The Arkansas banner., 1845-09-10
PROSPECTUS
ARTHUR's LADIES' MAGAZINE.

l to the public most substantial claims to patronage 1 The first and second volumes have been acknoWl- edged on all hands to be equal and in many respects superior Tn character strength ntcre3 st, and attrac- tiyeness, 10 any of the magazines ssu7d. The aim of the editor is high one He repuoiates the long prevalent system of passing his work upon the repu- tation of contributors whose articles no matter what they have done, are, in so many instances below mediocrity.
 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 chaiaeterto any work. 1t has given :. .Arthur's Maga2ine' character acknowl- edged in all respectable quarters where il has been received.
 Among the,inexlaustibe sources that open to the hands of literary caterer German and French lite rature offer wide field for selection Info this re- glon with an admirable corps of ranslaors, we 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 aIti- ces from the German, brim fulI of pure truths and forcible illustrations of the power of goodness.- ''Silent Love- .Fhe Governor and his Successors 5 ''The Unknown Patient" ''Fhe Russian Prince ''lhe 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 anne de Genis; also, ssThe Lesson of Misfortane.' Il Il with fine tales from Dumas, LacroiX, Nader Balzac and other authors of celebrity.
 In selecting from the French. 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 heside ofthsimpure current Is another, as lucid and as pure crystal. From this they dip up the bright waters and present them to our lips.
 At this fountain, we shall continue to Tel our lead CTS drink. But, in doing so, we shall not neglect the excellonces of our own literature.
 This would be the worst of folly. Yet. in doing this, We shall make no parade ot names. The public are getting 10 understand pretty clearly how much this Is worth, and Ia discover that excellence Is not always 10 be found in the fugitive productions of writers who have dUue well in books. Our country k teeming with young genius. too often oyIshad- owed and hidden by the successful, who possess not half their intrinsic Worh 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 Publie not so much on account Of what they have done.
 1o merit wherever we find it, 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 a welcome.
 In all sources. at home and abroad we shall seek
 
 and with too much jnstness in the allegation our magazines have been charged with being too light andTashy This fault we have from the first steadily avoided. Arthurs Magazine will continue to sus- tain high character for excellence in all is depart meRts, Something more than mere love tales will be given. lis stories while i4t q deep and absorbing interest, sparkling with vii and happy feelings, will have Tn them souI-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 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, hut proceed to open mp our intentions on this head. Frst then, we have determined to present the subscribers 10 Arthur's Magazine, during the year, with anoyey of ahighly attractive character. No less than a series of six female characters from Shakspeare engraved on steel in highly finished style. This Shakespeare Gallery of Beauty will present imbodied to the eye, some of the noble bards most beautiful creations o the lnind well 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 engray 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 qusite illustrations not to be obtained in any other
 
 besides these beauties from Shakespeare, we are mak ing arrangements to procure series of female figures, far surpassng, in loyelness 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 in our work For the Janury number we shall give a 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 ot our work a highly attractive one No less so will be that of February Nor shall there be any falling off in the style of em- 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 of. 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 a 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, so that all who sub scribe for the Magazine during lS45, will receive this new work Those who have read Bell Martin, Fanny Dale, Insubordinaton, Six nights with the Washingtonians, Sweet-hearts and Wives, Sc. &o., 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 it's 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 two other periodicals, each number of his own Magazine will contain many pages of 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 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 mechanical exc cution, 'sArhur'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 first and second volumes will so deem it.
 Siee of tie 1oofis
 '.Arthar's Magazine" will contain 4a pages of reading natter the quantity that is given by the three dollar Magazines, and give two steel en- cravings Tn each number, while the price is only s2 % per annum-