Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-08-02
PROSPECTUS
OF THE
Southern Literary Messenger.
THOMAS w. WHITE.
Editor and Proprietor.

| THIS is a monthly Magazine, devoted chiefly
10 Literature, but occasionally finding room
also for articles that fall within the scope Of Sci
ence and not protesting an entire disdain Of
tasteful selections, though its matter has been, as
1t will continne TO be, in the main, original.
Party Politics aud controversial Theology, as
| far as possible, are jealousy excluded. They
are some times so blended with discussions in lite
| nature or ia moral science, otherwise unoblcc
tionable, as to gain admittanco 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 we'll be severed from the
sterling ore wherewith it is incorporated.
REVIEWS and CRITICAL NOTICES. occupy their
due space ia the work and il is the Editors
aim that they should have threefold tendency
- 10 convey, in a condensed form, such valuable
truths or interesting incidents as are embodied
in the works reviewed. direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve TO be read and
to warn him against wasting time aud money
upon that large number, which merit only to be
burned. In this age, of publications that by
their variety and multitude distract aud over
whelm every undiscriminating student. impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mention
ed, is one Of The most inestimable and indispen.
sable Of auxiiaries, to HIM who does wish to
discriminate.
ESSAYS and TALES, having in view utility or
amuse ment, or both, --HIsToRIcAL SKETcHEs,-I
and "REMINISCENCES of events too minute for
History yet calculating it, and heightcning its
interest, may be regarded as forming the staple
OF the work. And OF indigenous PoETRY, enough
is published sometimes Of no mean strain-to
manifest and to cultivate the growing poe tical
taste aud 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 feverish and rritated still,
from recent political strifes The soft, assua-
sive influence Of Literature is needed, TO allay
that fever, and sooihe that irritation. Vice and
folly rioiing abroad They should be dri-
ven by indignant rebukc, or dashed by ridicule,
into their fitting haunts. Ignorance lords il over
an immence proportion OF our people Every
spring should be set in motion, TO arouse the en-
lightened, and to increase their number; so that
the great enemy of popular government may
no longer brood, like a portentious cloud, over
the destnies of our 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
I'm practice:
The Souri,, peculiarly, requires such an az emit
In all the Union, south Of Washington, there
are but two Literary periodicals Northwsrd
Of that city, there are probably at least twenty
i've or thirty Is this cont asst justified by the
wealth, the leisure, the native talent, the &c.
tual literary taste Of the Southern people, com.
pared with those of the Northern? No for in
wealth, talents, and taste, we may Justly claim
at least an equality with our brethren and a
domestic institution exclusively our own be- ond
all doubt affords US, if we choose, twice the lei.
sure for reading and writing which they enjoy.
II was from deep sense Of this local rant
that the word SOUTHERN was epgraited on the
name Of this periodical. and not with any de.
sign TO nourish local prejudices, or TO advocate
supposed local interests. Far from any such
thought, it is the Editors fervent wish, TO see
the North and South bound endearingly together
forever, in the silken bands Of mutual kindness
and affection. Far from meditating hostility TO
the north, he has already drawn, and he hopes
hereafter TO draw, much OF his choisest natter
thence and happy indeed will he deem him.
self, should his pages, by making each region
know the other better, contribute in any essen.
tal degree TO dispel the lowering clouds that
now threaten the peace OF both, and 10 brighten
and strengthen the sacred ties of fraternal love.
| The SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGERS has
now reached the fifth No. of its third Volume -
How far it has acted out the ideas here uttered
is not for the Editor TO say. He believes, how
ever, that il falls not further short of them than
human weakness usually makes Practice fall
CONDITIONS.
The Messenger is issued monthly, Each mum.
Der Of the work contains Ga large super. royal
pages, printed in the very handsomest manner,
on new type, and on paper equal at least to that
on which any other periodical is printed In our
country. No subscription will be received for
rs" IMAM d Noiume, ana must commence win
the current one The price is So per Volume,
which must be paid in all cases at the time Of
subscribing. This is particularly adverted 10
now, TO avoid Misrepresentation, or future misun-
derstanding-as no order will hereafter be at
tended to unless accompanied with the price Of
subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is sir cents on
any single No. for all distances under 100 mile,
over 100 miles, ten cents.
| G-Ail communication, or letters, relative 10
the Messenger, must be addressed TO +" THOMAS
W. WAITE Southern Literary Messenger OF
flee, Richmond, Pa"
/ June ID, 1887.