the author, and notes critical and explanatory. "Vathek" is an Eastern
tale, written before the author had attained his twentieth year, and
was composed at a single sitting of three days and two nights. For more
than seventy years it has held the highest rank among similar works
of imagination. It was a great favorite with Byron, who preferred it
even to "Rasselas." In its descriptions of oriental costumes and of the
manners of the people, its correctness has been established by writers
of judgment, and, for "exquisite humor and supernatural interest and
grandeur," is declared to stand without a rival in romance.
NOVELS, SERIALS, PAMPHLETS, &c.
From John P. Jewett & Co., Boston, and Jewett, Proctor, & Worthington,
Cleveland, Ohio, through Cowperthwait, Desilver, & Butler,
Philadelphia: "The Lamplighter." This is a tale of unusual interest,
written in a clear, natural style.
From Ticknor, Reed, & Fields, Boston: "The Barclays of Boston." By Mrs.
Harrison Gray Otis. A domestic story of great merit.
From D. Appleton & Co., 200 Broadway, New York, through C. G. Henderson
& Co., Philadelphia: "Marie Louise; or, the Opposite Neighbors." By
Emilie Carlen, author of "John; or, Is a Cousin in hand worth two in
the Bush?" etc. Translated from the Swedish. The author of this tale
is deservedly popular, as well on account of the beauty of her style,
as because she is always endeavoring to inculcate the purest morals.
From Blanchard & Lea, Philadelphia: Nos. 1 and 2 "Orr's Circle of the
Sciences." A series of treatises on every branch of human knowledge.
No. 1. On the Nature, Connection, and Uses of the great departments
of Human Knowledge. By the Editor. No. 2. The Physiology of Animal
and Vegetable Life. By the Editor and Professor Owen. With numerous
illustrations. Price 15 cents. These are the first numbers of a work
now publishing in London, designed to present in a popular style
and condensed space the leading facts and principles of the various
departments of human knowledge. The editors of this valuable series are
persons of the highest reputation.
From T. B. Peterson, 102 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia: "Kate
Clarendon; or, Necromancy in the Wilderness." By Emerson Bennett. This
is a very interesting and romantic tale of the West, connected with the
first settlements on the Ohio River.--"Miriam Alroy." A Romance of the
Twelfth Century. By B. D'Israeli, M. P. Three English volumes complete
in one. Price 37 cents.
From Bunce & Brothers, New York, through T. B. Peterson, Philadelphia:
"Carlington Castle: a Tale of the Jesuits." By C. G. H., author of
"The Curate of Linwood," etc. This is the story of an Irish heiress,
who suffered a fierce persecution and imprisonment in the British
dominions, on account of her religious opinions.
From Partridge & Britain, New York: "An Epic of the Starry Heaven." By
Thomas L. Harris. There are undoubtedly a great many very high poetical
flights in this volume, but really we are unable to judge of their
claims to peculiar inspiration or spirituality. We must leave those
claims, which we find enforced in the introduction, to the decision of
the "spiritualists," with whose peculiar tests we have not yet become
familiar.
* * * * *
"THE THREE BELLS QUICKSTEP."--Another of D. B. Williamson's beautiful
productions. We cannot do better than publish the following letter from
Captain Crighton:--
"NEW YORK, _Feb. 18, 1854_.
"D. B. Williamson, Esq., South Fifth Street, Philadelphia.
"DEAR SIR: Your kind note of the 15th, and _four_ copies of the
nautical song, were received this day.
"Among all the many expressions of gratitude which I have received
from the American nation, for my simple duty towards suffering
humanity, there are none I prize more highly than the song of my
gallant ship, 'The Three Bells;' she, too, behaved nobly, and you
are the first to acknowledge her merits. 'Permit me to write the
songs of my country, and I care not who makes her laws,' said
one who understood human nature, and I would hope through your
instrumentality the name of my good ship will become a household
word.
"Yours, very respectfully,
"ROBERT CRIGHTON."
* * * * *
We are in receipt of another piece of music, "Happy Hearts make Shining
Faces;" a very happy title, and very pretty music and words.
* * * * *
"THE LITTLE FORESTER," published at Cincinnati, is an excellent
publication for children, and, we are happy to hear, is doing well. The
terms are only 25 cents a year, or twenty-five copies for $5. We
designed to say something in this number about the "Little Pilgrim," but
we have not received the last number; yet we see it noticed elsewhere.
Godey's Arm-Chair.
OUR MAY NUMBER.--Another fine display of patterns; beautiful steel
plate; colored fashions; crochet patterns; novelties of different kinds.
We do not wish to boast; but we think that there is no magazine in the
country which gives the variety we do. The ladies may depend upon one
thing, that what we give is "the fashion;" and from the patterns that we
can furnish them, nicely trimmed, they can make up their dresses, and be
in time with the fashions here, for ours are always published in
advance. We lead, and what we give is sure to be followed.
* * * * *
OUR COLORED FASHION PLATE.--Again we lead, with the fashions, not only
in the novelty of style, but in the beauty of the engraving and
coloring.
* * * * *
"JOHN, why has the mill stopped?" "There is no water, sir." John's
reason was certainly a very good one. Well, we don't intend to stop;
but we should like our subscribers to know that money to us is like
water to the mill. Ladies, please look at the extract from a letter
in another part of our "Arm-Chair," and see how a wife jogged her
husband's memory to know if he had paid for the "Book."
* * * * *
WE have published four editions of our January number, three of
February, and, up to this time, two of March. Another edition of the
last number is about going to press. From present prospects, we shall
have to print another edition of January and February soon.
* * * * *
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.--Gentlemen, we cannot thank you separately, but we
do collectively, for all the documents you have been so kind as to favor
us with.
* * * * *
WE are complimented on all sides for keeping up the same number of pages
and embellishments we commenced the year with. We intend to do it.
* * * * *
IF we had but one subscriber, and even if his name was Smith, and we
were to receive a letter requesting his "Book" sent to the place where
he "now resides," we should be able to make the alteration; but, among
60,000 names, how can we find out where a subscriber's "Book" _has been
sent_, unless we are informed? We are led to these remarks by our
continually receiving letters requesting the "Lady's Book" sent to "this
place." Once for all, we must always be informed where the "Book" _has
been sent to_.
* * * * *
ONE WORD OF ADVICE.--When a person purporting to be a travelling agent
offers the "Lady's Book" at less than $3 a year, you may set him down as
an impostor. The Balt County "Advocate" says that a person named James
Rogers has been in that neighborhood offering the "Book" at $2, and has
succeeded in getting a great many subscribers. That is it; to save a
dollar, those persons who subscribed lost two. If you want a magazine,
the best way to get it is to send your money direct to the publisher.
* * * * *
SEWING-MACHINES.--We will purchase and forward these machines on receipt
of the money. See advertisement on cover of April number.
* * * * *
OUR PATTERNS.--Ladies do not seem to be aware that these patterns are
_fac-similes_ of the originals in color, trimming, &c. At a distance,
they would be taken for the garment itself. They could be worn in a
_tableau_ without being detected.
* * * * *
WE do not doubt it, but wishing the ladies to be fully convinced about
the superiority of our fashion plates, we will trouble them to read the
following notices: The "St. Clair Observer" says: "The colored fashion
plates, and Godey is the only man in the Union that gives them, are
magnificent and reliable." The "Fort Plain Phœnix" says: "His fashion
plate is the most exquisite one we ever saw." The "Crescent Eagle" says:
"The fashion plate is the best that we have ever seen." The "Ohio
Register" says: "Its fashion plates are ahead of any we have ever seen."
That settles the question; if not, we have some five hundred more
notices to the same effect.
* * * * *
"THE beautiful engraving of 'Christ Healing the Sick' is unparalleled in
the history of magazine plates. Among the crowd of readers who
carelessly glance at such an engraving, but few there are who appreciate
the vast amount of thought and labor expended by none but first-rate
artists upon it, and the consequent outlay on the part of a generous
publisher in freely offering such gems of art to the public. The fruit
of months, nay, sometimes years, of unmitigated toil, taxing the eyes
and brain, are thus laid before and received by the masses, without a
thought on the part of the latter as to what it cost to furnish the
feast."
The foregoing is from the Louisville "Great Valley Trader," a paper
of immense circulation in Louisville, Ky. How true are the remarks!
To engrave the plate mentioned would take one man, and he must be an
excellent artist, at least four months, working eight hours a day,
which are about as many hours as an engraver can work. By the time the
plate reached us it cost nearly $500. It took four months steady work
to print our edition, at a cost of $375; the paper cost $200. To sum
up, it was eight months from the time that the engraver took the plate
in hand before we could place it before our subscribers, and the whole
cost of this one embellishment was $1,075. This is only one item of
the expense of a number of the "Lady's Book." Our business, it will be
perceived, requires us to look ahead. Eight months is a long time to
wait for one engraving.
* * * * *
CORRECTION.--In our April number, we stated that the price of mantilla
patterns was $1. It should have been 62½ cents. We can supply patterns
of all the dress articles we publish, jewelry, and almost every article
for a lady's toilet, dress, etc. Our orders last month were very large.
* * * * *
MONTESQUIEU says: "I never listen to calumnies, because, if they are
untrue, I run the risk of being deceived, and, if they be true, of
hating persons not worth thinking about."
* * * * *
BACK numbers of the "Lady's Book" can be supplied from January, as the
work is stereotyped.
* * * * *
A. HART, Esq.--Our friend Hart has retired from the book business. Happy
man! He has not toiled so long as we have; but he has been more
fortunate in laying up the "siller." But will he be as happy in his
retirement as we are, quietly seated at our desk planning out new
surprises for our hundred thousand subscribers? We think he will, as he
has all the elements of happiness surrounding him--an honest man,
beloved by his friends, and respected by all who know him; a cheerful
disposition, a contented mind, a good heart--we were going to write
Hart; it would have been as appropriate. That old south-east corner,
Fourth and Chestnut, how well we know it! We remember Carey & Lea, and
Carey, Lea, & Carey; E. L. Carey & A. Hart; and last, A. Hart--no, not
last; it is now Parry & McMillan. Mr. Parry we have known--we will not
mention the number of years, as we believe our friend Jesse wishes still
to pass for a young man, albeit he is married. Matters will go on well,
there, under his management. And he has an able partner in Mr. McMillan,
who is not new to the business, having been a publisher in the British
Provinces. Success to the new firm of Parry & McMillan!
The following remarks were made by Mr. Hart at the Trade Sale, where,
by the way, his stereotype plates sold for $55,960, a pretty good day's
work. Previous to the sale, Mr. Hart turned to the auctioneer, Moses
Thomas, Esq., another of our good old friends, and said--
"You, sir, were the _first person to introduce me into the book
business_, having given me a letter of credit to purchase, at the
Boston trade sale, held in 1827, when I was but sixteen years of age,
an amount of five-thousand dollars, on my own judgment, a confidence
which I have remembered to this day; and, two years afterwards, you
were instrumental in arranging the partnership for me with the late
Edward L. Carey; and now, after twenty-five years of successful
business, _you_ are about to conduct me out of the trade, by disposing
of my stereotype plates; and I must here acknowledge my gratitude to
you for those acts of kindness and confidence extended towards a mere
boy."
* * * * *
WE call attention to the advertisement of Boardman & Gray's Pianos on
our cover. _We know the instruments, and can recommend them._ There is
no firm in our country engaged in the manufacture of pianos upon whom
more reliance can be placed than upon the gentlemen who are the subject
of these remarks. A piano is an article that very few persons purchase
more than once in a lifetime; it is therefore the more necessary that
you select a manufacturer who is well known, and who can be vouched
for--one whose pianos have stood the test of experience. We have been
instrumental in selling a number of these instruments, and we have yet
to hear the first complaint; on the contrary, we have been thanked for
our recommendation of the house of Boardman & Gray. We give an extract
of a letter from one of our subscribers, hoping that Messrs. B. & G. may
take the hint contained in it:--
"CAMPBELL CO., _Va._, Feb. 22, 1854.
"No article you ever published possessed the hundredth part of
the money value to your readers as your article on piano-fortes.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars are every year invested in
pianos, and a large proportion of them are not worth the cost
of transportation. You have given us precisely that kind of
information we needed, and in which we were greatly deficient. I
shall shortly order one of Boardman & Gray's. These gentlemen ought
to send to Mrs. Godey one of their best pianos, and, if it were
accompanied by two hundred gold eagles, it would be only a fitting
acknowledgment of benefits conferred.
"W. L. G."
SOME EXTRACTS FROM OUR CORRESPONDENCE.
"THE books for our Ohio club arrived this morning by way of
Cleveland! and, although it was Monday, and my 'girl' busy with
the week's washing, and the house in confusion, I took time to
read 'Mustard to Mix,' and found others had felt much as I
happened to feel this morning. But the story restored my good
humor; and so, you see, the 'Book' has done some good
already--at least, my husband thinks so.
"Many thanks for the pleasant story accompanying your letter! I
intend sending it to an old bachelor up town, who made remarks
similar to those of the young collegian, when I solicited him to
subscribe for his sister.
"With earnest wishes for your happiness and prosperity,
"M. C. P."
"THE 'Lady's Book' is fast superseding all other periodicals of
the kind in this section. The general impression is that it is
the best magazine of the kind published.
"J. R. S., _Ala._"
TO OUR FRIEND GODEY.
BY MRS. ADELINE J. WILLIAMS.
COME, ladies all, and help me thank
Our best of friends, so kind and frank;
For in oblivion's stream we'd sank
But for our good friend Godey.
He makes us his especial care;
There's _nothing_ with him _we'll_ compare,
And _none_ with _us_ shall e'er impair
The fame of our friend Godey.
If puzzled in our crochet task,
Our patterns poor as actor's mask,
We need but turn the leaves, and ask
Some aid from our friend Godey.
His tales are moral, chaste, and true,
His fashion plates all rich and new;
Receipts for _goodies_, not a few,
Come from our kind friend Godey.
When, on the dreary winter's day,
To ennui we fall a prey,
Who then can chase the gloom away
So well as our friend Godey?
Proud of so good a friend to boast,
EXCELSIOR! shall be our toast,
And thanks we'll shower by the host
Upon our kind friend Godey!
PORTSMOUTH, _Va._, Feb. 11th, 1854.
"THE little story you sent me reminds me of an incident which
occurred here some weeks since. A young _orator_ was declaiming
loudly against the literature of the day, and more especially
'Godey's Lady's Book.' At the conclusion of his discourse, he
accepted the invitation of a merchant, living near by, to tea.
The lady of the house, a young bride, took occasion to place the
offensive magazine, which she has taken for the last six months,
in a conspicuous position on the parlor table.
"'Well,' said he, as he entered the room and seated himself, I
am really quite disconcerted to see this here.' 'Yes, it is the
magazine to which you alluded in your discourse to-day, I presume.'
'Certainly it is.' 'Well,' said she, 'I think, sir, that you must
have been a close student of that bad book yourself, to be so
well acquainted with its contents.' He was a little disconcerted
_again_, and made no reply. 'Now, sir, pardon me, but I should
regret very much to use my influence in obtaining the names of so
many of the most intelligent ladies of our village for a book so
pernicious in its tendency. However, I feel confident myself that
nothing will appear upon its pages which I may not safely place in
the hands of my young and only daughter.'
"I have succeeded, notwithstanding the gentleman's advice, which
was perhaps only a good advertisement for the 'Book,' in getting a
club of eighteen names, and may still send you some more. Here are
three.
"The ladies wish the back numbers. Of course, I extol your
magazine. I tell them that, for beautiful engravings, elegant
patterns, fine paper and type, excellent reading matter, minute
descriptions of the prevailing modes, and, in short, every little
matter which we ladies like so well to know, and hear, and see,
it cannot be surpassed by any other book in the country. I have
done. If any lady has given you a longer list of names, or a more
'substantial Valentine,' I should like to know it, that I may outdo
her.
"M. H."
"You are a popular man in this neighborhood, and whatever we can do
for you will be done with pleasure.
"B. & Co., _Ala._"
L. A. GODEY, ESQ.--DEAR SIR: For the last six months I have been
travelling through the Western States, and I am glad to see with
what joy the 'Lady's Book' is welcomed. I frequently had an
opportunity of scanning its contents, and was never better
pleased than when once I asked a lady to lend me her number; she
looked up, and, with a mischievous smile, asked if I was a
subscriber. Receiving an affirmative answer, she handed me the
'Book,' saying: You are welcome to read it; but I never lend it
to any one who will not _subscribe_.'
"I only arrived at home last week; and, on Saturday evening, as my
wife and self were indulging in a romp with our B----, the 'Book'
was brought in. This put an end to the romp, for my wife at once
commenced examining the patterns, &c. 'See, is not this beautiful?
Won't this look pretty on Frank's sack? I wonder how Mr. Godey
manages to collect so great a variety of fashions?' And questions
of similar import followed each other in rapid succession for some
time. But at length a change came o'er her mind: _with an arch and
quizzing look, she asked if I had paid this year's subscription_.
You _know what my answer was, and I know what it will be hereafter.
So here is your three dollars_, and much good may it do you, for I
am sure to get the worth of my money.
"Mrs. B. says you must send a receipt, for she wants your
autograph. Direct the 'Book' to her as heretofore, and oblige yours
truly,
"P. R. B."
* * * * *
BARNUM.--The great Barnum is elected president of the Crystal Palace
Association in New York. There is now some hope of its success. There
was none under the former administration, for a more decided old fogy
concern we never heard of--kid-gloved gentry, who had about as good an
idea of managing an establishment like the Crystal Palace as they had of
earning the money which their fathers left them.
* * * * *
CARRYL'S CURTAIN ESTABLISHMENT, NORTH-WEST CORNER OF FIFTH AND CHESTNUT
STREET.--It was generally remarked by the wholesale merchants who made
their purchases at this establishment for the spring trade, that they
found no such variety in any place either in New York or this city.
Prices they state are also very reasonable. Mr. Carryl furnishes suits
of curtains for from $25 to $200. We will attend to the purchase of
curtains from Mr. Carryl. We require the size of the rooms and windows,
and general character and color of the furniture.
* * * * *
WHITE'S BONNETS.--Our orders for these beautiful spring bonnets are
amazingly on the increase. On a late visit to his establishment, we were
astonished at the amount of his business. At least two hundred boxes
were ready for the different express lines.
* * * * *
MRS. HALE'S COOK-BOOK we will furnish at $1 25, and pay the postage.
Mrs. Hale's "Household Book" on the same terms.
[Illustration: "How nicely I have mended it! Nobody will ever notice
that it has been broken."]
* * * * *
THERE is a great deal of good sense to be found in the "London Punch,"
given in a humorous guise. The following article upon the way that many
females wear their bonnets is to be commended. We may add that _ladies_
in this city do not wear their bonnets as Punch describes them.
* * * * *
A WORD ABOUT BONNETS.--When Mr. Punch, in his fashion reports, stated
that ladies' bonnets would this season be worn on the small of the back,
he only slightly exaggerated the reality which has come to pass. We
believe that this article of the female dress has shrunk to a proportion
which renders diminution impossible. Lightly poised upon the remotest
peak of the hirsute promontory which decorates the head of beauty, it is
calculated to arouse feelings of wonder as to what is its practical
value, and why it is worn. Certainly, as a protection against the blasts
of winter, it is utterly worthless. If the wearers suppose that it adds
one iota to their personal charms, truth compels us to say that they are
the victims of a complete self-deception. It is destructive to that air
of modesty which every one wishes to observe in a sister or a mother,
and has a jaunty air of effrontery. We have a trembling hope that things
in this respect will shortly grow better, for we do think that human
ingenuity cannot concoct anything uglier, nor smaller, if resort be not
had to total annihilation. These gauze monstrosities may linger a little
longer, tenaciously clinging to the outermost frontiers of weak heads,
but the good sense of the community, we doubt not, would rather go back
to the scuttle-shaped formations that surrounded our grandmothers, than
suffer their relatives and friends to go to and fro in the microscopic
fixtures which the fashionable world charitably calls bonnets.
* * * * *
THE following is a description of the residence of Madame Rachel, the
celebrated French tragic actress:--