The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-28
THE AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY;


iished Monthly ,eith splendid illustrations on Steel
wv boast of its collected body Of national Poetry,
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-
fnemen, among lis inhabitants while England especial
ly, proudly displays to the world corpus poetam the
lustre Of whose immortal wreath has shed brighter glory
upon her than the most splendid triumphs which
her and her sodiery have achieved our own
country destitute Of poetic honors, appears we
say, for although full collection Of the chef dares OF
writers has been made yet there exist and occa
sonally be with productions Of American poets
which will bear comparison with the nobest and most
polished efforts of European genius, and which claim for
as Is now saasa '1 = ess : 'ss
Impressed with the correctness Of this Judgment we
propose monthly magazine which shall contain
in perfect unautiated form, the most meritorous and
beautiful illusions OF the poets OF America of the past
and present time, with such Introductory, critical, and
Geographic notices shall be necessary 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 our transatlantic brethren to the excu
Of native genius, will be surprised to learn that
already possession of than two hundred vol
Of the production of American bards from about the
year 1880 to the present day Nor from these sources
alone that materials NAV be drawn. There but few
writers in country who pursue authorship voca
ton, and whose works have been published in collected
form Our poets, especially have generally written Tor
particular occasions, with the remembrance of which
their productions have rest their illusions have
been careessy inserted in periodicals OF slight merit and
limited circulation, where they were unlikely to attract
notice themselves draw attention 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, were It known and
appreciated would be other countries, to secure
to them an honorable reputation throughout the world
Such were Harvey author OF Crystalline and the Fever
Dream Sands, author of iamoyden; Wilcox, author
Of the Age Of Benevocnce ; Robinson author of The
Savage Little. the and tender poet of Christian
feeling, the lancnted Branard and many beside whose
writings almost unknown save by their kindred asso
ciates 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, Sigouney 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 luste the
which encircles the brow of American genius In the pub
LEGATION proposed we shall rescue from the oblivion
to which they have long been consigned and embalm
bright and imperishable form the numberless gems Of
purest with which researches into the literary
tgities of our country have endowed and
dent that every lover of his native land will regard our
enterprise patriotic and deserving the support of the
citizens of the United States, tending elevate the
character Of that country the scale Of nations and
sert its claims to the station to which its children entities
it, With this conviction ask the patronage OF the COM
munty TO aid in undertaking, conscious that we
mertng its support by exhibiting to the world proud
evidence that America in the giant strength Of her Hercu
lean childhood is destined long to cope the Of
literature with those lands which for have boast
ed their civilization and refinement and Justly exuted in
their trumphs OF their cherished in the noblest field
which heaven has opened to the human intellect
The AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY will contain complete
works OF portion Of the ollowingthe popular of
poetic wrersand OF the others, the best POEMS and