The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-28
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PRorRIEro

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
protesting entire dsdan of tasteful selections though
its matter has been, win continue to be, in the
original .,,;... -.
sble, jealousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature moral science
otherwise unobjectionabe, as to gain admance 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 wherewh IS
incorporated. ,.a
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and il 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,-to direct the readers
attention books that deserve be and 10
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only be burned In this age Of Pub
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undscrminatng student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned one
the nestlmable and indispensable Of auxiares
him who does wish to discriminate. r..
Essays and Tales having in wutility amusement,
or both,-Historical Sketches,and "reminiscences OF
events too minute for history yet calculating it, and height
ening its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
Of the work And of indigenous poetry enough is pub.
ished-sometimes of stran-to manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poeca taste and talents OF our
country. a......I
The times appear, for several reasons, demand such
work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
The soft, assuasive influence Of literature is needed 10
allay that fever and soohe that irritation. Vice and folly
riong abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by ridIcule into their fitting haun
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in motion, to arouse
the enlightened and to increase their number that the
great enemy OF popular longer brood
like porentous cloud, the destnes Of county
And to accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical the plan oil
the Messenger If that plan be but carried practice
he nee nliary s1ch m gent
the Dnion south of Washington there are but two literary
periodicals. Northward Of that city, there probably
least twenty-five or thirty Is this contrast justified by
the wealth. the leisure the native talent the actual
literary taste Of the Southern people, compared with those
of the Northern No: for in wealth. talents and taste
we may Justly claim at least an equality with our pre-
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords If we choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy.
1t was from deep sense Of this local want, that we
word SOUTHERN engrafted on the name OF ms
periodical and with any design to nourish local pre-
JUDGES, advocate supposed local interests Far IRON
any such thought is the editors fervent wish to sec Inc
North and South bound endearingy together foreyerh
the slken bands Of mutual kindness and affection fM
from meditatng hostility to tho North he has ALREADY
drawn and he hopes hereafter 10 draw much OF his choc
matter thence; ana happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the oih'
better, contribute in any essential degree to dspe NE
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both ~
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF iraefA
love-
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No Of its third volume. How far il has acted out W.
ideas here uttered il is not for the editor TO say ne
believes however, that il falls further short OF teen
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory. tt.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of we
work contains Ga large superroya pages printed N w.
very handsomest manner, new type, ana on f"P'.
equal at least TO that on which any other periodical -
printed in our country. .,.
No subscription will be received Tor less than aVo,,
and mus, commence with the current one. The prcf -
S. Der volume which be paid in all cases at The e
Of Subscribing This is particularly adyerted 10 no" %
M order viii hereafter be attended 10 unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription. =
The postage the Messenger is six cents on any Sa'
rc No for all distances under 100 mllesoVer oo "''
ten cents. VI -. - - ,,.-.,,.
All communications letters, relative to me Mess'"'
ger, must be addressed TO IHoNAs W VIZ VIII T.,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, hchmonn' ~