MONT BLANC-UP AND DOWN MOUNTAIN OF KNOWLEDGE. Poem. MURAL PAINTINGS OF POMPEII. No LOVE LOST. A Romance of Travel. ON A VERY SMALL SUBJECT. ONE YEAR MORE. Poem. ORGAN-CHANT. . . .. OUR CIVIL SERVICE.. PACIFIC RAILROAD GRANTS.. PATHWAY OF A GREAT ENTERPRISE. PEKIN AND THE CHINESE.. PICTURE OF CHRIST.. PINCH OF SALT..... PLANCHETTE IN A NEW CHARACTER. POETRY OF THE ALPHABET. POMPEII-MURAL PAINTINGS AT.. COMPLETION OF THE SECOND VOLUME, OUR "Patrons," as the phrase used to be, and our contributors, will both please to accept our thanks for their increasing appreciation of each other. Nearly all that we said in the customary formalities at the close of the first volume might be here repeated, with additional self-congratulations about our abundant success hitherto, and our 66 brilliant prospects" for the future. But these glittering generalities are pretty well understood and taken for granted. We may say in all modesty and with suitable deference to the daily and weekly critics who sit in judgment upon our "articles," that if these have not all been perfect models of excellence, we shall be delighted if our critics will send us better ones; and whenever we are guilty of rejecting better articles than we print, we shall be thankful for such information as will lead to the correction of the abuse. It is needless for us to make new and glowing proclamations of the brilliant things we are going to do. The advertisement of our next volume mentions some of the contents and some of the writers for that volume; and our readers in future, as heretofore, will judge us by our fruits. A few suggestions to contributors are given on the next page. The growing activity and cosmopolitanism of the American mind is daily indicated by the excellent papers, on a wide range of subjects, which we receive. The very excellence of many of these essays, especially those giving sketches of travel and adventure, is a constant source of concern to the editor-an embarrassment of riches-for three magazines like ours could not contain all that we receive that is well worthy of publication. But let no one be deterred from sending us their best things. We aim at a prompt and liberal appreciation of all good magazine literature, without partiality, or any question as to the personality or the fame of the writer. Both our readers and our "best writers" may be assured that we are always ready to make them "mutual friends; and that BRIGHT, LIVELY, SENSIBLE, ENTERTAINING, and INSTRUCTIVE READING MATTER stands a good chance for mutually profitable use when it is sent to the editor of Putnam's Magazine. TO CONTRIBUTORS. Articles on all subjects of LIVE INTEREST, from writers known or unknown, short rather than long, terse and clear and crisp in style, will always receive prompt consideration. New and significant facts and experiences are better than mere disquisitions and essays. Such, to be used, must be VERY well done. Good short stories and poems are warmly welcomed. All articles will be promptly examined and reported on, and if not used, returned on receipt of the necessary stamps. The best way to prepare manuscript is to write on SMALL NOTE PAPER, (not on foolscap,) and to mail it in a flat package rather than a roll. There must often be long delay in using an accepted MS., and changes in the course of events occasionally prevent the use of a MS. even after its acceptance. Such cases require a just indulgence from the author. The publisher's statement that a theme proposed to him would furnish, if properly treated, a good article for the Magazine, is not a pledge to accept the article prepared in consequence, even if further alterations should be made by the author. |