The Arkansas banner., 1845-07-09
PROSPECTUS
 OF ARTHUR'S LADIES' MAGAZINE


 control of T. S. Arthur, believe that they can offer to the pubic most substantial claims to patronage | The first and second volumes have been acknoWl- edged all hands to be equal and in many respects superior in character, strength interest, and atrac tiveness, to any of the magazines issued. The aim of the editor IS high one. He repudiates the long prevalent system of passing his work upon the repu- taton of contributors, whose articles matter what ! they have done, are, in many instances, below mediocrty.
 1 Nothing gains admission into the pages of this magazine, which IS not excellent in itself. The source from which an article comes is secondary 1 its merits always primary. Such rule, strictly carried out must ive character to any work It has given Arthurs Magazine" character acknowl. edged in all respectable quarters where it has been | received.
 Among the inexllaustible sources that open to the hands of literary caterer, German and French lite rature offer wide field for selection Into this re- zion, with an admirable corps of transators, are steadily penetrating astonished at every step by the riches we meet Especially is this the case in lite- rature. Already we have given some splendid art- cles from the German brim full ol pure truths and forcible illustrations of the power of goodness- s'Sent Love-, 1.-The Governor and his Successors, 3 "The Unknown Patient,' 'sThe Russian Prince D ''The Privy Counsellor &c., all who have read will remember with delight.
 From the French we have also given many first rate articles. ''The PerpleXed Lovers, from Mad
 
 and sThe Error of Good Father, from Marmonte with fine tales from Dumas, Lacrox, Nadier, Bazac, and other authors of celebrity.
 In selecting 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 as lucid and as pure as crystal. From this they dip up the bright waters and present them to our lips.
 At this fountain, we shall continue to let our lead CTS drink But, in doing so, we shall not neglect the exceencies of our own literature.
 This would be the worst of folly. Yet, in doing this, we shall make no parade of names. The public 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 writers who have done well in books. Our country is teeming with young genius, too often overshad- owed 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 fitted to walk, and their merits kept out of sight by few who have gained the public ear and eye, and who are kept before the public, not so much on account of what they have done
 To merit, wherever we find 1t, we 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 welcome.
 
 the good, the true and the beautiful. For some time, and with too much justness in the allegation our magazines have been charged with being too light and trashy. This fautwe have from the first steadily avoided. Arthur's Magazine will eohtinue to tain high character for excellence in all its depart ments. Something than mere love tales will be given Its stories, while full of deep and absorbing interest, or, sparkling with wit and happy feelings, will have in them a soul 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 magazine. Another matter claims our atten- ton-that of pictorial embellishments. Custom and taste have rendered them indispensable in literary work like ours. We shall not stand to argue the matter with custom and taste, but proceed to open up intentions on this head. First, then, we have determined 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 Shakspeare engraved on steel in highly finished style. This Shakespeare Gallery of Beauty will present mboded to the eye, some of the noble bards most beautiful creations of the mlnd as well one or two celebrated 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 engrav ings? Not one, surely. Every possessor of copy of Shakespeare, and whose library does not contain his works, will have, at mere nominal cost, SIX eX- qsite illustrations not to be obtained in any other way. This is certainly great deslderatum. But, besides these beauties from Shakespeare, we are mak ing arrangements to procure seres oi female hgures far surpassing, in loveliness of form and ace and exquisite finish any thing that has vet appeared in any American magazine. Celebrated views, in this and other countries will also be leading feature in work For the Janury number we shall give highly wrought view of the Bridge of Doon, over which Tam O'Shanter fled in such hot haste from the kirk and 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 of February Nor shall there be any falling of in the style of en- bellishment or in the character of the literary con tents 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 sub scribers is filled up, fall off. But we endeavor to make every number better than the one that preceded it. Excellence, as we before said, is our aim.
 But besides our Shakespeare Gallery, our Gallery of Female Beauty, our Celebrated Views, we shall introduce from time to time other attractions Tn the way of embellishments.
 In 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 ihe year, so that all who suo- scribe for the Magazine curing lolo, VIII receive this new work. Those who have read Bell Martin, Fanny Dale, Insubordinaton, Six nights with the Washingtonans Sweet t-hearts and Wives, &c. &c., from the pen of Mir. Arthur, need not be told that this feature will be leading one.
 In addition to this, MT. Arthur will also continue to furnish for its pages, his shorter stories, those pointed moral essays, told with so much skill beauty, and power The attractions of the Editors own 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, each number of his own Magazine will contain many pages ot hls nmitable writings, and the whole work bear the impress of his pure taste and sound judgment
 The style in which "Arthur's Magazine" IS to be issued will be as beautiful as clear new type, fine white paper, and highly illuminated cover pronounced the chastest design that has yet appear ed) can make it.
 Take it altogether, the publishers feel confident that in regard to the quality of literary natter style of embellishments, appearance, and mechanleal exc exc cuton, sArthur's Magazine" will not be surpassed by any other similar publication.
 This is not merely idle boast and vain preten'lon one who has taken the work through the hrst and second volumes will so deem it.
 Size ofhe ucork
 "Arthur's Magazine" will contain 4S pages ol reading natter the same quantity that is gwen oy N tVVO h.