No. 1. (Price One Shilling.) JANUARY, 1850.

With an Etching by W. HOLMAN HUNT.

When whoso merely hath a little thought
Will plainly think the thought which is for him,—
Not imaging another’s bright or dim,
Not mangling with new words what others taught;
When whoso speaks, from having either sought
Or only found,—will speak, not just to skim
A shallow surface with words made and trim,
But in that very speech the matter brought:
Be not too keen to cry—“So this is all!—
A thing I might myself have thought as well,
But would not say it, for it was not worth!”
Ask: “Is this truth?” For is it still to tell
That, be the theme a point or the whole earth,
Truth is a circle, perfect, great or small?

London:
AYLOTT & JONES, 8, PATERNOSTER ROW.

G. F. TUPPER, Printer, Clement's Lane, Lombard Street.

“The Germ”—


The Subscribers to this Periodical are respectfully informed that in future it will appear under the title of “Art and Poetry” instead of the original arbitrary one, which occasioned much misapprehension— This alteration will not be productive of any ill consequence, as the title has never occurred in the work itself, and Labels will be supplied for placing on the old wrappers, so as to make them conformable to the new—

It should also be noticed that the Numbers will henceforward be published on the last day of the Month for which they are dated—

Town Subscribers will oblige by filling up & returning the accompanying form, which will ensure the Numbers being duly forwarded as directed—

Country Subscribers may obtain their copies by kindly forwarding their orders to any Booksellers in their respective Neighborhoods.—

Published Monthly.— Price One Shilling.

“Art and Poetry,”

Being Thoughts towards Nature.

Conducted principally by Artists.

Of the little worthy the name of writing that has ever been written upon the principles of Art, (of course excepting that on the mere mechanism), a very small portion is by Artists themselves; and that is so scattered, that one scarcely knows where to find the ideas of an Artist except in his pictures.

With a view to obtain the thoughts of Artists, upon Nature as evolved in Art, in another language besides their own proper one, this Periodical has been established. Thus, then, it is not open to the conflicting opinions of all who handle the brush and palette, nor is it restricted to actual practitioners; but is intended to enunciate the principles of those who, in the true spirit of Art, enforce a rigid adherence to the simplicity of Nature either in Art or Poetry, and consequently regardless whether emanating from practical Artists, or from those who have studied nature in the Artist’s School.

Hence this work will contain such original Tales (in prose or verse), Poems, Essays, and the like, as may seem conceived in the spirit, or with the intent, of exhibiting a pure and unaffected style, to which purpose analytical Reviews of current Literature—especially Poetry—will be introduced; as also illustrative Etchings, one of which latter, executed with the utmost care and completeness, will appear in each number.

PUBLISHED BY MESSRS. DICKINSON, 114, NEW BOND STREET,
AND SOLD BY ALL BOOK AND PRINTSELLERS.

OPINIONS ON THE PRESS.

. . . Original Poems, stories to develop thought and principle, essays concerning Art & other subjects, are the materials which are to compose this unique addition to our periodical literature Among the poetry, there are some rare gems of poetic conception; among the prose essays, we notice “the Subject in Art” which treats of Art itself in a noble and lofty tone, with the view which he must take of “it who would, in the truest sense of the word, be an Artist,” and another paper, not less interesting, on “the Purpose and Tendency of Early Italian Art” A well executed Etching in the medieval style, accompanies each number”

John Bull

“. . . There are so many original and beautiful thoughts in these pages—indeed some of the poems & tales are in themselves so beautiful in spirit & form—that we have hopes of the writers, when they shall have got rid of those ghosts of mediæval art which now haunt every page. The essay “On the Mechanism of a Historical Picture” is a good practical treatise, and indicates the hand of writing which is much wanted among artists”

Morning Chronicle.

“We depart from our usual plan of noticing the periodicals under one heading, for the purpose of introducing to our readers a new aspirant for public favour, which has peculiar and uncommon claims to attention, for in design & execution it differs from all other periodicals . . . A periodical largely occupied with poetry wears an unpromising aspect to readers who have learned from experience what nonsensical stuff most fugitive Magazine Poetry is . . . . But, when they have read a few extracts which we propose to make, we think they will own that for once appearances are deceitful . . . . That the contents of this work are the productions of no common minds, the following extracts will sufficiently prove . . . . We have not space to take any specimens of the prose, but the essays on Art are conceived with an equal appreciation of its meaning & requirements. Being such, this work has our heartiest wishes for its success, but we scarcely dare to hope that it may win the popularity it deserves. The truth is that it is too good for the time. It is not material enough for the age”

Critic.

“. . . It bears unquestionable evidences of true inspirations and, in fact, is so thoroughly spiritual that it is more likely to find “the fit audience though few” than to attract the multitude . . . The prose articles are much to our taste . . . We know, however, of no periodical of the time which is so genuinely poetical and artistic in its tone.”

Standard of Freedom.

CONTENTS.


[Illustration]
My Beautiful Lady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Of my Lady in Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The Love of Beauty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
The Subject in Art, (No. 1.) . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
The Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Dream Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Songs of one Household, (My Sister’s Sleep.) . . . . 21
Hand and Soul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
The Bothie of Toper-na-fuosich . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Her First Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Sketch from Nature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
An End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
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*** It is requested that those who may have by them any un-published Poems, Essays, or other articles appearing to coincide with the views in which the Periodical is established, and who may feel desirous of contributing such papers—will forward them, for the approval of the Editor, to the Office of publication. It may be relied upon that the most sincere attention will be paid to the examination of all manuscripts, whether they be eventually accepted or declined.

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