The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-12
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

L
| THIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
| i chiefly to literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
protesting entire disdan tasteful selections though
its matter has beon will continue to be- in the
original
| sble, are jealousy excluded. They are sometimes
blended with discussions literature in moral science,
otherwise unobectionabe gain admittance for the
sake Of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens they are incidental only not
primary They dross, tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling ore wherewh IL
incorporated. .5fs5s
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have threefold tendency-to convey in a condensed
FORM such valuable truths or interesting incidents as are
embodied in the works reyewedto direct the readers
attention to books that deserve TO be read and to
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum
ber which merit only to be burned In this age of puh
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscriminating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is one Of
the most nestimable and Indispensable Of auSaries
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement
or both,-Historca Sketches,-and "reminiscences Of
events 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
lished-sometimes of stranto manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear for several reasons, demand such
work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
is everish and ritated STILL from recent political sres
The SOFT assuasve influence of literature is needed TO
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 haunS
Ignorance lords it over 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 no longer brood
like portentous cloud the destnes of county
And to accomplish all these ends, what pow riu
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
the Union south of Washington, there but two literary
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified ~
the wealth. the leisure the native talent the actual
literary taste OF the Southern people, compared with
we may justly claim at least equality with our br'
thren; and domestic institution exclusively own
beyond all doubt affords if choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
II was from deep Of this local want, that the
word SOUTHERN engrated the name OF thus
periodical and not with any design to nourlsh local pre-
judces advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought is the editors ervent wish to sec the
North and South bound endearngly together forever
the sken bands of mutual kindness and affection faI
from meditang hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much OF his chocest
matter thence ana happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the Other
better contribute any essential degree dspel the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both, and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF fatetn4I
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No of It's third volume How far it has acted The
ideas here uttered, it for the editor to say lie
believes, however that it falls not 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 81 large supcrroya pages printed IN the
very handsomcst manner, type and paper
equal at least to that which any other periodical :
printed in country.
No subscription will lie received for less than volume
and must commence with the current Tho price =
IS per volume, which be paid In all al the TIN"
of subscribing This is particularly advcrcd 10 now TO
avoid misapprehension, future MISUNDERSTANDING
order will hereafter be attended to unless accompan''d
with the price Of subscription
The postage on the Messenger six cents any srn
gle No for Nil distances under 100 mesover 100 miles
ten cents. ... .....
All communications letters relative TO the Mcss"n-
GER must be addressed TO THOMAS w. WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond, Va