, 1841-02-06
TO THE UBLI

S1NCE resigning the conduct Of Tie So0tb.
~ ern Literary Messenger, at the com
mencement of its third year, ! have had al
ways in view the establishment OF a Maya
zine which should retain some Of the chief
features of that %jpurnal, abandoning or great
~ modifying the rest. ID, lay, however, has
been occasiuned by a variety OF causes, and
not until now have | felt myself at liberty to
attempt the exclusion ofmy design.
will he pardoned for speaking more d.
rectly Of The Messenger. Having IN IT no
proprietary ri-hi, my objects too being at va
rance, IN many respects, with those of Its
very worthy owner. ] found difficulty in
stamping upon its pages that individuality
which | believe essential to the full success
of all similar publications. In regard TO their
permanent influence. it appears to me that a
Continuous. definite character, and a marked
certainty of purpose, are drsiderata oil vital
importance. mt only altaInable where one
mind alone has the general direction OF the
undertaking. Experience has rendered OBJ
vious, what might indeed have been demon
strated a prior; that in founding q magazine.
Of my own. lies my sole chance OF carrying
out to completion whatever peculiar iaten-
iions ! may have entertained. %
To !hnse who remember the early days Of
the Southern periodical in question il will be
scarcely necessary 10 say that its main fea-
,ure was a some Hhat overdone elasticity in
It's department Of Critical Notices of New
books. The Penn Magazine will retain this
trait Of severity in ST. much only as the calm
est yet sternest sense of justice will permit.
Some years since elapsed may have mellow
ed down the petulence without interfering
with The ricor of the critic. Most surely
they have not yet taught him 10 read through
the medium OF n publishers will, nor cen-
WINGED him that tie interests of letters are
unaIiied with the interests Of truth. II shall
be the first and chief purpose the Magazine
now proposed 10 become known as Gro
where nav be found at all times, and upon
all subjects. an honest and fearless opinion.
1t shall he a leading object 10 assert in pre-
.cept, and 10 maintain in practice the rights,
while in effect ii demonstrates the advan-
tages Of ar absolutely independent criticism;
"a criticism selEsustained; guiding itself on
" by the purest rules of Art; analvzing and
urging these rules as 1t applies them; hold
ingi,self aloof from all personal bias; ac-
knowledging no fear save that of outras-
ing the right; Welding no point either TO the
vanity of the author, or to the assumptions of
antique prcjudices, or to the invihate and an
nonvmus cant of Quartcrlics. or 10 the ~
rogance Of those organized cii9ueS. which,
hanging like nightmares upon American lliera-
'urc, manufacture at the nod OF our principal
booksellers, apseudo- public opinion by whole
sale. These are objects of which no man
need be ashamed. They are purposes. more
over. whose novelty az least will give them
For assurance that ] will fulfil
them in the best spirit and to The very letter,
| appeal with confidence to the many thou
sands o my friends. and especially of my
friends who sustained me in the
Messenger. whore | had but 4 very partial
opportunity of completing my own plans.
10 respect To the features Of the Penn
Magazine, Il few words here vii suffice. Il
will endeavor 20 support the gener interests
OF the republic of letters. without reference
II particular regions; regarding the world AZ
large rs the true audience of The author. Be-
ynnd the precincts ofliterature. properly SO
called. It will leave IN hetter hands the task
Of instruction upon all matters ofvery grave
moment. It's aim chiefly shall be la please:
and this through means of versatility, sri.in.
hiitN !, dtlu IuietbtN. HhhN TIC us "Si
here TO ol serve that nothing said in this
Prospectus Shopld he construed into 4 de-
sign OF suIlying the Magazine with any tine
ture of the Euifhonery. scurrility, or proiani-
" which are the blemIsh Of soIe Of the most
Of the European prints. In all
branches of the literary department, the
aid. from the highest and purest sources,
is secured.
To the mechanical execution of the work
the greatest attention viii he given which
such Il matter can require. In this respect it
IS proposed 10 surPass. by very much, the
ordinary Magazine STYLE. The form will
nearly resemble that Of the Knickerbocker;
he paper will lie equal 20 that OF the North
Review; the pictorial embe!Iish-
will be numerous, and by the leading
'rIists OF the country, but will be introduced.
,nlY IN the illustration of the text.
The Penn Magazine will be published in
Philadelp hia, on the first of each month, and
sill form. half yearly, Il volume ofabout 500
'ages. The price will be IS per annum.
in advance. CT upon the receipt of
first number which will be isSned n, ,bo