The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-12-30


The aim Of the Editor is high one. lie repudiatss
the long prevalent system Of easing his work upon
the reputation Of contributors, whose articles mat
Yer what they hare DONE are, IN too many Instances
below mediocrity.
Nothing gains admission into the pages Of this Ma
gazne, which is not excellent in itself The
ilom which an article cones is Seeondary-ts merits
| always primary Such rule, strictly carried out,
must give character 10 any work IL has gwen "Ar-
| thurs Magazine" character already acknow lodged
in all respectable quarters where has been received.
Among The neA haustblo sources that open up the
hands OF literary caterer German and French Lite
nature offer VIDE field Tor selection Into this egion
with admirable corps of we steadily
penetatiug asonished at every step by The riches
meet. Especially Is this the case IN Literature. Al
ready we have given some splendid articles from the
German, brm toll of pure udlhs and forcibe Illus
trations OF the power Of goodness. Silent Love-"
The Governor and his Successors, "rhe Unknown
Patient" "The Russian Pince, 'The Privy Coun-
selior," &c &C., all who have read Will remember
with delight.
From lhe French have also given many first
rate articles "The Perpiexed Lover" from Mad
anne de Genlis also, "Ths Lesson If Misfortune"
and "'The Error of a Good Father, from Marmo ntel,
with fine tales from Dumas, Lacroix, Nodier Bazac,
and other authors Of celebrity.
N seeating from the French, our translaors are
guided by strict regard to purity and excellence.
None know better than they do how much that is
Objectionable obounds in the light literature of this
people. But, flowing along 10y the side of this impure
current, Is anotheJ lucd and clear crystal -
From tins they dip up the bright waters and present
them Ia our lips
At this fountain we shall continue TO let our read
ers drink. But, in doing 30, shall not neglect
The e1ceiieDcies OF our own native literature.
This would be the worst of folly. Yet in doing
this, we shall make parade of names. The public
| are getting to understand pretty clearly how much
this worth, and TO discover that excellence is not
always 10 be found in the fugitive productions Of
writers who have done well in books. Our country
teeming with young genius, too often oyershadow
ed and hidden 10y the successful, who possess not
half their intrinsic worth and whose writings exert
not half 30 healthy an influence. They are 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 not much account Of the supe-
rior excellence Of what they are giving forth as on
account of ~hat they haze done.
To merit, wherever we find il, we will give the
right hand of fellowship. We would not accept a
poor article from the most celebrated writer in the
country; but a good one, let it come from where it
will, shall find a welcome.
In all sources, at home and abroad, shall seek
the good, the true and the beautiful For some time
and with too much business in the allegation, our
Magazines have been charged with being too light
and trashy. This fault have from the first stead.
ly avoided. "ARTHUR'S MAGAZINE" will
continue to sustain high character for excellence in
all It's departments Something than mere love
tales will be gwen Its stories, while full of deep
and absorbing interest," sparkling with wit and hap
Ply feelings will have in them a sou-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 open up our in
ten,ions on this head. First, them have deter
mined TO present the subscribers to "ARTHUR'S
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 imboded
to the eye, some of the noble bards most beautiful
creations of the mind, as well or two celebra-
ted characters in history, around whom his magic
pen has thrown new charm. What lover of the
Poets immortal creations, will be eager 10 secure
this Splendid SERIES OF ENGRAVlNGS?-.
Not one, surely. Every possessor OF copy of Shaks-
peare, and whose library does contain his works
will have, at meie nominal cost six exquisite llusta-
tons, not Ia be obtained in any other way. This is
certainly great desideratum But besides these beau
lies from Shakespeare, we are making arrangements
TO procure series of female figures, far SURPRISING
LONELINESS OF form and face, and exquisite 6nsh, any
thing that has yet appeared in any American Nigga
zine Celebrated Views, 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 fled
in such lot haste from the kirk 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 : will be
that for february. Nor shall there he any falling of
IN the style Of establishment, in the character Of
the literary contents of the work. From the first,
have aimed a gradual improvement. We do
not issue one or two good numbers, and then afier
our list of subscribers is filled up, fall of. But we
endeavor to make every number better than the one
that preceded it, Excellence, as we have b, fore said,
IL our aim.
But bcs dies our Shakespeare Gallery, our Gallery of
Female Beauty, our Celebrated Views, we shall in
troduce from time 10 time other attractions in the way
of embellishments.
In addition to the foregoing there is yet another
FEATURE, no less Than q 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 10, will receive
this new work. hUse who have read Bell Mar
un," Fanny Dale +" Characterization, /" "SlI Nights
with the Washinetonians' "SweetheaI,s and
Wives &c. &c. from the pen Of MIR Arthur, need
not be told that this feature will be leading
In addition to this, Mr.. Arthur will also continue
TO furnish for its pages, his shorter stories, those
pointed moral essays, told with much skill beauty,
and power. The attractions Of the Editors 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
zine will contain many pages of his inimItsble wri-
tings, and the whole work bear the impress of hi.
pure taste, and sound judgment.
The style in which Arthur's Magazine I" is TO be
issued will be as beautiful as clear type, fine
white paper, and highly illuminated cover, (pfo-
nounced the chSstes design that has yet appeared)
make IT,
Take 1t altogether, the publishers feel confident
hat, in regard to the quality Of literary matter style
Of embellishments, appearance and mechanical exc
cution, Artburs Magazine will be unsurpassed by
any other similar publication.
This b not idle boast and vain, 'pretension.--
No who has iaken the work lhTonph the frst and