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

w. =,
THIS IS MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and no,
protesting entire disdan OF tasteful selections though
its matter has been will continue TO be- in the man.
o'6,"sl no,,. and ,n.oo,v ;, far :, no..
s,be, are lealonsy excluded They are sometimes 50
blended with discussions literature moral science,
otherwise unobectionabe to gain admittance for the
sake Of the valuable matter to which they adhere
s They pa apss only
not well be severed from the sterling ore wherewh IS
incorporated
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work; and is the editors aim that they should
have threefold tendency-to convey in condensed
FORM such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works revewed-o direct the readers
attention books that deserve to be read and TO
him against wasting time and money upon that large num-
ber which merit only TO be burned In this age OF pub
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscnminating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is one OF
the most inestmable and indispensable of auxares 10
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility or amusement
or both,-Hstorca Sketches,--and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history yet Calculating it. and height
ening its interest," be regarded as forming the staple
OF the work And OF Indigenous poetry, enough IS pub
iished-sometmes Of mean stran-to manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents OF our
| country.
The times appear for several reasons, to demand such
work-and not one alone, bu, many. The public mud
is feversh and rrated STILL from recent political sres
The soft, influence Of literature is needed 70
alay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
riotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rdcue, into their fitting hauns
Ignorance lords it over an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in motion, TO arouse
the enlightened and to increase their number so that tie
great enemy OF popular government may no longer boo
like porentous cloud the destnies OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends what more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical, on the plan 4
the Messenger il that plan be but carried out in practice
The South, peculiarly requires such an agent In AL
the Union, south Of Washington, there are but two literary
periodicals. Nohward Of that city, there are probably at
easttwenty-fv thirty Is this contrast justified iy
the wealth. the leisure the native talent, or the actual
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared with those
OF the Northern No. for wealth. talents, and taste
may Justly claim least equality with our be
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords If choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
Ii was from deep sense Of this local want. that We
word SOUTHERN engrafted on the name OF uiIs
periodical and with any design TO noursh local PFC
JUDGES, advocate supposed local interests Far rm
any such thought the editors crvent wish to tie
North and South hound endcarngly together forever N
the slken bands Of mutual kindness and affection fst
from medating hostility to the North he has areaoN
drawn and he hopes hereafter draw much Of his choce
matter thence; ano happy indeed will he deem hlmsr
should his pages, by making each region know the ON
better, contribute in any essential degree 10 dispel "
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both, Md
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF irasern-
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached tt"
fifth No of its third volume How far has acted out re
ideas here uttered. il is not for the editor to say nc
believes, however, that u falls not iuTther short OF %
than human weakness usually makes practice fail short"
theory
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of ihe
work contains 81 large superroya pages, printed 10 r
very handsomcst manner, new type, and on Pai"'
equal least TO that which any other periodical .
printed in country.
No subscription will he received for less than ayonn'
and mus, Commence with the current one The pncc
SIS per volume which be paid NIL cases al the un
Of subscribing This is particularly adverted TO no" "
avoid misapprchcnson, future msunderstandihs
M nrde here he
with the price Of subscription
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any s
Gle No for all distances under 100 mcsover loo ihi'
ten cents.
All communications letters relative 10 the Mess"
ger, must I've addressed 10 THOMAS W WHITE;
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richm"nd' ~