Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-10-30
The Prairie Flower,

AN INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE OF LITERATURE AND
CRITICISM
Western Literature Confound the phrase we
nope we shall never hear another word about
"Western Literature as long as we live! What
is "western' literature that it is different from
eastern or southern or any other sort Of literature!
Scarcely newspaper or periodical which we open
is without some encouraging and condeSccndng
love-pat on the poor shoulder Of "wesaern iiiera-
ture,' or "western poetry" or some such outra-
geous nonsense Now we have the presumption
to believe that literature and poetry, wherever they
exist, are founded upon the same inmutabc prih-
cipe, which principle is communication of hu-
man genius with the immortal beauty pergadng
all nature-which shapes alike the cloud, the rain
bow, the starry skies. the whispering landscape
and clothes tEem in all its celestial essenCes-and
which developes with its beautycreating power
as well the delicate rose-lcaf as the souls highest
aspirations after the infinite and the eternal In
the material as well as the intellectual world,
every thing tends constantly towards perfection
The germ bursts from the rotting seed, in the dark
fnrrow, and springs upward towards the light to
bring forth its perfect and beautiful forms--even
as the soul of man, struggling with the mists of
animal passion and CROPPING in the darkness Of its
imperfect organization, tends upward and onward
till it again nngles with the divine source OF
beauty whence it sprung.
This is literature; and what miserable nonsense,
them to talk of western literature, as if 1t were
thing apart from the general order OF nature
some interesting phenomenon-an intellectual
nonstrosity.-to be patted encourogingly on the
back, and to receive the stinted and reluctant
praises of self-appointed ''eastern" critics, be-
slowed very much in the same manner that they
would drop shilling into the hat of an itinerant
mendicant, who murders Cinderellas Waltz and
the overture to Fra Diavolo on avllianous hand
organ! We want no such patronizing encourage,
ment. Does 'western" patriotism, or western
e!oquenCe, or ''western' craftsmanship, shrink
from comparison with the patriotic and the elo-
ouent of the world! When men speak Of Clay, or
Prentice, or Marshall, do they qualify their admi-
ration by the remark that they are pretty well for
new connlry!" and why should distinctions so
odious and ridiculous be made respecting Etera-
ture! We are sick of this afectaton; and, so
far as our humble abilities 60, we are determined
that it shall be done away with. We are about to
commence the publication of an independent maya.
Zine OF literature and misunderstanding within
its range every subject of interest in bees-ettres
the fine arts and general literature. We mean t.
show the ncredulous world that the unnoticec
PRAIRIE FLOWER, which wastes it sweetness or
the desert air." glows with as divine a beauty
and breathes as pure fragrance, as the gayes
exotic that faunts in the parterres Of metropolitan
fashion. We ask no allowances to be made-nC
indulgences to be granted--our modest bOquet,
because it chances to be gathered from the path.
less prairie, within the shadows of the Indians
wig-wam or the rude hut of the ruder pioneer
We wish our work to be judged strictly, severely,
without prejudice or favor; and if the PRAIRIE
FLOWER, dripping with fresh and oderous dews,
finds welcome well--f it be thrown aside, 10 min
gle unnoticed with the rubbish which strews the
earth, it is also well. The only favor we ask for
it is that favor, beyond its strict deserts, shall
he extended to it.
The first number Of the PRAIRIE FLOWER will
he issued on the first of November next-after that
it will appear monthly. The form chosen for the
work is similar to the other monthly magazines
large octave, each number containing from 45 tc
I'd pages.
The price of the Prairie Flower is 50 year
Single numbers can always be procured, $50 cents
each,
Letters relating to the work may be addressed
postpaid, to "PublishQrs of the Prairie Flower
ST. Louis, Mo"
St Louis. Sept, "a, l54l.