From every part of the country each mail comes freighted with clubs from persons with whose subscriptions we have not heretofore been honored, and our old friends, with astonishing unanimity, continue to cling to “Graham as the best and only good Magazine” amidst the mass of periodicals which now make up in noise and promises, what they lack in merit and ability to perform. To say that we are not flattered by this mark of favor extended to us by the readers of this country would be useless, but so far from this fact lessening our exertions, it only spurs us on to new endeavors to maintain that ascendancy over all others which we have always held, by issuing a Magazine incomparably better than any that attempts to rival it. Our February number, we think, will show no falling off in our exertions, and the two numbers of the volume are an earnest of what our readers may expect during the whole year of 1849. May it prove a prosperous and happy one to our subscribers, as it has opened auspiciously for ourselves. * * * * * A NEW SEA STORY.—We are gratified to be able to announce a new Sea Story for the pages of Graham’s Magazine, by W. F. Lynch, of the navy, whose recent explorations of the Dead Sea and vicinity, have so much occupied the attention of the newspapers and scientific bodies generally. The story is written with marked ability, and will be quite an attraction in the coming numbers of Graham. * * * * * OUR PREMIUM PLATE.—We shall forward promptly to clubs and subscribers entitled to our large premium plate, copies, carefully done up for preservation, as soon as the artist completes it. It will be a very beautiful parlor ornament when properly framed. * * * * * Our Fashion Plate for this month has been delayed by the ocean steamer, and as we issue this number early, we postpone it till next month. * * * * * [Illustration: Painted by Cook Eng^{d} by Rawdon, Wright & Hatch (OUR CONTRIBUTORS) _Mrs. M. M. Davidson_] Engraved Expressly for Graham’s Magazine * * * * * THE BELLS OF OSTEND. WRITTEN ON A BEAUTIFUL MORNING AFTER A STORM, BY W. L. BOWLES, THE MUSIC COMPOSED AND RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO SAMUEL MOFFAT JR. ESQ. OF ALBANY, BY J. HILTON JONES. [Illustration] No, I never, till life and its shadows shall end, Can forget the sweet sound of the bells of Ostend! The day set in darkness, the wind it blew loud, And rung as it pass’d thro’ each [Illustration] murmuring shroud.