The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-07
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
J. chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope OF Science and not
protesting entire dsdain of tasteful selesons though
its matter has been, as will continue to be- in the man,
original
sble, are jealously excluded They are sometimes
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobectonable, to gain admttance for the
sake Of the valuable matter which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they Incidental only
primary. They dross, tolerated only because
well be severed from the sterling wherewith
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work; and it is the editors aim that they should
have threeiold tendency--to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed Ito direct the readers
attention to books that deserve to be read, land
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
overwhelm every undiscrimnating student impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned Of
the most inestimabe and indispensable Of auxiarcs
him who does wish to discriminate
Essays and Tales having in view utility amusement
or boh,-Historical Sketches and "reminiscences Of
events minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
ening its be regarded forming the staple
of the work. And of Indigenous poetry, enough pub
lished-sometimes OF mean strainto manifest and TO
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents Of
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
work-and not one alone but many. The public mind
The soft, assuasive influence Of literature is 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 immense proportion Of our
people Every spring should be set in motion, to arouse
the enlightened, and to increase their number that the
great enemy of popular may longer brood
like portentous cloud, the desnies 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 practice
n
the Union south Of Washington there are but two literary
periodicals. Northward 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 Northern No: for in wealth. talents and taste
may justly claim at least equality with our brc.
thren and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords il we choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
II from deep sense of this local want that me
word SOUTHERN was engrafted on the name of tins
periodicals. and not with any design to nourish local pre-
JUDGES advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought it the editors erven wish to see the
North and South bound endearngly together forever IN
the sken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditatng 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 dspo the
lowering clouds that now threaten the peace Of both and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF fraernal
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 il 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 superroya pages printed IN the
very handsomest manner, new type and on paper
equal at least TO that which any other periodical IS
printed in country,
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with he current The price y
IS per volume which must be paid all cases at the time
Of subscribing This is particularly advered to no"
avoid MISREPRESENTATION, or future misunderstandng-as
order will hereafter be attended to unless accompanied
with the price of subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents on any sl
gle No for all distances under 100 milesover 100 miles,
ten cents.
All communications letters relative to the Messen
ger, must be addressed to THOMAS W WHITE;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond :"