The Arkansas banner., 1845-05-14
PROSPECTUS
 OF ARTHUR'S LADIES' MAGAZINE

 PtateS in eGch number! HNHE Publishers, in seTdng forth their prospectu
 -A for the third volume of their magazine, whic is exclusively and permanently under the editoria control of T. s. Arthur, believe that they can ofe to the pubic most substantial claims to patronage The first and second volumes have been acknoWl edged on all hands to be equal and in many respects superior, in character strength interest and attrac tiveness. to any of the magazines issued. The ain of the editor is high one. He repudiates the lon prevalent system of basing his work upon the repu tation of contributors, whose articles no matter wha they have done, are, In so many instances, below I mediocritv
 l Nothing gains admission into the pages of thi l magazine, which IS not excellent in itself The source from which ansartiele comes is secondary its merits always primary Such a rule, strictly carried out, must give character to any work It has given s'Arthur's Magazine" 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 rature offer wide field for selection. Into this re- zion. with an admirable corps of transators we are steadily penetrating, astonshed at every step by the riches meet. Especially is this the case in lite rature. Already we have given some splendid arti- cles from the German, brm full of pure truths, and forcbe illustrations of the power of goodness sSilent Love- "The Governor and his Successors 5 'sThe Unknown Patient" ssThe Russian Prince, 3 '.The Prvy Counsellor" &c., all who have read will remember with delight.
 From the French we have also given many first rate articles. 'sThe Perpexed Lovers, from Mad. anne de Gens; also 'sThe Lesson of Misfortune 3 and s'The Error of Good Father, from Marmontel, with fine tales from Dumas Lacroix Nadier, Balzac and other authors Of celebrity
 l In selecting from the French, our translators are guided by strict regard to purity and excellence.
 None know better than they dc how much that IS Chi ,1,. people. But flowing along by the eside of this impure current, is another, as lucid and pure 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 shall not neglect the eXcellencies of our own literature. This would be the worst of folly Yet, in doing this, shall make no parade of names. The public 1 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 writers who have done well in books. Our country IS teeming with young genius, too often oveTshad- 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 it, we will give the right hand of fellowship. We would not accept a poor article from the most celebrated writer in the country; but good one, let it come from where it willsshall find a welcome
 In all sources, al home and abroad, we shall seek 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 iauitwe have rom the first steadily avoided. Arthur's Magazine will continue to sus- tain a high character for excellence in a its depart ments. Something more than mere love tales will be given Its stores 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 poetry thai shall be truly called such, will be blended with them in just proportion.
 Thus much in gard to the literary department ol our 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, we have determined to present the subscribers to Arthur's Magazine, during the year, with novelty of highly attractive character. No less than a selies of six female characters from Shakspare engraved on steel in highly finished style This Shakespeare Gallery of Beauty will present imbodied to the eye some oi the noble bards most beautiful creations of the mind, we'll one two celebrated characters Tn history, around whom his magic pen has thrown new charm.
 
 not be eager to secure this splendid series of engrav ings2 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- qnisie illustrations, not to be obtained in any other way. This is certainly great desderatum. But, besides these beauties from Shakespeare, we are mak- ing arrangements to procure series o female figures, far surpassinr in loxeness of form and face, and exquisite finish. any thing that has yet appeared in any American magazine. Celebrated views, in this and other countries will also be leading feature Tn our work. For the Janury number we shall give a i 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 a highly attractive one No less will be that of February. Nor shall there be any falling off in the style of en- beshment 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 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 tune other attractions Tn the way of embellishments.
 In addition to the foregoing, there IS yet another feature no less than American Novel, from the nen of the Editor, which will be commenced in the January number and continued unt completed. This will be within the year, so that all who sub scribe for the Magazine during 1915, will receive this new work Those who have read Bell Martin, Fanny Dale Insubordination, Six nights with the Washngtonians, Sweet-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, Mir Arthur will also continue to furnish for its pages, his shorter stories those pointed moral essays told with so omuch skili beauty and power The attractions ot the Editors own pen will in fact form feature oi 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 ms inimitable writings, and the whole work bear the impress of his pure taste and sound judgment.
 The style in which 'sArthur's Magazine IS to be issued, will be as beautiful as clear new typ ,, fine white paper, and a highly Illuminated cover, (pronounced the chastest design that mas yet appear ed) can make it.
 Take it altogether, the publishers feel confident that, in regard to the quality o literary matter slyle of embellishments, appearance, and mechanicai exc cution ''Arthur's Magazine will not De surpassed by any other similar publication.
 This is not merely idle boast and van preteh'oh one who has taken the work through the ilrst ana second volumes will so deem it.
 Siee oftte 1cork
 "Arthur's Magazine" will contain 4S pages or reading matter, the same quantity that IS gwen py the three dollar Magazines and give two steel en- cravings in each number, while the price IS only 200 per annum.
 l copy S2 co per annum ' copies $1O % per an.