his Landlord ran away._ "Here Day and Night conspired a sudden flight, For Day, they say, is run away by Night, Day's past and gone. Why, landlord, where's your rent? Did you not see that Day was almost spent? Day pawned and sold, and put off what we might, Though it be ne'er so dark, Day will be light; You had one Day a tenant, and would fain Your eyes could see that Day but once again. No, landlord, no; now you may truly say (And to your cost, too,) you have lost the Day. Day is departed in a mist; I fear, For Day is broke, and yet does not appear. * * * * * "But how, now, landlord, what's the matter, pray? What! you can't sleep, you long so much for Day? Cheer up then, man; what though you've lost a sum, Do you not know that pay-day yet will come? I will engage, do you but leave your sorrow, My life for yours, Day comes again to-morrow; And for your rent--never torment your soul, You'll quickly see Day peeping through a hole." Births, deaths, and marriages are recorded in this Magazine, under such headings as "The Merry Gossips," "The Kissing Chronicle," and "The Undertaker's Harvest-Home," or "The Squallers--a tragi-comedy," "All for Love," and "Act V. Scene the Last."