The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-21
PROSPECTUS OF THE
TERN LITERARY MESSENGE
THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR

THOMAS W. WHITE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
TNHIS is A MONTHLY MAGAZINE devoted
i chiefly TO literature but occasionally finding
for articles that fall within the scope Of Science and
processing entire dsdain of tasteful selections, though
It's matter has been, as Will continue to be- IN the man,
original ..s~.A. . H..
sble eaously excluded They sometimes
blended with discussions in literature or in moral science
otherwise unobJectionable to gain admance 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 wherewih 1t IS
Reviews and Critical Notices occupy their due space
in the work. and is the editors aim that they should
have thrcetold tendency--to convey in condensed
form, such valuable truths interesting incidents
embodied in the works reviewed,to direct the readers
attention books that deserve to be read,and to
him against wasting time and money upon that large nun
Der, which merit only to be burned In this age OF publ
cations that by their variety and multitude distract and
overwhelm every undiscriminating student, impartial
criticism governed BY the views Just mentioned is one o.
the most nestimabe and indispensable Of auxiares 10
him who does wish TO discriminate.
Essays and Tales, having in viewutility 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
lished-sometimes OF no mean stran-to manifest and to
cultivate the growing poetical taste and talents oil our
country.
The times appear, for several reasons demand such
work-and not alone, but many. The public mind
is feverish and rr,aed still, from political stries
The soft, assuasive influence OF literature IS needed to
allay that fever, and soothe that irritation Vice and folly
riotng abroad They should be driven by indignant
rebuke, or dashed by ridcue into their fitting haunts
Ignorance lords it over an immense proportion OF our
people Every spring should be set in notion to arouse
the enlightened and TO increase their number so that the
great enemy Of popular government may longer BROOD
like porentous cloud the destines Of our country
And TO accomplish all these ends, what 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 but two literary
periodicals Nohward Of that city, there are probably al
least twenty-five 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 NorhernR Mo- for in wealth, talents and TASTE
we may justly claim at least an equality with our oe
hren and domestic institution exclusively our own
beyond all doubt affords il choose twice the leisure
for reading and writing, which they enjoy
IL from deep sense OF this local want, that me
word SOUTHERN engrafcd the name OF THIS
periodical and not with any design TO noursh local pre-
JUDGES, advocate supposed local interests Far IRON
any such thought is the editors fervent wish to see The
North and South bound endearngy together forever IN
the silken bands Of mutual kindness and affection Far
from meditang hostility TO the North, he has already
drawn and he hopes hereafter to draw much Of his choicest
matter thence ana happy indeed will he deem himself
should his pages by making each region know the other
better contribute in any essential degree to dispel tho
lowering clouds that threaten the peace OF both, and
to brighten and strengthen the sacred ties OF raterna
love.
The Southern Literary Messenger has now 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 not further short OF them
than human weakness usually makes practice fall short
theory.
The Messenger is issued monthly. Each number Of the
work contains GA large superrqyal pages printed IN the
very handsomest manner, new type, and on paper
equal at least TO that which any other periodical
printed in country
No subscription viii be received for less than ayolumc,
and must commence with the current one The price
SIS per volume which must be paid IN all cases al the me
Of subscribing This is particularly advered TO now 10
avoid anprehension or future Observation-Disclosures
No order vii, hereafter be attended TO unless accompanied
with the price Of subscription
The noSarc on the Messenger is six cents on any sun
Gle No for all distances under 100 whatsoever lOo miles,
ten cents. -. a.. u...,r
All communications or letters relative to inc hesseh'
s, he addressed 10 THOMAS w. WHITE,
. Southern Literary Messenger Office, Richmond V"