Parley’s Magazine

The work was originally undertaken as an experiment to ascertain how far the public would encourage a magazine exclusively devoted to one object, viz. the intellectual instruction and moral improvement of the rising generation. In order to render the work extensively useful, a large circulation was necessary, and to ensure this, a very low price was indispensable.

Every effort has been made to combine all these points in the Magazine, and we are happy to say that the success of our experiment thus far, is very encouraging. The circulation at present is nearly 15,000; a number entirely beyond that of any similar work ever undertaken in this country. But great as it is, such are the accumulated expenses of the publication, from the number of engravings, and from the care attending it, together with the very low price at which it is afforded, that we need a still more extended circulation to enable us fully to develope [sic] our plan, and bring into activity all the means of rendering the work still more efficient and useful.

The idea of a state of society in which there shall not be an individual, either so ignorant, or so depraved, through the faults of education, as to be blind to his interests, and resist the great end of life, is perhaps a mere chimera, but if it is a point that cannot be reached, it may certainly be approached. But how is this to be done? By an union of heart and hand, among the good and wise, in giving the fullest possible activity and energy, to every instrument which leads to the desired end.

Now, if in your opinion, this work is such an instrument, we suggest, as a means by which you may promote its usefulness, some further recommendation of it to the public attention, and in particular to that of teachers of [indecipherable – students? scholars?] and heads of families. The Work is issued every other week, or in quarterly Parts bound in strong cloth hacks [?? On last word]

The price is one dollar a year—six copies will be sent to any one address for five dollars, or ten copies for eight dollars, as we are willing (that every family may be accommodated) to receive twenty-five subscribers for five. Dollars paid quarterly, remitted in advance to the publishers.             LILLY, WAIT, & CO.

Boston, Mass. Oct. 1833.                                                        14