The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-17
THE AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY;

Il
tshed Monthly, Nth splendid Illustrations Sfeet
WHILE nearly every country Of the old world
w boas, of It's 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
fnement among its inhabitants while England, especial
ly proudly displays the world corpus poetdrum the
luslre Of whose immortal wreath has shed brighter glory
upon her than the most splendid riumphs which
her and her sodlery have achieved, our own
country seems destitute Of poetic honors appears, we
say for although full collection Of the chef da,nres Of
writers has been made yet there exist and occa-
sionaly be met with productions of American poets
which will bear comparison with the modest and most
polished efforts Of European genius, and which claim Tor
America high rank in the scale OF literary elevation
is coded to older and in some respects more Ia
yored lands.
Impressed with the correctness Of this judgment we
propose TO issue monthly magazine which shall contain
in pere, unrutilaed form, the most meritorious and
beauiul snasions of the oets uf America, Of the past
and present time, with such Introductory, critical and
geographic notices shall be necessary correct under
standing of the works presented to the reader and 10 add
interest 10 the publication. Those who imagine that
thereexsts deah of materials for such undertaking,
who believe that The Aonian Maids have confined their
richest avors transatlantic brethren TO the cxclu-
sion OF native genius, VIII be surprised to learn that we
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 may be drawn. There 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
their productions have gone their illusions have
been careessy inserted in periodicals. Of slight merit and
Limited circulation where they unlikely TO attract
notice to themselves, draw attention 10 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 republic
have scattered poetry in ngots bright from the mint Of
genius and glowing with the impress Of beauty and the
spirit of truth, in quantities sufficient, known and
appreciated it would be in other countries,
to them an 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 Bcncvocnce ; Robinson, author Of The
Savage Little. the sweet and tender poet OF Christian
feeling the arncnted Branard and many beside, whose
writings almost unknown by their kindred
ciaes 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, Percva
Sprague Sgourney, Whittier, Willis &c the public are
familiar and we assure them that there exists, though
long forgotten and unknown. mine Of poetic wealth.
rch varied and extensive which will amply repay the la
Dor OF exploring IT, and add undying ustre the crown
which encirces the brow OF American genius In the pub
LEGATION proposed shall rescue from the oblivion
TO which they have long been consigned and embam
bright and impershabe form the numbcress gems of
purest ray with which researches into the literary
gues OF our country have endowed and we are 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 elevate the
character of that country the scale of nations and as,
scr its claims TO the station TO which its children entities
it, With this conviction ask the patronage of the CON-
munity to aid in undertaking. conscious that We
are merng its support by exhibiting to the world proud
evidence that America the giant strength of her crcu-
lean childhood destined long cope the arena OF
literature with those lands which for centuries have boast.
ed their civilization and refinement and Justly exulted in
their rumphs of their cherished the nobes field
which heaven has opened to the human intellect
The AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY will contain complete
works Of portion of the ollowng-tbe most popular of
our poetic wr,ersnnd Of the Others the best poems and
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