Page:Peterson's Magazine 1843, Volume III.pdf/461

 208 THE fourth volume is now closed. The ensuing one will surpass the present as much as it has surpassed its predecessors. A corps of permanent contributors, selected from the first female writers of America, will monthly adorn our pages, and aid us in making this magazine the peculiar favorite of the ladies. Wehope to show, during the coming year, what the sex can do to create a literature, that shall at once be elegant, amusing and instructive. For this purpose we shall rely chiefly, if not altogether, on female pens. And we are assured of success because among our permanent contributors will be found writers of every cast of mind, who will sustain alike the variety and merit of our pages.

In the other departments the merit of the magazine shall be fully maintained. For a description of the embellishments to be used we refer to the prospectus. There too will be found presented the reasons why this periodical has gained, and will maintain the reputation of giving the earliest and most correct reports of the fashions. Taste and elegance in attire, we need not say, are indispensable to a lady ; and the latest information on dress is a matter of moment to the sex. From the full reports that accompany the plates much benefit may be derived, especially by those residing in the country.

We wish, in conclusion, to every fair reader a happy new year!

E. H. Butler is the publisher of "The United States Almanac for 1844." In the accuracy and completeness of its statistics this work is without a rival. It embraces information on astronomy, commerce, politics, and a variety of other subjects; and is, in short, a complete compendium of knowledge. The editors are Mr. Downes, late of the N. E. Boundary Survey, and Freeman Hunt, editor of the Merchant's Magazine. Mr. Butler continues the publication of Frost's Pictorial United States, and of the Naval Biography, both excellent works which improve with every number.

J. M. Campbell & Co. has issued the "Errors of Romanism traced to their origin in Human Nature," one of Archbishop Whately's works, which, in these days of theological discussion, will be read with anxiety by all sects. From the same house we have the fourth and fifth numbers of " The Foreign Semi-Monthly Magazine," the latter adorned with a portrait of Espartero.

Harper & Brothers continue the publication of their serials. McCulloch's Gazetteer has advanced to the sixth number. Milman's Gibbon is being published in numbers, of which the first is before us. Hannah More's works appeared in serials from the same house, which is also occupied on Prescott's History of the Conquest of Mexico, a work shortly to appear.

Lea & Blanchard are engaged chiefly in the publication of medical works; but they have issued, during the month, the second series of Campbell's life of Frederick the Great, as well as a new work by Cooper, entitled "Life Before the Mast." They announce also a new novel in press from the same author.

J. & H. G. Langley will soon publish an illustrated edition of Eliza Cook's poetry. Also a complete edition of Mrs. Ellis's works elegantly embellished. They will also publish an edition of Mackworth Praed's poems, now first collected by the Rev. Rufus W. Griswold. The same gentleman, we learn, is engaged in editing a splendid edition of the songs of the late T. H. Bayley.

The Appletons have published "The Rose, or Affection's Gift for 1844," a very beautiful annual, illustrated by ten engravings. They announce Liebig's new work, " Familiar Letters on Chemistry, and its relation to Commerce, Physiology and Agriculture." This house is chiefly occupied, at present, in the publication of religious works.

As this is the last number of the volume, subscribers who have paid only to January, 1844, will receive the work no longer unless they intimate their wish to that effect and renew their subscriptions. Clubs will bear in mind that the January number will be ready for mailing early in December, and that no time ought, therefore, to be lost in forwarding names and money. The ensuing volume will be far richer than the present, in both the literary and pictorial departments. We refer to the prospectus.

The premiums offered for procuring subscribers to this work are worth the attention of post-masters, or others who may find it convenient to procure clubs. What we promise we perform; and all premiums offered shall be duly sent. We publish our annuals and novels in a way that allows their transmission by mail:—-can the same be said of all our cotemporaries?

We wish it distinctly understood that we shall not impose on subscribers by issuing a good number for January only, but that the merit of our work will be sustained throughout the year. We are determined to publish as good a magazine for two dollars as has hitherto been done for three. We have the means to do this, and we intend to use them. A young and vigorous periodical possesses great advantages over an older one, especially over one eaten up by a heavy list of non-paying subscribers.

Look out for the January number! It will be unsurpassed and unsurpassable. We say this fearlessly. Wait and see.

The copy-right of this story is secured according to law.