The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-06
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
protesting disdan Of tasteful selections though
It's matter has BEEN will continue to be, in the MAN,
| original
Party politics and controversial theology, far pos.
sible, jealousy excluded, They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature or in moral science
otherwise unobectonabe, to gain admittance for the
sake Of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens they are incidental only not
primary. They dross, tolerated only because II
not we'll be severed from the sterling wherewith 1t
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
IN the work and is the editors that they should
have threeold tendency-to convey in condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works revewedto direct the readers
attention books that deserve to be rcadand TO
him wasting and money upon that large
Der, which merit only be burned In this aye OF publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overahelm every undiscriminating student impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned is Of
the most nestimabe and Indispensable Of auxiaries 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility or amusement
or both,-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
enng its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
OF the work. And Of indigenous poetry, enough pub
lishcdsometimes of mean stranto manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents oil our
country.
The times appear, for several reasons demand such
n work-and not alone, but many. The public mind
is everish and irritaed STILL from political sres
The soft, assuasive influence OF literature needed 10
aay that fever and soothe that irritation, Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcue, into their fitting hauns
Ignorance lords it immense proportion Of
people. Every spring should be set in motion, TO
the enlightened and to increase their number; that the
great enemy OF popular government longer brood
like portcntous cloud, the destines Of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent be employed than periodical the plan Of
the Messenger that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In all
the Unon south Of Washington, there but two literary
periodicals Norhward Of that city, there probably at
least twenty-five or thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth, the leisure, the native talent, the actual
literary taste 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 Ire.
thren and domestic institution exclusively o"n
beyond all doubt affords u.s. choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy,
IL was from deep sense OF this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engrafted the name OF TINS
periodical; and not with any design to nourish local pre-.
judces advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors ervent wish to The
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the sken bands Of mutual kindness and affection faF
from medtating hostility TO the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes 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 any essential degree to dispel me
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of BOTH and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF n,ernA
love-
fifth No Of its third volume How far it has acted out the
IDEAS here uttered is not for the editor to he
believes however, that falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short Of
theory sa .".
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of 'h
work contains Ga large superroya pages printed N ne
very handsomest manner, on new type, and on pape
equal at least to that on which any other periodical "
printed in country.
No subscription will he received for less than avolumf
and must commence with the current The pnceI
IS per volume which must be paid in all cases at the i
Of subscribing This is particularly adyered TO no" !"
avoid misrepresentation, future mlsunderstandng-a
be
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents on any Slu
gle No for all distances under 100 miles-over 100 mics
ten cents. ...' =
All communications letters, relative to the Mese"
ger, must be addressed TO THOMAS W WHITE
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond "a