The purposes which this publication is intended to subserve are the promotion of historical studies in general and an increased familiarity with the history of the western portion of this country in particular. The field is a broad and inviting one. The early annals of every locality possess a peculiar charm for its own people, while they furnish something of interest to the people of every other locality. The conductors of this Magazine invite the aid and co-operation of every person interested in the development and preservation of local history, and shall rely in a special manner upon the friendly offices of Historical and Pioneer Societies. These organizations accomplish great good in the work they are carrying forward from year to year, and they should increase in number until every county, or section of the country, shall have a Pioneer Society. The publishers of this monthly now have in course of preparation by an able and well informed writer, the history of Ohio, which will be published serially in the numbers of this Magazine, to be followed by the history of other States. A department will be devoted to local history, in which county and town annals, and sketches of pioneer settlers and of representative men and women will have chief place. The contributions of students of history, who have something to say of interest to the general reader, will be welcomed to the pages of this publication. We have received already the proffer of papers by able and experienced writers, and hope to make the Magazine of indispensable value to a large number of readers. To furnish essays on historical subjects by writers of experience and ability; to provide a history of each of the great Western States that have not already satisfactory State histories; to afford a medium for the publication of the proceedings of Historical and Pioneer Societies, and to publish such other information regarding these and similar organizations as will enable them to become better acquainted with one another; to give sketches of the lives of early settlers, and of others who have largely aided in the development of the material interests, or in promoting the advancement, in other respects, of the community in which they dwell; to add to the interest of the printed text by the help of engravings where they can be employed to advantage, and especially to employ the services of art in portrait illustration; and to use skill and taste on the part of the printer in giving a neat appearance to the Magazine—these are the chief features of the programme which we have formed for the work we have undertaken. We do not lightly esteem the labor, or overlook the difficulties which lie before us. We expect the Magazine will have friends if by its excellence it merits them. It has a field of its own, differing from that occupied by any other publication, and its success will be sure and enduring if it achieves it by deserving well of its patrons and readers.