The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-14
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

| THOMAS w. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR =
THIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
protesting entire dsan Of tasteful selections, though
its matter has been, 1t will continue to be- in the main,
original. ....
Party politics and controversial theology far pos
4 sible, jealously excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions literature in moral science,
otherwise unobectionabe to gain admittance for the
sake OF the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they incidental only not
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 that they should
have threelold tendency--to convey in condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewedto direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be readand 10
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
overMhelm every Understanding student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned of
the nestimabe and indispensable Of auxiaries TO
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement,
or both,-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
minute for history yet Calculating it, and height
enng its interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work. And Of indigenous poetry, enough pub
lishedsometimes of stran-to manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents Of our
country.
The times appear for several reasons to demand such
a work-and not alone, but many. The public mind
is eversh and initaed STILL from recent political stries
The soft assuasiye influence of literature is needed 10
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
are roting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke dashed by ridcue, into their fitting hanns
Ignorance lords 1t immense proportion oil our
people Every spring should be set in notion to arouse
the enlightened and to increase their number so that the
great enemy OF popular government may longer BROOD
like por,cntous cloud the destnes Of country
And to accomplish all these ends what powerful
agent be employed than PERIODICAL on the plan OF
the Messenger IL that plan be but carried out IN practice
The South peculiarly, requires such agent. In all
the Union south Of Washington there are but two literary
periodicals! Northwad Of that CITY, there are probably at
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast Jushed ny
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent, the actual
literary 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 hre-
ihren and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords if we choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
II from deep sense OF this local want, thai me
word SOUTHERN engraed the name OF inns
periodical and with any design TO nourish local pre-
ludices advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought the editors ervent wish 10 see the
North and South bound endearingy together forever IN
the sken bands Of mutual kindness and affection f2
from meditatng hostility to the North he has ALREADY
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much OF his choicest
matter thence; ano happy indeed will he deem hms',
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute in any essential degree to dspel ne
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both ana
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties of iraern"I
love. 49,,
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No. of its third volume How far has acted out ne
ideas here uttered it is not for the editor to say lie
believes however that il falls not further short oil thcn
than human weakness usually makes practice tall SNORT o.
theory. -,
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number OF W"
work contains GA large superroya pages printed IN NE
very handsomest manner, on new type, and on pap
equal least TO that which any other penodcai Is
printed in country ,.--,
No subscription will be received for less than volume,
and must commence with the current one The prlce 10
IS per volume which must be paid in all cases al the tune
OF subscribing This is particularly advered 10 no" !"
avoid misapprehension, future misrepresentation
no order will hereafter be attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The postage on the Messenger six cents on any S
Gle No for all distances under l00mos-ovcr ioo "'''
ten cents. l. Mo..or-
All communications letters relative to me Messeh
GER must be addressed 10 1H6NAs ", "hiihiv
Southern Literary Messenger Once, hlchfnohu' W