The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-10-20
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
l. chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and NJ"
protesting entire dsdan of tasteful selections though
its matter has been as will continue TO be- in the
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos.
sble, are Jcalousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions literature moral science,
otherwise unobectonabe, to gain admttance for til"
sake of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary They dross, tolerated only because can
not well be severed from the sterling wherr~itht
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work; and is the editors that they should
have a threetold endency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed,to direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be and TO
him against wasting time and money upon that laretn
ber which merit only 10 be burned. In this age OF pub
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
oyer"helm every Understanding student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned one ct
the most nestimabe and indispensable of auxliancs,
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having In view utility amusement
both,-Historlcal Sketches,-and "reminiscences of
events too minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
ening its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
of the work. And Of Indigenous poetry, enough pub
lIshed-sometimes OF no mean straino manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear, for several reasons demand such
a work-and not one alone but MANY The public mind
cverish and rritaed STILL from recent political
The soft, assuasive influence Of literature needed I"
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
rotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebukc, dashed by rdicule into their fitting hauntS
Ignorance lords 1t immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should he set IN notion to arous"
the enlightened and their number that tie
great Of popular government may longer brood
like portentous cloud the destines OF counr,
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical, the plan OF
the Messenger; II that plan be but carried out IN practice
The South peculiarly, requires such an agent In AL
the Inion south of Washington there are but two literary
periodicals. Northward Of that city, there probably at
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified ny
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent or the actual
literary OF the Southern people, compared with those
Of the Northern No. for in wealth, talents, and taste,
We may Justly claim at least equality with our lrc'
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our OWN
beyond all doubt affords If choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they ENJOY.
1t was from deep sense of this local want that the
word SOUTHERN engratted the OF thus
periodicals. and not with any design to noursh local pre-
udiccs advocate supposed local interests Far from
such thought is the editors fcrvent wish the
North and South bound endearngy together forever II
the sllken bands of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medltang hostility to the North, he has already
drawn, and he hopes hereafter TO draw, much OF his choicest
matter thence ano happy indeed viii he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the Other
better contribute any essential degree to dlspc the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both and
10 brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF iratcrnl
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached he
fifth No of it's third volume How far it has acted out T."
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor lie
believes however that il falls not further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short Of
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of me
work contains Ga large supcrroyal pages printed IN Toe
very handsomest manner, type, and on paper
equal at least to that which any other periodical "
printed in our country.
No subscription will he received for less than volume"
and must commence with the current one. The prce -
IS per volume which be paid all eases at the TIM"
of subscribing This is particularly ad'eried to no" 10
avoid misapprchension, future miSund'rstandihg">
order viii hereafter I've attended to acc"mPahA
with the price of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any SIN
Gle No for all distances under 100 milesoyer 100 miles
ten cents. :,
All communications or letters relative to the Mcsscn
gcr must h, addressed to THOMAS w, WHITE.
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va