e refuse of the English Annuals, and
the efforts of second rate artists in this country; and also how far
those magazines which are marked by ability, and which, as magazines
of ART as well as of LITERATURE, embracing in their object and scope,
the improvement of a very laudable branch of art--that of
engraving--as well as the adornment of the work, should be drawn aside
into a competition in the _number_ of their engravings, instead of the
_worth_ which should mark each one of them. It appears to us that this
degrading of magazines into picture-books for children, by
impoverishing the literary department to swell the number of wretched
engravings in a department of art, so called, must impair the value
and shorten the existence of any periodical thus conducted.

For ourselves, we have marked out a course in regard to the mere
illustrations of this periodical, from which we shall not be diverted.
We shall continue to furnish to our readers the most finished and
elegant specimens of the American engraver's skill, keeping at the
same time in view the value aside from the mere _ornament_ of the
engraving, thus catching the public desire in the portrait of a person
who may have some claim upon posterity, even though the face may not
be the most beautiful; and in sketches of such scenes as deserve to
live in the pages of this magazine, either from their own great
beauty, from their grandeur, or from association which gives them
value to the American eye and mind.

* * * * *

THE FEMALE POETS OF AMERICA.--Messrs. Lindsay & Blakiston have
presented to the public a delightful volume prepared by Caroline May.
It embraces biographical sketches, and extracts from the productions
of many of our own native female writers, and serves to render us
familiar with those whose sweet strains have often charmed our hearts.
The style of execution of the volume in question, corresponds with the
excellent character of its contents, and the authoress, publishers and
printers have executed their respective parts with great skill and
effect.

* * * * *

BURNS, AS A POET AND AS A MAN.--The admirers of the gifted Scottish
bard, will find an interesting and well executed review of his
character as a Poet and a Man, in a volume, prepared by S. Tyler,
Esq., of the Maryland bar, and just issued by Baker and Schriver, of
New York. We are indebted for a copy to Messrs. Lindsay & Blakiston,
of this city, who are ever