The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-08-26
THE AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY |;

Lshed Monthly, 9ifh splendid aiastratons on Steel
YITHILE nearly every country Of the old world can
w 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 IN the most
striking light the progress Of civilization and literary re-
Gnement among its inhabitants while England especial
w. proudly displays TO the world corpus pcetarum the
lusire OF whose immortal wreath has shed brighter glory
upon her than the most splendid triumphs which
her and her soldery have achieved our own
country destitute Of poetic honors ArPears, we
say for although full collection OF the ehf dGures oi
writers has been made yet there exist and are occa
sonnlly be met with productions Of American poets
which will bear comparison with the nobest and most
polished efforts Of European genius and which claim Tor
America high rank in the scale Of literary elevation
coded older and in some respects more Ia
vored lands.
Impressed with the correctness Of this JUDGMENT we
propose a monthly magazine which shall contain
perfect unmutilaicd form, the most ncrtorious ana
beautiful illusions Of the poets Of America, OF The past
and present time, with such Introductory, CRITICAL ana.
geographic notices shall be necessary to correct under,
standing Of the works to the reader and to add
interest the publication. Those who imagine that
there dearh Of materials for such undertaking.
who believe that the Aonan Maids have confined Their
richest iayors transatlantic brethren 10 the eScu-
sion Of native genius will be surprised TO learn that we
already Of than two hundred vol
of the production Of American bards from about the
year 1890 TO the present day. Nor from these
alone that materials may be drawn There are but few
writer's in country who pursue authorship as yoca,
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 to rest or their have
been carelessy inserted in periodicals OF 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 in ingots bright from the mint OF
genius and glowing with the impress OF beauty and the
spirit Of truth, in quantities sufficient were it known and
appreciated would be in other countries, to secure
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 Benevolcnce Robinson author Of The
Savage Little the sweet and tender poet OF Christian
feeling the lamented Brainard, and many beside whose
writings almost unknown, save by their kindred assoc
cia,es 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 Sgourney, Whittier Willis, DC. the public
familiar and themthat there exists, though
long forgotten and unknown. mine OF poetic wcalth,
rich, varied and extensive which will amply repay the la
Dor of exploring it, and add undyng usire TO the crown
which encirces the brow Of American genius In the pub
LEGATION proposed shall rescue from the oblivion
to which they haveong been consigned, and erbalm in
bright and impershabe form the numberess gems OF
purest with which researches into the literary an
tluties Of country have endowed and we con-
hdcnt that every lover of his native land will regard
enterprise patriotic and deserving the support OF the
Of the United States, tending to elevate the
character Of that country the scale oil natons and as
scrt claims the station 10 which its children entities
IT, With this conviction ask the patronage Of the
munty aid in undertaking, conscious that
mertng its support by exhibiting TO tho world proud
evidence that America, IN the giant strength OF her ercu
lean childhood destined long cope in the Of
with those lands which for centuries have boast
ed their civilization and refinement and justly exuted
their trumphs Of their cherished in the noest field
which heaven has opened to the human intellect
The AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY will contain complete
works Of portion Of the followngthe most popular OF
poetic wrteand Of the others, the best poems, and