The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-28
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly TO literature but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
protesting entire dsdain of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, it will continue to be, in the
original.
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos.
sible are eaously excluded. They are sometimes so
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobectionable to gain adnitance for the
sake Of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only
primary They dross, tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling Wherewith
incorporated. E. Ill -1
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and 1t is the editors aim that they should
have threeiod lendency-to convey in condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reyiewedto direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read and
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only to be burned In this age OF pub
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscriminaiing student impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned is OF
the most inesmable and indispensable of auxiares, 10
| him who does wish to discriminate
Essays and Tales, having in viewutility amusement
or both,-Hlsorical Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
enng its inerestmay be regarded forming the staple
OF the work And OF indigenous poetry, enough is pub.
lished-sometimes OF mean strain-o manifest and 10
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 mid
is everish and rrtated STILL from recent political strs
The soft assuasive influence of literature is needed, 10
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridicule, into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords it over immense proportion oil our
people Every spring should be set in notion to arouse
the enlightened and to increase their number that tic
great enemy Of popular government may longer brood
like portentous cloud the destines of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent be employed than periodical on the plan Ct
the Messenger if that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In all
the Union, south Of Washington there but two literary
periodicals. Nohward Of that city, there probably at
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent, the actual
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared with those
of the Northern Mo- for in wealth, talents and TASTE
may Justly claim at least equality with our bre-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively OWN
beyond all doubt affords us il choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy
1t was from deep sense Of this local want, that tie
word SOUTHERN engrafted the name OF thus
periodical and not with any design to noursh local pre-
JUDGES, advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors ervent wish to see the
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the silken bands OF mutual kindness and affection Far
from mcditating hostility TO the North he has arcacy
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much Of his choicest
matter thence ana happy indeed Will he deem hlmstn,
should his pages, by making each region know the oh
better, contribute in any essential degree TO dispel tie
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both, ard
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF ater"I
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No OF its third volume How far it has acted out The
Ideas mere uttered. " II not for the editor 10 say "
believes, however, that it falls not 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 The
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least TO that which any other penodca u
printed in country.
No subscription viii be received for less than volume
and must with the current one. The pncc "
s. per volume which must be paid IN all cases at the m
Of subscribing This is particularly adyered TO no" 10
avoid misapprehenson, ut1rc misnnderstandlnE-as
no order will hereafter be attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription
The postage on the Messenger il six cents on any sn
gle No for all distances under 100 mes-over loo mics
ten cents 81,
All communications letters relative to the hessch
GER mus, be addressed to THoNAs W WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond va