The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-12
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
TNHIS IS A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
protesting entire dsain of tasteful selections, though
its matter has been it will continue to be, in the
original ... . ......
Party politics and controversial theology, FAR pos
sble, are 1ealously excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral scenc,
otherwise unobcctionable, 10 gain admance for the
sake of the more valuable matter TO which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only not
primary They dross tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling wherewlh
Incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim tina, they should
have threeiold lendency--to convey in CONDENSED
form, such valuable truths or interesting incidents
embodied the works reviewed, Ito direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be ead,and 10 warn
him against wasting time and money upon tina, large
Der, which merit only to be burned. In this OF pnl
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscrimnatiag student, impartial
criticism, governed BY the views just mentioned is ono Of
the most nestimabe and Indispensable OF auxillarcs 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement
both,-Historical Sketches,--and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history, yet calculating it, and height
ening its interest be regarded as forming the staple
of the work. And of Indigenous poetry, enough is pub
llshed-sometimes of no mean straino NANTES, and I"
cultivate the growing poetca taste and talents OF our
country. , ~.
The times appear, for several reasons demand such
work-and not ono alone, but many The public mInd
The soft, assuasive influence OF literature IS needed to
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridiculc into their hitting hanS
Ignorance lords 1t an immense proportion OF ouT
people Every spring should be set in notion 10 arouse
the enlightened and TO increase their number SO that TIC
great enemy of popular government may no longer BROOD
like portcn,ous cloud the destnes of country
And 10 accomplish all these ends, what powered
agent can be employed than periodical on the plan
the Messenger II that plan be but carried out IN practice
the Union, south Of Washington, there but two literary
periodicals. Northwad Of that city, there are probably
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified ny
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent or the actual
literary taste OF the Southern people compared with those
OF the Norhern No for in wealth, talents and taste
may Justly claim at least equality with our hfr-
hen; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords IL we choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy
Ii from a deep OF this local want, ina, he
word SOUTHERN was engrafted the name ot mas
periodical and no, with any design to noush local pre-
udlccs to advocate supposed local interests Far IRON
any such thought is the editors fervent wish TO sec Tue
North and South bound endearngy together forever III
the silken bands OF mutual kindness and affection f
from mcditang hostility to the North, he has ALREADY
drawn, aud he hopes hereafter 10 draw much oil his choices
matter thence; happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the Other
better contribute in any essential degree to dIsp"' M
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both a
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil ratefh"'
love. ..,.. ..s. .....
fifth No of its third volume How far has acted out ne
ideas here uttered il is not for the editor TO say ne
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 nc
work contains 81 large superroyal pages, printed n VIZ
very handsomest manner, type, and on paI"'
equal al least to that on which any other periodical "
printed in our country
No subscription viii he received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one lhe price y
s5 per volume which must be paid all cases at the tune
Of subscribing This is particularly ahvcried 70 no" "
avoid pisannrehension or future misunderstandng-a
no order iii hereafter be attended to unless accompanies
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger Is SIX cents on any s
Gle No for all distances under 00milesover 100 miles,
cents. 49,. Il, a..
All communications or letters, relative to the MeSsen
ger must be addressed 10 lnoN" w WHIT e.