The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-21
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.

TNHIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
i chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope of Science and
protesting entire disdan of tasteful selections though
its matter has been will continue TO be- in the
original rt.
Party politics and controversial theology, far pos.
sble, are jealousy excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobeconable, gain admttance 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
well be severed from the sterling wherewiih
incorporated. ....
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work and it is the editors aim that they should
have threefold endency-to convey in a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reyiewcd,o direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve TO be read and TO
him against wasting time and money upon that large
ber which merit only TO be burned In this age of publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
over~hem every undiscrimnating student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned is Of
the most nestimabe and Indispensable Of auxllarcs, 10
him who does wish to discriminate
Essays and Tales, having in view utility
both-Historical Sketches,--and "reminiscences OF
minute for history, yet Calculating and height
enng its Interestingly be regarded forming the staple
OF the work. And Of Indigenous poetry, enough Is put
Observation-Disclosures Of strain-to manifest and 10
cultivate the growing poetlcai taste and talents OF our
country.
The times appear for several reasons demand such
a work-and not alone but many, The public mind
is eversh and irtated STILL from political srfes
The soft assuasive influence Of literature is needed, 10
aay that fever and soohe that irritation Vice and folly
oting abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke lashed by rdiculc, into their fitting hauns
Ignorance lords it immense proportion OF our
people. Every spring should be set in notion to arouse
the enlightened and 10 increase their number so that the
great of popular government may longer brood
like portcutous cloud, the destinies of country
And to accomplish all these ends, what powerful
agent be employed than periodical the plan Of
the Messenger If that plan be but carried out in practice
The South peculiarly, requires such agent, In all
the nion south of Washington there are but two literary
periodicals Northward Of that city, there probably at
least twenty five thirty Is this 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 equality with our hre-
thron and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords If we choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they ENJOY.
IL from deep OF this local want, that inc
word SOUTHERN was engrafted on the OF this
periodical and not with any design to nourish local pre-
udces advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought il the editors fecn wish 10 see The
North and South bound endearngly together forever N
the skcn bands Of mutual kindness and affection FM
from medating hostility to the North, he has ALREADY
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much Of his cholc>
matter thence; ann happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the other
better, contribute in any essential degree TO dspe m
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both and
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties Of iaern"
love .s.@.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now reached the
fifth No of its third volume How fart has acted out c
ideas here uttered is not for the editor TO u"
believes, however that it falls further short Of them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short D.
theory
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number OF me
work contains 81 large superroya pages, printed in ne
very handsomest manner, on new type, and on Pale
equal at least TO that which any other periodical y
printed in country.
No subscription viii he received for less than avolnmc
and must commence with the current one The pncc y
IS per VOLUME which must be paid all cases at the tune
Of subscribing This is particularly adverted to no"
avoid Misrepresentation future rnIsundersandlng-aI
no order will heeaerbe attended TO unless accompaheu
with the price Of subscription
The postage on the Messenger is six cents on any sun
gle No for all distances under 100 mcsoycr 100 miles,
ton cents. -. =,
All communications letters, relative 10 the Messch
ger mus, be- addressed to TnoMAs w. Whit,
Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond Va