The Editor of the Occident to his Friends and Readers.

In the Table of Contents our readers will have, at a glance, a complete view of the amount of information and labour which we have presented to them during the second year of our connexion with the first Jewish periodical of a general nature ever attempted in America. Although we cannot say that we have succeeded to our entire satisfaction, we do maintain that we have given as great a variety of subjects as it is likely for one person to furnish, with as little aid as we have had, we have honestly endeavoured to obtain regular correspondents abroad, but have hitherto signally failed, and even in America our pares will prove that a few only have offered us their labours, and of these some had either to be altogether rejected, or at least postponed for a time. We are perfectly well aware that some of our articles have given umbrage in certain quarters, but it is unavoidable to offend some one, where an editor has opinions of his own, as we have, and is independent enough to give them expression before the public. But those who have condemned us for a few expressions, ought to consider one thing, that whilst we have taken the liberty of saying what we believe the truth, we have given them, and every other person, the fullest liberty of using our pages in their defence and exposition of our ERRORS, if we had committed any such. That they have not availed themselves of this privilege, is not our fault; hence they are hardly correct in visiting us with their censure, when they, though unwilling to discuss the various views entertained by certain persons, before the public, speak of them in private as though there could be nothing urged against their validity by their opponents. If, however, they may say that we have exceeded the limits of fair discussion, we will be willing to give them privately such explanation as we doubt not will satisfy them. We could do so publicly; but we do not choose to lay our own grievances open, except to those who have a right to think themselves aggrieved by us, and to those we will always be willing to make any explanations which will justify our course, or make any reasonable atonement, if in our power. But, on the other hand, no denunciations will ever terrify us, nor frowns induce us to speak otherwise than we think our duty demands.

In conclusion, we would remark, that though the patronage bestowed on us has been much less than we had a right to expect; we shall be willing to continue at our post, if our friends do not desert us in too large number, and if our readers will be satisfied with such matter as we can offer for their perusal. We know our deficiencies; but we are willing to work and to improve by the advice of those who may be kind enough to bestow it gently. For the present we return our thanks for the general indulgence of our readers, and it shall be our endeavour to deserve it yet longer, and in a higher degree.

Philadelphia, Adar 13^th, 5605, February 20^th, 1845.