THE completion of the First Volume of the NEW YORK JOURNAL is an event which the Publisher cannot let pass without some reference to its position and prospects. It is his gratifying pleasure to announce that its success is no longer problematical. The extraordinary favor with which it has been received has established it upon a sure and unquestionable basis: and this success is the more gratifying, inasmuch as it has been achieved in the face of many adverse circumstances, and in despite of difficulties of no ordinary character. When the enterprise was first projected the Publisher never supposed that there would be any difficulty in the execution of the necessary mechanical labor, or in producing a supply fully equal to the sale it might reach; but the large and unexpected demand for it proved to be so much beyond the capacity of any machinery the Publisher could immediately command, that it was soon found to be impossible to print the sheets with sufficient rapidity, and at the same time with the requisite care. The result was, that editions were obliged to be published entirely inadequate, and often appearing several weeks after the proper time for their issue. That, in the face of such discouraging circumstances, the circulation of the JOURNAL should steadily increase, and the public confidence in it remain unshaken, are significant facts of the favor with which it has been received. The difficulties referred to, however, are now happily overcome. Arrangements have been perfected which will ensure hereafter the punctual issue of the numbers, and at the same time secure a greater degree of mechanical beauty. The SECOND VOLUME, therefore, opens under the most brilliant auspices. Favorably established in the public confidence already, and with no further infortuitous circumstances to retard it, the Publisher cannot think it a too flattering anticipation when he expresses the belief, that it is destined to become one of the most widely popular periodicals of the country. That it may attain this flattering position, he shall go on sparing no pains nor labor to perfect and improve it in all its branches. He intends that the literary contents shall always be liberal in quantity, rich in variety, and excellent every way. Its pages will always be enriched by the choicest productions in popular literature. By popular literature, however, the Publisher does not mean that which is low in character, vitiated in morals, or bad in taste. He believes that the greatest minds have contributed to the fund of what is called popular literature-including such names as Scott, Goldsmith, and Cooper-and that there are popular writers amongst us now no less pure and instructive than these. The literary pages of the NEW YORK JOURNAL shall at least be of the highest character, while at the same time they will aim to amuse, instruct, and interest the popular mind. The articles will continue to be both original and selected; the main point always being the abstract excellence-aiming mainly to secure that which is good. The Publisher, however, expects soon to commence the publication of an Original American Romance, from the pen of a gentleman whose high literary position will be warrant for its excellence. An important feature of the JOURNAL will always be its ILLUSTRATIONS. In this department the Publisher is determined to be unrivalled, and to secure for the JOURNAL a distinguished reputation for the beauty, variety, and superiority of its engravings The ample size of the pages permits the introduction of those of a large and imposing grade; this is an advantage possessed by no other monthly. It will enable the Publisher to present many striking and effective illustrations, which, under other circumstances, could not be done, and which will greatly add to the permanent and passing interest of the work. In short every department will be conducted in a liberal manner, and to the single object of presenting the people of the United States with a periodical-a marvel for cheapness and excellence-a gallery of LITERATURE AND ART. NEW YORK, JANUARY, 1854. |