The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-14
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
rTNHIS IS MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
protesting entire disdan Of tasteful selections though
has been will continue TO be, in the main,
original
Party politics and controversial theology far pos
sble, are jealousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions literature moral science,
otherwise unobjectionable to gain admance for the
sake OF the valuable matter TO which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only not
primary They dross, tolerated only because II
well be severed from the sterling ore where~ith IS
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work; and the editors aim that they should
have threeold tendency-to convey IN a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works revewed-to direct the readers
attention books that deserve be ead-and 10
him against wasting time and money upon that large
be which merit only to be burned In this age of publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
| overshelm every undiscrminaling student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned IS one OF
the ncstimable and indispensable of auxliares
him who does wish to discriminate
Essays and Tales, having utility amusement
or both,-Historca Sketches-and "reminiscences of
minute for history yet calculating and height
enng its Interest," be regarded forming the staple
of the work And of Indigenous poetry enough pub
lished-sometmes of mean srain--to manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents Of
country.
The times appear for several reasons, to demand such
work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
everlsh and rritated STILL from recent political ses
The soft, assuasve influence Of literature is needed, to
aay that fever, and soo,he that irritation Vice and folly
are roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcue, into their fitting haunts.
Ignorance lords 1t an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in motion, to
the enlightened and to increase their number so that the
great enemy oil popular may no longer brood
like portentous cloud the desnies Of country
And to accomplish all these ends what more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical, on the plan OF
the Messenger if that plan be but carried out in practice
The South peculiarly, requires such an agent In all
the Union south of Washington there but two literary
daft hate tharaa nj
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure, the native talent, the actual
Of the Norhern No. for in wealth. talents, and TASTE
may Justly claim at least equality with our bre-
,hrcn and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords If choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
Ii was from deep of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafcd the name Of this
periodical and not with any design to nourish local pre-
JUDGES advocate supposed local interests Far from
such thought is the editors ervent wish to see the
North and South bound endearngly together forever IN
the sken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from mcdtatng hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much OF his choicest
matter thence; happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the other
better, contribute essential degree TO dspel the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both, and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil iaterna
love
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached tho
fifth No Of its third volume Ho" far has acted out the
ideas here uttered is for the editor To lie
believes however that 1t falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short OF
theory
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of u"
work contains 81 large superroyal pages printed IN The
very handsomesi manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least to that which any other periodical IS
| printed in country.
No subscription viii be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current TIE price
IS per volume which must be paid all cases AT the time
Of subscribing This particularly advencd 10 no" to
avoid misapprchcnson future misunderstandlng-
no order viii hereafter bc attended 10 unless accompanied
! with the price OF subscription.
The postage the Messenger is SIX cents on any SIN
Gle No for all distances under 100 mlesover 100 miles,
| ten cents. :.
All communications or letters, relative the MeSsen.
| gcr mus, be addressed 10 THOMAS W WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va.