Originally published in The National Magazine (National Magazine Company, Ltd.) vol.1 #1 (Nov 1856).
[As many of our readers may not have seen the Prospectus of the National Magazine, we here republish its principal portions.]
The Conductors seek to establish, with the aid of the best minds, and at the cheapest rate, a Journal devoted to Literature and Art, and equally an organ of both,—an Art-Paper, but not one to which Literature is merely incidental; a Literary Paper, but not one to which Art is a mere adjunct.
Making no claim to the peculiarities of a professed review, they purpose to examine systematically the chief current events in these two great departments of intellectual endeavour, with a view to point out in them whatever may be most worthy and characteristic. Within the bounds allotted, they will strive to emulate their most generous contemporaries; to recognise excellence at once, though unheralded by a name; and to shun that critical commonplace which affects to deliberate because it cannot decide—cold to genius while it needs encouragement, blind to its faults when it has achieved success.
The tone of the Paper, it is hoped, will be at once liberal and reverential. While leaving to more appropriate spheres of discussion all doctrinal differences in theology, while avoiding all party and class aims in politics, it will by no means exclude the religious spirit that lies at the root of all noble action and life, nor ignore those broad questions of policy which vitally affect social well-being.
Attractiveness of subject and of treatment will be studied in every department. Tales will occupy considerable space, as the names in the published list of Contributors will readily suggest. Essays, varieties of Travel and Adventure, humorous Sketches, and occasional reports of Public Amusements, will find due place. In a word, the Conductors hold that through amusement to instruction is the law of success, and that Wisdom and Mirth are not necessarily unmarriageable personages.
The features thus indicated will show that great variety is aimed at. But this variety, the Conductors trust, will be pervaded by oneness of design, giving to each detail its appropriate place, and its due bearing upon a general result. They would have their mental edifice resemble a spacious, well-built, and richly-furnished Palace, where one passes from the grave council-chamber to the social banqueting-hall, not by a step, but by gradual approaches; where even the pleasant chat of the ante-room touches at times upon august themes; where terrace and balcony not only adorn but dignify; and where from some grand commanding site the horizon lies open like a noble future.