The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-14
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN. LITERARY MESSENGER,
rHoMAs ". WHITE, EpIroR ANp pRopRlEroR.

| THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE. devoted
J. chiefly literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science; and
protesting entire disdain of tasteful Selections though
its matter has been, it will continue to be, in the
Party politics and controversial theology far pos
| sibe, jealousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobectonabe, to gain admttance for the
sake Of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
! primary. They dross, tolerated only because can
not well be severed from the sterling wherewth il
| incorporated t4" #a@
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 a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works revewed,-o direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read and
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only to be burned In this age Of pub
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscriminating student impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned, Of
the most inestmable and indispensable Of auxares
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement,
or both,-Hstorca Sketches,--and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
enng its interest may be regarded forming the staple
OF the work And OF indigenous poetry, enough pub
lshed-somemes of no mean srain-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetca taste and talents Of
country. ...@
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
a work-and not alone, but many. The public mind
is feversh and irrated still, from recent political sres
/
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
riong abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, or dashed by ridicule into their fitting hauns
Ignorance lords it immense proportion of
people. Every spring should be set in notion
the enlightened and to increase their number that the
great enemy of popular government may longer brood
like potentous cloud, the destnies Of country.
And to accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent be employed than periodical the plan of
the Messenger il that plan be but carried in practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such agent In all
the Union south Of Washington there but literary
periodicals. Northward Of that city, there probably
least twenty five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth, the leisure the native talent, the actual
literary taste of the Southern people, compared whh
Of the Northenl No: for in wealth, talents, and taste,
we may Justly claim at least an equality with our bre-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords if choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
IL was from deep OF this local want that the
word SOUTHERN was engrafted on the name Of this
periodicals. and not with any design to noursh local pre-
JUDGES to advocate supposed local interests Far from
North and South bound endearngy together forever
the sken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from medatng hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter TO draw much OF his choicest
matter thence; ana happy indeed will he deem hmselh
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute in any essential degree TO dspe
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of BOTH and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of aerna
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No Of its third volume. How far il has acted out The
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor say. He
believes however, that it falls further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory. #"..
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of the
work contains 81 large superoya pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, on type, and on paper
equal Mt least to that which any other periodical
printed in our country. ..
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current one. The pnce j"
IS per volume which must paid in all cases at the time
Of subscribing This is particularly adverted TO nov to
avoid misrepresentation, future nisunderstanding-as
order will hereafter be attended TO unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents on any sn'
gle No for all distances under 100 mlesovef 100 miles
ten cents. ,-.s. ."..
An communications or letters relative the Messon-
GER must be addressed TO THOMAS w WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, vs.