The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-08-19
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

THOMAS w. WHITE EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly to literature but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
processing entire dsdain OF tasteful Selections though
its matter has been, as 1t will continue TO be, IN the MAN,
original
Party politics and controversial theology far pos
sibe, are jealousy excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobectonale to gain admlttance for the
sake of the valuable matter to which they adhere:
but whenever that happens they incidental only not
primary They dross, tolerated only because 1t can
not well be severed from the sterling wherewh 1t is
incorporated
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have threefod tendency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths or interesting incidents as arc
embodied in the works reviewedto direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be rcad-and TO
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to be burned In this OF pubi-
cations tina, by their variety and multitude distract and
overwheln every Understanding student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned, is Of
the most inesmable and indispensable OF auxaries, to
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having view utility amusement,
or both,-Hstorcal Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet calculating it, and height
en,g Its interest," be regarded as forming the staple
Of the work And Of indigenous poetry, enough is pub
lshed-sometmes of srain--to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents OF our
country.
work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
is feverlsh and rated STILL from recent political strifes:
The soft, assuasve influence Of literature is needed to
aay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
riong abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, lashed by rdcue, into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords 1t over an 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 government may no longer brood,
like porcntous cloud the destines Of our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more 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
NJ tharaa 1nt tue
periodicals. Norhward 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 within
OF the Northern No for in wealth, talents and taste,
We may Justly claim at least equality with our bc-
hren; and domestic institution exclusively our own.
beyond all doubt affords if we choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing which they enjoy
IL was from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN was engraftod on the name Of thus
periodical and not with any design to nonrsh local pre-
JUDGES to advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors ervcnt wish to sec the
North and South bound cndearngly together forever
the silkcn 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
should his pages, by making each region know the other
better contribute IN any essential degree TO dispel tho
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both, and
10 brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil raterna
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
nth No Of its third volume How far 1t has acted out tho
believes however that il falls not further short oil 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 handsomcst manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least 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 prcc Is
IS per volume which be paid in all cases at the tmc
of subscribing This is particularly advered 10 to
avoid misapprehcnsion, future msunderstanding-as
no 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 00milesoyer 100 miles,
ten cents.
All communications letters, relative TO the Messen
ger must lie addressed TO THOMAS w. WHITE.
Southern Literary Messenger Office. Richmond, Va