The EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT will embrace, in addition to vigorous and fearless comments on the events of the times, genial gossip with the reader on all current topics, and also devote abundant space to those racy specimens of American wit and humor, without which there can be no perfect exposition of our national character. Among those who will contribute regularly to this department may be mentioned the name of CHARLES F. BROWNE ("Artemus Ward"), from whom we have promised an entirely new and original series of SKETCHES OF WESTERN LIFE. The CONTINENTAL will be liberal and progressive, without yielding to chimeras and hopes beyond the grasp of the age; and it will endeavor to reflect the feelings and interests of the American people, and to illustrate both their serious and humorous peculiarities. In short, no pains will be spared to make it the REPRESENTATIVE MAGAZINE of the time. TERMS:--Three Dollars per year, in advance (postage paid by the Publishers;) Two Copies for Five Dollars; Three Copies for Six Dollars, (posture unpaid); Eleven copies for Twenty Dollars, (postage unpaid). Single numbers can be procured of any News-dealer in the United States. The KNICKERBOCKER MAGAZINE and the CONTINENTAL MONTHLY will be furnished for one year at FOUR DOLLARS. Appreciating the importance of literature to the soldier on duty, the publisher will send the CONTINENTAL, _gratis_, to any regiment in active service, on application being made by its Colonel or Chaplain; he will also receive subscriptions from those desiring to furnish it to soldiers in the ranks at half the regular price; but in such cases it must be mailed from the office of publication. J.R. GILMORE, 110 Tremont Street, Boston. CHARLES T. EVANS, at G.P. PUTNAM'S, 532 Broadway, New York, is authorized to receive Subscriptions in that City. N.B.--Newspapers publishing this Prospectus, and giving the CONTINENTAL monthly notices, will be entitled to an exchange. Number 5. 25 Cents. The Continental Monthly Devoted to Literature and National Policy. * * * * * MAY, 1862. * * * * * NEW-YORK AND BOSTON: J.R. GILMORE, 532 BROADWAY, NEW-YORK, AND 110 TREMONT STREET, BOSTON. NEW-YORK: HENRY DEXTER AND ROSS & TOUSEY. PHILADELPHIA: T.B. CALLENDER AND A. WINCH. CONTENTS. NO. V. * * * * * What Shall we do with it? Hon. John W. Edmonds A Philosophical Bankrupt The Molly O'Molly Papers All Together A True Story. Miss McFarlane Maccaroni and Canvas. Henry P. Leland Fairies John Bright. George M. Towle The Ante-Norse Discoverers of America. C.G. Leland State Rights Roanoke Island. Frederic Kidder A Story of Mexican Life Changed Hamlet a Fat Man. Carlton Edwards The Knights of the Golden Circle Columbia's Safety Ursa Major. H.B. Brownwell Fugitives at the West. S.C. Blackwell The Education to be Guerdon Literary Notices Editor's Table