Text: Edgar Allan Poe (?), Literary, Broadway Journal (New York), April 5, 1845, vol. 1, no. 14, p. 220-221

[page 220, column 1, continued:]

THE LADY’S BOOK. — There is an indication of durability about the Lady's Book which is not to be mistaken — an air of quietude — of simplicity — and therefore of strength. Mr. Godey was the pioneer in this species of literature, and his work has the vigor which is always inseparable from originality of any kind. We do not mean to say, and we do not suppose that Mr. Godey means to assert, that the “Lady's Book” belongs to a high order of literature, but of its kind it is as nearly perfect as can well be. It addresses itself principally to ladies, and addresses them as ladies wish to be addressed. The secret of its wonderful, because long-continued success, is tact.

The April number is not unusually good, but is a fair specimen of the general conduct of the Magazine. Miss Leslie continues the “Bloxams and May fields;” Mrs. Hale has “The Gold Pen” — a poem; Mrs. Embury contributes “Intimate Friends;” Mrs. Mowatt (we think) furnishes “The Mercenary Marriage,” and also “Sketch of [page 221:] Joseph Buonaparte” — both very excellent magazine articles. The “Intercepted Letter” by Mrs. Seba Smith, is a well written plate illustration. Miss Gould has a brief poem of much force and originality of expression — and there is not a bad paper in the number; which we fancy is saying a very great deal. The most valuable contribution is from Gründ, who writes from Antwerp an amusing letter chiefly of theatrical gossip.

There are three engravings, inclusive of a colored fashion-plate. The best of them is the first — The Intercepted Letter, done by Dick, from a drawing by Miss Corbould. We have had an opportunity of seeing some eighteen or twenty proof impressions from plates prepared by Mr. Godey for his forth-coming numbers, and can assure our readers (our fair ones especially,) that many of these engravings are truly excellent — fully equal to any in our best annuals. This is what all have a right to expect — good pictures, or none.