The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-10
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
rnoMAs ". WHITE, EpIroR ASH pRorRIEroR.

w.
T,HIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
j chiefly TO literature but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and not
protesting entire dsdain Of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, as will continue TO be- in the MAN,
| original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos
sble, jealousy excluded They are sometimes
blended with discussions in literature or in moral science
otherwise unoteconable, to gain admance for the
sake of the 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 wherewith
incorporated. #.. @.5.E-
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have threefold tendency--to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed. to direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read and 10
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
overmhelm every undiscriminating student impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned Of
the most nestimabe and indispensable Of auxliaes,
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having riewutility 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 no mean strain-o manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents Of
country.
The times appear, for several reasons to demand such
a work-and not alone, but many. The public mud
everish and irrtated STILL from political strfes
soil, assuasive influence oil literature needed,
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdicule into their fitting haunts
ignorance lords It over an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in notion
the enlightened and TO increase their number so that the
great enemy of popular may longer brood
like portentous cloud, the destines 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 but carried out in practice
The South peculiarly, requires such agent. In all
eDu ash are
periodicals Nohward Of that city, there probably at
east twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent the actual
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared with those
Of the Northern No. for in wealth, talents and taste,
We may Justly claim at least equality with our be'
hren; and domestic institution exclusively own
beyond all doubt affords us il we choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
was from deep Of this local want, that tie
word SOUTHERN was engrafted the name OF tins
periodical and not with any design to noursh local pre-
udices advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors fcvent wish TO see the
North and South bound cndearngy together forever IN
the slken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditang 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 dispe the
lowering clouds that threaten the OF both and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of fraterra
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No. Of its third volume, How far it has acted out the
ideas here uttered it Is not for the editor to say he
believes however that it falls 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 Ga large supcroyal pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least TO that which any other periodical is
printed in our country
No subscription will he received for less than volume
and must commence with the current The price .
IS per volume, which must be paid in all cases nj the time
Of subscribing This is particularly adverted 10 no" 10
avoid misapprehension, future NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
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 whatsoever 100 miles,
ten cents. ' @.
All communications letters, relative TO the Mcssen
ger mus, be addressed 10 THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond va