Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-12-19

"''i'tfiS ESsiSll<cfat tPAS
! are delectable. Alike invaluable 10 the more
! polished civilian, as the simple occupant Of
The rude log cabin af the western wildernessE
| IS this discrimination as to the character Of
ourreadng, and hence its Importance in tlle
PRONUNCIATION of shaowledge for The people
| IN pursuing the system determined upons
{ History. Natural History Astronomy, Geegra-
! ply, Chemistry. Botany. Architecture, MeS
chanics, Agriculture and American Biography
VIII comprise the leading iepartments~of sub
lvct matter. General Literature and Educas
ton will net be neglected. compendous
miscellany, comprising things useful and en-
tertalnlng, curious, eccentric, wonderful. sci
ent'tic, natural and artificial, togetl err with a.
general summary Of passing events. Our OWE
county, hied-with enchanting lakes and NV
ers and beautiful prairies-with mountain SOL
lrudes, wi!dernesses and forests of unexam-
pied awfaness and grandeur-with the endu-
ring monuments and mounds of an extinct pri
neval people-with the battle grounds and
sepulchres Of heroic virtue shall furnish the
resources to enrich our pages. All subjects
winch will admit OF it, will be illustrated with
engravlngs. The whole number fengravings
at the conclusion of the volume viii amount
to several hundred.
The Biography Of those intimately connec-
ted with America viii claim prominent
place What stronger incentive to. virtue e
excellence can be presented to our youth than
to place before them the actions of those who
have labored for the benefit Of their countryi
The subject of Botany will be presented 10
our readers by giving interesting facts on this
branch of science, nor will the cultivation Of
flowers be neglected The interesting topics
OF Natural History. Chemistry, Natural Pailo~
sophy and Geography viii each receive the
attention which their Importance demand
The Antiquities, Natural Curiosities, Scenery
&c. OF America will be noticed IN their places
and illustrated as far as possible with engra-
wing.
We do not pretend TO send forth a work re
piete with originality Of ideas Or stye or We
hicle for conveying to the people the rich ard
beautiful specimens in detail, of modern bellies
lettres but our object is to circulate useful
information, fitted alike to the capacity of the
child aad the adult 1t is intended rather as
a magazine of useful stores, gathered and gar
nered up from sources which, from their mag
nltude, rarity and costIiness,are as scaled foIns
talns OF living water, to the great mass of the
reading community In it the choicest con-
tents of books are presented in condensed
vet conspicuous form, agreeably spiced witli
Poetry ands Miscellaneous Readngs-all of
which, during the course of volume. are i@
Illustrated by engravings, many of which are
from original drawings, made expressly for
the work.
We shall aim to give the Magazine harac.
ter decidedly American, and to make it 10 this
country what the Penny Magazine is to Great
Britain. Hence we shall introduce as far as
practicable descriptions of American Historys
Manners, Scenery and Natural Productions
In furthersnce Of this object we invite our
friends abroad TO aid us by communications
and sketches of anything remarkable that
may come under their observatons-and we
trust they win find ample remuneration for
theirs'abor, in the consciousness of having adj
ded quota to the sum total of intelligence
which is 50 widely disseminated through the
medium of SEARS FAMILY MAGAZINE
From this brief outline Of the plan of our
New Monthly Magazine, the public will see
that no exertions will be spared to entitle It to
extensive patronage
AS a sort Of pabulum for schools, and tres
snIy of knowledge for families, the object Of
the Family Magazine is utility. Ii is intended
that It's morals shall be pure, its information
authentic, and It's arrangement in good taste.
Aud while it is the sincere desire of all who
are engaged in its publication, that it may car
~ the cheer fulness of knowledge and the
light of tru.h wherever it is received, they
indu lge the ho(e that the countenance of the
community will look Acknowledgment them, s.
that its arm of support will be literally extern
1ed in their behalf
q Ente"prising and responsible men will
be employed as Travelling Agents to procure
subscriptions.
ROBERT SEARS. Editor and Publisher
No letter will be taken from the office un-