Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-08-23
PROSPECTUS
OF THE
Southern Literary Messenger.
THOMAS w. WHITE.
Editor and Proprietor.

THIS Is a monthly Magazine, devoted chiefly
10 Literature, bat occasionally finding room
also for articles that fall within the scope Of Sci
euce and not protesting an entire disdain Of
tasteful selections, though its matter has been as
II will continue to be, in the main, original.
parfy Politics and controversial Theology, ss
far as possible, are jeaonsly excluded. They
are some times 80 blended with discussions in lite
nature or in moral science, otherwise unobJec
tionable, as to gain admittance for the sake OF
the more valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they are incidental,
only not pTimdrB They are dross, tolerated
only because il cannot well be severed from the
sterling ore wherewth it is incorporated
REVIEWS and CRITICAL NOTICES. occupy their
due space in the work and il is the Editors
aim that they should have threefold tendency
to convey, in cordensed form, such valuable
truths or interesting incidents are embodied
in the works reviewed TO direct the reader $
attention TO books that deserve TO be read and
to 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
wheIm every undiscrminating student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mention
ed, is one Of the most inestimable and indispen-
sable Of saxiliaries, to him who does wish to
discriminate.
Essays and TALES, having in view utility or
and "REMINISCENCES Of eyents too minute for
History, yet calculating il, and heightening its
interest, may be regarded as forming the staple
Of the work. And of indigenous PoETaY, enough
is published - sometimes OF no mean strain-to
manifest and to cultivate the growing poetical
taste and talents Of our country.
The times appear, for several reasons, TO de-
mand such a work and not one alone, but many.
The public mind is feverish and irritated still,
from recent political striles The soft, assua-
sive influence Of Literature is needed. to allay
that fever, and sooihe that irritation. Vice and
folly are rioting abroad They should be dri-
ven by indignant rebuke, or iashed by ridiculc,
into their fitting haunts Ignorance lords 4 over
an immence proportion OF our people - Every
spring should be set in motion, 10 arouse the en-
lightened and TO increase their number; so that
the great enemy of popular government may
no longer brood, like a poTtentIous cloud, over
the desiinies of our country. And to accomplish
all these ends, what more powerful agent can
be employed, than periodical, on the plan Of
The Messenger IL that plan be but carried out
In practice?
The Souri,, peculiarly. requires such an agent.
In all the Union, south of W Arlington, there
arc bat two Literary periodicals Northwsrd
IF that 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 ac
ual literary taste Of the Southern people, com
pared with those of the Northern? No. for in
wealth. talents. aud taste, we NAV Justly claim
II least an e0uaiiiu with our brethren; and
lone site institution exclusively our own, be yond
Ill doubt affords us, if we choose, twice the lei
ure for reading aud writing which they enjoy
TWAS from a deem sense of this local want.
hat the word SourHEsS was engrafied ON the
anne of this periodical and not with any de-
ign TO nourish local preiudices, or TO advocate
imposed local interests. Far from any such
bought, il is the Editors feryent wish. to see
he North and South bound cndearingly together
lreyer. in the silken bands of mutual kindness
nd affection Far from ,nedtating hostilifu 10 |
he north he has already drawn, and he hopes
GREATER TO draw, much Of his choisest matter
hence and happy indeed will he deem him.
elf. shouId his nages bv making each region