PROSPECTUS. This work is conducted in the spirit of Littell's Museum of Foreign Literature, (which was favorably received by the public for twenty years,) but as it is twice as large, and appears so often, we not only give spirit and freshness to it by many things which were excluded by a month's delay, but while thus extending our scope and gathering a greater and more attractive variety, are able so to increase the solid and substantial part of our literary, historical, and political harvest, as fully to satisfy the wants of the American reader. : The elaborate and stately Essays of the Edinburgh, Quarterly, and other Reviews; and Blackwood's noble criticisms on Poetry, his keen political Commentaries, highly wrought Tales, and vivid descriptions of rural and mountain Scenery and the contributions to Literature, History, and Common Life, by the sagacious Spectator, the sparkling Examiner, the judicious Athenæum, the busy and industrious Literary Gazette, the sensible and comprehensive Britannia, the sober and respectable Christian Observer; these are intermixed with the Military and Naval reminiscences of the United Service, and with the best articles of the Dublin University, New Monthly, Fraser's, Tail's, Ainsworth's, Hood's, and Sporting Mugazines, and of Chambers' admirable Journal. We do not consider it beneath our dignity to borrow wit and wisdom from Punch; and, when we think it good enough, make use of the thunder of The Times. We shall increase our variety by importations from the continent of Europe, and from the new growth of the British colonies. The steamship has brought Europe, Asia, and Africa, into our neighborhood; and will greatly multiply our con nections, as Merchants, Travellers, and Politicians, with all parts of the world; so that much more than ever it Complete sets, in fifteen volumes, to the end of 1847, handsomely bound, and packed in neat boxes, are for sale at thirty dollars. Any volume may be had separately at two dollars, bound, or a dollar and a half in numbers. Any number may be had for 12 cents; and it may be worth while for subscribers or purchasers to complete any broken volumes they may have, and thus greatly enhance their yalue. now becomes every intelligent American to be inform of the condition and changes of foreign countries. A this not only because of their nearer connection with o selves, but because the nations seem to be hasten: through a rapid process of change, to some new state things, which the merely political prophet cannot comp or foresee. Geographical Discoveries, the progress of Colonizati (which is extending over the whole world,) and Voya and Travels, will be favorite matter for our selection and, in general, we shall systematically and very n acquaint our readers with the great department of Fore affairs, without entirely neglecting our own. While we aspire to make the Living Age desirable all who wish to keep themselves informed of the ra progress of the movement to Statesmen, Divines, La yers, and Physicians-to men of business and men leisure-it is still a stronger object to make it attract and useful to their Wives and Children. We believet we can thus do some good in our day and generation; ! hope to make the work indispensable in every wellformed family. We say indispensable, because in t day of cheap literature it is not possible to guard aga the influx of what is bad in taste and vicious in mon in any other way than by furnishing a sufficient sup of a healthy character. The mental and moral appei must be gratified. We hope that, by "winnowing the whent from chaff" by providing abundantly for the imagination, u by a large collection of Biography, Voyages and Trav History, and more solid matter, we may produce a w which shall be popular, while at the same time it aspire to raise the standard of public taste. Agencies.--We are desirous of making arrangemen in all parts of North America, for increasing the eiren tion of this work-and for doing this a liberal commissi will be allowed to gentlemen who will interest themsel in the business. And we will gladly correspond on t subject with any agent who will send us undoubted ref ences. Postage. When sent with the cover on, the Livi Age consists of three sheets, and is rated as a pamphl at 44 cents. But when sent without the cover, it com within the definition of a newspaper given in the la and cannot legally be charged with more than newspap postage, (1) cts.) We add the definition alluded to:A newspaper is "any printed publication, issued numbers, consisting of not more than two sheets, published at short, stated intervals of not more than a month, conveying intelligence of passing events." Monthly parts.-For such as prefer it in that form, Living Age is put up in nonthly parts, containing four five weekly numbers. In this shape it shows to gre advantage in comparison with other works, containing Binding. We hind the work in a uniform, strong, and each part double the matter of any of the quarterbe good style; and where customers bring their numbers in But we recommend the weekly numbers, as fresher m good order, can generally give them bound volumes in ex-fuller of life. Postage on the monthly parts is about change without any delay. The price of the binding is cents. The volumes are published quarterly, each volun 50 cents a volume. As they are always bound to one containing as much matter as a quarterly review gives pattern, there will be no difficulty in matching the future eighteen months. volumes. WASHINGTON, 27 Dec., 1948 Or all the Periodical Journals devoted to literature and science which abound in Europe and in this country, th has appeared to me to be the most useful. It contains indeed the exposition only of the current literature of English language, but this by its immense extent and comprehension includes a portraiture of the human mind the utmost expansion of the present age. J. Q. ADS PROSPECTUS. THE DAGUERREOTYPE: A MAGAZINE OF FOREIGN LITERATURE AND SCIENCE, SELECTED CHIEFLY FROM THE PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS OF ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND GERMANY. As intercourse with the inhabitants of foreign countries becomes more easy and rapid, and therefore more frequent, we naturally become more interested in whatever represents, or exercises an influence upon their social, moral, and political condition. Hence it arises that reprints and translations are multiplied among us; and even works which, had they proceeded from the pen of an American author, would have been rejected with contempt or indignation, meet with a favorable reception from an American public simply because they are supposed to convey information respecting the state of society, the manners, and the mind of the countries in which they originally appeared. It is an undoubted fact that the periodical literature of Europe, and especially that of England, Germany, and France, exercises a very powerful influence, not only in directing the taste, but also in forming the opinions of the educated classes in those countries; and it is a legitimate and a wholesome influence, since, as is well known, the ablest scholars, the greatest statesmen, the most learned divines, the most eminent men in every department of science and art, are engaged in furnishing the stores of intellectual wealth, from which that influence is derived. There is scarcely a distinguished man in either of the countries which have been mentioned, whose name is not enrolled in the list of contributors to one r more of its periodical publications. A selection from the contents of these works, supplying the great reading community of the United States with a valuable and interesting fund of information, extending over the various departments of literature, and embracing topics of both permanent and temporary importance, is thought to be a desideratum. For although reprints of a few of the leading Eaglish reviews and magazines are published, and a selection from the same works has for some years been issued, they but imperfectly supply the want which is believed to exist; since it forms no part of their design to throw open to the American public the treasures contained in the periodical literature of France and Germany, scarcely, if at all, inferior to that of England. This work has therefore been projected, of which the following are to be the leading features: it will contain: 1. A carefully-made selection of articles from the best English periodicals; 2. Faithful and well-executed translations from those of Germany and France; 3. Original articles, occasionally, on subjects of national importance; 4. Short notices of new works; lists of the more important books published or announced for publication, and intelligence on subjects connected with the literature of Europe and America. It is intended to supply, in its successive numbers, a series of striking pictures of the constantly-varying aspect of public affairs, of the state of the public taste, and the bent of public opinion, in the most refined and intellectual countries of Europe; and is, therefore, not inaptly, called the DAGUERREOTYPE. It will be issued semi-monthly, in numbers containing generally 48 pages, imperial octavo, neatly printed, on good paper, and in fair type. Twelve numbers will form a volume, to which a title-page and index will be furnished; subscribers thus receiving annually two large and handsome volumes, each consisting of at least five hundred pages, and containing the most interesting productions of the best foreign authors of the present day. TERMS. The price to subscribers will be THREE DOLLARS a-year, payable in advance. Subscribers desirous of discontinuing must give notice at the office of publication at least thirty days previous to the expiration of the volume, or their subscriptions will be considered as continued. Subscriptions and communications relative to the work, to be addressed, post-paid, to the proprie. tors, care of Tappan, Whittemore & Mason, 114 Washington street, Boston. Believing that a work like that proposed in the foregoing Prospectus, conducted ably, and or right principles, would exert an important influence, I wish the present effort great success. Boston, March 16, 1847. MANTON EASTBURN. I concur with Bishop Eastburn in the foregoing opinion; and from what I understand of the gentlemen interested in the proposed work, I should confidently anticipate that it will be well conducted. Cambridge, 17th March, 1847. EDWARD EVERETT. Such a work as is contemplated in the foregoing Prospectus will be useful in diffusing a knowledge of the various efforts of the European mind in our age; particularly those which are now little known in our country, and are inaccessible to many persons, because they are locked in foreign languages. Boston, March 17, 1847. CHARLES SUMNER. The plan of the work is such as meets a want in our community of literature, that is in no way af present supplied. It differs from that of the Foreign Quarterly, which gives but a very imperfect view of what is going on upon the Continent of Europe in the Republic of Letters. If fully carried out, the Daguerreotype will succeed that in this country, and be more useful and satisfactory. I would hope that such a work may speedily commence, under the most encouraging prospects of public favor. Theol. Sem., Andover, March 19, 1847. MOSES STUART, The plan strikes me favorably; and I have no doubt that a journal of the kind, ably conducted, will com mend itself to the approbation of the public. Cambridge, 20 March. C. C. FELTON. From a careful perusal of the articles in the first volume of the Daguerreotype, it appears to me an admirably conducted and most useful journal. I know of none in this country which combines so many advantages in its plan, and so faithfully executes what it undertakes to do. New York, January 26, 1848. Other gentlemen also have commended the proposed work JOSEPH G, COGSWELL |