Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-12-18
The Prairie Flower,
AN INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE OF LITERATURE Al


,u.r CRITICISM. .l O.
Western Literature COntound 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 any other sort Of literature!
Scarcely newspaper or periodical which we open
is without some encouraging and condescendlng
ove-pat on the poor shoulder Of "western litera-
ture," or "western poetry" or some such outra-
ge0us nonsense. Now we have the presumption
believe that literature and poetry, wherever they
exist, are founded upon the same immutable prin-
ciple, which principle is a communication OF hu-
man genius with the immortal beauty pervadug
all na,ure-whlch shapes alike the cloud, the rain.
bow, the starry skies, the whispering landscape,
and clothes them in all its celestial essences--and
which develOpes with its beauty-creating power
well the delicate rose-eat 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 rottng seed, in the dark
fnrrOw, and springs upward towards the light to
bring forth its perfect and beautiful torms-even
as the soul OF man, struggling with the mlsts ot
animal passion and cropping IN the darkness OF its
imperfect organization, tends upward and onward
till it again IniugleS with the divine source oil
beauty whence tsprung. .... f.
THIS is literature; and what miserable nonsense,
then, to talk of western" literature if 1t were
thing apart from the general order OF nature
some interesting phenomeGon-an intellectual
monstrosity-to be patted encouragngy on the
back, and to receive the stnted and reluctant
praises of self-apponted "eastern" critics, be-
slowed very much III the same manner that they
would drops shilling into the hat OF an iuueranl
meudicaut, who murders Clnderella's WaltZ and
the overture 10 Fra Diayuo on a villianuus hanu
organ We want no such patronizing encourage
ment. Does western patriotism, or western"
e!Uquence, or ''western" craftsmanship, shrink
from comparison with the patriotic and the eo-
quent OF the world! When men speak Of CLAY, or
Prentice, or Marshall, do they quality their admi-
ration by the remark that "they are pretty well for
u new cuunLry!" and why should distinctions So
Udious and So ridiculous be made respecting litera-
ture! We are sick of this atiectauon; and SO
far as our humble abilities go, we are determined
that 1t Shall, be done away with. We are about to
commence the publication Of an independent maya
zlae % literature and Notwithstanding WITHIN
its range every sub ect Of interest in bellies etres
the ine arts and general literature. " mean to
show the incredu0us world that the unnoticed
PRAlRIE-FLowER, which wastes it sweetness on
tue desert air." glows with as divine beauty,
and breathes as pure fragrance, as the gayest
exotic that taunts in the parerrCs Of metropolitan
fashion. We ask no allowances to be made-nu
lndugences TO be gTaned--Our modest bouuet
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 cur work TO be judged strictly, severely
without prejudice Or favor; and if the Prairie
FLOWER, dripping with fresh and oderous dews,
finds welcome, wel--if it be thrown aside 10 min
gle unnoticed with the rubbish which strews the
earth, it is also we'll The only favor we ask for
it is that no favor, beyond its strict deserts, shall
be 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 As to
ia pages.
The price of the Prairie Flower is So year.
Single numbers can always be procured, at 90 cents
each N-.
Letters relating to the work may be addressed
postpaid, to Publishers of the Prairie Flower
st. Louis, Mo" ri. So
st Louis, Sept. "a 1871. rp. % ...,.