Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-07-26
ROsPECTUS
OF THE
Southern Literary Messenger
THOMAS w. WHITE.
Editor and Propriet0r.

| THIS IS monthly Magazine, devoted chiefly
TO Literature, but occasionally finding room
also for articles that fall within the scope of Sci
ence and not protesting entire disdain Of
tasteful selections, though its matter has been as
1t will continue to be, in the main, original.
| Pdrfy POtifics and controversial Theology, os
far as possible, are jealousy excluded. They
are some times so blended with discussions in lite
raturc or ia moral science, otherwise unobjec.
tonable, as to gain admittanca for the sake OF
the more valuable matter TO which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they are incidental,
| only not primary. They are dross, tolerated
only because il cannot well be severed from the
sterling ore wherewith it is Incorporated
REVIEWS and CRITICAL NOTICES. occupy their
due space IN the work and il is the Editors
alm that they should have threelold tendency
to convey, in q condensed form, such valuable
truths or interesting incidents as are embodied
in the works reviewed, to direct the reader s
attention to books that deserve to be cad and
| 10 warn him against wasting time and money
! upon that large number, which merit only to be
burned. In this age, of publications that by
their variety and multitude distract and over
whelm every undiscrmnating student impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mention
cd, is one OF The most inestmable and indispen-
sable OF auxilaries, TO 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 heighteung its
interest may be regarded as forming the staple
OF the work. And Of indigenous Poetry enough
rs punished sometimes of no mean strain-toI
manifest and TO cultivate the growing poetical
taste and talents Of our country
The times appear, for several reasons, TO de-
mand such work-and not one alone, but many. |
The public mind is fevcrish and irritsted still,
from recent political strifes The soft, a.sua. |
sive influence OF Literature is needed, to allay
tp UaF anhG b. fAnN. 4
folly are rioting abroad :--They should be dri.
ven by indignant rebuke, or dashed by ridicule
INTO their hitting haunts. Ignorance lords it over
an immence proportion OF our people - Every
spring should be set in motion, 10 arouse the en-
hghtened, and to increase their number; so that
the great enemy OF popular government may
no longer brood, like portentious cloud, over
the desiinles OF our country. And to accomplish
All these ends, what more powerful agent can
be employed, than a periodical, on the plan of
the Messenger; If that plan be but carried out
I'm practice
The SourH, peculiarly. requires such an agent.
III all the Union, south of Washington, there
are but two Literary periodicals Northwrrd
OF mat city, there are probably at least twenty
i've or thirty Is this contrast justified by the
wealth, the leisure, the native talent, or the &C.
tuai literary taste Of the Southern people, com
pared with those Of the Northern? No: for in
wealth, talents, and taste, we may Justly claim
al least an equality with our brethren and a
domestic institution exclusively our own, beyond
all doubt affords US, If we choose, twice the lei.
sure Tor reading and writing which they enjoy.
III was from deep sense of this local W ant ,
mat the word SOUTHERN was engrafted on the
name OF this periodical. and not with any de.
sign TO nourlsh local nreludces, or to advocate
supposed local interests. Far from any such
thought, II is the Editors fervent wish 10 see
me North and South bound endearingly together
forever, IN the silken bands Of mutual Kindness
ana anectlon. Far from meditating h0Stilifp to
the north, he has already drawn, and he homes
hereafter TO draw, much Of his choisest matter
'hence and happy indeed will he deem him.
sen should ms pages, by making each region
hu0W the other better, contribute in any essen.
ual degree TO dIspel the lowering clouds that
now threaten the peace Of both, and 10 brighten
and strengthen the sacred ties of frafernaI love.
Inc SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER has
now rSached the fifth No. ofits third Volume
How lar II has acted ont the ideas here uttered
IS not for the Editor to say. He believes. bor'
ever, that II falls not further short of them than
human weakness usually makes Practice fall
short OF Theory.
CONDITIONS.
ne messenger is issued monthly. Each num-
oer OF Inc work contains 64 large suner. roval
pages, printed in the very handsomest manner
on new Vpe, and on paper equal at least 10 that
on winch any other periodical Is printed in our
country No subscription will be received for
esS tnah oiume, and must commence with
'he current one. The price is s 5 per Volume
winch must be paid in all cases at the time Of
subscribing. This is particularly adverted 10
nov, TO avoid misrepresentation, or future misun.
ueFs'ahhlng-as no order will hereafter be al
ec&ael TO unless accompanied with the price of
The postage on the Messenger is sir cents ON
any single No. for all distances under 100 nils
over 100 miles, ten cents. '"''s'
=, U,Ail communication, or letters, relative 10
me me messenger, must be addressed TO &c Thomas
fG. W n' southern Literary Messenger or
June IA, 1897.