The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-12-31

! Tue aim of the Editor Is high one He repudistes
the long prevalent system Of Easing HE work upon
the reputation of contributors whoso articles, no mat
er what they hare done, are IN too many instances,
| below medocrity.
No,hing gains admission into the pages Of this Ma
galine, which is not excellent in itself The source
from which article comes is secondary-its merits
| always primary. Such rule strictly carried out,
must give character to any work. IL has gwen "Ar-
thurs Magazine" character already acknowledged
In all respectable quarters where has been received
Among the mex haustbe that open up TO the
| hands OF literary caterer, German and French Lite
nature offer ide field for selection. Into this region,
with admirable corps of raj sators steadily
penetrating asionshed at every step by The riches we
meet. Especially Is This the case in Lteiatuge. Al
ready we have given some splendid articles from the
German, br'm full of pure trdlhs, and forcble Illus
tratons of the power of goodness. Silent Love-"
| The Governor and his Successors, "The Unknown
Patient" "The Russian Prince, 'The Prvy Coun-
sellor,' &c. &C., all who have read will remember
with delight
From the French have also given many first
rate articles. "Tbe PerpeIed Lover" from Mad
anne de Genlis also, "The Lesson of Misfortune"
and "The Error Of a Good Father" from Marmon teI,
with fine tales from Dumas, Lacroix Noder, Balzac,
and other authors of celebrity.
| IN seeatng from the French, our translators
guided by s,ric, regard to purity and excellence
| None know better than they do how much that is
Objectionable abounds in the light literature of this
people. But flowing along by the side of this impure
current, is another, as lucd and clear crystal -
From this they dip up the bright waters and present
them To our lips.
At this fountain we shall continue to let our read.
ers drink. But, in doing no, we shall not neglect
| the excellencies of our own native literature.
This would be the of folly. Yet in doing
this, we shall make parade of names. The public
| getting to understand pretty clearly how much
this Is worth, and TO discover that excellence is
always to be found in the fugitive productions of
who ha ye done well in hacks ON
bis teeming with young genius, too often overshaow
| ed and hidden by the successful, who possess
half their intrinsic worth, and whose writings exert
| not half so healthy influence. They crowded
| from the path in which they fitted TO walk and
| their merits kept out of sight by few who have
gained the public and eye, and who are kept be-
| fore the public, much account of the sups-
ror excellence of what they are giving forth,
| account of tchat they have done.
| To merit, wherever We find it, we will give the
| right hand Of fellowship We would accept
poor article from the most celebrated writer in the
country; but good one, let it come from where it
| will, shall find welcome.
| In all sources, at home and abroad we shall seek
the good the true and the beautiful For time,
and with too much business in the allegation,
| Magazines have been charged with being too light
and trashy This fault have from the first steadi.
ly avoided "ARTHUR'S MAGAZINE" will
continue to sustain high character for excellence in
all its departments. Something more than mere love
tales will be given. Its stories, while full of deep
and absorbing interest, or, sparkling with wit and hap
py feelings, will have in them soul-a living soul of
| goodness and truth. Reviews, essays and sketches
with poetry that shall be truly called such, will be
blended with them in just proportion.
Thus much in regard to the literary department of
our Magazine. Another matter claims our attention
that OF Pictorial Embellishments. Custom nd taste
have rendered them Indispensable in a literary work
like ours We shall not stand to argue the matter
with custom and taste, but proceed to open up our
tentions on this head First, then, we have deter
mined to present the subscribers to "ARTHURiS
| MAGAZINE" during the year, with a novelty,
Of highly attractive character No less than a
series of Six Female Characters from Shakespeare!
engraved on steel IN highly finished style. This
Shakespeare Gallery of Beauty will present imbodied
to the eye, of the noble bard's beautiful
creations OF the mind, as well as one two ceebra
| ted characters IN history, around whom his magic
| pen has thrown new charm. What lover of the
Poets immortal creations, will not be eager to secure
this Splendid SERIES OF ENGRAViNGSi-
Not one, surely Every possessor of copy of Shaks-
peare, and whose library does no, contain his works
will have, at mee nominal cost, six exquisite ustra-
tons not to be obtained in any other way. This is
certainly great desdersum. But besides these beau
lies from Shakespeare, we are making arrangements
TO procure series OF female figures, far surprising in
loneliness of form and face and exquisite finish, any
thing that has yet appeared in any American Maya
zine. Celebrated Views, in this and other countries will
also lie leading feature IN work. For the Janu-
airy number we shall give highly wrought view of
the Bridge OF Doom over which Tam O'Shanter fed
in such hot haste from the kirk Ind the witches. This
splendid steel plate will accompany the first Of our
Shakespeare beauties, and will make that number of
our work highly attractive one. No less so will be
that for February. Nor shall there he any falling of
IN the style Of establishment OF IN the character of
the literary contents OF the work. From the FIRST
we have aimed at gradual improvement We do
not issue one or two good numbers, and then after
our list of subscribers is filled up, fall of. But
endeavor to make every number better than the one
that preceded it. Excellence have b, fore said
is aim.
But bes DIES our Shakespeare Gallery, our Gallery Of
Female Beauty, our Celebrated Views, we shall in
uoduce from time to time other attractions in the way
Of embellishments.
Ia addition to the foregoing, there is yet another
feature, no less than new American Novel, from
the pen Of the Editor, which will be commenced in
the January number, and continued until completed.
This will be within the year, that all who sub
scribe for the Magazine during 1915, will receive
this new work. ! hose who have read "Bell Mar
un," Fanny Dale, Characterization" "SI Nights
with The Washnctonsns," "Sweethears and
Wives &c. &c. from the pen Of Mr.. Arthur, need
not be told hat this feature will be leading one.
In addition to this, Mr. Arthur will also continue
to furnish for rs pages his shorter stories, those
pointed moral essays told with so much skill beauty
and power. The attractions of the Editors ow pen
will, in fact, form feature of peculiar interest to
our work, which no other magazine can possess
While to one or two other periodicals. he furnishes
story occasionally, each number Of his own maya
rine will contain many pages Of his inimitsbe wri.
tings, and the whole work bear the impress Of hi.
pure ase, and sound judgment
The style in which Arhurs Magazine is 10 be
issued, will be a. beautiful clear new type fine
white paper and highly Illuminated cover, (pio-
nounced the chastest design that has yet hppesfed)
can make il.
Take 1t altogether, the publishers feel confident
that, IN regard to the quality Of literary matter style
of embellishments appearance, and mechanical ere
cuon, Arthutls Magazine will be unsurpassed by
any other similar publication
This is not mere idle boast and vain, preension.--
No who has taken the work Through the frs, and