The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-01
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
THIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE devoted
j 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 will continue TO be- in the MAN,
original
Party politics and controversial theology as far as pos.
sibe, are jealousy excluded. They sometimes so
blended with discussions in literature in moral science
otherwise unobectonabe, to 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
not well be severed from the sterling ore wherewh it
incorporated. ...4."
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work; and it is the editors aim that they should
have threeold endency-to convey in a condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed,to direct the readers
attention TO books that deserve to be read and TO
him against wasting time and money upon that large
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age Of publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscriminatng student, impartial
criticism governed by the views just mentioned, of
the most nestimabe and indispensable of auxiares TO
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement,
or both,-Historcal 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 pub
lished-sometimes of no mean stran-o 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, but many The public mind
is leversh and ritaed STILL from recent political stutcs
The soft, influence OF literature is needed 10
alay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
are riotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, dashed by rldcue into their fitting hann's
Ignorance lords it over an immense proportion OF our
people, Every spring should be set in motion, TO
the enlightened and increase their number that the
great enemy of popular government may no longer BROOD
like poentous cloud the destines OF our country.
And accomplish all these ends, VIVA, more powerful
agent can be employed than periodical on 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 Norhward 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 Northern No for in wealth, talents and TASTE
may Justly claim at least equality with our br'-
hrcn; 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 Tue
word SOUTHERN engraed on the name OF ms
periodical and not with any design to nonrtsh local pre-
dices or to advocate supposed local interests Far from
such thought IL is the editors ervent wish to see inc
North and South bound endoarngy together forever IN
the silken bands of mutual kindness and affection far
from meditating hostility to the North, he has already
drawn he hopes hereafter to draw much Of his choicest
matter thence ano happy indeed will he deem h'nss,
should his pages, by making each region know the other
better contribute in any essential degree TO dlspcI The
lowering clouds that threaten the peace Of both AMI
brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF ratcn"
love. ..... ,.-.....
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached the
fifth No of its third volume How far it has acted out ne
ideas here uttered, it is not for the editor to say lie
believes however that it falls further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory. t #.-
The Messenger issued monthly. Each number of the
work contains GA large super-royal pages printed IN the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least that which any other periodical !"
printed in country.
No subscription viii be received for less than avoom"'
and must commence with the current one The Prc' -
SIS per volume which must be paid in all cases al the m
Of subscribing This is particularly adverted TO no" 10
avoid misapprehension or future misunderstanding
no order will hereafter be attended to unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription.
The hostage on the Messenger is six cents on any n'
ole No for all distances under 400 mesover 100 miles,
ten cents . "a, N
An communications letters, relative to the Messeh'
GER must be addressed to IHoNAs w. Witt Wit H.
~ southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond va