The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-01-08
The Columbian Magazine"1S4G
Edited By John Mmam and Ro6t A. West

Edited By John MmGm and Robt A. West
In entering upon the fifth volume of the
Columbian Magazine we Gud ourselves
somewhat rerplexed as TO the right execu-
ton oil our task. We have much 10 say of
the past, but it might seem egollstical to
say it !; and we have much to say of the
future, but we fear lest we should appear
unduly TO boast. On the other hand some
thing at this season must be said, lest we
should appear ungraelu for The steadily in
creaslng patronage bestowed upon US. Is
not ours pleasant predicament? On one
hand stands line spirit Of ourProverbial mod
estv, and the moment we begin 10 speak
Of what we have done and shall do, it lays
its shadoWy finger upon lis ghoslly lips and
with other mysterious gestures trowns US
into silence on The other hand The generous
publc-the embodiment and impersonaion
of several thousands Of subscribers and rea
ders- demands that we pay tribute TO their
liberal patronage, that we recall the pleas>
ures they have been won't 10 enjoy for now
| TWO years in our pages, and that we declare
our plans for the future. We have, of
course, no choice left but 10 exercise The
ghost OF our native bashtulness. Ills done +;
and now we will talk freely with our "dear
| luDllC; vi OulSSIEtS ant OUT lDlPNllQnS.
How rapidly, and Notwithstanding dill.
cuiies TO be surmouned, how pleasantly
has the time sped siace we tried the expert
ment OF new magazine in this great EN-
| porlum OF commerce. Two years only
have elapsed, and yet our enterprise has
been crowned with success, and The pages
Of the Columbian Magazine periodically
gladden. ana instruct the hearts OF the match
less fair ones OF our own proud city and
state, throwing the light of its pleasant
tales and ever vlrluOus sentiments over
many thousand family circles, fostering
purest affections aad teaching lessons that
well might fall from mothers lips into mai
den's listening ears. Already has our ma :
game numerous readers in every state of
the UGlon. The shrewd and observant
| New Highlander greels it with a hearty
welcome; on Summers eve beneath Elhe
shady 'rees, or on Winters night around
the glowing hearth, many youthful scion
OF worthy sire reads aloud FROM its panes,
while beautiful and vrluous daughters ply
the willing needle, and aged sire and dame
exchange approving and delIG hted gIances.
Ear away in the lh!ckIy peopIcd West do
we AID IN UNFOLDING and perpetuaing The
refining influence Of literature and art, and
SO'Nl 'hN uSPClltlCS vi 6IuuOuS tOll duu $50
lated lie; and the sunny South greels us
monthly with a frank and generous well
come. Yes, briefthough our existence has
been, /! has neither been profless nor JOY :
less. We have sought TO supply Ameri-
cans with magazine worthy Of America,
! and the universal hail Of welcome that has
greeted US has far exceeded our expectations,
while il has increased our conviction that "A
magazine such as we have been able to fur
nish was needed for The many thousands
OF American readers.
We enter upon our third wear with
bright and cheering prospects. Every
where has the press spoken in terms of high
commendation, not alone Of the literary
contents Of the Columbian, but Of its sur
| passed embellishments, aud never with
warmer praise than during the last sx
months. This, with our increased crcula-
ton, we take as an acknowledgement that
we have fulfilled the promises we renewed
six months ago. We need not again renew
them. lie il ours 10 do and not 10 boast.
10 those who have patronized US so far we
olier grateful thanks. We have no doubt
that we shall continue to secure their APP
prevail and their good wishes. To those
who, now that the new postage law is in
iull operation aud d new year is commences
ing, will doubtless swell The list CT our pat
rons, we say tina! we have contracted for
and have in progress some Of The richest
and rares embellishments, for the new vol
ume, that have ever been produced IA this
country embellishments designed as well
as engraved expressly for The work and
that we have entered INTO treaty with many
OF the first American authors regularly 10
| aid US by their literary la5ors. These ar
engagements have Of course eniaiIed upon Us