The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-23
THE AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY;

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iished Monthly, uih splendid illustrations on Steel
yITHILE nearly every country of the old world
Wv boast Of its collected body Of national Poetry, on
which the seal Of peoples favorable Judgment has been
set and which exhibits foreign nations in the most
striking light the progress Of civilization and literary re-
nement among its inhabitants while England, especial
ly, proudly displays to the world corpus poetdrm the
uste Of whose immortal wreath has shed brighter glory
upon her than the most splendid iriumphs which
her statesmen and her sodicy have achieved our own
country destitute of poetic honors Appears,
say for although full collection OF the chef Of
writer's 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 claim for
America high rank in the scale Of literary elevation
as is now coded to older and in some respects more IA
yored lands.
Impressed with the correctness Of this judgment
propose TO issue monthly magazine which shall contain
in perfect unmuaied FORM the most meritorious and
beautiful illusions OF the poets OF America, OF the past
and present time with such Introductory, critical and
geographic shall be necessary under
standing Of the works presented 70 the reader and to add
interest to tho publication. Those who imagine that
there exists dearth Of materials for such undertaking.
who believe that the Aonan Maids have confined their
richest favors 10 transatlantic brethren 10 the cxcu-
sion OF native genius will be surprised 10 learn that
already possession Of than two hundred vol
Of the production Of American bards from about the
year lG30 10 the present day Nor il from these
alone that materials may be drawn There but few
writers in our country who pursue authorship 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 their illusions have
been careessy inserted in periodicals Of slight merit and
limited circulation where they were unlikely 10 attract
notice TO themselves draw attention their authors
The grass Of the field 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 "ingos bright from the mint Of
genius" and glowing with the impress Of beauty and the
spirit Of truth, quantities sufficient, known and
appreciated it would be in 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 Brainard and many beside whose
writings are almost unknown, save BY their kindred ASSOC
ciaies 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, Sigourney, 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 repay the la
Dor of exploring it, and add undyng usre TO the
LEGATION proposed shall from the oblivion
to which they have long been consigned and emalm in
bright and impershable form the numberess gems Of
purest with which researches into the literary
,iguites Of country have endowed and con-
hdent 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 nafions and
its claims TO the station to which its children entities
it. With this conviction ask the patronage OF the
miiry 10 aid us in undertaking, conscious that
meriiing its support by exhibiting to the world proud
evidence that America in the giant strength Of her Hercu
lean childhood s.desne long cope the Of
literature with those lands which for centuries have boast
ed their civilization and refinement, and Justly exued
their triumphs 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 folowingthe popular Of
poetic wr,ersand Of the Others the best poems and
o.taha l..a la. L.~.. r.