Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-06-21
PROSPECTUS
OF THE
Southern Literary Messenger
THOMAS w. WHITE.
Editor and Proprietor.

THIS Is a monthly Magazine, devoted chiefly
10 Literature, but occasionally finding roonf
also for articles that fall within the scope OF Sci
eoce aud not protesting an entire disdain OF
tasteful ssisefons, though lis matter has been, as
II viii continue TO be, in ths main, original
Party Poisiies aud controversial 1asoiogy. a.
far rs possible, are jeaiousiy excluded. insy
are sometimes so blended with discussions ~ Tito
nature or In moral science, otherwise unobjso,
tionabie, as TO gain ndmittancs for the sake Oh
the more valuable matter 70 which they s1hera'
bat whenever that happens, they arc tnctdsntai.
'oniy not primary. They are dross. tolerated
only because II cannot well be severed from the
sterling ore wherewlt h il IL incorporated.
REVIEWS aud CRtTicAl NoricEs. occupy their
due space in the work ard II is the Editors
aim that they should have q threefoId tendency
- 10 convey, in a coIdensed form, such valuable
truths or interesting incidents a. are embodied
in the works reviewed,--to direct the readers
attention 10 books that deserve 10 be read and
10 warn him against wasting time add money
upon that largo number. which merit only TO be
burned In this age. OF publications that by
their variety and multitude, distract and over,
wbelm every understanding student. impartial
criticism. governed by the views just men'ion-
ii j. ono OF the most inestimabe and indspcn.
sable Of aaxiliarics, TO him who docs w"n 70
discriminate.
Essays and TAIes, having 10 view utility or
amuse ment. or both, --HisrosicAtS xETohks.
aud REAiSiscrscFs Of events too minute ,or
History, yet Calculating IL. and heightening rs
interest, may be regarded a. forming the staple
Of the work. Aud Of indigenous PokTay, enough
IL publsh~d sometimes OF no mean straln--io
manifest and 10 cultivate sho growing poeticai
taste and talents Of our couutry.
The times appear, for several reasons. TO DO
maod such work and not Que aloue, but many.
The pablo mind Ia feverish and Initiated stu.
from recent political strifcs :--Th soft, assua-
sve influence Of Literature 10 needed. 10 ailsy
that fever, aud soothe that irritation. wee ana
foil, arc rioiing abroad They should DC arr
ven BY Indignant rebukc, Or lashed BY ridicnie.
iuto their fitting haunts. Ignorance lords y over
an inamcnce proportion Of our people - every
snrine should be set In motion, 20 arouse the en-
iichtsncd, and TO incressc their number; 90 thar
the great enemy Of popular government may
no longer brood. like a portentious cloud, oyer
The d,s,inics Of our country. And 10 accomplish
all these ends, what more powerful agent can
be e,nploy ed, than n periodical, on the plan Of
the Messenger; II that plan be but carried ous
fn practice
The sourn. peculiarly. requires such an agent.
In all the Union. south Of Washington, there
are but two Literary periodicals Northwsrd
Of that city. there are probably Al least twenty
five or thirty IL this contrast Justihed py mo
wealth. the leisure, the native talent, OF 'he nc
tual literary taste Of ihe Southern people, com
pared i,h those Of the Northern? No for IN
wealth, talents, and taste, we may justly claim
At least az squaltip with our brethren and =
domestic institution exccsively cur own, beyond
all doubt affords Us, il we choose, twice the Ioi'
snre for reading and writing which they enjoy
twas from o deep sense oi th" soeae wsn''
that the word SoUTHEns was engraited on 100
name Of this periodical. and not win any ao-
siga 10 nourish local prejudices, or TO advocate
snpposed local interests. Far from any ss'n
thought, il 10 the Editors fcrvent wish, 10 zee
IN. North aud South bound endearingiy togs'net
forever. in the sikcn bands Of mutual kindness
and affection, Far from medita,ing hoshhfy 10
the north, lie has already drawn, and ne hopcs
hereafter 10 draw, much of his choiscst matter
thence: and happy indeed will he deem him
self should his pages. bv making each ftg'o"
know the other better, conttibate IN any essen
,iai degrcc 10 -dispei the lowering clouds that
now threaten the peace Of both, ard TO brighten
| and strengthen the sacred ties Of ifaterna love.
The SoprHrms LITERARY MrssENcEa has
how reached the fifth No. offs third Volume
How far il as acted out the idens here uttered,
j, no, for The Editor 10 say. He believes. how.
ever, that il falls not further short 81 them, Than
bumen weakness usually makes Practice faii
short Of Theory.
The Messenger 10 issued rionihly. Each mum :,
Der Of the work contains ca large super royal
pages, printed 10 the very handsomest manner,
on new type, aud on paper equal at least TO that
on which any other periodical - printed N our
country. No subscription will be received ior
ess than Volume. and must commence WIN
the current Que, The price is s. per Volume: .
whieh must be- bald ia all cases at the time OF
subscribing. This 10 particularly adsertcd 10
noy, 10 avoid misspprchepsinn, or future misun-
lder,,apdipg-ss no order will hereafter be at ;
tended TO unless accompanied with Che price Of
subscription
The postage on the Messenger 10 sir csnts ON
any single No. for all distances under luo miles
over 100 miles, ten cents.
fr3-AII communication, or letters. relative TO
The messenger, must be addressed 10 THOMAS
w. wmrs. Southern Library Messenger ~
fee, Richmond, Va"
I June Ia. 1897.