The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-30
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
protesting entire disdan Of tasteful selections though
its matter has BEEN win continue be- in the main,
original, ..,x no,. "a ,h.oo.v a. nos
sble, are jealously excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobeconabe, 10 gain admittance for the
sake Of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only not
primary. They dross, tolerated only because it
not well be severed from the sterling wherewh II is
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 condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed. direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be read-and TO warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large num-
Der, 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, is of
the most inestimabe and Indispensable OF auxares to
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility or amusement,
or both,-Hstorica Sketches,--and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
ening its be regarded as forming the staple
of the work And of indigenous poetry enough is pub
lishedsometmes OF mean strainto manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetica 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 feyerish and ritated still, from recent political srfes
The soft, assuasve influence Of literature is needed to
alay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
rio,ng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ricue, into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords it over an Immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in motion, to
the enlightened and to increase their number that the
great enemy Of popular government may no longer BROOD
like porentous cloud the desnies Of our country
And TO accomplish all these ends what powerful
agent can be employed than periodical on the plan OF
the Messenger If that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly requires such an agent In all
If fbprr lint NDII
periodicals. Nohwam Of that CITY, there are probably at
least twenty-five or thirty Is this contrast justified by
literary taste OF the Southern people, compared wihth
Of the Northenl No. for in wealth. talents and TASTE
we may justly claim at least an equality with our hre
hren; and domestic institution exclusively own
beyond all doubt affords US, il choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t was from deep sense Of this local want, that The
word SOUTHERN engrated the name OF this
periodical and with any design nourish local pre-
JUDGES TO advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors ferven wish to see the
North and South bound endearngy together forever in
the silken bands Of mutual kndncss and affection Far
from meditatng hostility to The North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hercaftsro draw choicest
should his pages, by making each REGION knc~ s other
better contribute in any essential degree TO dspel The
lowering clouds tina, NOW threaten the peace Of both and
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
ffth No Of its third volume, How has acted the
ideas here uttered, il is NOT for the editor say He
believes however, that it falls not further short 81 them
than human weakness usually makes practices alshori
theory. -
The Messenger is issued moxnay Each s,,imbcr of,he
work contains 81 large royal psRes printed in tho
very handsomest manner, ON rev type, and on paper
equal at least to that which syo other periodical is
printed in our country. "a 4 -. -.
No subscription will be received for less than avoume
and must commence with the currem oxc. The price IS
IS per volume, which must be paid IN at the time
OF subscribing This is particuary sdscHed 10 now to
avoid misapprehension, fnufe mispndesstandng-as
no order will hereafter be unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger i six any SIN
Gle No. for all distanc under 1o0mifesoycr 100 miles,
ten cents. A~sa&f :.
All communications or letters relative to tho Messer
ger ur,st be addressed to- THOMAS w. WHITE:
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va