The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-23
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

/ THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
/ TJNHIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE devoted
i chiefly literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science
protesting entire dsdan Of tasteful seicon though
It's matter has BEEN as will continue TO be- in the MAN,
original gina, ,,o,;,,.. al ,,.o,,.
| sibe, are jealousy excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature moral science,
otherwise unobjectionable gain admtance for the
sake Of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary They dross tolerated only because ii can.
incorporated
in the work and il is the editors aim that they should
have threefod tendency-to convey in q condensed
form, such valuable truths or interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed Ito direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be read-and 10
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age of publ
oyerwheim every Understanding student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned Of
the most inestmabe and Indispensable Of auxiaries
| him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement,
or both,-Iiisorical Sketches, and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet calculating and height
ening its interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work. And Of Indigenous poetry enough pub
shed-sometimes Of mean stran-to manifest and TO
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents of
country.
The times appear several reasons, demand such
a work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
fcvcsh and irritated STILL from political sres
The sof assuasive influence Of literature is needed
allay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
rioting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke ashed by rdicule, into their fitting hauns
Ignorance lords II over immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in motion, to
The enlightened, and to increase their number that the
great enemy Of popular may longer brood
like portcntous cloud the destincs of country
| And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than PERIODICAL the plan of
the Messenger If that plan be hut carried out in practice
The South, peculiaIly requires such an agent In all
the Unon south Of Washington, there but two literary
periodicals. Northward OF that city, there probably at
least twentyfv thirty. Is this justified by
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent, the actual
literary taste OF the Southern people, compared will those
Of the Northcml No. for in wealth. talents and taste,
we may Justly claim at least equality with bre.
thren and domestic institution exclusively own,
beyond all doubt affords us If we choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
Ii was from deep Of this local want that The
word SOUTHERN engrafed the name Of Tins
periodical and not with any design 10 nourish local PIE.
JUDGES advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought it is the editors rvent wish the
North and South bound endearingly together forever
the sken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from mediiatng hostility to this NORTH he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much OF his choicest
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 dspc the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both and
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF fraerna
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No of its third volume How far 1t has acted out he
ideas here uttered. it not for the editor to tie
believes however that il falls not further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short Of
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains " large superroya pages printed IN the
very handsomest manner, type, and on paper
equal least TO that which any other periodical IS
printed in country.
No subscription will he received for less than volume,
and commence with the current The pnce IS
IS per volume which be paid in all al the tine
Of subscribing This is particularly adyered 10 no" 70
avoid misrepresentation, or future msundcrsanding-as
no order will hereafter be attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger is six cents any SIN
gle No for all distances under 100 mlesover 100 miles,
ten cents.
All communications letters relative to the Messen.
GER must he addressed to Thomas W, WHITE
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, va.