The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-11-26

SPECTUS
OF THE THIRD VOLUME OF
ARTHUR'S LADIES' MAGAZINE.
Price ONLY So PER ANNuM.
4S Pages Reading Matter, besides taoo Ell
egam Steel Plates, IN Each Number!
vIvHE Publishers, in sending forth their Pros
Il pectus for the third volume of their Maya
zine, which Is exclusively and permanently under
the editorial control of r. s. ARTHUR, believe
that they offer TO the public most substantial
claims to patronage. Tie first and second volumes
have been acknow lodged all hands to be equal and,
in many respects SUPERIOR in character strength inter
and attractveness any of the magazines issued
The aim of the Editor is high one. He regulates
the long prevalent system Of basing his work upon
the reputation of contributors whose articles mat
ter what they haze done, are, in too many instances,
below mediocrty
Nothing gains admission into the pages of this Ma
gazne, which is not excellent in itself. The source
from which an article comes is secondary--its merits
always primary. Such rule, strictly carried out,
must give character TO any work 1t has given "Ar-
thurs Magazine" character already acknowledged
in all respectable quarters where it has been received
Among the mex haustble sources that open up TO the
hands OF literary caterer, German and French Lite
nature offer wide field for selection. Into this region,
with admirable corps of Transators are steadily
penetrating, astonished at every step by the riches we
meet. Especially is this the case in Literature. Al
ready we have given splendid articles from the
German, brm full of pure trIths, and forcible illus
trations of the power of goodness. Silent Love-"
"The Governor and his Successors, "The Unknown
Patient" "The Russian Prince, ""The Privy Coun-
selor" &c. &c., oil who have read will remember
with delight.
rate articles. "The Perple1ed Lovers" from Mad
anne de Genis, also, "Ths Lesson Of Misfortune"
and "The Error Of Good Father" from Marmontel,
with fine tales from Dumas, Lacroix, Noder, Bazac,
and other authors of celebrity.
In seIeating from the French our translators are
guided by strict 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, lucid and clear as crystal -
From this they dip up the bright waters and present
them to our lips.
ers drink. But, in doing so, we shall not neglect
the excelencies 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 Is worth and to discover that excellence is not
always to be found in the fugitive productions of
writer's who have done we'll in books. Our country
is teeming with young genius, too often overshadow
ed and hidden by the successful, who possess not
half their intrinsic worth, and whose writings exert
not half so healthy an influence. They are crowded
from the path in which they are fitted to walk, and
their merits kept out of sight by few who have
gained the public ear and eye, and who kept be-
fore the public, not much account of the supe-
rior excellence OF what they are giving forth, as on
account of ,chat they haze DONE
To merit wherever We find it, will give the
right hand of fellowship. We would not accept
poor article from the most celebrated writer in the
country; but good one, let it come from where it
will, shall find q welcome.
In all sources at home and abroad, we 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.
y 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 end taste
have rendered them Indispensable in a literary work
like ours. We shall not stand to argue the matter
with and TASTE but proceed to open up our in
tentions on this head First, then, we have deter
mined to present the subscribers to "ARTHUR'S
MAGAZINE" during the year, with novelty,
of highly attractive character. No less than
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, some of the noble bard's most beautiful
creations Of the mind, well as one or two ceebra-
ted characters IN history, around whom his magic
pen has thrown a new charm. What lover of the
Poets immortal creations will be eager TO secure
this Splendid SERIES OF ENGRAVINGSi-
Not one, surely Every possessor ola copy of Shaks-
peare, and whose library does not contain his works
will have at nominal cost six exquisite ilIusta
TONS not to be obtained in any other way. This is
certainly great desideratum But besides these beau
ties from Shakespeare, making arrangements
to procure series Of female figures far surprising in
loneliness of form and ace and exquisite finish, any
thing that has yet appeared in any American Maya
zine. Celebrated Views, in this and other countries will
also be leading feature in our 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 bot haste from the kirk md 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
we have aimed at gradual improvement. We do
not issue one two good numbers and then after
list of subscribers is filled up fall of. But we
endeavor to make every number better than the one
that precededit Excellence as we have b. fore said
is our aim.
But besides our Shakespeare Gallery, our Gallery of
Female Beauty, our Celebrated Views, we shall in
troduce from to time other attractions in the way
of embellishments.
In addition to the foregoing, there is yet another
feature, no less than a 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 work. Those who have read "Bell Mar
TN" Fanny Dale, " Characterization, ""Sx Nights
with the WashiDgtonians," "Swecthearts and
Wives &c. &c. from the pen of MIR. Arthur iced
not be told that this feature will be leading one
In addition to ihis Mr.. Arthur will also continue
to furnish for it's pages, his shorter stories those
pointed moral essays told with much skill, beauty
and power. The attractions of the Editors ow n pen