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ORIGINAL DESIGNS.—­The four principal plates in this number, viz., The Constant, The Four Eras of Life, The Four Seasons, and The Double Fashion Plate, as well as several of the wood engravings, are from original designs.  This originality has never before been attempted in any magazine of any country.  We do not remember an instance of the kind in any of the English annuals.  It is our intention to be ever progressive.  Our original designs last year were numerous:  among them the never-to-be-forgotten Lord’s Prayer and Creed.  “The Coquette,” the match plate to “The Constant,” will appear in the March number.  It will be seen by this number that we are able to transcend anything we have yet presented.  Our Book, this year, shall be one continuous triumph.  As we have only ourselves for a rival, our effort will be to excel even the well-known versatility and beauty which our Book has always exhibited.

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PROFESSOR BLUMENTHAL.—­We omitted to include among our list of contributors this gentleman’s name.  It was an oversight; but the professor shows, by his article in this number, that he has not forgotten us.

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ARTHUR’S STORY.—­With but one exception, Mr. Arthur writes for his own paper alone.  The story in this number will amply repay a careful perusal.  It will be completed in the March number.

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T. S. ARTHUR’S HOME GAZETTE.—­In our acquaintance with newspaperdom, as Willis would say, which extends over a period of twenty-two years, the history of this paper is the most singular of any in our recollection.  Ample capital was provided to meet any exigency that might arise; but, strange to say, not a penny of it has been used.  But we were too hasty; for, when we consider who is its editor, it must be confessed it is not strange.  The paper has paid for itself from the start.  Perhaps another instance of the kind lives not in the memory of that well-known person, “the oldest inhabitant.”  Mr. Arthur now counts his subscribers by thousands, nearly by tens of thousands.  The rush for it has been unexampled—­so much so as to make it necessary to reprint early numbers, and even to telegraph for extra supplies of paper, so rapidly has it been exhausted.  Mr. Arthur has struck a vein that will render a voyage to California entirely useless to him.  His advertisement will be found in this number.

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We will mention one fact, and our subscribers will see the remon of it.  We give no preference as regards the first impressions from the plates.  If a plate wears in the printing, we have it retouched, so that all may have impressions alike.  With our immense edition, the greatest ever known, this we find sometimes necessary.

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