The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-10-14
THE AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY;

Magaane Of Poetry, Biography, and Criticisn 10 bepub
hshed Monthly, ,eih splendid Illustrations on Steel
WHILE nearly every country OF the old world can
! w boast OF collected body of national Poetry,
which the seal Of peoples favorable Judgment has been
and which exhibits to foreign nations IN the most
striking light the progress OF civilization and literary re-
inemen among its inhabitants while England, especial
y, proudly displays 10 the world corpus poctaram the
lustre Of whose immortal wreath has shed brighter glory
upon her than the most splendid trlulnphs which
her and her soldery have achieved our own
country destitute OF poetic honors. appears, We
say for although no full collection OF the CHEF ddtes OF
writers has been made yet there exist and are occa
sionaly to be met with productions OF American poets
which will bear comparison with the noblest and most
polished efforts OF European genius and which claim for
America high rank the scale oil literary elevation
is coded to older and IN some respects more la
vored lands
Impressed with the correctness Of this Judgment we
propose to issue monthly magazine which shall contain
in perfect unmutilaed form, the most merorlois and
beautiful illusions OF the poets OF America, o. the past
anl present time. with such Introductory, critical, ana
geographic shall be necessary correct under
standing Of the works presented to the reader and TO ada
interest to the publication Those who imagine that
there exists dea of materials for such undertaking,
who believe that the Aonian Maids have confined their
richest avors transatlantic brethren 10 the excu-
sion of native genius will be surprised to learn that we
already possession OF than two hundred vol
Of the production OF American bards, from about the
year 1880 the present day Nor it from these sources
alone that materials may be drawn There are but few
writers in country who pursue authorship as voca-
on and whose works have been published IN collected
form Our poets, especially, have generally written Tor
/
their productions have gone to rest or their eusons have
been careessy inserted periodicals oil slight merit and
limited circulation. where they unlikely TO attract
notice themselves draw attention TO their authors
The grass of the field flowers Of the wilderness are
growing the ashes of many OF the highly gifted who
through the wild and romantic regions OF our republic
have scattered poetry ngots bright from the mint OF
genius" and glowing with the impress OF beauty and the
spirit of truth, in quantities sufficient, it known and
appreciated would he in other countries, to secure
to them honorable reputation throughout the world
Such Harvey, author of Crystalline and the Fever
| Dream Sands author of 'Yanoyden;' Wilcox, author
of the Age of Benevolence; ROBINSON author OF The
Savage Little the sweet and tender poet OF Christian
feeling, the amentcd Brainard, and many beside whose
writings almost unknown, by their kindred asso
GATES and friends.
With the names OF those poets who within the last few
years have extended the reputation of American lite
nature beyond the Atlantic, Bryant, Dana, Percva,
Spraguc, Sgourney, Whittier, Willis DC. the public
familiar and them that there exists, though
long forgotten and unknown. mine OF poetic wealth.
rich varied and extensive, which will amply repay the la
Dor of exploring and add undyng usre to the
which encirces the brow of American genius In the pub
LEGATION now proposed shall from the oblivion
which they long been consigned, and cmbalm in
bright and impershable form the numberless gems OF
purest ray, with which researches into the literary
qnitcs Of country have endowed us and We are con-
fdcnt that every lover of his native land will regard
enterprise patriotic and deserving the support OF the
citizens Of the United States, tending to elevate the
character Of that country the scale OF Nations and
sert its claims the which its children entities
IT, With this conviction ask the patronage Of the
muny aid in undertaking, conscious that we
are mcrilng support by exhibiting to the world proud
evidence that America in the giant strength OF her ercu
lean childhood destined long 10 cope the of
literature with those lands which for centuries have boast
ed their civilization and refinement and justly exued in
their rumphs OF their cherished sons in the nobest field
which heaven has opened TO the human intellect.
| The AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY will contain complete
works of portion of the followngthc most popular Of
our poetic wrersand Of the Others the best poems, and
such as least generally known:
an pnin