The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-08-23
PROSPECTUS OF THE
SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER,
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.


TNHIS is MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted
chiefly TO literature, but occasionally finding room
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and not
protesting entire dsdain OF tasteful selections though
its has been, will continue TO be- the main,
original
Party politics and controversial theology far pos.
sibe, are jealouslv excluded. They sometimes
blended with discussions literature moral science,
otherwise unobectionabe 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 il
well be severed from the sterling wherewh 1t Is
incorporated
in the work and the editors aim that they should
have threefold tendency-to convey in condensed
FORM such valuable truths or interesting incidents as ara
embodied In the works revewed-to direct the readers
attention 10 books that deserve TO be readand TO warn
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~helm every Understanding student, impartial
criticism governed by the views Just mentioned IS one OF
the nestimablc and indispensable Of auxiarles, to
him who does wish to discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in view utility amusement,
| or both-Histoncal Sketches,-and "reminiscences OF
minute for history yet eucdang IL and height
enng its nterest-nay be regarded forming the staple
of the work And of Indigenous poetry, enough pub
ished-sometimes OF mean srain-to manifest and 10
cultivate tho growing poetical taste and talents OF
country.
The times appear for several reasons, demand such
work-and not one alone, but many. The public mind
eversh and irritaed STILL from recent political stries
The soft assuasive influence OF literature IS needed, 10
aay that fever and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
are rotine abroad They should be driven by indignant
ebuke dashed by ridicule, into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords 1t over immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in notion to arouse
the enlightened and TO increase their number SO that tho
great enemy of popular government may no longer brood
like portenous cloud. the destines OF our country
And 10 accomplish all these ends, what more powerful
agent be employed than periodical, the plan OF
the Messenger II that plan be but carried out In practice
The South, peculiarly, requires such 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 ac'ua!
literary taste OF the Southern people, compared those
OF the Northern No: for in wealth, talents, and taste,
We may justly claim at least equality with our hre.
thren; and domestic institution exclusively our own,
beyond all doubt affords We choose twice the leisure
| Tor reading and writing, which they enjoy.
Ii was from deep OF this local want that the
| word SOUTHERN engaited on the name OF tins
peIodica and not with any design to noursh local pre-
udces To advocate supposed local interests Far from
any such thought the editors ferven wish to see tho
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the silken bands OF mutual kindness and affection f"r
from meditating hostility the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter TO draw much OF his choicest
matter thence ano happy indeed will he deem himself,
should his pages, by making each region know the DINER
better, contribute any essential degree 10 dspel the
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF BOTH and
10 brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF iraternal
| love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has reached tho
fifth No Of its third volume How far has acted out the
ideas here uttered It is not for the editor to say nc
than human weakness usually makes practice ia sho OIL
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly Each number Of Tho
work contains O. large supcrroya pages printed IN me
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least that which any other periodical Is
printed in country.
No subscription will be received for less than volume
and must commence with the current The price -
IS per volume which be paid all eases a. the time
Of subscribing This is particularly adverted to no" 20
avoid misapprchension, or future msnndersiandns-n
no order viii hereafter be attended to unless accompanied
/ with the price OF subscription,
The.posage the Messenger SIX cents on any Sun
gle No for all distances under oomes-oyer i0o miles,
| len cents. .
All communications or letters, relative to the Messch'
ger, must be addressed 10 TnoaAs w WHITE.
1 Southern Literary Messenger Office Richmond Va