The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-10-03
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

! ~. THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
| THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly 10 literature. but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science ard
protesting entire disdan OF tasteful ssieetoEs iAu
its matter has been AZ it viii continue TO be- in the
/ original .......
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sibe, jealousv excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions IN literature IN moral
otherwise unobjectionabe, gain admttance for
sake OF the valuable matter TO which they adhr
but whenever thaf happens, they incidental only
primary. They dross, tolerated only because car.
not well be severed from the sterling ore wherewa
| incorporated. .=.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
IN the work; and it is the editors that they shaod
/ have thrcefold tendency-to convey in conaeastt
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed,to direct the reat,s
attention to books that deserve be read-and
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only be burned In this age OF publ
cations, that by their variety and multitude distract aid
oyerwhelm every undlscriminating student, mpara
Criticism governed by the views Just mentioned
the most inestnable and indispensable Of auxiarle
| him who does wish to discriminate.
| Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusenc1.
| or both,-iilstorical Sketches,-and Rsminscences
events too minute for history yet Calculating it. and height
enng It's interestingly be regarded forming the stage
OF the work And OF indigenous poetry, enough pub
ished-sometlmes OF no mean srain-to manifest and
cultivate the growing poetica taste and talents Of
| country.
The times appear for several reasons to- demand suc
work--and not one alone, but many. The pubic mtC
is fevensh and irated STILL from recent political STRIFE,
The soft influence Of literature is needed
allay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
rioting abroad They should be driven by ind snat
rebuke or dashed by ridicue, into their fitting haunt,
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF
people Every spring should be set in motion, to aroo
the enlightened, and TO increase their number that The
great enemy of popular government may longer brood
like ponentous cloud the destnies OF our
And TO accomplish all these ends what .poweru
agent can be employed than periodical on the plan o
the Messenger II that plan be but carried out In practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In al
the Union, south q Washington there are but two httr
periodicals. Norhward Of that city, there probably at
least twenty five or thirty Is this contrast justified w
the wealth, the leisure the native talent, the aetna
literary taste Of the Southern people compared whhc
OF the Northern No: for in wealth. talents, and Hs
we may justly claim at least equality with hr
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords if choose twice the Leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
IL was from deep of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafted the OF tbs
periodical; and not with any design nourish local r
Judces or to advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors eryent wish to NE
North and South bound endearingly together forever
the skcn bands Of mutual Kindness and affection Fat
from medtating hostility to the North he has alrca'
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much Of his chonc
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 dspc The
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of fraetD
love
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached tic
fifth No Of its third volume How far has acted tie
ideas here uttered II is not for the editor say lie
believes however, that il falls further short OF thrm
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of the
work contains Ga large super-oya pages printed IN f
very handsomest manner, new Type and pap"
equal at least to that which any other periodical
printed in our country
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current The prre
So per volume, which must be paid all cases at the tm
Of subscribing This is particularly adyerted 10 no"
avoid misrepresentation, future misundersandng~a'
order will hereafter be attended to unless accompdE
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents sH'
gle No for all distances under 100 milesover 100 miles
ten cents. '. ,E... .aa 6 t..a".." ....
All communications or letters, relative 10 the Mcssca
ger, must be addressedt 10 THoNAs w. WHITE
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Rchmond, Va