The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-25
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGE
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS IS A MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
protesting entire disdain OF tasteful selections though
its matter has been it will continue to be, in the
Party politics and controversial theology far pos
sble, jealously excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobjectonable, gain admance for the
sake Of the valuable matter to which they adhere
but whenever that happens, they incidental only not
primary. They dross tolerated only because
not well be severed from the sterling wherewith s
incorporated. %"
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work; and is the editors aim that they should
have threeold tendency--to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed, Ito direct the renders
attention to books that deserve to be read and TO warn
him against wasting time and money upon that large mum
Der, which merit only TO be burned In this age OF publ
Cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscrimnating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned IS one OF
the most nestimabc and indispensable OF auxiaes to
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales having in view utility or amusement
or boh,-Historical Sketches,-and "reminiscences OF
minute for history yet eucidaing it, and height
ening its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And Of indigenous poetry, enough is pub
lished-sometimes of strain--o manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetica taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear for several reasons demand such"
work-and not one alone, but many The public mind
feverish and taed STILL from recent political stries
The soft, assuasve influence Of literature is needed to
alay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
are riotng abroad They should be d.ven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridcue into their fitting haunts
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 the
great enemy of popular government may no longer brood
like porentous cloud over the destinles OF our country
And to accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent can 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. Nohward OF that city, there probably at
least twenty-five thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure. the native talent or the actual
literary of the Southern people, compared with those
Of the Norhern7 No. for in wealth, talents, and taste
may justly claim at least equality with our brc
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond adoubt affords if choose, twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t from deep sense Of this local want, that me
word SOUTHERN was engrafted on the name OF TINS
periodical and not with any design to noursh local pre-
udices advocate supposed local interests Far from
such thought il is the editors iervent wish to see Tue
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the silken bands OF mutual kindness and affection faF
from meditang hostility to the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much oh choccst
matter thence nno happy indeed will he deem hlmseN,
shod his pages, by making each region know the other
better contribute in any essential degree 10 dispei ~
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties oil ratefha'
love. go,
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached Tue
fifth No Of its third volume How far it has acted out ne
ideas here uttered 1t is not for the editor to say ho
believes, however, that il falls not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall Short
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number OF the
work contains 64 large superroyal pages, printed IN inc
very handsomest manner, on new type, ana on PaP.
equal at least that which any other pefioaiea
printed in our country. b,
No subscription will be received for less than avolnm
and must commence with the current one. Inc prlee
SIS per volume which must be paid IN all cases III Tue e
or Subscribing This is particularly adyered TO no" 10
avoid misapprchcnsion, or future MISUNDERSTANDING
No order viii hereafter be attended unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
gle No for al distances under 100 iniesover ioo miles,
ten cents. III" -. a. u,ssor.
An communications or letters, relative 10 me mess'"
- n,nst ~ .adressed 10 THOMAS w WHITE,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond '"