The Nevada journal., 1857-04-10
AMERICAN MAGAZINES.

very important place in the literature of
nation. They stand between the
hasty and ephemeral productions of the
daily and weekly press, and the solidity
and permanence of books. Though
they do not rise to that dignity which
would give them place on the sheh es
of scholars library, they contain, or
should contain, the productions IF men
of taste and talent, worthy of the notice
of the scholar, and bearing to many
homes and hearts where few books have
found a place, that elevation Of sent-
ment and character, always inspired by
taste and talent.
A few years ago, we were sadly def
cent in this species of literature The
Philadelphia Magazines had a large
circulation, and were always notolioUsly
unworthy of support. With an occa-
sional exception, their prose articles
were the soriiest Of sentimental nom
sense, and their poetry the silliest Of
sentimental doggerel. They are now
virtually annihilatcd, as they ought to
have been years ago. They are still
issued, and contain patterns of needle
work, very elegant, and undoubtedly
useful to the gentler sex but as for
either genuine IDEAS, or genuine sent
ment "a man Of taste would as soon
think of searching for them in Reynolds
novels, as in the pages of Graham or
Cooley.
In those old times, the Kaickcr5ocker
was the only worthy representative of
American Magazine literature. Its AZ
ticles, both in prose and verse, were the
productions of American authors. It's
pages were open to every contributor
whose contributions should reach its
standard of excellence. Its editor was
a poet and scholar and this was
sufficient guarantee that the standard
should be a high one Many Of the
writer's of whom Americans are now
proud, made their first cntree into the
literary world through the columns Of
the Knickerbocker. 1t still retains its
genial and hearty characteristics. 1t is
still popular, and, what is better, de
serves its popularity. In its own line,
it is now as it always has been, the FIST
and wolthiest of American Magazines
About seven years ago the first num-
Der of HarPer's Maga-jne appeared
Se1 eral things combined to create for
this monthly an easy and rapid popu-
larity. Tie proprietors ranked among
the most wealthy and enterpisiug pub
iishirg inns in the country Their new
books constantly in press, furnished
considerable portion Of the matter, as
well as the Illustration of the Maga=ine.
A few good writers were employed up
on its pages, No expense was spale ed
to render its external appearance - the
letter p ess and the engravings, as ex-
cellent as the highest art could effect.
1t professed no religious principles what
ever, and so never gave place to a sin
gle sentiment that could offend either
the most orthodox, Or the most sccptical
1t embraced no political creed an
nouncing each mocth, the rise, strug-
giles, success and defeat of parties, in as
calm and placid manner, as a philoso-
pher would speak Of an eclipse of the
moon, or the discovery of an asterod.
Hence no sectional or party preludices
were wounded. 1t took no part what
ever in questions that other papers dis
cussed with enthusiasm or indignation
hence, not even the most bigoted werc
ever offended. 1t was popular every
where, and will continue to be popular
every where. 1t ranks in literature as
a kind of Old Aunt Sally's Story Book
full of pretty pictures and nice tales
always decorous, and non-committal,
and insipid.
The literary wants of the country
demanded something better thau Hgr-
per'e, to represent the department Of
the Magazines. The taste and senti-
ment of the people required leader and
gnide not serviIe slave and follow
er The Knic&cr5ocker was still origi-
nal, graceful, and genial. It filed the
high rank it occupied as perfectly as
ever. There was still a vacancy. A
Magazine was needed Of a different and
higher order than aay which existed.
To meet this want, IHtnamS lNoafbig
was established in 1853. 1t assumed at
once, the very highest rank in Ameli-
| can periodical literature It's Writers