The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-03
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,


THOMAS W WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and no,
protesting an entire disdan of tasteful selections though
It's matter has been US will continue TO be, in the
original.
sibe, jealousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobectonabe, TO gain admt,ance for the
sake of the valuable matter TO which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary. They dross, tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling wherewih II
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and 1t is the editors aim that they should
have threetold tendency--to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied In the works reviewed,to direct the readers
attention 10 books that deserve to be read, and
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only TO be burned In this age OF pub
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscriminang student, impartmN
criticism, governed by the views just mentioned Of
the most nestimabe and indispensable of auxiliaes
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility
or both,-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
for history yet Calculating and height
ening its interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work. And Of indigenous poetry, enough pub
lished-sometlmes OF no mean strain-o manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetic taste and talents OF
country.
The times appear, for several reasons demand such
a work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
is feversh and itated s,l from political strcs
The soft, assuasive influence Of literature is needed, 10
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 haunls
Ignorance lords it immense proportion Of our
people Every spring should be set in NOTION to arouse
the enlightened and TO increase their number that Ia"
great enemy OF popular government may longer BROOD
like porientous cloud, the destinies of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what more 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 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
oil the Northern No: for in wealth, talents, and taste
we may Justly claim at least equality with our bre.
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords us, if choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t was from deep sense OF this local want that me
word SOUTHERN engrafted on the name OF tins
periodical and not with any design to noursh local pre-
udces to advocate supposed local interests Far iron
any such thought it is the editors ferven wish to see the
North and South bound endearngly together forever IN
the slkcn bands OF mutual kindness and affection Far
from medtatng hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter TO draw much OF his choicest
matter thence; ana happy indeed will he deem himself,
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute any essential degree 10 dspc TIE
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both and
10 brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of iacTnA
love,
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No OF its third volume How far it has acted out Tie
ideas here uttered i is not for the editor to say II"
believes however that il falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short Of
theory. !.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of he
work contains 81 large superya pages, printed IN the
very handsomest manner on new type, and on paper
equal at least to that which any other periodical Is
printed in our country
No subscription will be received FOR less than volume
and must commence with the current The PRICE -
So per volume, which must be paid in all cases at the i'm"
OF subscribing This is particularly adyerted 10 no" 10
avoid misrepresentation or future mlsundersandlnc--as
no order will hereafter he attended 10 unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription
The postage on the Messenger is six cents any sIn
gle No for all distances under 100 mlcsover 100 miles,
ten cents.
All communications letters, relative 10 the Ncsson.
ger, must he addressed 10 THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va