The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-08-30
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER
rmoMAs W WHITE. EDITOR AM rRorklEroR

W.
THIS IS A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly to literature but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
processing entire dsdain OF tasteful selections though
It's matter has been, will continue TO be, the
original
Party politics and controversial theology, far pos
sbc, lcalouslv excluded They somciimc,
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobycctionable, to gain admance for TIC
sake Of the valuable matter TO which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only
primary They arc doss tolerated only because it can
not well be severed from the sterling whcrcwlth
incorporated
in the work; and it the editors ann that they should
have thrcciold tcndency-to convey in 4 conicnst
form, such valuable truths or interesting ncidcn
embodied IN the works reyicwed,-to direct the readers
attention 10 books that deserve TO be rcad,-and To
him against wasting time and money upon that large nun
Der, which only to be burned In this age Of publ
cations that hy their variety and multitude distract a
osrrahchn every undlscrimna,lng student, impai.lI
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is "nr
the most ncsmablc and indispensable of auxiliaS,
HIM who does wish to discriminate
Essays and Tales having in view utility or amusement
or hoh,-Hs'oncal Sketchcs,-and "reminiscences y
events too minute for history yet elucidaiing and hg
ening its Interestingly lie regarded as forming the STAG
Of the work And of indigenous poetry, enough i ~
llshcd-somcmes Of no mean siraln-o manifest art ~
cultivate the growing pocca taste and talents Of
| country.
The times appear for several reasons, 10 demand $50
wok-and alone hi, many. The pubic rad
IS cvcrlsh and nated still, from recent political sltl
The soft, assuasvc influence Of literature is nccr y
aay that fever, and soo,hc that irritation Vice and 90
ro,ing abroad They should be driven by ind matt
robukc, dashed by rdlcule into their fitting ttsuH'.
ignorance lords II over an immense proportion I" yI
people Every spring should be set in morton, to
the enlightened and Ia increase their number; thai
great enemy OF popular government may no longer TIRE"
like aportentous cloud the dcsnics Of count,
And 10 accomplish all these ends what moro pp~'i
agent can BE- employ ed than periodical, the idl '
the Messenger; # that plan be but carried out pIa,1
The South peculiarly requires such an agent IN
the Inlon south OF Washng there are bu Two ll,ru
4 Nh ilff hnfr ib,rp ,irl
least twenty five thirty Is this contrast Jusi'd
the wealth the leisure. tho native talent, The ar'
literary taste o the Southern people, compared wihia
OF the Northern ! No; for in wealth, talents, and lNn
we may justly claim at least equality with ON =
rhren; and a domestic institution exclusively our ="
beyond all doub, affords We choose TWICE thu L..
Tor reading and writing which they enjoy.
II was from deep sense OF this local want iha'
word SOUTHERN cngra,cd on the name y
periodical and not with any design 10 nonrish loc A.
Jutlccs advocate supposed local interests Ear n
any such thought II the editors icrycnt wish
North and South bound cndearngly together iorcs'i
the slhcn bands Of mutual kindness and affection
from mcdltatns hostility to tho North he has ali.A
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw, much Of his ch
matter thence; ana happy indeed viii he deem hul,'
should his pages by making each region know N, - '
better, contribute IN any essential degree 10 dSpi
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of bolt, Il
10 lrptten and strengthen the sacred ties Of irdfc,
The Southern Literary Messenger has rrnch,i
fifth No. Of It's third volume, How far has acted oui
IDEAS here uttered II IS not for the editor 10 ~
believes however that il falls not further short 81 "
than human weakness usually makes practice fall slot
theory,
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number o'
work contains bi large suer.roya pages, pfn', "
very handsomcs' manner, On ncs type, and On I"
equal ut least that which any other pciodral
printed in country
No subscription viii be received for less than 49,.
and mus, commence with the current one The pt" 3,
81 per volume, which must be paid IN all cases al ~
Of subscribing This is particularly adycrcd t. no.
avoid msappr,hcnslnn. or future nsundcrstamdE
no orG III hereafter be attended 10 unless acc"Hlt
NTH liz" FilcC Of subscription,
'Ihc postage the Messenger is SIX cents on an'
pIr No for all distances under 100 mcs-oycI 100 ~
cents.
An communications or letters relative 10 tho N',,"
gCr, must 10 addressed to THOMAS W. WHIT.
Southern Literary Messenger Office. Richmond,