The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-14
THE AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY;

Magazine Of Poetry Biography, and Criticism, 10 pub
hshed Monthly Nth splendid Illustrations on Steel
yNTHlLE nearly every country Of the old world can
wv boast OF its collected body of national Poetry, on
which the seal Of peoples favorable judgment has been
set and which exhibits to foreign nations ~ The most
striking light the progress of civilization and literary re-
nement among its inhabitants while England, especial
y, proudly displays to the world corpus pcearum the
luse of whose immortal wreath has shed brighter glory
upon her than the most splendid triumphs which
her statesmen and her sodiey have achieved, our own
country destitute Of poetic honors Appears, We
say, for although no full collection OF the eh feres OF
writers has been made yet there exist and ocea
sionay to be met with productions OF American poets
which will bear comparison with the nobest and most
polished efforts Of European genius, and which claim for
America as high rank in the scale OF literary elevation
as Is now ceded to older and in some respects more Ia
vored lands.
Impressed with the correctness Of this judgment we
propose issue monthly magazine which shall contain
in perfect unmutated form, the most meritorous and
beautiful illusions OF the poets OF America, OF the past
and present me with such Introductory, critical, and
geographic notices shall be necessary correct under
standing of the works presented TO the reader and to add
interest TO the publication. Those who imagine that
there exists dearh Of materials for such undertaking.
who believe that the Aonian Maids have confined their
richest avors TO transatlantic brethren to the exclu
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 il from these
alone that materials may be drawn There are but few
writers IN our country who pursue authorship as voca-
ton, and whose works have been published in collected
form Our poets especially have generally written for
particular occasions, Win remembrance OF winch
their productions have gone their illusions have
been careessy inserted periodicals OF slight merit and
limited circulation where they were unlikely to attract
notice To themselves, draw attention TO their authors
The grass Of the field or flowers Of the wilderness
growing the ashes of many Of the highly gifted who,
through the wild and romantic regions OF our republic,
have scattered poetry in "ngots bright from the mint Of
genius and glowing with the impress of beauty and the
spirit Of truth, quantities sufficient, it known and
appreciated would be in other countries, to secure
TO them honorable reputation throughout the world
Such Harvey, author Of Crystalline and the Fever
Dream Sands, author of 'Yamoyden ; Wilcox author
Of the age Of Benevoence : Robinson, author of The
Savage Little, the sweet and tender poet of Christian
feeling the amcned Branard and many beside, whose
writings almost unknown save by their kindred asso-
clates 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, Percival,
Sprague, Sigouey, Whittier Willis, &c the public
familiar and them that there exists though
long forgotten and unknown, mine of poetic wealth,
rich, varied and extensive which will amply the Ia
Dor Of exploring IT, and add undying lustre TO the
which encirces the brow of American genius In the pub
LEGATION proposed shall from the oblivion
to which they have long been consigned and embam in
bright and impershabe form the numberess gems Of
purest ray with which researches into the literary
Equities OF our country have endowed and we con-
dent 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
its claims the station which its children entities
it, With this conviction ask the patronage of the
muny to aid in undertaking. conscious that
meritng its support by exhibiting to the world proud
evidence that America in the giant strength OF her Hercu-
lean childhood, destined long TO cope the of
literature with those lands which for have boast
ed their civilization and refinement and justly exulted
their trumphs Of their cherished in the nobest field
which heaven has opened to the human intellect.
The AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY will contain complete
works of portion of the iolowing-the most popular of
poetic wrersand of the others, the best poems, and