The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-30
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIs is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and mo-,
protesting entire dsdain Of tasteful seecfon though
its has been, it will continue TO be, In the MAN,
original
Party politics and controversial theology far as
sble are jealousy excluded They sometimes SO
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobeconable to gain admittance for the
sake of the valuable matter 70 which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary They dross tolerated only because it
well be severed from the sterling wherewith is
| incorporated.
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it the editors aim that they should
have threefold tendency-to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed,to direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be read TO
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age OF publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
oyerwhelm every undiscrimnating student impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned Of
the most nestimabe and indispensable Of auxiares
him who does wish to discriminate
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement
both ,-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
events too minute for history yet calculating it, and height
ening its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
of the work. And of Indigenous poetry, enough pub
lished-sometimes Of strainto manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetcal taste and talents OF our
country
The times appear several reasons demand such
work-and not one alone but many. The public mind
is everish and irritated STILL from political ses
The so 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 rdicule into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords it an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in motion, to arouse
the enlightened and increase their number; that the
great enemy of popular government may longer brood
like portentous cloud the destinies of our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical, the plan OF
the Messenger that plan be but carried practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such an agent In all
IL.
periodicals Woodward OF that city, there 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? Mo- for in wealth. talents, and taste,
may justly claim at least equality with our bre'
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords If we choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t was from deep sense 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-
JUDGES, advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors ervent wish to see the
North and South hound sndsaEinsy aseihss forever IN
from medating hostility TO the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much Of his 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 dspei the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of BOTH and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of faterna
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No of its third volume How far it has acted out the
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor to say He
believes however that 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 "a large superoyal pages printed in the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal ut least TO that which other periodical is
printed in our country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with the The price IS
IS per volume which must be paid in a cases at the time
OF subscribing This is particularly adverted 10 TO
avoid misapprehenson, future misunderstandng-ss
no order will hereafter be attended unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The hostage on the Messenger is six cents any sin.
gle No for all distances under lo0miesover 100 miles,
ten cents. H. =,
All communications or letters relative the Messen.
eer mus, he addressed TO THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va