The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-10-20
THE AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY;

Il
iished Monthly rah splendid illustrations on Steel
WHILE nearly every country OF the old world can
w bonst Of its collected body OF national Poetry, on
which the seal Of peoples favorable Judgment has been
set, and which exhibits TO foreign nations IN the most
striking light the progress Of civilization and literary re-
fnement among its inhabitants while England, especial
y, proudly displays TO the world corpus poetarn" The
use of whose immortal wreath has shed brighter glory
upon her name than the most splendid triumphs which
her statesmen and her sodiery have achieved,
country destitute of poetic honors appears, we
say for although full collection Of the chef dues OF
writers has been made yet there exist, and occa-
sionay 10 be met with productions OF American poets
which will bear comparison with the nobest and most
polished efforts OF European genius, and which clam Tor
America as high rank in the scale of literary elevation
is coded older and in respects ia
yored lands.
Impressed with the correctness Of this judgment we
propose issue monthly magazine which shall contain
in perfect unmuated FORM the most merltorous and
beautiful illusions Of the poets of America, OF the past
and present time with such Introductory, critical and
Geographic notices shall be 10 correct under
standing of the works presented TO the reader and to add
interest tho publication. Those who imagine that
there exists dearth OF materials for sue undertaking.
who believe that the Aonan Maids have confined their
richest avors TO transatlantic brethren TO the exclu-
of genus will be surprised to learn that
already IN possession OF than two hundred vol
OF the production of American bards from about the
alone that materials may be drawn There but few
writers in 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, with the remembrance of which
their productions have gone rest their illusions have
been careessy inserted in periodicals. of slight merit and
limited circulation where they unlikely to attract
notice to 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 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, 1t known and
appreciated would be other countries, to
TO them honorable reputation throughout the world
Such were Harvey author of Crystalline and the Fever
Dream Sands, author Of 'Yamoyden Wilcox, author
of the Age of Beneyoence Robinson, author of The
Savage ; Little, the sweet and tender poet of Christian
feeling the lamented Branard and many beside, whose
writings almost unknown, save by their kindred asso
caies and friends.
With the of those poets who within the last few
years have extended the reputation of American lite
nature beyond the Atlantic, Bryant, DANA Percival,
Sprague, Sigourney Whittier, Willis, &c the public
familiar and them that there exists though
long forgotten and unknown. mine of poetic wealth,
rch varied and extensive which will amply repay the la
Dor ot exploring IT. and add undyng ustre TO the crown
which encrcles the brow Of American genius In the pub
LEGATION proposed shall from the oblivion
to which they have long been consigned and embam
bright and mperishable form the numberless gems of
pures ray with which researches into the literary
uqutics OF our country have endowed us and
dent that every lover of his native land will regard
enterprise patriotic and deserving the support of the
citizens of the United States, tending elevate the
character of that country in the scale Of nations and
its claims TO the station to which its children entities
it, With this conviction ask the patronage of the
munity TO aid undertaking, conscious that
are meng its support by exhibiting to the,world proud
evidence that America the giant strength of her Hercu
lean childhood destined ere long cope the Of
literature with those lands which for centuries have boast
ed their civilization and refinement, and Justly exuted in
their rumphs of their cherished the noblest field
which heaven has opened to the human intellect
The AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY will contain complete
works of portion of the folownghe most popular of
poetic of the Others the poems and
such as are least generally known: