Sanne's Edited by S. PUTNAM WALDO, ESQ. of Jackson.")-With the assistance of other Gentlemen. HARTFORD: PUBLISHED BY J. & W. RUSSELL. Roberts & Burr, Printers. 1819. PROSPECTUS. IN the first number of our Magazine, we decm it expedient to publish the original Prospectus, which unfolds the objects of the pubfication. Resolving to excite no expectation which we had not a reasonable hope of gratifying, we have made no alluring promises. Without aspiring to the character of the “profoundly scientific,” we have proposed a Monthly Journal, which, while it may afford instruction and amusement to the common reader, we hope will not be altogether destitute of attractions to the scholar, who moves in the more exalted walks of literature. While we cheerfully acknowledge the excellence of many of the periodical publications of our country, which, from year to year, are raising its literary character, we remember, when reflecting upon the nature of our publication, that “ little Iulus,” was permitted at least to follow Anchises. We hardly dare aspire to, for we scarcely hope to reach, the elevation which many of the Quarterly Journals and Reviews of our country have acquired; but with assiduous endeavours, and sedulous attention, we shall, with the assistance of our literary and scientific friends, endeavour to present a Monthly Journal, embracing the objects expressed in the following PROPOSALS A PERIODICAL WORK, TO BE ENTITLED THE AND FARMER'S MONTHLY MUSEUM. IT has often been remarked, and always with truth, that the people of Connecticut are a studious and reflecting people—that knowledge is more generally diffused amongst them, than it is in any portion of this, or any other country. We do not speak of that scientific knowledge, which has given fame to a Bacon, a Newton, and a Locke--a Rittenhouse, a Franklin, and a Rush, but of that knowledge which gives every man some ideas upon almost every subject. Newspapers have multiplied in Connecticut, in proportion to the population, beyond all example. They are cheap and useful vehicles of communicating details of the passing events of the day; but their columns are chiefly occupied with the advertisements of Merchants, and the productions of political partizans. If their ges are graced with the essays of the moralist and scientific scholar, they are generally lost with the week in which they are presented to the world, and cannot be regained. We proposc to furnish a Monthly Repository, in which the II istorian, the Biographer, the Agriculturalist, the Manufacturer, the Miscellaneous Scholar, and the Poet, may deposite the result of their researches, and the productions of their genius, in a volume where it may be preserved. In our Historical Department, we shall endeavour to collect and publish such facts concerning our native country and state, as will be instructive to the reader, and worthy of preservation. 'In our Department for Biography, we shall with the utmost assiduity, endeavour to afford our readers with brief and authentic Lives of the deceased, and Memoirs of the living Worthies of Connecticut, in the State, the Church, the Army, and the fields of Poetry. Connecticut has produced its full quoto of Siatesmen, Divines, Soldiers and Poets, and their memories ought to be cherished. The Agricultural Department of our Magazine will occupy a larger space than any other. The rapidly increasing attention to the all-important subject of agriculture, furdishes a sure presage of the rising importance of our highly fertile state. It must be come an agricultural and manufacturing state, or its rank in the union will be lost-its active citizens will emigrate, and its present cheering aspect will be changed for a melancholy succession of Deserted Villages.” The immense markets, at no great distance from its borders, will always furnish a ready sale and a high price for all its surplus animal and vegetable produce. "We earnestly invite the scientific man, who has familiarized himself with the theory of agriculture, and particularly the practical farmer, whose experiments have resulted favourably, to communicate for our Magazine, the result of their researches and experience. The organization of the different Agricultural Societies-accounts of their Cuttle Shows and Fairs, and the bestowment of premiums upon successful competitors, will be entitled to a conspicuous place in our Journal. In our Department for the Manufacturer, we shall insert the essays, accounts of the excperiments and improvements of the ingenious artists of our inventive country. Specimens of various manufactures, produced at our larger establishments, and in families, have already excited the admiration of the most competent judges. Manufacture is the hand-maid of Agriculture, and together, are the two great pillars of Commerce. In our Miscellaneous Départment, we shall record the labours of the investigating reasoner, and the productions of the general scholar. We shall endeavour to furnish the reader with that science which will instruct—that diversity which will please--that amusement which is innocent, and shall aim to "hold the mirror up to nature." In our Poetical Department, we shall with the exercise of our best judgment, select from the prolific region before us, the choicest flowers, whether of native or foreign growth. In our Intelligencer, we shall publish a brief monthly summary of the most interesting events of passing time, in the political and religious world. Important State Papers shall have a department as occasion requires; but not a paragraph upon party politics shall be admitted. That subject more properly belongs to the weekly Journals. Although we shall not assume the character of " Professional Reviewers, we shalt notice the publications of the day, in such a manner as we think will be most conducive to the encouragement of native genius. In these various departments, and others to whách our work may extend, it will be nur undeviating aim to mingle useful instruction, with innocent amusement. Although we will not preclude ourselves from enriching this Journ with the choice fruits which the boundless store-house of European Literature affords ; yet, it is our design to give the preference to American genius, however much our own scholars may be disposed to depreciate the scientific labours of our own countrymen. The Editors and Publishers have received the assurances of the patronage and assistance of many of the most eminent scientific and literary characters in the State ; and they most urgently solicit them to contribute to the work the productions of their leisure hours ; being sensible that a value will thereby be imparted to it, which they should despair of giving it, by their own unassisted labours. They feel a deep solicitude in presenting to those who may patronize these proposals, a Monthly Journal which shall gratify their wishes, and not disgrace the literary character of the State. We offer to the Literary Characlers—to the Farmers—the Manufacturers, the Mer. chants and Mechanics of our native State, the following Proposals, and solicit their patronage. 1. The work shall be published monthly, upon a new and elegant type, and paper of a superiour quality—each number to contain at least 32 large octavo pages, and be stitched in handsome covers ; making an annual volume exceeding 400 pages. II. The numbers will be put to subscribers at the moderate price of twenty-five cents each ; payable, for the six first numbers, upon the receipt of the 6th-and for the re- maining six, upon receipt of the 12th. To those who pay for a year in advance, the numbers will be put at twenty cents each. II. A table of Contents will be published at the beginning of each number, and an Index of an annual volume at the end of the year. IV, No Subscription will be received for less than one year ; but any person will be at liberty to withdraw his subscription, upon payment to the time he withdraws. V. Any person procuring ten subscribers-distributing the numbers when received any profit;) Should the number of subscribers justify the expense, (which must be considerable,) Should the patronage of the work justify the additional expense, this Magazine will HARTFORD, Jan. 1819. |
