The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-16
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER

THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PRoFhIETok.
TSHIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scnpe Of Science and not
protesting entire dlsdan Of tasteful seecons though
its matter has BEEN will continue to be, In the MAN,
original
| sble, are jealousy excluded They are sometimes so
blended with discussions literature moral science,
otherwise unobectionabe to gain admttance for the
sake Of the more valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only not
primary They are dross, tolerated only because
well be severed from the sterling ore wherewith 1t is
| incorporated ....
in the work; and the editors aim that they should
have threeold tendency--to convey in a condensed
FORM such valuable truths or interesting incidents AS are
embodied in the works revewed,-o direct the readers
attention to books that deserve TO be readand TO warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum
ber which merit only to be burned m this age OF publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscriminatIng student, impartial
criticism governed BY the views JUS, mentioned Is one OF
the nestimabc and indispensable OF auxianes TO
| him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement,
or both,-Historical Sketches,--and "Reminiscences OF
minute for history yet eucdang It, and height
enng its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And of Indigenous poetry enough is pub
ishedsometmes OF mean stran--to manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents Of our
| country
The times appear for several reasons demand such
a work-and not one alone, but many The Pu6ic n'nn
feversh and rrated STILL from recent political sries
| The SOFT assuasive influence OF literature IS needed TO
allay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
are rioting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebukc dashed by rdicule into their fitting haunts
| Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in notion to arouse
the enlightened and their number so that the
great enemy of popular may longer BROOD
like portenous cloud, the destines OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent can be employed than PERIODICAL the plan oil
the Messenger If that plan be but carried out in pacce
The South, peculiarly requires such an agent In all
the Union south of Washington there are but literary
ard p( Mt rty
least 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 No. for in wealth, talents and taste,
may justly claim at least equality with our bre'
thrcn; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords if choose, twice the leisure
| for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
TWAS from deep Of this local want, that the
| word SOUTHERN engrafted on the name OF TINS
periodical and with any design to noursh local pre-
udces or advocate supposed local interests. Far IRON
any such thought is the editors iervent wish to see Inc
North and South bound endearingly together forever IN
the silken bands of mutual kindness and affection Ear
from medtating hostility to the North, he has ALREADY
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much his choicest
matter thence; ana happy indeed will he deem himself
better, contribute in any essential degree to dispei h
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both ana
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil ira'e"-
| love. ...+.
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No OF its third volume. How far has acted out me
ideas here uttered, not for the editor to say lie
believes however, that falls not further short OF hc
than human weakness usually makes practice fall shofo
theory. .#.5. f..@ .a....1 ,.s h ,,
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number OF the
work contains 81 large superroya pages printed 10 VIC
very handsomest manner. on new type, and on PaPc.
equal at least to that which any other periodical
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than avo"m'
and must commence with the current one The price
IS per volume, which be paid in all cases at the e
Of subscribing This is particularly adyered 10 no" !"
avoid misrepresentation, or future MISREPRESENTATION "a
no order viii be attended unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any Sun
gle No for all distances under 100 mes-over loo n''''
ten cents. ". ~.
All communications or letters, relative to the Mess"
ger, must be addressed to THOMAS " WHIT
| Southern Literary Messenger Office Richmond VA