The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-23
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

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 not
processing entire disdan Of tasteful seiectons though
its matter has been, it viii continue 10 be- in the MAN,
0rSSins , ,,;,;.. !, .,n,,,ro. ,h.oor, :. g.
sble eaously excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions literature in moral science,
otherwise unobecionable, to gain admttance for the
sake Of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only not
primary They dross tolerated only because can
not well be severed from the sterling wherewh is
Incorporated. '"
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and is the editors aim that they should
have threefold tendency--to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents are
embodied in the works reyiewed,-to direct the readers
attention 10 books that deserve to be readand TO warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only be burned In this age of publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undlscriininang student, impartial
criticism governed by the views Just mentioned is OF
the most nestimabe and Indispensable of auxiarles, 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in viewuiiy or amusement,
or both,-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history yet calculating IT. and height
ening its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of indigenous poetry enough is pub
lished-sometimes of stran-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear for several reasons, demand such
work--and not alone, but many. The public mind
is feverish and rritaed STILL from recent political strlies
The soft, assuasive influence of literature is needed TO
alay that fever, and soothe that irritation. Vice and folly
are riotinu abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed 10y ridcue into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords it over an immense proportion oil our
people Every spring should be set in motion, to arouse
the enlightened and TO increase their numbers so that the
great enemy of popular government may longer brood
like porentous cloud the dcsnes OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends what powerful
agent can be employed than perodca on the plan Of
the Messenger If tina, 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. Norhward of that city, there probably at
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure the native talent or 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
hren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords If We choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t from deep sense Of this local want, tina, the
word SOUTHERN was cngrahed the name of this
periodical and with any design to nourish local pre-
JUDGES, advocate supposed local interests Far IRON
any such thought is the editors ervent wish TO see the
North and South bound endcarngly together forever
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditatng hostility to the North he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much OF his choicest
matter thence ano happy indeed will he deem himself,
should his pages, by making each region know the other
better contribute IN any essential degree TO dspel the
lowering clouds that now threaten the peace OF both and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF ira'ern"I
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No OF its third volume How far has acted out NE
IDEAS here uttered, ~ IL the eultor Nv
believes, however that il falls no, 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 81 large superroya pages printed in The
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal Mt least to that which any other perodca IL
printed in country. ..
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commcncc with the current one Inc pnce Is
IS per volume, which must be paid IN all cases al inc le
of subscribing This is particularly advered 10 no" 10
avoid misrepresentation, future nsunders'andng-
no order viii hereafter be attended TO unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
glo No for all distances under 100 mes-oVef ioo me'
ten cents. ~ u,..ar
n. n,us, i've addressed TO THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond v"