This Number closes the Third Volume of Harper's New Monthly Magazine. In closingthe Second Volume the Publishers referred to the distinguished success which had attendedits establishment, as an incentive to further efforts to make it worthy the immense patronageit had received:—they refer with confidence to the Contents of the present Volume, forproof that their promise has been abundantly fulfilled.
The Magazine has reached its present enormous circulation, simply because it gives agreater amount of reading matter, of a higher quality, in better style, and at a cheaper price thanany other periodical ever published. Knowing this to be the fact, the Publishers have spared,and will hereafter spare, no labor or expense which will increase the value and interest of theMagazine in all these respects. The outlay upon the present volume has been from five toten thousand dollars more than that upon either of its predecessors. The best talent of thecountry has been engaged in writing and illustrating original articles for its pages:—its selectionshave been made from a wider field and with increased care; its typographical appearancehas been rendered still more elegant; and several new departments have been added toits original plan.
The Magazine now contains, regularly:
First. One or more original articles upon some topic of historical or national interest, writtenby some able and popular writer, and illustrated by from fifteen to thirty wood engravings,executed in the highest style of art.
Second. Copious selections from the current periodical literature of the day, with tales ofthe most distinguished authors, such as Dickens, Bulwer, Lever, and others—chosenalways for their literary merit, popular interest, and general utility.
Third. A Monthly Record of the events of the day, foreign and domestic, prepared withcare and with the most perfect freedom from prejudice and partiality of every kind.
Fourth. Critical Notices of the Books of the Day, written with ability, candor, and spirit,and designed to give the public a clear and reliable estimate of the important works constantlyissuing from the press.
Fifth. A Monthly Summary of European Intelligence, concerning books, authors, and whateverelse has interest and importance for the cultivated reader.
Sixth. An Editor's Table, in which some of the leading topics of the day will be discussedwith ability and independence.
Seventh. An Editor's Easy Chair or Drawer, which will be devoted to literary and generalgossip, memoranda of the topics talked about in social circles, graphic sketches of themost interesting minor matters of the day, anecdotes of literary men, sentences of interestfrom papers not worth reprinting at length, and generally an agreeable and entertaining collectionof literary miscellany.
The object of the Publishers is to combine the greatest possible Variety and Interest,with the greatest possible Utility. Special care will always be exercised in admitting nothinginto the Magazine in the slightest degree offensive to the most sensitive delicacy; andthere will be a steady aim to exert a healthy moral and intellectual influence, by the mostattractive means.
For the very liberal patronage the Magazine has already received, and especially for theuniversally flattering commendations of the Press, the Publishers desire to express thei