Page:The American review - a Whig journal of politics, literature, art, and science (1845).djvu/576



The first volume of the closes with the present number, and we take this occasion to say, that we think we can congratu late our friends upon the prospects of the work, as we certainly have to thank them for their effective interest in its success. The very great im portance of the enterprise has been from the first universally acknowl edged. The Press have spoken firmly — for which we tender a grateful acknowledgment; but a greater proof of the prevalence of feeling in its favor lies in the fact, that notwithstanding the darkness and despondency following an unlooked for defeat, its remunerative circulation has approach ed to 3,000 — and that in great part by voluntary subscription. But our readers must be aware that this is not enough to make the work a truly effective national organ. We state the case simply as it is. We have done what we could; but what with agency discounts, inevitable losses, and the great expense of the work itself, a circulation of some 2,700 will not allow us to recompense contributors adequately; and without such com pensation to them, no Magazine can be effectively sustained. If our friends will aid us in raising its circulation to two or three times its present list — which can be done, if they but will it — we unhesitatingly pledge ourselves to produce a more powerful, a more generous, a more truly national periodical, than has yet arisen, and lived, in the country. We would add, that one great bar to a wider support of the work will be taken away by the new Post Office Law, which will reduce its postage, we believe, to 62 cents monthly. We intended to have given an index to Vol. I, with most of the names of its writers, but were unable for want of space. It will be given in the next number. Dissatisfaction, we were sorry to see, was expressed by some, in res pect to the Engraving of John Quincy Adams. We have only to say, that it was executed from a fine head of the Ex-President, (in the Histo rical Society,) much admired by himself, Mr. Webster, and many other most reliable judges. Of this painting the engraving is a perfect simili tude, and is considered by the personal friends and relatives of Mr. Adams to be the best ever executed of him. ERRATUM.-Page 574, first column, twelfth line from the bottom, after " shall" insert " not," so as to read " shall not take."