The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-10-05
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
T,HIs is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
j chiefly 10 literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
protesting entire disdan Of tasteful selections though
its matter has been it will continue to be- in the
original a.s
Party politics and controversial theology, as far pos
sible, jealousy excluded. They are sometimes so
otherwise unobectionabe gain admittance 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 ore wherewith
incorporated " ..
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 q condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works revewedto direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be readand to warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum
ber which merit only to be burned In this age of publ
Cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscriminatng student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned OF
the most nestimabe and indispensable Of auxiares, to
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility
or oth-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences of
events too minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
enng its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
of the work And Of indigenous poetry enough is pub
lished- Of stran-to manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents Of our
country.
The times appear for several reasons demand such
work--and not one alone, but many. The public mind
is eyerish and ritated still from political s,ries
The soft, assuasive influence Of literature is needed
aay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcule into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords it over immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in motion, to
the enlightened and TO increase their number so that the
great Of popular government may no longer brood
like portentous cloud the destines Of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what 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 an agent, In all
the Union south q Washington there but two literary
periodicals Nohward Of that city, there probably at
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 with those
Of the Norheni Mo- for in wealth, talents and taste,
may justly claim at least equality with our bre-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively own
beyond all doubt affords u.s. 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
periodical and not with any design to noursh local pre-
udices advocate supposed local Far from
any such thought is the editors fervent wish TO see the
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the slken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditatng hostility to the North, he has already
drawn, and he hopes hereafter 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 any essential degree dispe the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties of raterna
love. .#.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No Of its third volume How far has acted out the
ideas here uttered. il is not for the editor TO say He
believes however that it falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short OF
theory. taa,
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains 81 large superroyal pages printed IN The
very handsomcst manner, type, and on paper
equal at least TO that which any other perodica!
printed in our country. aa..'
No subscription will be received for less than avoumc
and must commence with the current The price IS
IS per volume which be paid in all cases AT the time
Of subscribing This is particularly adverted TO no" !"
avoid misapprehenson, future misunders'andng-as
order will hereafter be attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents on any n'
gle No for all distances under 100 mesover ioo miles,
ten cents. ta :.
All communications letters, relative to the Messen'
ger, must be addressed TO THOMAS w WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va