The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-26
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
rHoMAs v. WHITE, EDIroE AND PRoPRIEroR

/
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
protesting entire dsdan Of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, it will continue 10 be- the
original
sble, are jeaously excluded They are sometimes
blended with discussions in literature OF in moral science
otherwise understandable, to gain admiiiance for the
sake Of the valuable matter TO which they adhere
s on, se
incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and 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 Ito direct the readers
attention to books that deserve be read and
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only to be burned In this age Of publ
oyerwhem every. understanding student, impartial
criticism, governed by the Just mentioned Of
the most nestimabe and indispensable of auxaries
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having view utility amusement
or both ,-Historical Sketches-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute of history, yet Calculating and height
Of the work. And of indigenous poetry, enough pub
lished-sometimes of mean strainto manifest and
cultivate the growing poetca taste and talents Of our
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
work--and not alone but many. The public mind
is feverish and irrtated still, from political scs
aay that fever and soohe that irritation. Vice and folly
roting abroad: They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, or ashed by rdicnle into their fitting haun's
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF on
people Every spring should be set in motion
the enlightened and TO increase their number that the
great enemy of popular government may no longer brood
like portentous cloud, the desnies of county,
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 Unon south Of Washington there are but literary
periodicals. Northward of that city there are 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 with those
Of the Northern No: for in wealth. talents, and taste
we may Justly claim at least equality with our 1c'
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords us il choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
twas from deep sense Of this local want, that III"
word SOUTHERN was engrafted on the of tins
perodca and not with any design nourish local pre-
udices or to advocate supposed local interests Far from
North and South bound endearingly together forever IN
the skcn bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from mediating hostility to the North he has already
drawn and he hopes draw much ofhis choicest
matter thence happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages, by making each region know the Other
better contribute in any essential degree to dlspe th
lowering clouds that now threaten the peace OF both and
TO brighten and strengthen tho sacred ties of ntera-I
love. ..5ssi,a !. #@ls.ss .
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No Of its third volume How far il has acted out me
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor say lie
believes however that 1t falls further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short OF
theory. 1914, ST & 'sas. ....
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number OF The
work contains Ga large supcrroya pages printed m ne
very handsomest manner, on type, and paper
equal at least TO that which any other periodical Is
printed in country. s EEs re"
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current The pncr S
IS per volume which must be paid all a, the Gr
Of subscribing This is particularly advertcd 10 no" -
avoid misapprchenson future msunderstandins-as
no order will hereafter he attended to unless accompan""
with the price Of subscription.
The postage the Messenger is six cents on any sun
gle No for all distances under 100 mesoyer 100 mhr
ten cents. ..s 49,.
All communications letters relative to the MessrH'
ger must be addressed 10 THOMAS w. WHITE;
Southern Literary Messenger Office Richmond v"