Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-06-14
PROSPECTUS
OF THE
Southern Literary Messenger
THOMAS w. WHITE.
Editor and Proprietor.

THIS IS q monthly Magazine, devoted chiefly
10 Literature, but occasionally finding room
also for articles that fall within the scope u Sci.
ence and not protesting an entire disdaia Of
tasteful selections, though its matter has bcen
II viii continue TO be, in the main. original.
! Party Politics and controversial Tkeolegp, ss
far as possible, are jealously excluded. They
sometimes so blended with discussions in lite.
nature or in moral science, otherwise unobjec
tionable, as TO gaia admittance for the sake Of
the more valuable matter 20 which they adhere !
but whenever that happens, they incidental.
only net primary. They are dross. tolerated
only because il cannot well DO severed from the
sterling ore wherewith il is incorporated
REVIEWS and CRiTicAL NoricEs. occupy their
due space in the work and il is the Editors
aim that they should have threefold tendency
80 to convey, in a coIdensed form, such valuable
truths or interesting Incidents are embodied
in the works reviewed, Ito direct the readers
attention 10 books that deserve to be READ ,-and
TO warn him against wasting time and money
upon that large number, which merit only 10 be
burned. In this age. Of publications tina, by
their variety and multitude distract and over.
whelm every uadIscriminaiing student, impartial
criticism, governed by the views just mention
ed. is one Of the most inestimable and indispcn.
sable of auxiliaries, to HIM who does wish 10
discriminate.
ESSAYS and TALES, having in view utility or
amusement, or both, SKETCHES, -
aud RsaiHrscENcEs of events too minute for
History, ye, calculating H.. and frightening lie
interest may be regarded as forming the staple
OF the work. Aud OF indigenous PoErRy, enough
ID published sometimes Of no mean s,rain--to
manifest aud TO cultivate the growing poetical
taste and talents OF our couatry.
The times appear, for several reasons. TO de. |
mand such a work and not one alone, but may. |
The public mind is favcrish and irrita,ed still, |
from recent political striies The soft, assua-
sive influence Of Literature is needed, TO allay |
that fever, aud soothe that irritation. Vice aud
folly are rioiing abroad They should be dri. |
ven by indignant rebake, or lashed by ridiculc, |
into their fitting hauhts. Ignorance lords il over
an mmenee proportion OF people - Every |
spring should be set in motion, 10 arouse thu |
lightened, and 10 increase their number; 50 that
the great enemy of popular government may
no longer brood, like portentious cloud, over
the destinies Of our country. And TO accomplish |
all shese ends, what more powerful agent Can |
be employed, than periodical, on the plan of
the Messenger if that plan be but carried out
ia practice
This SourH, peculiarly. requires such agent
In all the Union, south OF ashington, there
are but two Literary periodicals Sorthwsrd
OF that city, there are probably at least twenty
five or thirty Is this contrast justified by the
wealth, the leisure, the native talent, or the &C
tual literary taste Of the Southern people, com
pared with those Of the Northern? No: for in
wealth, talents, and taste, we may justly claim
at least an equality with our brethren; and a
all doubt affords US, if we choose, twice the lei.
sure for reading aud writing which they enjoy.
Ii was from a deep sense OF this local want,
that the word SOUTHERN was eDgraited on tue
name Of this periodical. and not with any dc
sign 10 nourish local prejudices, or TO advocate
supposed local interests. Far from any such
thought, il is the Editors fervent wish, 10 see
the North and South bound cndcariagly together
forever, in the silken bands OF mutual kindness
aud affection. Far from medi,aiing hostility TO
the north, he has already drawn, and he hopes
he reaftcr 10 draw, much Of his chosest matter
thence and happy indeed will he deem him
SELF should his pages, by making each region
know the other better, contribute IN any essen
ial degree TO dispsl the lowering clouds that
now threaten the peace Of both, and TO brighten ;
and strengthen tbs sacred ties o. ifaterna love,
The SouTHERN LITERARY MEssENGRn has
now reached the fifth No. Of its third Volume
How far IL has acted out the ideas here uttered,
is not for the Editor 10 say. He believes, how.
ever that it fails not further shor, Of them, than
human weakness usually makes Practice fall
CONDITIONS.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each mum
Der Of the work contains "a large super royal
pages, printed in the very hsndsomest manner,
on new " pc, and on paper equal at least to that
ON which any other periodical IS printed 10 our
country. No subscription will be received Tor
less than Volume. and must commence with
the current one The price is So per Volume.
W hicb must be paid ia all eases at the time OF
This is particularly adyefted 10
no ", 10 avoid misapprchenson, or future misun
no order will hereafter be at
tended to unless accompanied with the price OF
The postage on the Messenger is siT cents on
any sing lie No. for all distances under 100 miles
over 100 miles, ten cents. L
ofs-AII communication, or letters, relative TO
Inc Messenger, must be addressed 10 4" THOMAS
w. WIRE, Southern Literary Messenger Or
fee, Richmond, "a"
June Ia, 1881