THE AMERICAN WHIG REVIEW.

PROSPECTUS FOR THE YEAR 1849.

THIS Journal has now passed through four years of its existence, and has attained a wider circulation through all parts of the United States, than, we believe, any similar work has ever had.

Since its enlargement, at the beginning of 1848, it has increased some fourteen hundred; which, considering the high tone it has continued to preserve, and the solid and valuable matter, from the pens of our most able writers, it has contained, is, we think, a matter on which we may congratulate the country; as it evinces a growing taste for a less light and ephemeral periodical literature. The calculations of its project. ors at the outset, have therefore not been disappointed, when they supposed that something more substantial was required, and would be appreciated. They found, too, as they supposed, in the country, a great want of an organ to represent and speak for that great body of sound conservative principle and common sense which forms the solid substratum and basis, as well as the crown and summit of society. The party in politics which represents that body of principle was also without an organ of this character; and therefore it was determined to make their doctrines its leading feature. As the want of such a journal was obvious, its continued support is alike demanded for the political well-being of the nation, and its fair fame in the field of periodical literature. The newspapers, to whom the discussion of politics must otherwise be left, cannot, by their nature, thoroughly elucidate the questions that arise; and a superficial agitation of important subjects tends rather to unsettle than to establish principles. Without such journals, also, we are readers of foreign periodical essays in literature, politics, philosophy, and criticism, to the neglect of the development of our own mental resources and education in this important form; thus taking biases from abroad which disturb the purer influences of our own institutions. So great are the facilities which our laws give to these publications, that it is absolutely the interest of some, to decry our own literature whilst purloining that of others; when, at the same time, we are sure, that could we arouse the interest, and command the support, of a tithe of those of our people whose tastes and means would permit it, our writers could make this journal equal, perhaps, to any in the world. The material for this, we are sure, exists among us; and for many reasons we believe better use could be made of it here, than elsewhere. But it must have remuneration equal to what it would obtain in other forms, or in other countries. These latter observations wil at least indicate the ideal we aim at. That we have done something, however little, towards its accomplishment, we have reason to think, from the decided approbation of the journal expressed by the first minds in all parts of the country, as well as by the steady, and of late, rapid increase of our subscription list.

The new year opens auspiciously. The party, for whose principles we have contended since the commencement of our enterprise, defeated as they then were, but strong in the might of truth, have prevailed. In this victory we verily believe that true Liberty has triumphed over anarchy; peace and prosperity over war and disaster; constitutional law over individual and party despotism. To maintain this ascendency, so important, not to ourselves alone, but we believe to the world, all legitimate means must be employed. As one of these means, and we trust, not the least, we appeal to all who think with us, for a decided and continued support of our work. But in doing so we ask no sacrifice from any one. Each one's investment with us shall be returned with usurious interest. For, in addition to the support which he thereby gives to his own cause and our cause, he will be benefited by a monthly converse with the best thinkers of his country; and his principles fortified with well-considered arguments from its statesmen and scholars. He will, too, be kept informed by it of all important matters in contemporaneous history, literature, and art. And in addition to this, he will receive in each number an exquisitely finished portrait of some eminent man, forming, in time, a gallery of national portraits, worth alone the price of the subscription. In this department especially, we think we shall maintain a position unequalled, as we have secured the services of an artist unsurpassed in his profession. In short, the arrangements we have completed for the future conduct of every department, enable us confidently to hope to make this Journal a work worthy the growing greatness of the country; and fit, if not essential, to every household where there are true minds formed or to be formed, having the intellectual, moral, and political wellbeing of their country at heart; and something too, we trust, not too grave for pleasure, but displacing that which, being merely for pleasure, leaves no lasting good behind.

The REVIEW is published at 118 Nassau street; and is printed royal octavo size, monthly, in large and handsome type. Each number contains 112 pages, making two elegant volumes in the year; each volume containing six portraits, executed in the highest style of the art. Price five dollars per annum,—payable in advance, or early in the year.

WE desire especially to call the attention of our subscribers and the public to the following announcement of the issue of a new and superb likeness of the

HON. HENRY CLAY,

To be distributed gratuitously to all Subscribers complying with the terms.

Since the great perfection to which we have been able to bring the artistic department of The American Review, it has been a matter of much regret to the proprietors that they have had no worthy portrait of our great statesman'