The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-16
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
J. chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
protesting entire disdan Of tasteful selections, though
its matter has BEEN will continue to be- in the man,
Party politics and controversial theology far pos.
sible, are ealously excluded They are sometimes
blended with discussions literature in moral science,
otherwise unobectionable, TO gain admtance for the
sake of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only not
primary They dross, tolerated only because
well be severed from the sterling wherewith it
incorporated. e..
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work; and is the editors aim that they should
have threefold tendency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewedto direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read and to
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age OF publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every Understanding student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned OF
the most nestimabe and indispensable Of auxiares, TO
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement,
both,-Historical 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 is pub
lished-sometimes of mean strain-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear for several reasons, demand such
work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
is feverish and rrtated STILL from recent political strfes
The soft, assuasve influence Of literature is needed 10
alay that fever, and soothe that irritation. Vice and folly
riotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdcue into their fitting haunis
Ignorance lords il over an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set motion,
the enlightened and increase their number that the
great enemy of popular government may longer BROOD
like porentous cloud the desnies 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 practice
The South, peculiarly requires such an agent In all
IInt1Y r. tba ,,ttt
periodicals. Nohward Of that city, there probably at
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure the native talent or 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 bre
hren; and domestic institution exclusively our OWN
beyond all doubt affords if choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing which they enjoy.
II from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN was engrated on the name OF this
periodical and with any design to noursh local pre-
JUDGES, advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought il is the editors ervent wish to see the
North and South bound endearngly together forever
from meditating hostility TO the North, he has ALREADY
drawn he hopes hereafter to draw much OF his choicest
matte. thence ano happy indeed will he deem hms ,So,
better contribute in any essential degree to dispei the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil iralefh"
love,
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No Of its third volume How far has acted out the
ideas here uttered II Is not Tor the edltor 70 say "
believes, however, that il falls further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short o.
theory. ~,
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of the
work contains Ga large superroya pages printed IN Inc
very handsomest manner, new type, and on papet
equal at least TO that which any other Pcrodcai y
printed in country.
No subscription will he received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one Inc pnce u
IS per volume which must be paid IN all cases al the '
Of subscribing This is particularly aaVer'ea 70 now
avoid misapprehension. future MISUNDERSTANDING
no order will hereafter be attended to unless accompanied
with the price OF subscription -.
The hostage on the Messenger is six cents on any SIN
gle No for all distances under 100 mllesover ioo me
ten cents . A. n...,r.
~ 80, ha .ddrosssd N THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Ofbce, Richmond '"