The Arkansas banner., 1845-07-30
PROSPECTUS
ARTHUR's LADIES' MAGAZINE
PRICE ONLY S2 PER ANNUM. roc Rnnli.,c- lI.4In. L. l L.-- IlI..--t c.I

Pt1feS ID each numberi
 NHE Publishers, in sending forth their prospectus
 1 for the third volume of their magazine, whict is exclusively and permanently under the editoria control of T. s. Arthur, believe that they can otfe to the pubic most substantial claims to patronage i The first and second volumes have been acknow edged on all hands to be equal and in many respects superior, in character strength interest and atrac tlveness, 10 any of the magazines issued. The ain of the editor is high one. He repudiates the long prevalent system of basing his work upon the repu. taton ol contributors, whose articles, no matter Wha l they have done, are, in so many instances, below mediocrtv.
 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 its merits always primary. Such rule, strictly carried out must give character to any work. + has given "Arthur's Magazine" a character acknoWl- edged in all respectable quarters where it has been received.
 Among the inexhaustible sources that open to the hands of literary caterer German and French lite raure offer wide field for selection Into this re- gion with an admirable corps of translatofs we are steadily penetrating, asonished at every step by the riches we meet Especially is this the case in lite raure, Already we have given some splendid aIti- cles from the German brim full of pure truths and l forcible illustrations of the power of goodness- 'sSent Love-, "The Governor and his Successors, , 's'fhe Unknown Patient" ''The Russian Prince, D sThe Priry 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 ame de Genlis: also sThe Lesson of Misfortune. 5 and s.The Error of Good Father, from Marmontel. with fine tales from Dumas, Laeroix, 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 q ,11. l. -I'4L L.. current, is another as lucid and pure as crystal From this they dip up the bright waters and present them 10 our lips.
 At this fountain we shall continue to lei 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 are getting 10 understand pretty clearly how much this is Worh 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 teemihg with young genius, too often oyeIshad- 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 are 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 1t will, shall find 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 iustness in the allegation our magazines have been charged with being too light and trashy This fault we 'aea from the first steadily avoided. ATthurs Magazine will continue to sus- tain high character for excellence in all its depart, ments. Something more than mere love tales will be given It's stories while full of deep and absorbing interest, or sparkling with wit and happy feelings will have in them soul living soul of goodness and truth. Reviews, essays, and sketches, with poetiE tha shall be truly called such will be blended with them in just proportion.
 Thus much in rgard to the literary department of magazine Another matter claims our atten- tion-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 our intentions on this head First, then have determined to present the subscribers to Arthur's Magazine, during the yeat with novelty oi a highly attractive character No less than a scGes of six female characters from Shakespeare! engraved on steel in a highly finished style. This Shakespeare Gallery of Beauty will present imboded to the eye, of the noble barls most beautiful creations of the mind, as well as one or two celebrated characters in history around whom his magic pen has thrown anew charm What lover of the Poets immortal creations, will
  ings? Not one, surely. Every possessor of a copy of Shakespeare, and whose library does not contain his works, will have at mere nominal cost, six eX qpiste illustrations, not to be obtained Tn any other way. This is certainly a great des.deratum But, besides these beauties from Shakespeare, we are maS- ing aangenentst to procure asenas oi female hsares far surpassing, in ovcliness of form and face, and exquisite finish, any thing that has yet appeared in any American magazine. Celebrated views, ln this and other countries will also be leading feature Tn our work. For the Janury number we shall give highly wrought view ol the Bridge ot 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 oi February Nor shall there be any falling of in the style oi en- beshment or in the character ol the literary con tents of the work. From the first, we have aimed at a gradual improvement. We do not issue one or two good numbers and then, after our list of sub scrbers is filled up, fail 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 In 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 m the January number and continued until completed. This will be within the year, so that all Who sup scribe for the Magazine during l845, will receive this new work. Those who have read Bell Martin, Fanny Dale Insubordnation, Six nights with the Washngtonians, Sweet-hearts and Wives, &c: sc, from the pen of Mir. Arthur, need not be told that this feature will be leading one.
 In addition to this, Mr. Arthur will also continue to furnish for ifs pages, his shorter stories those pointed moral essays told with 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 oi his inimitable 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 a highly illuminated coVer' pronounced the chastest design that has yet appear ed1 can make it. c.
 Take it altogether, the publishers feel confident that in regard to the quality of literary natter se of embellishments appearance, and mechanical exc cutioh .sArthur's Magazine" will not be surpassed by any other similar publication.
 This is not merely idle boast and van preteh'ioh one who has taken the work through the hfSt ana second volumes will so deem it.
 Size of Lte acork
 s.Arthur's Magazine" will contain IS pages ol reading matter, the same quantity that IS gwen by the three dollar Magazines and give two steel en-