The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-17
PROSPECTUS OF THE 49,.
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

! TNHIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and no,
protesting entire dsan Of tasteful selections though
Its matter has been, as Will continue TO be, IN the MAN,
| original 49,. =
Party politics and controversial theology pos
sible, jealousy excluded They are sometimes so
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise nobjectionable, gain admance 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 can
not well be severed from the sterling whercwith II,
Reviews e-a Critical Notices occupy their due space
IN the work and ~ 10 The editors that they should
sr s,ch sa,~ab ,rhs y convey IN condensed
embodied in the works revewed-to direct readers
attention to books that deserve to be read and TO
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which only be burned In this age of publ.
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overahelm every undiscrminating student impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned OF
the most inesmable and indispensable Of auxiares,
| him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility amusement
| or both,-Historical Skeches-and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
enng its nterestmay be regarded forming the staple
of the work And of Indigenous poetry, enough pub
shed -sometmes of mean strain-to manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear for several reasons demand such
a work-and not alone but many. The public mind
is feversh and lrrtated STILL from political stfes
The soft assuasive influence Of literature needed to
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke dashed by rdicule into their fitting haun,s
ignorance lords it immense proportion OF our
people. Every spring should be set in notion TO
the enlightened and to their number that the
great enemy Of popular government may longer BROOD
like porientous cloud, the destines of our country
And 10 accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical, the plan Of
the Messenger; il that plan be but carried out practice
The South peculiarly, requires such agent. In all
the Unon south OF ashngton, there but two literary
periodicals. Norhward Of that city, there probably at
least twentyhv thirty Is this justified by
the wealth, the leisure. tho 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 al least equality with our bre-
thren and domestic institution exclusively own
beyond all doubt affords II choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy
1t was from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafed the name Of this
periodicals. and not with any design noursh local pre-
judices advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors ervcnt wish 10 the
North and South bound cndearngy together forever IN
the slken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from mediiang hostility TO the North he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much Of his choicest
matter thence ana happy indeed Will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the Other
better contribute IN any essential degree TO dspel the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both and
10 brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of ntema
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No. Of lis third volume How fnr 1t has acted out the
ideas here uttered u Is not for the editor TO lie
believes however that it falls no, further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains 81 large supcroyal pages printed IN the
very handsomest manner, on new type, and on paper
equal at least 10 that which any other periodical
printed in country.
No subscription will he received Tor less than avolume
and must commence with the current one Inc pTice
IS per volume, which he paid in all cases at the time
Of subscribing THIS is particularly sdvered 10 now to
avoid misrepresentation, future OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
no order will hereafter be attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription. N.
The postage the Messenger u siS cents on any n'
Gle No for all distances under 100 whatsoever 100 miles,
ten cents. 49,.
All communications OF letters, relative TO the Messen'
GER must be addressed 10 THonAs WHITE
Southern Literary Messenger Office. Richmond, Va