The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-07
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
rHoMAs ". WHITE, EpIroR ANp pRorRIEroK

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
protesting entire disdan of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, as it will continue TO be- in the
| original
Party politics and controversial theology far pos
siblc, jealously excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobjectionabe gain admittance for the
sake Of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only
primary. They dross, tolerated only because 1t
not well be severed from the sterling wherewth
\ incorporated #tr..# aa..
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it the editors aim that they should
| have threefod tcndency-to convey in condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed. Ito direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read and to
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum.
ber which merit only to be burned In this of publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undscnminating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned one
the most inesmable and indispensable Of auxarles
! him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility amusement,
or both,-Hisorical Skeches,-and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history, yet Calculating and height
enng its be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And of indigenous poetry, enough is pub
lished-sometmes Of mean srainto manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetca taste and talents Of our
| country. @@@
The times appear for several reasons, demand such
work-and not one alone, but many, The publtc'mnd
The Soft assuasive influence Of literature is needed 10
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke or dashed by rdlcule into their hitting haunls
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF our
people. Every spring should be set in motion, 10
the enlightened and to increase their number that the
great enemy of popular may longer BROOD
like portentous cloud, the destinies Of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical on the plan OF
the Messenger il that plan be but carried out in practice
The South peculiarly, requires such an agent In all
the nion south Of Washington there but two literary
periodicals. Northwad Of that city, there probably at
least twenty-five or thirty Is this contrast Justlfed 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 an equality with our hre
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords u.s. if choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they ENJOY.
IL was from deep sense OF this local want, that We
word SOUTHERN engrafted on the name OF tl's
periodical; and not with any design to noursh local pre-
JUDGES to advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought the editors ieyent wish to see the
North and South bound endearngy together forever m
the slken bands Of mutual kindness and affection f5f
from meditatng hostility TO the North, he has areaa
drawn, and he hopes hereafter to draw much OF his chocr
matter thence; happy indeed Will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the 1
better contribute any essential degree TO drspel W
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both ana
to brighten and strengthen the sacred Ties oil aief"'
love. t.' ,
fifth No Of its third volume How far il has acted ou ne
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor 10 say lie
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 oil lhe
work contains 81 large superroyal pages printed IN 'e
very handsomest manner, type, and on papc
equal least that which any other periodical "
printed in our country
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one The pnceb
SIS per volume which must be paid in all cases al the time
Of subscribing. This is particularly adverted 10 no"
avoid misapprehension, future MISUNDERSTANDING
no order will hereafter be attended TO unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger Is SIX cents on any S
Gle No for all distances under 100 mesover 100 miles,
ten cents. ... -, Az,
An communications or letters relative to the Mess'n-
ger must be addressed to THOMAS ". Witt VIII T.