The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-28
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

#E THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
TNHIS Is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devote
i chiefly TO literature but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
protesting entire dsdain Of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, will continue to be, in the
original.
Party politics and controversial theology as far pos
sbie are jealousy excluded They are sometimes Sc
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobjectonable to gain admance for the
sake Of the more valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they are incidental only not
primary They dross tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling Hherewith
incorporated - .
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have ,hreefold tendency-to convey in a CONDENSED
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewedto direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be read and to warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only TO be burned In this age Of publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every. undiscriminating student, imParS
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned is
the most inestimabe and Indispensable Of auxlares
him who does wish to discriminate. .
Essays and Tales, having in view utility
minute for history, yet calculating and height
enng its Interest," be regarded as forming the ape
Of the work And Of indigenous poetry, enough pub
lished-sometimes Of no mean stran-to manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetca taste and talents Of oa
country. rs
The times appear for several reasons demand surh
work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
is eversh and itated STILL from political sres
The soft, assuasive influence of literature is needed
aay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and o
rioting abroad They should be driven by ndlgnaR
rebuke dashed by ndicule, into their fitting haun''
Ignorance lords II immense proportion OF oH
people. Every spring should be set in notion to arouse
the enlightened and TO increase their number that he
great enemy of popular government may no longer bro
like porentous cloud, the destines of our coun
And to accomplish all these ends, what powcfI
agent can be employed than periodical, the plan
the Messenger if that plan be but carried out in pracc
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In al
the Union, south of Washington there but two temN
periodicals. Nohward Of that city, there probably
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified y
the wealth, the leisure the native talent or the ac'u"
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared with
Of the Northeni Mo- for in wealth, talents and taste
may Justly claim at least equality with our b'
thren and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords u.s. Il we choose twice the eS"
for reading and writing, which they enjoy
IL was from deep sense Of this local want, tha wv
word SOUTHERN was engrafted on the name OF Wv
periodical and not with any design TO noursh ioca Pr
udces, or to advocate supposed local interests Far iron
any such thought it is the editors ervent wish to see ''
North and South bound endearingly together forever
the slken bands Of mutual kindness and affection "a
from medating hostility TO the North, he has aeAH
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much his choice,
matter thence ano happy indeed wall he deem hi"st.
should his pages by making each region know The S
better, contribute IN any essential degree TO dlspe |
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both a
TO brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF rate'
love. NJ ..
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached W
fifth No Of its third volume. How far il has acted out ~
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor TO say ~
believes, however that falls not further short Of %
than human weakness usually makes practice fall shon
theory ~,
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of Wv
work contains 81 large super-royal pages, printed
very handsomest manner, new type, and on PSF
equal at least to that which any other periodIc@
printed in country ,i
M vii he receyed for less than yofH
and must commence with the current one. The pHcs
IS per volume which must be paid in all cases lite %
Of subscribing This is particularly adyerted to no"
avoid misapprehenslon or future misunderstahdI.
no order will hereafter he attended to unless accomPn0
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger IL six cents on aa ~,
gle No for all distances under 100 milesovef IoV h
ten cents. etn, .... ,,sr. +
All communications or letters, relative TO the Mes
ger, must be addressed TO THOMAS " Why VIM l.
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmono'